January 14, 2004
What, You Didn’t Get the Word?
Salt Lake City once had a really big punk scene in the 80’s. My friend Brad in junior high school had older brothers, unlike me, that were into punk and I found them fascinating. The allure of the rebel figure and the power he wielded held me terrified and enamored. It made me giddy to vicariously enjoy seeing someone saying fuck you to the world. I wasn’t quite old enough to really enjoy the SLC punk scene in its heyday, but I feel I was cognizant enough to at least appreciate it as much as I could as an awkward and uncool seventh grader. I would record punk off late-night alternative radio onto shitty tapes overwriting them with Fear, Black Flag, SNFU, DRI, and The Dead Kennedys. And then I had my goth period, but this was before there was the word ‘goth.’ At the time, I really could think of no pursuit more intuitive than the exploration and exploitation of ones own angst and ennui. All this really amounted to was a lot of embarrassingly bad poetry and a penchant for young goth girls that I don’t think I’ll ever overcome. (see: suicidegirls.com) Lori Cannon of Boise, you changed your name and I don’t know where you are now. You started all this with your This Mortal Coil, Clan of Xymox and My Bloody Valentine. The Last Unicorn made you cry and you gave me the nick name ‘Luck Dragon’ because of the way I would curl my lip. It seems to me uncoincidental that I would dream about you, drive to Boise that same day, sleep in the parking lot of your apartment in my dad’s tiny silver car with my best friend Mark as my copilot, only to find the next morning when I knocked on your door that you had been wed the night before. I need closure, dammit! I still dress in all black, but now it’s because I live in New York City. Holy shit, did I just type all that?
During the 90’s, the most notorious of youth scenes in Salt Lake was the straight edge scene. Teen angst was channeled into ridiculously hypocritical and violent value systems where suburban pathos was tattooed and pierced into a nazi-like slipshod ethos. I was in college (the first time) during this period and fell in love with a college-radio art-rock band called Shudder to Think. I went to a live show they played at a shithole venue in Salt Lake where the straight edge band, Integrity, opened. What a strange mix that crowd was. The booking agent must have still had the needle in his arm when he planned that line-up. All I remember was a kid with a tattoo on his back of the H. R. Giger painting of the woman crucified on a pentagram to an upside cross. These kids didn’t drink, smoke, do drugs, most were vegetarian and usually vegan and the most adherent were celibate. So it should come as no surprise that they would beat up just about everyone in sight for any number of vapid reasons rooted in a thinly-veiled but deep sense of self-loathing all in the name of spearheading some sort of social change. Yeah, whatever.
Since I just turned thirty, I have to admit that it’s possible that I have no idea what goes on in the realm of those younger and hipper than me, but last I checked the recent thing in Salt Lake (and everywhere else) was the emo thing. Yes, it’s short for “emotional” which I think is funny because I find your average Staind radio-play-overkill more emotional than most ’emo’ stuff and I also think it’s funny that Dashboard Confessional is considered too emo to be emo, or so they say. I’m sure these kids are completely beyond calling it ’emo’ anymore, but I don’t have time to be lectured on the difference between post-core and punk-core and emo-core and all that label-evading circumlocution, so I’m just gonna call it all emo. All you need to know is that you will never be cool enough to even begin to understand the complexities and subtle nuances of emo, so don’t try to front like you know emo, just put down that The Promise Ring CD and go buy the new Linkin Park like you wanted to you no-taste RIAA-blowing pop culture slut. I’ve always been bothered by how silly it is that social groups of the young, especially in suburbia, revolve so heavily around music genres. But that’s a discussion for another day. We have war to talk about. But not just yet.
So my friend Mikey-O in Salt Lake has a couple jokes that I love. They go like this:
Q: How many straight-edge kids does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Straight-edge kids don’t change a thing.
Q: How many emo kids does it take to change a light bulb?
A: What, you don’t know?
The second joke I especially like. Let me tell you why.
My company motto is “Let’s Roll.” Or at least that’s what I’ve been led to believe. We yell it when in company formations. I cringe every time I have to say it. But I cringe less when in battalion formations and Delta company yells their motto of “Death by Wire”, which is meant to signify them killing the enemy with wire-guided TOW missiles, I think. Or them hanging themselves with piano wire instead of going to Iraq, or maybe them always calling their cheating wives on the telephone (wire) and them eventually eating a bullet. I dunno. Since “Let’s Roll” is our motto, we use it colloquially, sadly always sarcastically, but still, we employ it regularly in conversation. But I have noticed for quite a while now a few other phrases used on an even more religious and fervent basis. Some of them go like, “What, you didn’t get the word?” or “What, you didn’t hear?” or “You’ve been here three months and you still don’t know that?” or “You’re an infantry team leader and you didn’t know that?” All this time I thought when guys asked these questions they were being condescending patronizing assholes trying desperately to fight for the alpha dog position by leveraging themselves ever-so-slightly with even the most miniscule of information advantages like a bunch of petty little bitches, but now I realize they were just being hooah and quoting the new company motto: “What, you don’t know?”
