A Man Back From Iraq

I know a few "kids" who enlisted when they were pretty young. They joined the guard without really knowing what they were getting into.
These were patriotic kids who wanted to serve and get through school at the same time.
Recruiters tell them all kinds of stories, like -- you will never go overseas.
The recruiters should really play straight with these kids.
 
RR- I'd known about the IRR obligation but I was extended at nearly my nine year point. Admin managed to find a way to extend me and consulted with my LCPO, basically putting the choice in his hands; they actually had more reasons to let me go than to keep me. He was quite adamant about retaining me for as long as possible - we had a talk about it afterwards and it wasn't about him trying to anger me, it was more about the fact that I really was needed. As I've said before, had I been asked, I probably would've stayed voluntarily. The way it stands right now I will probably stay at least until my shore duty's up. Of course, that takes me right to the ten year point and I have some tough decisions to make then. I'll burn that bridge when I get to it.

I'm just glad that they picked someone with no hard plans and no family. I can deal with this turn of events quite easily, although I still reserve the right to complain at length about it. Some are not so fortunate and their plans are not so easily changed.

Were they to extend me and send me to another ship...well, I probably wouldn't even be complaining. Shore duty has not panned out the way I'd expected it to.
 
"signed up for 8 years, and got involuntarily extended for 27 more"
Guess in the summer of 2030 he'll be gettin' short! ;) :roll: <sorry.>

Weird. Seems like we reduce prison sentences and extend tours of duty? WTF is wrong with society?

BTW, my cousin is career AF, and does fuelling of ariplanes in Doha, Qatar. He was in the first sandbox trip too, but forward refuelling tanks. He is also a designated marksman which is funny, cause his name IS Mark.

Good insight and research RR, thanks 4 clearin this up.

Keith
 
munk said:
Seems you have to be WAY MORE MESSED UP than that. I'm thinking if he has a couple more strokes he'll be eligible for Administration.
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Hehehe. This reminds me of a scene described in "All Quiet on the Western Front". Basically, an officer is evaluating men for fitness to serve or whatever, and a man hobbles up who had already seen some serious fighting. His leg was blown off, and he was walking on a wooden leg and crutch. The officer said, (to paraphrase) "You're still fit. We need the men." The soldier replied "Sure, and maybe when my head gets blown off, they will give me a wooden head so I can be an officer." :D

A very good childhood friend of mine just got back from Iraq. He gained some brief fame for his weblog, which was featured in People magazine. He's coming up to visit this Saturday or Sunday. It will be good to see him again, but I'm not sure how to approach him about his war experiences. I figure I'll just let any such conversation go whatever way he wants to take it.
 
mamav said:
Interesting ideas here. As a disabled vet I get benefits....for now....read this and all of you fellow vets may have something to think about.

http://www.military.com/Opinions/0,,Scott_032905-P1,00.html

Not sure what's going to happen, but it is interesting. Oh, yeah, I was extended too back eons ago. But it was for a good reason....I got to do a tour in Germany which I absolutely loved. Wish I could go back.
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That link is definitely a WAKE UP CALL to all veterans! When the congress cuts back THEIR benefits and the billions we send to crap holes like Iraq, then, AND ONLY THEN, can they look at cutting veterans benefits! :mad:
 
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