Dear Rodger
My name is Aaron Malley, student of Mr.Theriault's World Issues class. I hope that I’m not prying to deep with my question but here it is: With all the things you’ve seen have you ever got into a situation where you honestly thought that you were staring death in the face and that you were not going to make it home? Or have ever just seen where a situation goes south and people start getting hostile?
1 comment:
Hi Aaron – The quick and very short answer to both your questions would be simply – YES.
I suppose I could leave it at that since some of us would rather not think of those times let alone discuss them. I will try to give you some valid reasons.
Number one is that our job is not over yet? There may be other times where the situation will get a bit hairy? One of the primary “survival tricks” during a possible hazardous situation is the ability to maintain a calm and composed manner. You may have heard this in a Movie or read it somewhere but literally your enemy can “smell” your fear and that works in their favor not yours. In other words – don’t panic? That may be easier said than done? If you dwell on your past “close calls” your ability to approach the next situation calmly may be impaired.
There has always been a very fine line between “Bravery” and “Stupidity”? We sum it up by using the old joke that says:
“If you can keep your head while everyone around you is losing theirs – you probably have no bloody idea what’s happening?”
In some cases that is not such a bad concept?
Some people are “Stunt Junkies”. Other folks continuously look for the “Action”. Some people keep on stating that they need the “Adrenalin Rush” of being in danger? Some other folks for some reason or other just seem to have a “Death Wish”?
Unfortunately I personally do not think that I fall into any of the above categories. The times that I have been in the type of situation of your question have been a matter of just being there rather than going to look for them? As UN Security Officers our Mission is to go into locations first to “assess” the situation on the ground “before” we permit the UN Humanitarian Assistance Deliverers (UN Agencies like WFP/UNICEF/UNHCR) go to do their job. This is where we go into locations that we “hope” there are no Negative Forces to impede the work. Most times we do OK but then at other times we hit a few snags.
Another reason I personally do not like to discuss the issue is that there are too many who wish to “glorify” the experience. Another word for “glorifying” is just plain “bragging”. There is nothing “glorifying” or nothing to “brag about” in facing death?
If you permit me I can offer you a “follow on” question to yours? You may wish to ask “Were you ever “afraid” during the times that you thought you might “kick the bucket”?” Anyone who in fact is aware of a Hazardous Situation and who tells you that they were “not afraid” might not be telling you the whole truth. However, fear may not come upon you immediately. Some events do occur so fast that you really do not have time to be afraid? Your reactions are based on reflex and reflex alone without having to pass through the “thinking” part. That is where Training and Discipline play the greatest parts in your survival.
Knowing what to do and being able to do them without thinking can save your b---t?
After having said that though, once the event is over, and you have the time to think about what you just went through – then the fear can creep up on you. That is when you have to learn to “overcome” your fear. Again easier said than done?
I have kept this answer short for the reasons stated above. When I retire we can all sit around and you guys can listen to an Old Man tell some War Stories? OK
Roger Arsenault 13 January 2009
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