Army LTC Mark Solomon with Moe Lauzier

good morning welcome to -- him when he -- gets -- love you with two. Boston talk station eight and six AD. WRKO and as always at 7 AM on Saturday morning we have a guest coming in from Iraq licensing Kabila coming and electronically it's a local time army lieutenant colonel Marc Solomon news he's from Burlington mass need to graduate of Boston prep high school and went on to West Point.

In later get a masters in public administration after that he's serving as a squadron commander -- with the eighth cavalry. In Iraqis commanding roughly 650 troops his biggest focus right now is I'm meeting with Sunni and Shiite tribal leaders to help them work better together he's also involved in reconstruction projects one of his biggest is called. Village of hope good morning pod colonel Solomon -- appreciate having you on board judge I understand. Before we go any further with the interview understand you guys have a little bit of noise and rattling around in the -- some level as the last night.

They're there was some -- station in the green zone so I can't to really tell you about it I don't -- there.

Oh okay the only reason I mention that is I get an get an email from the air force lieutenant Ventura in -- he was pointing out how we -- this business with us solder and all that's been I don't know last as helping him sleep better at night -- I got that I'm hearing these reports about incoming stuff in the green zone -- and dear god there goes his last night's sleep.

So working on the reconstruction all alike is that Iraq is still a dangerous place that there.

The and that's and that's something we gonna keep in the front of our minds out. You're not in the green zone where -- are you located.

I'm actually -- units stationed on the very southern outskirts of Baghdad down to a Salman pock net -- area. Right in between solvent pocket -- at a -- or job is our main town in my area about 10000 vote now is that does Sunni aura is that she's territory most of my area is silly we you have some small -- elements. In different places that about 90% in the.

I think I -- maybe you can help me a little bit here I for the -- for a proletarian China can't understand. How this whole thing works that I thought all of the Sunnis lived in one general area of Iraq in all the -- lived in the -- southern part known here in the northern part of that was fairly clearly defined with the Kurds but from what I understand in and around the Baghdad area that's not necessarily the truth.

Writing and around Baghdad you'll find neighborhoods and and towns and villages that are of different sects more pockets if you will not necessarily contiguous and together like some of the other -- and.

Now the the Sony and the -- in these communities and my guesses over the years have gotten along well together room why why all of a sudden is this becoming such a big issue.

Well late they have live together obviously four long period you know once you have when you have a strong. Central government which he had under Saddam Hussein certain other issues that we put aside when when that's when that's removed some of the things the most attention they come back out all all in all its its really the work all of extremists on both sides. Most people you know wanted to live together provide for their families have a seat secure way to raise their families and make a living.

mean that no that's the the the the hope and I think the aspiration of just about every man men and woman. Walking the face of the earth that. Thank you syndicates school you go do your job we make a few bucks to put food on the table he put roof over the head and that the UN your children will be safe I mean here whether you're living in South Boston Burlington or or western Massachusetts -- you're living in Tikrit Baghdad or -- In inept in the Iraq it's all the same.

It's it's certainly very similar you're right and that's a very basic. Need of making they cannot living in providing for your family incident there's security is foremost in their minds as it is everybody -- sure.

Now how does the terrorist manage or the the extremists and that's what we're talking about here. I would guess that the that the terrorists are really religious fanatical -- on. On the edge how in the world are they able to recruit. What's the deal when you look -- for example Mohammed -- as background leave the one who flew one of the planes into the World Trade Center you know how to people of that type wind up doing such idiotic things are where you're really.

Yeah all all all manner thing I can play here in my area what what you mostly saw was the extremists would come in and through terror and fear would impose their will on the population of that area they they would use peer -- management and most often would victimize those that -- educate. And so in that way they could control population as. As they did and and business businesses business and was out of on the field and you have a lot of people who were back to their basic needs of I I need to provide for my family in NCPs to their. Food on the table and their basic security might do some things that they otherwise would not.

So is so like -- leave the mob organized crime moves into the giving community your right now here in the United States and the crime gangs and move into neighborhoods they don't necessarily recruit by being good guys and offering. Something that's going to make your life better they offer you an opportunity not to die of at that moment.

