We are not police officers. We do not work in a prison back stateside. We are soldiers and sailors in our 20's to 30's. The detainees here have more rights then the local people, U.S. Soldiers, American citizens, and prisoners back stateside. Abuse is not taken lightly. We are watched 24/7 on camera. Only our cameras are not seen on the local news. They are watched by people who are high enough in government that if you attempt abuse of your power you will soon find yourself in a military prison for a very long time and your life over. As guards we do not even entertain the idea of abuse. Abuse would only lead to more problems for our fellow soldiers and the American people. When it gets to the level of riot control, which is very rare, it is the last possible resource to be used to prevent injury of other detainees. As a guard member your life and protection comes second to those you watch everyday. Even when they throw fecal matter, spit, or attack you. Your only response is prevent injury to that individual and other detainees. As guard members you are held to a much higher level then officers and correction facility members back stateside. If a riot does occur, when you go in you face people who have, tried, or given the chance kill you. These people do not follow rules. We go face to face with them with nothing but handcuffs. Put yourself in our shoes for a moment. You are in your early 20's. You've been away from all comforts of the states for months. You have friends but basically your alone. You end up on a riot control team one night. You now have to go face to face with a group of people who will do ANYTHING to kill you or your friends. You are not going in to gain revenge or to protect fellow U.S. soldiers. You are going in to prevent these individuals from harming themselves or each other. You have absolutely nothing to protect yourself against make shift weapons and cocktails of liquids you do not wnat to even think about whats in them. You get inside and restrain these people with little or no force. Things quiet down after you remove the trouble makers to other cells. Then you have to go right back to work as if nothing happened to you or your friends. Now wouldnt you want something to get yourself motivated to do something that could lead to your or your friends death or serious injury and in return nothing happens to the individual?
Im sure this wont put it into perspective. Its impossible to know unless your here. Your allowed your opinion, thats why Im here. Ive had fingers broken, stitches, fecal matter thrown on me on a weekly basis and I still go to work everyday for 14 hours and make sure these individuals are fed, warm, get medical treatment, and a number of other necessities and gifts these people receive only because I know if I treat them poorly that it will only hurt you, my family, my friends, and others in the future.
