Wisconsin soldier gives Colbert's Baghdad show thumbs up

Stephen Colbert gets shave by Gen. Odierno

                                      (Photo/U.S. Military)

Watching their Commanding General shave Stephen Colbert's head at the order of President Obama was a highlight of the Colbert Report in Iraq, according to First Lieutenant Kyle Hartman of the 1st Battalion 128th Infantry Regiment, who managed to snag tickets to one of the show’s tapings. The military haircut is “something that the soldiers are still talking about.”

The popular Comedy Central comedian broadcasted four shows from Iraq last week, in cooperation with the USO, to entertain the troops there. Colbert is an avowed supporter of the U.S. Troops, both as his on-air personna and in real life.

 1st Lt. Kyle Hartman in Iraq 

Lt. Hartman, in a recent email interview, said that he had gotten word of the Baghdad taping – dubbed Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando - a week or two earlier in an email distributed to soldiers in the area. He and the soldiers in his section were quick to reply that they wanted to go, asking for the latest taping.

Sporting a camouflage suit and tie, Colbert taped each episode in front of a live audience of about 450 U.S. troops all decked out in their camouflage fatigues. The show was held in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. Colbert took time before the start of each show to answer questions from the audience. That bit of thoughtfulness was something Lt. Hartman especially appreciated.

Throughout the week show featured pre-taped segments such as Colbert’s 10 hour basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, his flight with the Air Force Thunderbirds, and a bit with Tom Hanks in which the two men prepare a care package for Colbert to take to the troops. He also presented videos of President Barack Obama and past presidents greeting the troops, each with their own unique punchline. But the highlight of the week came in the very first show when General Ray Odierno gave the self-styled self-obsessed talk show host - under orders from the Commander-in-Chief - a military-style buzz cut.

Other guests included Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, Sgt. Robin Balcom, Specialist Tareq Salha, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, and Command Sgt. Major Frank Grippe.

According to Lt. Hartman, Colbert’s “visit brought a few hours of relaxed levity and comedy to an otherwise tense and serious existence.” Lt. Hartman’s family back in the States also took an avid interest in their native son’s attendance at the show. “Many of them recorded the show and have watched several times, convinced they could see me in the sea of green uniforms in the audience. I think it's a way for them to connect with me and where I am in a more positive way, as oppose to news reports of violence in country.”

“I think he's talented and charismatic, I would characterize him as an equal opportunity satirist,” Lt. Hartman added.

 1st Lt. Kyle Hartman of the 1st Battalion 128th Infantry

First Lieutenant Kyle Hartman is a military intelligence and operations planning officer with the 1st Battalion 128th Infantry Regiment from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He hails from Waukesha and Eagle River, WI. He has been in the military for about 9 years. He and his wife Kathy, whom he met at Marquette University, live with their dog Simba in Chicago where Hartman practices law. Hartman’s battalion was mobilized in early January and have been in theatre since April.

Obviously, only a limited number of the troops were able to sit in on the Colbert taping, even with four separate shows. Armed Forces Network TV (AFN) replayed the taped shows on base and throughout the theatre for troops who were not able to attend the live performances.

Stephen Colbert also supports the troops through DonorsChoose.org.  A link can be found on the Colbert Nation website.