[/Speaking of meetings with Iraqi civilians, Capt. Sarrouf
observed, “Guys from Mother Army would have to wear
helmets and body armor because it’s the rule, and they
have no choice. We go in, we take our boots off, take our
body armor off and take our helmets off. If you don’t, then
the cultural language you’re speaking
is, ‘We don’t feel safe in your home as
your guest.’ It’s disrespectful.”
Going above and beyond the call of
duty, Capt. Sarrouf and MSgt. Cutone
made a habit of “eating whatever they
feed you … You know you’re gonna
need the Cipro after this one.” Risk of
dysentery notwithstanding, face-to-face
meetings like this helped to establish
excellent working relationships in
Avghani and its environs, making
friends and working allies out of local
officials who might otherwise have only
been neutral bystanders—or worse.
quote]
