Tea, Then Briefing

Staff writer Tom Peter joined the British military having worked extensively with US forces in Iraq, he was pleasantly surprised style differences.

"With the Americans, I'll get off a helicopter in the summer heat carrying close to 60 or 70 pounds of equipment," says Tom. "Often, as soon as I take off my body armor, American officers will go right into background briefings while I'm still soaked with sweat and wiped out from the flight."

But when the American convoy dropped Tom off at the British base, his hosts helped him carry his bags to his cot. "I was braced for the whirlwind arrival briefs, but instead the commander brewed up a pot of tea and chatted with me about world events. It was quite nice to at least let the sweat dry before getting down to business."

To read Toms full article click here - Basra gains revive talk of British exit