Editor’s Note: It’s crazy serious and difficult for the US Armed Forces in Iraq, but our soldiers still find time for a little fun and escape: just like many of you, they love their weekly dose of “American Idol.” We made friends on the Internet with some members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne division (Fort Bragg, what up!), who will be sending us their review of each “Idol” installment.

They get “Idol” a day later than we do, and their reports might not arrive until well after the show has aired (because, of course, things like communications blackouts do happen when you’re in the military taking care of URGENT BUSINESS). But you don’t mind because they are helping give you the freedom to watch “Idol” in the first place.

Our soldiers each week (L-R): PFC Joshua Miranda, 22 (Orlando, FL); PFC Nathan Puckett, 19 (Cynthiana, KY); SPC Cory Combs, 21 (Plymouth, MA); SSG Steve Cody, 27 (Los Angeles,CA)

After our soldiers got down on David Archuleta — Hey, it WAS a horrible performance for him that week — they welcomed him right back with open arms last week. And boy, like Paul Wall said, they had the Internet goin’ nuts the whole time. (Paul Wall? Rapper from Houston, chunks the deuce, real big a couple of years ago? Nevermind).

Well, now it’s a race. And the soldiers feel we’ve gotten to the part of the season where it’s probably impossible to pick who the bottom three are going to be. In this season of superior talent, this was a week where the only two people they felt had absolute, 100%, certain for sure immunity were David A and John Norris’ favorite, Jason Castro. Everything else is up for grabs.

So who’d they love? Who surprised them? Who do they think let them down this time???? All that - and a special tribute to Elliot Yamin - after the jump.

Michael Johns, “Dream On,” Aerosmith

Nathan: “A very solid performance. He nailed all of the notes.”
Steve: “Sweet. He even matched the high notes. Ryan had a nice shot at Simon.”
Joshua: “One word: awesome.”
Cory: “Another great song choice. He is doing great picking great songs.”

Syesha Mercado, “I Believe,” Fantasia

Joshua: She is showing that she is one of the best singers in the competition.
Cory: “It started off kind of bad, but she came alive towards the end. Overall it was a very solid performance.”

Jason Castro, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Nathan: “Very good performance. I really liked the ukulele playing while he sang.”
Steve: “I didn’t like it very much. It was only ok.”
Cory: Awesome song choice.

Kristy Lee Cook, “Anyway,” Martina McBride

Nathan: “She picked the perfect song for her voice.”
Steve: “Where did these great vocals come from?”
Joshua: “She had a very good vocal performance.”
Cory: “Her best performance yet.”

David Cook, “Innocent,” Our Lady Peace

Nathan: “He didn’t show off his vocals at all. I’m sure he could have picked a better song for his voice this week.”
Steve: “Not his best performance, probably the worst one of the night.”
Joshua: “Not a good song choice.”

Carly Smithson, “The Show Must Go On,” Queen

Nathan: “One of her worst performances yet.”
Joshua: “Very disappointing week for her.”
Cory: “I wasn’t really feeling it this week.”

David Archuleta, “Angels,” Robbie Williams

Nathan: “A very good week for David. I really enjoyed his piano playing while he sang.”
Steve: “Great, I didn’t know the song but I felt it when David sang it.”
Joshua: “He is definitely holding the front runner position after this week.”
Cory: “It was a very good performance and I laughed when I saw the young girl holding up the ‘Lick Those Lips’ sign.

Brooke White, “You’ve Got A Friend,” Carole King

Nathan: “She’s been off the past few weeks but I hope she makes it through so she can show how good she really is.”
Steve: “I am a fan of Brooke but I think that she can do much better than this weeks performance.”

We’ve already told you who the soldiers liked, and how hard it was to pick a bottom-three, but here are their picks (in order of 8-9-10):

Nathan: Carly Smithson, David Cook, Brooke White
Steve: Carly Smithson, Brooke White, David Cook
Joshua: Carly Smithson, Brooke White, David Cook
Cory: Brooke White, Carly Smithson, David Cook

Will David Cook be the one to go? Will the soldiers be right? Stay tuned…

ALSO THIS NOTE FROM OUR SOLDIERS:

To the family of Elliot Yamin-

Dealing with death is never an easy experience. Being a soldier serving in a warzone we learn that all too well. We also learn that life must go on and we have to move past and remember all of the great times we shared with those who have fallen. Our deepest condolences are with Elliot Yamin and his family for their loss.

Previous ‘Idol’ In Iraq Entries:
’Idol’ In Iraq: Welcome Back, David Archuleta! - April 3, 2008

‘Idol’ In Iraq: Soldiers Slam Archuleta - March 28, 2008

‘Idol’ In Iraq: ‘Baghdad Idol’ Is Off The Air So ‘American Idol’ Will Have To Do - March 25, 2008