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.

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

As President Bush would freely admit, it’s not always possible to meet deadlines when you’re living and working in a war-torn area — and that’s something we here at MTV News learned last week. With PFC Puckett, who usually emails us the soldiers’ “Idol” commentary each week, taking some much-needed R&R, the rest of the troops slacked, having failed to “make a contingency plan” for Puckett’s time off. So the soldiers sent in their impressions of last week’s performances over the weekend.

While they didn’t comment — at all — on Kristy Lee Cook’s ouster the previous week, our soldier pals did think Carly Smithson had redeemed herself, and would be spared elimination. Of course, that didn’t happen. So, how did our valiant troops feel about the “Idol” hopefuls tackling the songs of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber? SSG Cody said that “ever since my mother took me to see my first play as a child, I have loved the theater. I was happy to see ‘Idol’ take a step in that direction.” After seeing the performances, the guys definitely thought Brooke White or Jason Castro would be sent packing — which they weren’t.

So, who did they love this week? Who do they want to go all the way? Find out after the jump.

Syesha Mercado, “One Rock & Roll Too Many” (from “Starlight Express”):

PFC Puckett: She was great.
SSG Cody: Her performance was great. It was smart, classy, and still as sexy as that part is intended to be.
PFC Miranda: Her performance was as hot as she was.

Jason Castro, “Memory” (from “Cats”):

Puckett: It wasn’t his best, but he did all right.
Cody: His worst performance yet. If the rest of his performances are like this, he better hope his pretty face can carry him.
Miranda: I’m not sure how that’s supposed to sound, but I’m pretty sure it’s not like that.

Brooke White, “You Must Love Me” (from “Evita”):

Puckett: Her performance was horrific, on a Biblical scale.
Cody: I think she showed real emotion and feeling in what the song meant. With that being said, I don’t know why she stopped — maybe lost lyrics, beat, or whatever — but the show must go on. Never stop.
Miranda: Terrible. I hated it.

David Archuleta, “Think of Me” (from “Phantom of the Opera”):

Puckett: He did OK…I think he could have done better.
Cody: I was unsure how he would sing this song. I was surprised. I thought he would have done a little better, but it was OK and definitely not the worst of the night.
Miranda: I thought it sounded good.

Carly Smithson, “Superstar” (from “Jesus Christ Superstar”):

Puckett: She was very good.
Cody: Awesome. Great! I loved her energy — one of the best of the night.
Miranda: She rocked.

David Cook, “The Music of the Night” (from “Phantom of the Opera”):

Puckett: Awesome. His was the best performance of the night.
Cody: Once again, David shows he can sing any style, with talent.
Miranda: Definitely one of tonight’s best.