PJ: I had different missions. The unit I was with in Peshmerga was filling a defensive role. It was the same initially with YPG but we had the opportunity to go on some offensive maneuvers. Very well coordinated with coalition air support. Typical stuff; drop leaflets warning of an attack, coalition target softening and troop surge. One mind any weapon. The warrior ethos is a universal one.
Kurt: Were there any cultural differences you had to overcome?
PJ: Well no, not as a Marine who has deployed to the region before. Massive cultural differences though, as expected.
Kurt: You were with a wide variety of volunteers, what was that like and how do you feel about the people who come over to fight with the Kurds?
PJ: Half and half man. Half the guys I’ve met are of outstanding character. The other half are shit bags. Prior experience is another varying factor.
Kurt: Do you have a particularly memorable moment from your time in Kurdistan or story?
PJ: The Shedadi and to Tishrin operations. Working closely with AC-130s and A-10s overhead, myself and a handful of Kurds were the team to take “Village 47” the last village outside of Shedadi. We were outnumbered three to one but with air support we easily secured the entire village one early morning with zero casualties.
Kurt: How do you foresee the conflict in Syria playing out post ISIS and what will it mean for the YPG?
PJ: Things are going to be interesting from here on out. YPG boasts 50k armed men (exaggerated?) Throughout Syria and Turkey. Neither nation wants that to happen. The Kurds in Rojava want autonomy. They say they will fight for nothing less. In short, I see more fighting.
Kurt: When you left the YPG, you were detained by KDP Peshmerga. How did that play out?
PJ: 40 days in the Erbil prison. Illegally crossing the border between Iraq and Syria while having an expired Visa. It sucks man, prison sucks anywhere you go. We did get better food in there than on the front in Rojava.
Kurt: What was it like coming home after all that time?
PJ: Women, booze, bacon.
Kurt: Rah! Are you planning on returning to the YPG?
PJ: Yes, very soon actually.
Kurt: Why are you going back?
PJ: We’ve lost a lot of volunteers since I’ve come back, and far more Kurds. I’d like to get back in and focus on helping a combat medic unit over there in the hopes of saving some more lives.
Kurt: Anything you want to say or let people know about the Kurds, the war, ISIS or anything in general?
PJ: We can literally never die; Şehid Namirin. I would say for the record the Kurds are a beacon of Democracy in the Middle East. They should be essential allies over there.
Kurt: Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. Stay safe over there brother.
PJ: Yeah man of course.
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