The frustration of an American soldier who recently separated from the military boiled over as he shared his disheartening experience in a TikTok video, which later circulated on Gettr by Citizen Free Press. In his impassioned rant, he highlighted the absurdity of being charged for military gear that he was specifically instructed to leave behind in Afghanistan during the chaotic withdrawal.
Recalling his unit’s deployment to Afghanistan two years ago for the withdrawal, the soldier expressed his disillusionment with the government’s handling of the situation. During the harrowing exit, he detailed how they were instructed to abandon excess gear due to limited space on the planes departing Afghanistan. Despite being promised that they would not face charges for leaving the gear, the soldier and others were now being asked to pay between $500 to $1,000 for the equipment they were compelled to leave behind.
This soldier’s predicament reflects a broader issue concerning over $7 billion worth of U.S. equipment left in Afghanistan, seized by the Taliban. While the administration seemingly overlooked preventing the Taliban from acquiring military gear, it ironically demands money from soldiers for the very equipment they were mandated to abandon.
Expressing his dismay, the soldier juxtaposed the government’s willingness to allocate funds to entities like the Taliban and Ukraine, student debt relief, stimulus checks, and more, against the government’s refusal to cover the relatively modest expenses incurred by soldiers following orders in conflict zones.
The soldier’s impassioned critique emphasized the disillusionment prevalent among military personnel and their families. He lamented the government’s skewed priorities, asserting that the current administration’s last priority is the American people, especially those who serve in the armed forces.
Ultimately, this soldier’s experience encapsulates the disillusionment and disenchantment prevalent within certain circles of the military community, compelling some to advise against joining the armed forces due to the perceived disregard and misplaced priorities of the government.