That's certainly technique that the folks here in employed in my area.

Our guest this morning is lieutenant colonel Marc Solomon he's a local guy you're out of Burlington in my correct and that that's right it. You went on to West Point to the academy and -- if you've been in the army now -- all right here. It says here you serve both in Bosnia and an operation desert storm thing you've been a busy guy.

That would -- times my second trip to Iraq you're Bosnia in the desert storm no regrets now not at all I I enjoy doing. I'm privileged and and to work where the great American that are -- in army these young men and women who are eighteen in 1940 years old -- an army. At war already out war in both Iraq and -- and do when they put their right hand in the -- that that's when they all they volunteered -- it willingly they're doing a great job it's my pleasure to work with them deserve them.

Colonel Solomon every so often you hear politicians say about you know the the young people we have over there I mean -- the losers say they would joining so they can get a little sampling they had nothing else they could do well how do you respond to.

I would say is that that is not feasible the men and women of today's army our our actual needs this talent that you see in the -- of the army today is on match that's what it's what makes or army great the number of things that they're able to do and and do them well a lot of -- here we have very high tech very high tech and yet they mastered and pick it up and and know exactly what they're doing I would tell you that. Your characterization that has some folks -- has put forward is not accurate.

and he becomes real shameful when it comes from some of our elected officials who should know better. Could could give me a favor could you describe for us what a two atypical infantryman and a private pfc may be a corporal would be carrying with him in wearing when he goes out on patrol with U.

Every soldier when he refused patrol where eight protective with -- designed suit to stop along a small arms four and so on. Where that attached to it that where different also is also here of course -- ammunition and about things they meaning -- their particular job there were held it carrier like -- may or may not also carry a pistol and other usually we were other protective. -- like -- oval the to the to protect the world helpless as we. They have it there I'm -- so it. Think it is about thirty -- you know you get used to it and you know it therefore there for good reason we've seen it saves -- comrades. And so you know we've -- willingly wear.

So there's no difficulty getting a trooper -- I know for example. I'm good friends in the Police Department who don't like wearing vests and you know things of this nature. But you're talking an entirely different circumstance where you are the likelihood that you're going to be shot that whereas with the police officer on the street here likelihood is when he goes out to -- not going to be sure that that fair to say.

Well I think in my -- right now the likelihood that you're not going to show -- areas becoming more more stable every day the economy economy is picking up in in most of my area. Spoke to go back to -- in the field very much in terms of my unit the likelihood that you're not an -- but the same time as we go out and work things with the locals on how to fix irrigation canal in the fields of electricity schools. Well the medical clinics we of course do so and work with those people talk to them every single day but at the same time we are absolutely ready to transition two more legal action if necessary but the likelihood right now my areas you're not an issue that is very much not the norm right now.

Now are there places in. Iraq those still in that type of category however.

I presume that there are like really only speak for. -- I am.

Now how long has this situation existed I mean how long is a -- that do you knew you feel some degree of safety now when you go out and patrol.

I think it really varies by what Algerian Justin and my squadron area of operations. -- out of -- that's was just coming into security when we got your three months ago and has gotten so much more secure we go to sound that. We're not secure we came here and we had to secure them and by force and doing what do what we do -- And we did that and now they -- they are beginning to pick up on security still dangerous places we find -- every day. We found one today and unfortunately squadron lost missiles and two days ago two. It really varies by what how you or yen and the -- can be just two to three miles away from each other that the security situation could be very very different.

Now and does that necessarily mean it's also dangerous for the local civilians or is suggesting Americans other than that of the targets.

Well most of the I -- these were he in my area now really left behind that terrorists left the area will be secured sounds. And there there's still in they're still in the dirt most of all. -- pressure sensitive and so we have unfortunately situations where.

