SwiftVets.com

[olympian2004]

In Mosul, a Battle 'Beyond Ruthless'
Onetime Gang Member Applies Rules of Street

By Steve Fainaru
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, April 13, 2005; Page A01

MOSUL, Iraq -- From inside a vacant building, Sgt. 1st Class Domingo Ruiz watched through a rifle scope as three cars stopped on the other side of the road. A man carrying a machine gun got out and began to transfer weapons into the trunk of one of the cars.

"Take him down," Ruiz told a sniper.

The sniper fired his powerful M-14 rifle and the man's head exploded, several American soldiers recalled. As he fell, more soldiers opened fire, killing at least one other insurgent. After the ambush, the Americans scooped up a piece of skull and took it back to their base as evidence of the successful mission.

The March 12 attack -- swift and brutally violent -- bore the hallmarks of operations that have made Ruiz, 39, a former Brooklyn gang member, renowned among U.S. troops in Mosul and, in many ways, a symbol of the optimism that has pervaded the military since Iraq's Jan. 30 elections.

Insurgent attacks in this northern Iraqi city, which numbered more than 100 a week in mid-November, have declined by almost half, according to the military. Indirect attacks -- generally involving mortars or rockets -- on U.S. bases fell from more than 200 a month in December to fewer than 10 in March. Although figures vary from region to region, attacks also have declined precipitously in other parts of Iraq, creating a growing belief among U.S. commanders that the insurgency is losing potency.

"We are seeing a more stable environment," said Lt. Col. Michael Gibler, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, which operates in eastern Mosul. "Have we made a turn yet? No, but we're really close to it."

The military attributes the decline to several factors, including Iraqis' increased willingness to provide information about insurgents and the growing presence of the new Iraqi security forces throughout the country.

But the main reason, military officials said, is a grinding counterinsurgency operation -- now in its 20th month -- executed by soldiers like Ruiz, a platoon sergeant in the 3rd Battalion's C Company. It is a campaign of endless repetition: platoons of American troops patrolling Iraqi streets on foot or in armored vehicles. Its inherent monotony is punctuated by moments of extreme violence.

"Our battles have been beyond ruthless," said Ruiz, adding that he believes most Americans have little understanding of how the conflict is being fought.

"An urban counterinsurgency is probably the ugliest form of warfare there is," said Capt. Rob Born, 30, the C Company commander.

Hardened to Horror

U.S. soldiers said they have been hardened to it by months of fighting insurgents who often kill or maim civilians or target people marginally associated with the Americans. In Mosul recently, U.S. forces have come upon dozens of decapitated bodies with notes attached. One accused a victim of "sin and corruption" and quoted the Koran: "We have not done injustice unto them, but they to themselves."

Born, a West Point graduate from Burke, Va., said he was struck by his own indifference to the violence when it involved the insurgents.

Last week, for example, a suicide car bomber tried to blow himself up next to one of C Company's platoons. As the car approached, U.S. soldiers opened fire from Stryker attack vehicles. The bomb went off about 20 yards from the nearest Stryker, causing only minor injuries to the Americans.

Born arrived to find parts of the bomber's body scattered in all directions. His initial reaction, he said, was "euphoric" -- relief that none of his men had been killed or badly injured. Of the bomber, he said, "I felt absolutely nothing."

The violence "kind of becomes your reality," he said. "If a year ago you would have told me that seeing that kind of carnage would have little to no impact on me, it would have surprised me. I don't think I'm any less sensitive or less compassionate . . . but I have really developed my thoughts on the [insurgents]: I have no sympathy for them. It's funny how you can detach yourself from normal human feeling for a group of people but you're able to retain it for everybody else."

Pvt. Adam McCamant, 19, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, arrived at the scene with Born. "It kind of made my day better," he said. "It was like, yeah. He killed himself without accomplishing what he wanted."

