Captain David Roy w/ Moe Lauzier

Joining us right now as captain David Roy who is done with the Massachusetts National Guard. Serving us in Baghdad good morning captain right.

Good morning -- argue. Like -- apologist for Italy I get -- weapons some. From. Meetings. This afternoon with -- the other soldiers around the theater. Planning some media. Engagements with the local -- Iraqi and -- prosper in the coming weeks so. I apologize for a bird he that you -- hear your listeners yes we can.

Captain you have nothing to apologize. And start with that aren't simplest that it is that we who are imposing upon you. To be there in the first place. I'm Mike clear. And I get here and I'm not answer your of the author. You Europe together it's guess his Fanny on the line and not me Dominic I'm in a very comfortable cheer. An extremely comfortable studio. And a very safe -- part of the world. After regular up the year it will -- in my car and drive to my very safe home in my very happy family. So if there's anyone who has any apologies to make it is me. Ended and the thanks for months to you and they shouldn't be electric news in the in this way you do this is not fair. Tell us a little bit about dead David Roy captain.

Sure think of I was born and raised in Lewiston Maine. Got my a my commission and my bachelor's degree from Norwich University which -- most users if they're not familiar. Is the Yankee version of the Citadel it is the oldest private military college in North America. In the United States rather that you -- located at Northfield Vermont oh not too much that's new berry. You asserted in a breakdown to -- 99 B three from. From there is so absolutely aerospace not active duty as a signal officer. At Fort Bragg North Carolina. -- my wife. Michelle who is born raised and Foxboro. When we left the army. The active duty army anyway. We were looking for an eight a job and home close to one of our families. So that we could raise some our kids the same way we're raised with the influence from extended family. And I was lucky enough to secure employment -- missile systems center at Natick Massachusetts. Noticed that a collapse beaten. That's my -- jobs and what we transition nice state in the National Guard in Massachusetts. And you know flash forward about six years. And so on June 2 I was notified that it would be mobilized for active duty in support of operation Iraqi freedom.

Side would suspect year you used sweetheart is listening right now yes actually hear and feel free to say good morning to please.

Well good morning to shell and -- son Nicholas. That -- you vote that loves you very much and Q all the rest of the other family that might be listening this morning. Hello from Baghdad.

And how old Nicholas. He's forty -- so. You right hander left there. Well you know that's money he all -- move actually. What is planned hockey -- He's a left hander and then when he -- except for baseball bat he. He -- my.

You can they give you a little test to give him to help her determine -- which way should go I can tell you from past experience that matters not. Whether of a boy playing from the left side of the right side of the plate that some of the relevant. In terms of the -- his physical ability just when the baton so it has nothing to do with coordination. What is important is which by is the dominant. In the way we determine the dominant is by using the kaleidoscope or even a a paper tube from a roll roll of paper towels. And see which -- he goes to if you ask them to play peek a boo or to look through that tube. The child will go to the dominant. And that I should be the guy that's closest to the -- so that's the right guy. He should get left candidate that the left eight. He should hit right handed. In defeat shows a tendency to be able to go to either right comfortably. The new get a chance at having yourself -- switch -- let. Retirement -- as a matter of fact. I learned that from a year from the Major League scout who in turn had learned it. Either from the University of Arizona which accidentally used eleven still does Arizona State and -- Does a lot of work with. With vision. -- of the vision of their players. And Reggie Smith who at that time had been a hitting instructor for the LA Dodgers the former Red Sox will play. And they develop that technique to fit to figure out which one would be the dominant. So they haven't so if your son hit 400 -- wanna piece of the action. -- I doubt you you work with the as some of the Iraqi People can we get into fuel the news stories that we're picking up back here. In I'm not sure how much of the information we're getting in how much of the filtered and how much of it gets lost. Either on the translation or in the transmittal. From -- Iraq to the United States. One has to do with our success in decreased. Correct me if I'm wrong but we are in the process or have already. Pulled out our own troops but from to creep in and they are. In Tikrit now one of the security country is not totally the responsibility. Of the Iraqi military.

It's.

To my knowledge it's not Tikrit we're looking at Karbala province. We had just recently in the past couple of days what was called. Transfer of provincial controls so provincial Iraqi control. Also known as as a -- PI -- Where. The we -- role reversal instead of the US forces walking point on security for a province. -- we take a step back in the Iraqi forces and the local government. And takes it more prominent role. In the day to day operations and security sort that problem. Karbala it is eighty. It probably is the -- province -- we've executed. Provincial transfer. To the Iraqis to the Iraqi People. The province is primarily Shia. It borders Anbar Province which is. Predominantly Sunni population. And heartless city is the publicity is the location. One of the one of the -- the prominent Shia shrines. Pilgrimages. Focus on every year. The we have ten provinces let the belief that need to be transferred. Two in the to Iraqi control. And those I mean that's common knowledge. It's funny event driven timeline as to win. That will happen and the leaders of the Iraqi Government and military. Our constant. Coordination and communication -- is -- a coalition counterparts. She's seen it you know once those wants residents and those guidelines has been met. That this transferred happen and it's it's common knowledge now that. The president of Iraq. Nori Al Maliki president a multi his talking about. Transfer control of Basra. So. They are eager to resume control of of their own country. And we're working with them in every way possible to help them off. David and that is it -- and its epic correct myself at his position titlist prime minister now president.