Oops I think we lost two lieutenant colonel colonel up. I think we lost lieutenant colonel signal I -- he's done a is on the satellite phone or some -- cellphone working and getting them back right now with where we're talking with his army lieutenant colonel Marc Solomon he said he a local guys from Burlington mass a graduate of Boston prep and on two West Point from there has been in the service for nineteen years. In is currently serving his country in an area just south of Baghdad that he has 650 troops under his command. And like colonel Solomon I would just. Re introducing new anyways so that took care of that forest to particular connection has been return yeah. I find -- depth chart I've not the kidney I fight it absolutely fascinating that I can be driving along. My cell phone ring. And there's a fellow from Baghdad talking to I mean this is beyond my comprehension I you know you've been in nineteen years ago another teenager any longer. -- I would imagine that your -- times as fascinated with the ability to be able to communicate that way we do literally all over the world I mean is there a place in the world. But you and I couldn't speak with one another.

You know given the right here which obviously I have right now than there really isn't now.

you're you using just out of curiosity.

That particular phone -- abuse in the iridium satellite phone I also have other things available to me you know local nationals cellphone here I'd be alone make this thing call I also have not at my desk and actually seeing my hobby on the patrol they. About my desk I have two other telephones that I won't want to call you on and one that I can call almost anywhere in the world on the classified consulate.

line that would be totally secure and from a from a security --

I think that our soldiers on these patrol bases have you availability. And we've Internet packages here that have Internet computers as well as voice over Internet protocol telephone. There -- able to keep him in actual contact with their families on more than reasonable basis.

By the way give you -- and gulf and in Persian gulf for one you were in Bosnia. Obviously didn't have these these perks those times around -- what does this do for the morale of the guys compared to what you've been through before.

Well I think -- thank you help tremendously any time that you can speak with your family and know what's going on in that your family is. Taking care of and that everything's okay and home. Then you're able to concentrate on what you're doing so much better. Right earlier technology is amazing now compared to what was I joined the army however long.

Colonel we have a -- has a question for educated -- call. Sure pardon -- Euro on W Arcadia with colonel -- good morning -- either.

On -- it's like to say right now you know when you believe there and all the way over there in Iraq and know the integrity to operate in what -- doing. Help but yeah and to establish what could -- as as great allies in the Middle East are against all -- terribly terribly I want it -- What you think of the political campaign back home here and you can speak about it yet any particular things about indicate -- Summation -- feel about the whole thing and that's about it.

And Helen and you know that's a loaded costs and -- I thank you -- Journal of the and I'm not going to persecute you the way out of a leave that totally up do you.

Okay wolf Portland like news is it thanking you for -- and for words and we appreciate the support that we get from people everyday in terms of the elections well say is that obviously my education in political science or you. All these things does as fascinating learning experience I just watch it happen but. Obviously in my business. We do what the civilian leadership to be because in the civilian leadership is duly elected by the people -- systems that we got and quote -- cast my vote over every American that it will be so and then whoever is elected and whatever decision he -- she -- make and directed -- issue what you'll army is here.

Colonel when your career is over has a military personnel -- like to get into politics. I'd love to manage your campaign your good.

Okay I don't know if I -- not going -- that I would guess you're sweetheart is listening at the present time is that. That's an accurate a reasonable assumption I would about it yet I think she -- in Georgia where it is probably what we -- I'd do anything to say you're.

Absolutely you know I appreciate everything that she goes -- the end and she also lead. They only read his group all the troopers that she does for the families of the troopers here as well you all -- she -- to raise to five boards and and secure thing everything there and and you know to develop.

Very nice by the way I would guess your Red Sox fan since you're here you're here from here originally. Does that mean is that an accurate judgment as well.

I -- a very proud whoever our nation WB please to know that everything is doing well at camp Red Sox this year. Does not even a controversy that trying to find some even made any reported on time. So things look very good coming out of Fort Myers.

What about that I'm I'm all of that and given the the people path that we all -- citizens who were -- there's no more optimistic or any Bostonians of this story.

Colonel Solomon god bless you thank you very much for your service please be safe my for an I royal bank -- colonel Marc Solomon who is originally from this area from Burlington mass in prep high school. West Point index currently nineteen years in the united states army