Infantrymen with C Company said no soldier is more ruthlessly proficient at fighting the insurgents than Ruiz, a son of Puerto Rican parents who grew up in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn. Ruiz's unit, the 4th Platoon, has killed at least 15 suspected insurgents in the past two months, according to soldiers. Commanders said the unit encounters more enemy contact than any other platoon in the battalion.

The platoon calls itself the "Violators." Its patch depicts a leering skull clad in a green beret, blood dripping from its mouth. Its motto is "Carpe Noctum," or "Seize the Night," a reference in Latin to the platoon's propensity to operate after dark.

A self-described "greaser," Ruiz wears a pencil-thin mustache and slicks back the dark hair on the top of his head with Rebound Activator Gel. The lower half of his scalp is shaved.

Around the platoon's barracks, he has a friendly, energetic, exuberant presence and can be almost fatherly with his men, eight of whom are Hispanic and sometimes speak with him in Spanish. His living space is immaculate, with two ornate rugs and a stylish clock/lamp shaped like a saxophone -- items he purchased in Mosul shops while on patrol. On a recent afternoon, he was watching a DVD of "The Motorcycle Diaries," the chronicle of Ernesto "Che" Guevara's journey through South America, for what he said was the third time. Ruiz said he dreams of riding horseback through Latin America when he gets out of the Army.

Overhearing a staff sergeant describe him as "ghetto," Ruiz joked: "I'm urban."

Although Ruiz is not the highest-ranking soldier in the unit, his command over the 4th Platoon is absolute. Last fall, commanders transferred a platoon leader just 48 hours after he tangled with Ruiz.

When another young platoon leader, Lt. Colin Keating, 23, of Clinton, Md., arrived Feb. 6, Ruiz greeted him warmly and introduced him to every soldier in the platoon, but told him: "Just let me fight my war."

It is a war that Ruiz said reminds him of his youth as a member of the Coney Island Cobras, a Brooklyn street gang. He said he applies many of the principles he learned in the rough neighborhoods where he grew up: Bay Ridge and, later, the projects in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he moved with his mother as a teenager.

"What I see here, I saw a long time ago," he said. "It's the same patterns."

Staff Sgt. John Garrison, 36, of Manhattan, who referred to Ruiz as "ghetto," said: "People hear the word 'ghetto' and they think of that as a bad thing. But it's not a thing, it's a place. And it gives you certain advantages over other people that don't come up from there."

Ruiz recalled fighting turf battles in New York with "whatever you had in your pocket." In Mosul, he presides over an infantry unit that Born built from scratch for maximum lethality.

The platoon is built around four 21-ton Strykers -- two mounted with TOW missiles, two designed to carry infantrymen.

Keating said Ruiz "pretty much wrote the book on this particular style of unit. This is the first time it had ever been done, and he basically figured out how that system works."

Among soldiers in Mosul, Ruiz's aggressiveness is legendary -- both in attacking the insurgents and gathering intelligence. Keating said Ruiz "plays by the rules of Iraq, not by the rules that are written by some staff guy who's never been on the ground. He's never crossed the line, but he'll go right up to it time and time again."

After recently hearing that a security guard was allowing insurgents to meet at night at a school, Ruiz said, he confronted the principal by "taking over his personal space" and threatening to shut down the school down if the meetings continued. At a store whose owner he believed was aiding insurgents, Ruiz threatened to park a Stryker out front and post a sign saying that the man was abetting terrorism.

Ruiz said he "never crosses the line." But he said one reason for the platoon's success was his willingness to act decisively and ruthlessly. "It's important for my soldiers to know that we're not going to hesitate to annihilate the enemy," he said. "A bullet coming toward you means that they want to kill you. What are you supposed to do, come back with flowers? But believe it or not, you have people here that want to give them, you know, a little bag of candy."

Acting swiftly, he said, "sends a message to the enemy that we're not playing games. If you engage us, you are going to die."

