70 Percent in US Military Not in Favor of Active Role in Middle East: Survey

The rank and file in the U.S. military are against any active combat duty in Iraq and Syria, according to a Military Times Survey.

More than 2,200 active duty personnel were asked: "In your opinion, do you think the U.S. military should send a substantial number of combat troops to Iraq to support the Iraqi security forces?" Slightly more than 70 percent responded: "No."

"It's their country, it's their business. I don't think major 'boots on the ground' is the right answer," said one Army infantry officer , who has served in Iraq thrice.

The talk has turned from just reflection to the future of their role in Iraq where the troops already number around 1,700,, albeit in an advisory role.

The troops are also questioning the withdrawal of the military in 2011 from Iraq and how it did not serve any purpose as the country has slipped into further chaos.

"It's kind of futile in the end - regardless of how well we do our job, the Iraqi government isn't going to be able to hold up," Marine 2nd Lt. Christopher Fox said, reports USA Today.

About 30 percent believed that  the Iraq War was "very successful" or "somewhat successful, "  down from  64 percent  from a survey in 2011

The troops do not have much faith in  President Obama's vows not to let the U.S. military get "dragged into another ground war."

Support for Obama has dopped within the military according to the Military Times survey. In 2009 he had 35 percent support from his troops, this year the figure has dropped to 15 percent.

The Military Times survey was conducted online in the summer and finished in August just as the United States started its air strikes in the troubled regions of Syria and Iraq against the Islamic State.