September 27th, 2005 at 11:05 pm
Hello, my dear! This looks like a lot of work. I’m glad you were able to finish it.
Love,
Mom
October 3rd, 2005 at 9:32 am
Thanks mom! :-)
October 11th, 2005 at 4:10 pm
You are a true hero; I really admire what you’re doing. I am getting more and more afraid of my own country and its attempts to shut up truth tellers. This is leadership in its highest form. Congratulations for standing up to authority. I think that is the only thing that makes America different from other countries.
October 11th, 2005 at 4:18 pm
I am glad to see another soldier coming clean. So many of these civilians were murdered, by extension George Bush. Though he is not making the calls, surely everyone knows what a reformed alchoholic/drug addict he is, I am glad you are yelling your story.
I have not read in entirety of your entries yet, but I will. Remember, be proud and conduct always yourself with diplomacy. I know, I know….it is easier sad than done.
Cheers,
D^2
October 11th, 2005 at 8:06 pm
Jason,
I just saw your book at Barnes and Noble on 9 Oct and purchased it. I stayed up until 4 am reading it, and finished it when the next afternoon. You have a truly amazing writing style and I am glad to see that someone with this ability was able to write an account of their endeavors.
I was with 2/4 Cav, 24th ID (M), during Ops DS/DS. I have a member of my team from then, when we were privates, that is now on his 2nd tour as a CWO under the new operation. We both have talked of how we wish that it could have been finished then, when we were 50 km from Bagdad, and they were sufficiently demoralized.
Thanks for bringing everything together in a truly direct and military-humored style. In a couple of places I laughed so hard that I cried. You are right on the money, as I would expect with you being in country.
Beautiful work that is now on the shelf with Ayn Rand, Eudora Welty, William Faulkner and “The Bell Curve”.
Respectfully,
GW
October 11th, 2005 at 10:47 pm
Jason Christopher –
Whoa! grouped with Faulkner and Ayn Rand!!! That’s big!!
“…if you build it, they will come…” – oh wait, that’s a baseball theme, you don’t like baseball. oh well – fits for the website too.
I love your websites (old and new), i love love love your book, and i am so proud of all that you have accomplished in the time i have known you.
your pen is as mighty as your sword – never forget that my writer/soldier/uber-geek friend.
and now, its official…you are the coolest guy i know….
– Katie G
October 12th, 2005 at 3:53 pm
Wow! You’re the type of soldier that gave the US army the edge over the Soviets – able to think individually yet within the parameters of military discipline. This assessment obviously is from long ago. Honestly, I haven’t much confidence in today’s forces – mindless, ideologues, blah, blah, blah. Thanks for your entertaining and thoughtful interview with Terri Gross I heard only yesterday – 11 October. It was why I’ve spent most of my time at work today reading your blog. Thanks again. Oh, and by the way – you’re as attractive as you are interesting – a rare combination. Peace, SC
October 12th, 2005 at 6:51 pm
Jason, thank you for this. I haven’t read your book yet (and I will!), but I heard your interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross. I am one of those civilians Terry referred to who says, “I don’t support the war, but I support you.” With all my heart, I truly mean it. These last few years my personal feeling has been only a resentment to this Administration- the lies, emotional games, and religious undertones did nothing to make me trust the supposed purpose of this war. Thank you for recognizing that we all have our own intellectual minds and that we can heartily exercise our independence-of-thought, a core of American rights, of which you soldiers have fought for us since the beginning of this Nation. I want this Administration to understand that just because I don’t agree with the war does not make me a bad person, it does not make me non-religious, it does not make me unpatriotic. In fact, I contribute to society, I am very spiritual, and I love this nation- I will love her until I die. But don’t take that to mean I will blindly agree with whatever authority dictates. My loyalty and patriotism lies in knowing our people’s rights and respecting our laws that protect individuals, and one of them is allowing us to have independent thought and vocalizing them. I also know that many have died in defending these rights. So I think, and I say, “I don’t support the war, but I support you.”