Born said Ruiz, like comic book hero Spider-Man, seems to possess "a spidey-sense that starts tingling when bad stuff is going on."

Laying the Ambush

Before the March 12 ambush, Ruiz set up an observation post in a remote house, telling his skeptical platoon, "This is where they'll come." The insurgents in the three cars had attacked a convoy of Iraqi soldiers, then gathered in front of the house to consolidate their weapons -- all the time unaware they were being watched by Ruiz and his men.

In the fury of the ambush, the three cars managed to drive off. In addition to the man who was killed instantly, the Americans concluded that at least one other insurgent was killed and carried off because an abandoned vehicle discovered nearby contained "a lot of blood and brain and skull matter," Born said.

Born said he thought the ambush likely had "a huge impact on [the insurgents'] morale. Getting ambushed like that -- they're usually the guys doing the ambushing."

Ruiz said the decision to pick up the skull fragment and take it back to the base was a "sarcastic" gesture to confirm the kill to the battalion. Born, who was not present during the attack, said the soldiers picked up the fragment not as a trophy, which is prohibited under military regulations, but to confirm "that we had the remains of a terrorist."

As March continued, the 4th Platoon's reputation only grew. Four days after the ambush, on March 16, Ruiz ordered a "flash" checkpoint to search vehicles on a road in southeastern Mosul.

Soldiers who described the incident afterward said the platoon blocked traffic with three Strykers and approached the vehicles on foot. As they did, three men in an Opel sedan opened fire with automatic weapons. One soldier, Spec. Jarrod Romine, 25, of Branson, Mo., was struck several times and absorbed a bullet fragment in one of his eyes.

Romine was still advancing when the car accelerated and ran over him. His armored vest caught on the Opel's bumper, preventing his head from going under a tire, but the car began to drag him.

Just then, two soldiers from the 4th Platoon closed in from both sides and shot the three men with automatic weapons at point-blank range.

Romine, who is recovering in the United States, lost parts of two fingers, but so far his eye has been saved, said Staff Sgt. Jose Cortez, 32, of El Monte, Calif., one of the two men who killed the vehicle's occupants. Two other soldiers were also wounded but are recovering.

Ruiz said he once went to a palm reader in Colombia, and "she told me I got a three-meter angel hanging around me all the time. I believe that crap, too, man. Everybody shares my angel."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48017-2005Apr12.html
_________________
Tony in Boulder, Colorado

[GenrXr]

[Knighthawk]

The fact is, there are many members in the Armed Forces that at one time or another use to run with a gang. Many, including myself, joined to get out of a bad situation. (and here I am 21 years later, happily married, getting ready to retire.)

This guy has the respect of his soldiers, and that says alot to me about his character.

So what if he used to be in a gang, its his character and actions while wearing the uniform that matter....so far I would say he is doing just great.

I guess you don't believe that people have the ability to change.
_________________
Regards,
Brian

Beware of the lollipop of mediocrity! Lick it once and you'll suck forever.

If guns kill people, then I can blame misspelled words on my pencil.

Knighthawk's Pictures!

[GenrXr]

No, I believe if he is able to stay alive and do well over in Iraq it is because he is a member of the US military and NOT because he was a gang member. This article is very disturbing to me in many ways.
_________________
"An activist is the person who cleans up the water, not the one claiming its dirty."
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand by and do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Founder of Conservative Philosophy

[canman]

I agree there is a big problem with the article.

The inference is that our soldiers are just a pumped up street gang.

I am speculating, but it seems that is the angle the reporter wanted to take with the story. He could have asked the soldier leading questions and formed the story to meet his preconceived impressions.

I do not know if this soldier is as out of control as the reporter portrays him as being.

What I DO know is that I do not trust a reporter to give me the straight story.

[Tom Poole]

I'm automatically suspicious of any quote from the Washington Post. Their bias is obvious and their history spotted.
_________________
'58 Airedale HMR(L)-261 VMO-2

[Essayons]

As Knighthawk pointed out - not all gang members turn out bad.

