As the U.S. Armed Forces amass around Iraq (by press time, they hadn't invaded yet), one thing might comfort Iraqis but should unnerve the entire free world: the army considers their troops far too irresponsible to be walking around with live ammunition. It seems once bullets go around, accidental shootings become far too common. Until they need them, most troops will be making due with empty cartridges.

"If something kicks up," said Pfc. Jessica Ruth, "we're shit out of luck." Still, she agrees there's been a lot of carelessness. Rifles have been knocked over, misplaced and generally mishandled. Recently one private was caught using her weapon as a pry-bar while assembling a cot. Another common problem comes from daily handgun cleanings. The troops are supposed to test their firing pin prior to inserting a magazine. Often those steps are reversed, leaving nearby soldiers up for a slug in the neck.

"It's happened," one senior medic commented, unreassuringly, "everywhere we've gone." :

» Scott Saxon