by oldedude on February 18, 2026 8:45 am
myce- I really hate to say this. My honest bet? Your "friend" is making up the story. There are way too many holes that need filled in. There are few US military troops in country, And my view, they are coming from units that are SOF (Special Operations Forces) driven. Those units have their own people that are briefed into the classified version of the mission. Those there? Only a Limited US Troop Presence: The US maintains a small number of military personnel in Yemen, primarily for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. These troops are not engaged in direct combat but may assist in training and advising local forces, particularly in counterterrorism efforts against groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and ISIS affiliates. The Shi'tes in country are the houthis and started with Zaydī Shiʿi, a sect the standing President didn't do a good job placating. So there's the Houthi's and the government supported by pretty much everyone in the region except for Iran.[AI]
First. The US Navy is continually being hit by silkworm missiles in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. So the Houthi's put themselves in the position. It's the Houthi's that are doing that because they're supported by Iran. Honestly, If it weren't for them shooting at us, the US wouldn't give a shit about them. We have a "right" to protect ourselves. And of course, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is a key global shipping lane. Our allies moving oil out of there have asked the US to assist the free shipping lanes there.
Secondly. There is a HUGE issue in the Civil War in Yemen for novices (generally everyone that hates the US military and thinks the military stopped learning in VietNam). The Houthis are a terrorist group. End of story. That said. They have no "standard" or uniform, although they do have a chain of command. That means they generally wear civilian clothes to go to work (meaning wage war) in their civilian clothes.[see photo]
So what your "friend" thinks is a civilian, are the only ones trying to kill US military, are the Houthi, and a terrorist. Define knowing who a "civilian" as opposed to a member of their military. Welcome to fighting a terrorist war. To someone who's understanding of the military stops because they still think Gomer Pyle is a documentary. So for all these reasons, I think they were telling stories.
Long story short. I think the story is plain fictitious. IF your "friend" was actually in "Yemen," they were the worst trained military person the military has ever seen. IF they're for real, they need to be let go. First, if the location was "classified" that expiration goes until the day they are actually told that information was declassified. And with them having "nightmares" about slitting throats? They truly need professional psychiatric help, and they need to be discharged. I know they volunteered (there NO draft and hasn't been for about five decades now). I wonder about their mental health.
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britannica.com
by myce on February 18, 2026 7:07 pm
Oldedude, I have no stake in whether anyone on the Internet believes my anecdotes. People will believe what they want to believe anyway. But I didn't mention before that it was during Trump's first term. I asked about it only recently. I don't know if that would change your assumptions about the character of my friend. He left the service, since you're concerned about mental health. And how do you judge someone's mental health when you're regularly preoccupied with horrific things and getting triggered and unhinged and cussing people out? Just sayin'.
by Indy! on February 18, 2026 7:36 pm
Odie - were you drafted or did you volunteer? 🤔
by oldedude on February 18, 2026 8:08 pm
you were still hiding behind your uncles skirts, waiting to get it's milk. You have no better character than that.
by Indy! on February 19, 2026 12:24 pm
Funniest words ever posted on this board...
OD:
Long story short.
Learn to edit your info dumps, Señorita. 😂
by Indy! on February 19, 2026 12:26 pm
I missed this...
by Indy! on February 18, 2026 7:36 pm
Odie - were you drafted or did you volunteer? 🤔
by oldedude on February 18, 2026 8:08 pm
you were still hiding behind your uncles skirts, waiting to get it's milk. You have no better character than that.
Obviously drafted.