When I read the article my reaction was: "That's the way to do it, good for you Sarg". Then I read the posts and was shocked.

SGT 1st Class Ruiz at age 39 has about 20 years of service I suspect. He is an E7 and you do not get those stripes without doing it the ARMY way. He was a gang member who saw the light and "done good."

I personally know nothing about gangs other than what I read. I do know about the Army and combat. There is a certain viciousness and "do it right or you die - or kill one of your soldiers" mentality to combat. Pantywaists need not apply. That came out load and clear in the articles' portrayal of SGT Ruiz and the unit he commands.

The actions were described clearly and the feelings of the soldiers toward their enemy is what I would expect.

The key elements were SGT Ruiz has the respect of the platoon he commands and that the 1LT platoon leader was replaced. The latter shows that SGT Ruiz has the respect of the sergeants and officers above him.

Possibly the article was printed by the WAPO for negative shock value.

We all banty about "Freedom isn't free." While some may recoil in horror after reading the story, it is but a microcosm of the cost of freedom. But the true cost, which we rarely hear about, may come years later when a soldier violently wakes up at night screaming and in a sweat and relives in vivid color a combat nightmare that will haunt him forever. While he may have "felt nothing" at the time, it is not really the case. He had built an emotional wall during combat to protect his emotional stability - and the wall just came crashing down.

For some, killing the enemy is not the problem - living with it is.

Regards,
Dick
_________________
Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.

[kman]

[vet_supporter]

The Washington comPost, guaranteed anti-American/anti-military 24/7, 365.

To me it looks like they are trying to do a smear job on an effective unit. Of course, to be effective, the unit has to kill the enemy.

What they always ignore is that the people the unit is killing cut off helpless victims heads while they scream, blow up bombs killing innocent bystanders - woman and children included, mutilate people before they kill them, murder women for wearing a dress, etc.

Our military in Iraq see the handiwork of these barbaric criminals every day. Now, you would think that the "reporter" would have bothered to mention the acts of barbarism of the "insurgents" that has so motivated this special unit to get rid of as many of them as possible. Instead, they present the unit as being a gang and that our people are the barbarians.

What a crock. The Washington comPost. Who can read it and even believe anything those people say? Look how they smeared the Swiftvets.

VS

[Essayons]

I still remain amazed at the responses to the original post of the article. Most rail about the WAPO but give little insite into the reality of combat - which the article covers extremely well. If you have a problem with this statement then make it. I am getting irrtated reading your resposes.

Are any of the responders combat veterans?

If you are offended by the explicit detail of actual combat operations (actually rather mild) as depicted in the article then you had better rethink your position regarding Freedom isn't Free. Your freedom is guaranteed by soldiers who are willing to do extreme violence against our enemies while you suck a brew and expound.

Hey folks, combat is NOT pretty. It leaves a lasting effect on those involved.

I get the feeling I'm reading responses from "Remington Raiders" - clerks who never saw anything worse than a cut from using their typwriter.

If you cannot hack the realities of combat then get out of the way and let real soldiers continue to make you safe while you put blinders over your eyes.

SGT Ruiz and the men under his command are the real thing. COMBAT VETERANS. They guarantee your freedom. THEY KILL OUR EMEMIES.

I am frustrated beyond description. Most responders to this article only wish to bash the WAPO and in doing so show their lack of understanding of COMBAT.

Well folks, I am getting the impression that some of the "rah, rah" people who respond to posts on this site ain't got a clue. If you have a problem with killing our enemies after reading about the details of how it happens then you best do a reality check.

As you can see, I am really Pi$$ed. Most of the responses take me back to 1969 when I returned from Vietnam. I do not want to return to that time. The rejection then hurts too much.

If you want to keep your freedom then you have to accept that SGT Ruiz and his platoon are the soldiers you need to cover your back.

I have to end this now as I am getting too emotionally involved.