-Respectfully, SN
October 18th, 2005 at 2:44 pm
Bravo
October 27th, 2005 at 2:32 pm
I’m 16 years and french,i have watched your blog to the french TV, and i’m com to it,and i found is a good blog even if i don’t understand everythings!Me i’m against the war but i think the soldiers are obliged!I support the soldiers and you!Bye and good luck for the futur!!!!
November 7th, 2005 at 10:43 am
Great blog. Great photos, Keep up the good work.I wish I knew how to set up a blog.
Dan
November 8th, 2005 at 10:02 pm
Jason,
Same as a lot of people. I picked up your book at the airport on my way to Park City, Utah and couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I served in the infantry back in ’86 with the 25th ID at the end of the cold war when nothing was going on. We share a lot of the same things, sense of humor, rebelliousness against stupidity, which the Army is full of, jeez we even look alike. I also got out a little early for having exactly the same attitude that you had. I still went on to become a successful financial consultant for a top firm despite the fact that my superiors were certain that I had done too much drugs in high school and would amount to nothing after I got out of the military Going in I had a rediculously high score on the ASVAB, should have flown helicopters but got screwed by a recruiter and got duped by a 4k enlistment bonus. Ended up humping a ruck and a 45 pound mortar base plate all over Hawaii. Anyway, I have way more respect for Reservists than I ever had before reading your book. I bought it Thursday and was finished by Tuesday, quite a feat considering that I was at a very busy work function.
I wish you the best of luck with the book sales. I don’t know what kind of contract that you got or if you get a percentage of sales but if this book “catches” like I think it might (or already has) then you should find yourself a very successful 30 year old.
I have a ton of questions to ask, like “what is the military doing now that your book is being purchased and your blog is back online” and “do you need a really good financial consultant yet?” (the last question was tongue in cheek)
Best wishes, you’ve just accomplished what I’ve wanted to do my whole life, which is to write a book that actually gets published.
Cheers,
Kelly Kortman
kelly_kortman@hotmail.com
November 12th, 2005 at 2:29 pm
Hey…
You are a brave guy. But I ecpect that from a person from Sal t Lake. A city constructed by contradictions and nothing is Black and white.
I made a film about the Punk scene there obvious title “SLC PUNK”. I hav a lo of respect for people in our contry that ae willing to defend it with heir lives. It is a horror and an abomination when Those “Defenders” find themselves unsure if they ae defending their country or some ones bank account. I always try to hope it’s not for th e second reason.
My X wife was in the armed force after w split. I would love totalk to you about some theories I have about the concept of Wrar and patriotism. Poor and Rich, and Human eed for war. I’m maing a film about a war and don’t want to talk to either a regular Soldier with a smaller view on the subject nor do I wat to talkto an “Expert” who has never seen war.” In return, if youneed anything that I can give, You got my support.
JAmes
November 23rd, 2005 at 9:33 pm
Jason,
I work with Matt and Sean. I have absolutely no military background but I couldn’t put the book down. You are an amazing writer, and more importantly I think you have opened up a lot for those that have served. A few guys I grew up with recently got back from deployment I can’t wait to tell them about your book. Goodluck and best wishes you’ve earned it.
Cindy
November 29th, 2005 at 10:01 pm
I have one distant (in all respects) relative in the national guard. Generally, I know people who have people in the military. I didn’t know a lot about the military, except the government owns your butt and it changes people…
I really enjoy the sarcasm and honesty you put into your writing/book. It’s real, yet not (wholly) undignified. You are very good at putting down your experiences in an entertaining/profound/informative way.
By the way, I am a woman, and I completely agree with your view on women in the military. Frankly and factually put.
Oh, AND it sounds like even though you are a good complainer, you excel in whatever you do.
God bless.
December 24th, 2005 at 8:54 am
Wow I stumbeled accross this… well… thingee… while very stoned and looking for something entirely unrelated. (google is not always right). You have successfully reminded me that not all americans are dickheads… and while the average IQ might bee in the late teens there are still a few active minds among you.
Haven’t read your book (probably won’t doesn’t fit my david mitchell, Salman Rushdie, Elizibeth Knox style). Don’t know if what else you say rings true but the above is certainly wisdom.