But he eat it in essence he has this the essentially the same executive authority and function as the president of the United States would have here.

Yet to -- to my knowledge that is correct it now.

And then incidentally our -- is captain David Roy Massachusetts National Guard serving that's enough in Baghdad. How are not what is the process for making a judgment. That they particular province can be turned over to the Iraqi Government and in terms of its security and it literally -- its early in the process of -- autonomy.

Different categories that need to be evaluated. And the specifics of which I'm not pretty cute but it. It's not just security it's also economic and political. You know. Across the board where do. How. Well off is this province in order to stand on its own. And again it's. Done through. A lot of coordination at senior levels in in both the civilian sector and the military sector on both sides with coalition and with the the Iraqi Government and military.

In essence and that's on a case by case basis. And both sides saturated. Another words and they can't just -- the the Iraqis can't simply say we're ready to take over here. That has to be you pretty much in agreement.

Well and vice Versa. You understand it it can't -- that that the coalition forces are forcing provincial control either. You know it's it's. There's a certain amount of comfort on both sides it needs to be that needs to be reached with regards to meeting those metrics and again the details of which. I'm not privy to those again that's -- very senior.

No we're the real hot -- other any remaining real hot spots. In Iraq to and you know we bring Anbar Province at one time with such a hot but they you know there were constant casualties both of them American in. Iraqi military as well as literally the slaughter of civilians and so on going up. There any hot -- of that type left the in Iraq that the present time.

Not on the scale that Anbar once flies. And to their credit. That -- at a local leaders in Anbar Province. From my perspective have sent the and so it. You know. The standard for how the local populace can regain control of of their particular. That their particular provinces that particular counts. Coming together with these concerned local citizens. And assisting the Iraqi Army Iraqi police in the coalition forces in identifying -- criminal elements that that -- in those local areas. And working with us to. To eliminate those criminal. Activities in those areas to bring security back on line and with security comes. Economic prosperity and and he grows from there. But it Faris as hotspots. Again not on the skillet and bar once was. So I guess that's the best wicket keeper of the incident back.

captain -- you work with. Members of the Iraqi media. I think both of us who are at least haven't and a touch of history. Understand the role of a free press in the the maintenance of liberty and our freedoms here in the United States what is the situation. With the press in Iraq in terms of its autonomy its ability. -- publisher is for example is the way we are right this minute knew and I speaking here. And then there is no government control over. You know what we can say a -- can talk about. There's no government control over what the Boston Herald of the Boston Globe can print tomorrow morning. Do what what's happening in Iraq when it comes to that type of media.

to give -- the readers such as urgent. Yeah Iraqi media for a long time prior to the prior to. The previous regime. Being problem. Was at the mercy of that regime and everything was pro Saddam. Because if you were you you were members of your family and disappeared and -- never seen from again. Since the introduction of democracy. It has spin. --

The press has actually taken not everybody has a television station or newspaper radio station. So that a lot of grassroots efforts for. Eight free and independent press. And much as it is in the west. Different news in media outlets have differently links and so you have your equivalents of CNN and fox and you know make -- and and what have you. And you you have different perspectives on the same issue from different media outlets we you can expect that anywhere. Are they free and independent. Yes by and large they are that would equate the media here all. Breaches of the media whether it's television newspapers radio even a web site. -- the media. That we had in the twenties and thirties have a lot of beat reporters. A lot of folks that only get paid if the if -- get a story. One and probably get paid at this story. Is -- in print or it's over here. Now that's not to say that there are some very well funded very well established. News outlets there are. But what you're seeing as an awful lot. Young media outlets. Who are trying to make their way. That's the good side but that's sided that reporters are. Assassinated. More often than any of us would would like to. Hear about. Simply for. Seeking the truth and and reporting the news. As it should be.

You know just gonna ask you -- to get a job as a talk shows and radio Baghdad. But I think -- after which he -- and if they don't stay here.

Yet it within the last I was -- three weeks. We have had. Two reporters that have been assassinated one of them was a stringer for the Washington Post and that made quite a bit of splash in the western media because he lists essentially an employee for a western. And the other was -- your -- I believe which is. A local television. Station. Television company. Here in Iraq. And it's a sad day when you read about reporters being assassinated for giving the for doing the things that a a lot of our report back on take for granted. Receive them. In press conferences with higher ranking American officials and high ranking Iraqi officials both military and civilian. And they are hesitant to. Ask the hard questions because they've been. Trained overtime for fear but if you ask hard questions that things happen to you. But as the press conference goes aren't they at the press conference goes and they ask the hard question and wanted to answer is given. You know whether whether the person being asked the question what's the question or not they respond. And it encourages the other reporters to ask hard questions. So they're learning and they do understand that corporate press here in Iraq is one of the best guardians for the democracy that they have. That is beginning to take -- here.