Regards,
Dick
_________________
Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.

[Rdtf]

Essayons-
Your insight is much appreciated. I've never been in combat, but I can appreciate that others are doing it so I don't have to. I can also see how some could be successful in a war zone using their well earned street smarts...
Try not to let yourself get too emotionally involved in these postings. We are all on the same team here. And by the way, thanks so very much for your contribution to my freedom!!!

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Actually, my first response to this article was one of "Yee-friggin-HAW!!!" but I was too busy and didn't comment at the time.

When I came back to the thread, I was amazed at the turn the discussion had taken - especially since this is a military board.

So then I thought maybe it was just me - I'm not a combat vet, after all - and I will nearly always defer in my opinions to those who have been there in matters of combat situations and conditions.

But it looks like the culture of "measured response" (arguably the biggest disaster in the history of warfare, IMHO) has infiltrated even our military!

Measured response is "You kill innocent civilians, I cut off your arm."

Appropriate response is, "You kill innocent civilians, I bomb your encampment to dust, spoil your food, salt your fields, poison your water, braid your entrails for rope and stick your friggin' heads on pikes."

This SGT clearly seems to me to have learned his way around the AO and has developed means by which to make the enemy die for their cause while protecting his own men.

That's what I thought war was all about! And these guys are doing it!

I guess I've taken on a rather bloodthirsty attitude since 9-11.

The massacres at Nasiriyah, Fallujah, Mosul, Kirkuk... each has made my desire for absolute destruction of the enemy ever stronger. Our troops are delivering on that wish!

So, here's a belated war whoop and big BZ's for this SGT and for all the men and women who are over there in the middle of this danger and chaos and confusion - taking care of business.
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Knighthawk]

[four-niner delta]

My son just returned from 14 months in Iraq with the 1st CAV. I thought the dialogue was tame. The stories I heard from my 20 year old, when he was able to talk about it, were horrific. I saw the reality of combat in Vietnam-its not a pretty sight! Like Col. David Hunt said in his book, "They Just Don't Get It", there's too much *****-footing around and these insurgents need to be DEAD! Period! My .02.
_________________
Gary Armitstead
Burbank, CA
U.S. Army Vietnam 1966-67 Mekong Delta
Mobile Riverine Force
A Co. 3/60 9th INF DIV

[Essayons]

To all readers of this thread, I must apologize for my previous (2nd) post. I became too emotionally involved and should not have made the post

Rtdf - Thanks.

Navy_Navy_Navy - we'd have to tie you down or you would get us all in trouble. Hah!

Knighthawk (Brian) - Thanks for your service and keeping this old bag of wind free! Went through some of your photos and saw some Bradleys, track 155s and weapons cache. Good job and again thank you. I especially like the photo of the GI releaving his bladder on Sadam's grotto.

four-niner delta (Gary) - thank your son for me, same as above. I surely hope he does not ever suffer from flashbacks.

Seems we have something in common. I was with the 9th ID, 15th Combat Engineers in the Mekong Delta '68/'69. Your mention of Col. David Hunt is of interest since i worked for his father Col. Ira Hunt, 9th ID Chief of Staff (at the time) for 3 months as liason to the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light) and also to the 9th ID, 3rd Brigade.

Should you be interested, I am the webmaster for a 15th Engineer web site http://15thengineer.50megs.com/ which also has significant 9th ID information including the Mobile Riverine Force. Few know that the Navy (brown water Navy) and the 9th ID worked together in the Mekong Delta.

Yep, I was in the Delta when "Flipper" Kerry made himself a hero and bugged out with his 3 (fake) Purple Hearts. I knew Infantry guys who had 5 Purple Hearts and served out their time. God bless them. F**k you Kerry!

Okay, time to go - emotions setting in.

Regards,
Dick
_________________
Essayons - Let us try - the code of the Army Engineer. Sappers First, the code of the Combat Engineer.