January 28th, 2006 at 1:26 am
WHENEVER I READ THESE THINGS I THINK ALL AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS. AS AMERICAN POLITICAL ANALYST NOAM CHOMSKY SUGGESTS, “AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE THE MOST INDOCTRINATED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD”…I DEAL WITH MANY AMERICANS AND I AM SURE ABOUT THAT. I DO NOT ONLY HOPE AMERICAN KNOW ABOUT IRAQ…I ALSO HOPE THEY ALL KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD, DEALING WITH DRUGS TRHU D.E.A. AND INVADING OTHER COUNTRIES AND TORTURIN PRISIONERS (AR SHALL I SAY “SLAVES”?) LIKE IN EUROPE…
February 3rd, 2006 at 7:37 am
Mate…love the blog..appreciate yur sense of humour..and the sense of Army life I get from reading yur stuff. Hope u are safe where ever u are and keep drinking the Guiness…it won’t keep u safe, but it won’t hurt u either………Pete in OZ
February 5th, 2006 at 1:01 am
My mom loved the dedication you [wrote in my copy of the book]. I thought it was way too mushy, but hey it wasn’t for me. You are one awesome person. Thanks for all the good times. I definitely miss our smoke breaks. ttyl man.
February 26th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Jason……Your blog is outstanding! You have a great style Jason. I miss our chats. I retired from Northwest at JFK, but I was done standing around like an under cover janitor, when you guys left anyway. The TSA took over. I’m so glad to hear about your book. I’ve been in touch with a couple of the guys lately. Good to know everyone is safe, and HOME!! I’ll be making plans to meet G.S. in the city soon. Why don’t you come down for a day and sign my book dammit! I want to contact Willy too! I’ll e-mail you…..Good luck brother! B.G.
March 1st, 2006 at 11:42 pm
At the ripe old age of 61, and ex airforce 1962 -68, I am truly proud of you and your peers. I do think that you were all put in a bad and strategically dumb war, but you sure did what you had to do. One thing really intrigued me in todays news, that perhaps you can help me understand. It said that most of the armed forces now realize that this is a no-win situation, want to get home (apparently majority), but also said that 85% think they are there due to “the role Saddam played in 9/11”! Can this really be true? Surely there is VOA or CNN available there, and I would have thought that virtually everyone realized SH had no role at all! Why the apparent anomaly?
March 2nd, 2006 at 11:10 pm
whats orange and looks good on Emos? FIRE!
March 31st, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Growing up in Alabama (which is not exactly known for its punk scene) during that same timeframe, I was as heavy into punk (and the un-named goth scene) and I could be considering age and location. And not only were the sXe kids everywhere, but the SHARPS were all over the place too. And all of us hung around the same general area of town. Every weekend there would be a fight between the punks and the skinheads or the goths and the SHARPS. It seemed to provide endless entertainment for the frat boys.
July 23rd, 2006 at 12:26 am
Hey man,althought your own work is tire,your country needs you,your people need you.My brother aslo serves in the army.We haven’t seen him for long.Althought I am a Chinese,I can understand your feeling
August 14th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Sir,
I enjoyed most of the book, fascinated by the down to earth, very clear writing. I served in the Marines a thousand years ago in a non-combat role as a propoganda pogue. I wonder if you’ve read (or have been in any way, good or bad, influenced by) “Rumor of War”, “Nam”, “Dispatches”, (written by Michael Herr who also co-wrote “Full Metal Jacket”)and so on.
Please do not lose the honesty and humor that went into the book. I will never think of the National Guard again without thinking of homoerotica. Have you since heard from the colonel who awarded you the Article 15? How strange and real life that what you loved (the Army) prosecuted you.
One thing that occured to me while I was reading your book (which I finished in one night), is that the officers involved in your courtmartial were trying to cover their collective asses. Everything you wrote about cast them in some light they saw as detrimental to their military careers.
I’m looking forward to being not your biggest but perhaps most stalwart fan.
bcj
May 1st, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Hello I am Adrian . I come from Poland and I was been in Kosovo 20.09.2005-05.09.2006. I read your book, this is very good and amazing book :)
June 12th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
YOU ARE AWESOME!! I LOVED YOUR BOOK, YOUR HUMOR AND THE PICS!
June 19th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I`ve just finished Your book. Thank You very much
Good luck
November 28th, 2007 at 4:18 am
saddim was offering a 25000 dollar bounty on americans killed.and the families of the sucide bombers on 911 received this bounty.thankyou for helping to secure our freedom and peace
January 12th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Hi!
Great blog. Great photos, Keep up the good work.I wish I knew how to set up a blog. I just finished your book. I really love your book. Thankyou for helping to secure our freedom and peace. Good luck!
———
vanessa
Car Loans
March 26th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
bump
for great justice