Movies and tv have glamourized war. They show men and women staring death in the face, only to survive with a few bruises and medal on their chest. They are raved as heros and carried on the shoulders of their comrades-in-arms. What about the reality of war? What about the true heros of the Global War On Terror? What about the CQ? That’s right the Charge-of-Quarters. Those men and women who face war’s greatest enemy; latenights and boredom. They steadily brave the darkest hours next to a phone that never rings. They empty the trash and sweep the floors of those who came before them and those that shall return to make another mess in the morning. There are copies to be made and news sites to be checked and rechecked and rechecked. Other Soldiers can sleep peacefully in their bunks because I am here. I am a Soldier. I am the CQ.
Friday, December 12th, 2008 | Author: SSG Adam Daley
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5 Responses
Sunday, 14. December 2008
I admire your courage and committment, keep up the good work so I can sleep another night.
Sunday, 14. December 2008
I know what you mean! I was CQ many times and have lots of horror stories. I think about the night at FT Lee when I was on duty and two soldiers tried to kill themselves by cutting each others wrists! I salute you and aal past and present CQ’s.
Del Tull
Sunday, 14. December 2008
You forgot the part about being there just in case the room spontaneously burst into flames, or to make sure the chairs don’t float away. I had this buddy on CQ once, and he said…
Sunday, 4. January 2009
Hmm, I never heard this war story before…pretty boring. That is prolly why it was never discussed.
Sunday, 18. January 2009
It’s said that Patton once killed three fellow cadets at VMI because they were sleeping on CQ. And by killed, I mean froze their shoes for formation in the morning.