Captain -- and if you understand. -- should stay with me for a few more minutes because I do have a couple more questions along these lines. I think this is very interest in this is -- this is a of view is something that we haven't had at least not much of here a back home. Like captain David Roy is our guest he is with the Massachusetts. National Guard serving in Baghdad Iraq. --

We would just joking about this internally over here. And you just picturing the revolutionary war and Sam Adams. Sitting in his cellar. Instead of producing. One -- or John Hancock whoever was that was producing these these newspapers and circulating them. And sent out Paul Revere to warn of the British coming. Imagine if we had the Internet and cell phones on those days well what what's that operating like out in in Iraq their. I of their lots of computers now and operation and available to it to the public in general and is -- text messaging going on among. Of people with cellphones and all that stuff is communications. It unity is a booming or is that something that's still lagging behind.

Well it is getting back on its feet again and it was Sam Adams actually who is the printer. And funny -- should mention that one of the stories that we covered here with one of our print journalists also -- national Guardsmen. Certain -- test -- from Framingham. Covered a story with some Iraqi media in support of the gulf region district US army corps of engineers for 25 million dollar. Communications project. Just outside the international zone in Baghdad and that. Is he is quickly becoming the central hub for all the communications. Whether it's landline telephones so. Radio. Cellphones. The center of everything is being run through that that one communications are.

I understand the cellphone business from a business standpoint is booming. It in -- active -- that the private enterprise small private enterprises. Really taking shape. And that the cell phone business on the ability to communicate is now one of the big big things is happening.

Yet there's that's. Absolutely. I wanted to keep things that you can guarantee that you'll see. Everyone in possession of it is a helpful. And the other when you're driving around is. A satellite TV dish. So. They are very well well very well connected. Either through satellite TV. Or their cellphone. Internet use is. Is also available to them but again. As we're trying to improve the infrastructure for. For electricity. Providing. Ready and and reliable power. Is a challenge for -- medium as well. But as the security situation improves and we can improve the the infrastructure to provide the services -- you know specifically. With power. Then folks will be more more --

Monetary of that and I'm just looking at myself on the head as we speak. Men think in this this little object about athlete thickness of a package of cigarettes and about the length of the king size cigarette. And is capable of the things it's capable of doing. I've got Internet access will that I have the ability to text message anyone I want. All that I I haven't figured out how he'll use it could sell air -- it's -- integrated that little package. And with -- story about the genie out of the bottle. Once it's out the Bible on the world of the gonna put it back in the night -- as I understand this was one of the great fears. Of Leo dictators in China. That you know of the want to -- hands on stuff like this and -- have the ability. To communicate. There's a tremendous amount of fear of them will be. And a counter revolution to their original revolution took I would guess with what's happening in Iraq this is a good thing. -- going to have a caller. Who asked the question. And asking if you're worried about whether or not the war is moving from Iraq now going to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The -- said there was seventy insurgents killed in Pakistan. Yesterday and we understand. Also by may have done to that. Of the number of Taliban that were cornered in either killed or captured fairly recently I would guess would on the last -- the last few days. Does that mean that the success in Iraq has actually get them to pick up stakes and move elsewhere.

You know that's that's a good question and and and I don't know. I don't know that those two events are. -- If it's their direct correlation to each other. I would. Tend to think not certainly you know. Most times they're criminal elements in both locations have extremist views. Whether there in the in coordination with each other. I would. I wouldn't think so. And again you know my focus is here in in this one portion of the theater of operations. And I have not been tracking what's been going on in Afghanistan.

Kinda -- can make him appreciate and then in understand that the music to different theaters of operation. Wilson captain Roy I want to thank you very much for being with us this morning. And I think they probably speaker just about everyone in the audience who for TiVo which should thank you and all the other. All the others who are serving. Our country in it it in Iraq and in Afghanistan at the present time thank you very much for your service. And and need -- like to leave a message you have for your. You sweetheart is certainly more than welcome to do we have a produces just with -- minute two minutes. So we've got fact I'll give you one of those minutes has left for a deal if there's anything you wish to leave us with -- And for your family.

I would appreciate that. To my friends with a lot a lot at stake in Brockton. Good luck to the to the rebel -- hockey team the unofficial hockey team of the masters National Guard as they don't want Las Vegas. -- the national hockey term. To my -- Michelle and it the extended family throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I miss you all and think -- you often. And I'm looking forward to coming home on leave. Soon. And you know two TU and all of your listeners. It's been a pleasure. Two. To be on your program. Thanks for taking the time it asks them questions and and listened to a soldier's perspective I would tell you that. Like yourself. I am in a relatively speaking. I am in a relatively safe environment. And two miles in any direction. I would be in a completely different world. There's not a time that goes by adjournment date that I'm not reminded of how different my perspectives on and what's going on here in Iraq. Is different from. My Brothers and sisters in arms who are living amongst the Iraqi People. Trying to improve their their situation -- and security here from an economic perspective.

Captain Ronald -- and I. Try to park police and dial has both of these little thing in from another fan. Listen thank you so much for being with us again thank you for your service god bless you keep by keeping your head -- be safe. Ended when you come back to Massachusetts we wanted to say hello you're more than welcome to love to have you on the program right here in studio.