Author Topic: Disappointed (Read 569 times)

applejuice · « **on:** February 27, 2007, 05:41:22 PM »

I found out today that my brigade is being deployed to Iraq soon. This would be good news for me because I want to go, but I cannot. I have not finished training and will not until 2009. On one hand, I hope that I will never go, but on the other I really want to.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2007, 06:16:01 PM »

Brother. First and foremost, Thank you for serving. Second, all in good (The Lord's) time.

dannobasso · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2007, 07:32:05 PM »

Thank you for your service and your dedication to the country.

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2007, 07:57:29 PM »

Brother applejuice,
Your bravery and courage is unequalled and very much respected. Be patient, your time will come where you will utilize the skills that you have learned; hopefully in a peacekeeping role, rather than combat mode.
You may also want to consult with Brother ajdover regarding implementation of Alembic hardware in a foreign, sometimes hostile environment...
Best wishes, be safe.......

Bradley Young · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2007, 08:04:22 PM »

Joe,

If it's any consolation, I'd characterize both Iraq and war as less than fun. But I understand what you're saying.

What is your MOS, that you have 2 years of training before being deployable?

Thanks for serving.

applejuice · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2007, 03:33:30 AM »

97E, but I really wanted to be 11B.

ajdover · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2007, 08:01:47 AM »

Joe,

I am taking from both your age and what you've said that you're either a Reservist and/or Guardsman. My hat goes off to you - not many your age are willing to volunteer to do anything, much less put your life on the line for your family, community, and country if need be.

Second, I've been an 11B (Infantryman, specifically, light infantryman). Actually, I've been an 11A, Infantry Officer, with a 3X, 5P, and 5W identifier (Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Commander, Parachutist, and Jumpmaster respectfully). I've commanded a company in the 82nd Airborne, a platoon in combat with the 1st Cavalry Division, and numerous Psychological Operations units. I hold the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge amongst the things our nation has seen fit to give me, and I'm humbly grateful for them. Trust me, I'm no hero - too many others have done and given far too much more for me to ever deign to stake claim to that title.

I can empathize with your desire for action -it is not unusual in young men, nor in those who have not experienced combat. Most folks who have been there, regardless of conflict, will tell you that combat is primarily 90% utter boredom mixed with about 10% sheer terror. From my experience, they are correct.

It is not fun. It is not clean. It is the most disgusting thing you will ever experience. You will see friends ripped apart unmercifully; everything will appear black and ugly; you will witness the most amazing acts of both heroism and barbarism; you will do things you never thought you could or would want to do; you will be scared XXitless; others will be scared XXitless too, on both sides. In the end, you will hope you make it to see the next day. Your whole life will be just that; day to day.

I won't dissuade you. It didn't work on me either. All I will tell you is that it is not like you think it is, regardless of what you see on TV. It is dirty, messy, smelly, hot, painful, and ultimately, the most contradicting thing you can participate in as a human being.

If you seek advice, here it is - be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.

My two cents,

Alan J. Dover
Major, U.S. Army
Veteran, Operation Desert Shield-Desert Storm
A Company, 1st Bn, 5th United States Cavalry
1990-1991
Veteran, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
2001
Veteran, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2005-2006

(Message edited by ajdover on February 28, 2007)

(Message edited by ajdover on February 28, 2007)

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2007, 08:35:30 AM »

Thank you both for serving. I'm proud to know you through this forum.

John

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2007, 08:47:01 AM »

John,

Thanks. Care to give up that Series 1 1/2 to a deserving vet? Ahh, Damn, that's what I thought! I'll have to satisfy myself with my Essesnces, the SC Sig Del,the DW, the Spyder, the Europa, and my incoming Series II.

I'm proud to know you through this forum as well.

Alan

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:13:13 AM »

Thanks to all those that keep us safe and preserve our way of life!

Stay safe, Alan!

Cheers,

Kevin

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2007, 11:51:13 AM »

I've been biting my tongue, as I do from time to time on this site. However I can no longer constrain myself without saying something. I very much appreciate all who volunteer and serve to protect the U.S. You are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us can go on leading our lives. As a citizen I believe the social compact I have with you is that you will give your life, if necessary, to protect me and my family, but I will never ask you to place yourself in such jeopardy unless it is absolutely necessary for the survival of this grand experiment in humanity we call the United States. I would never dream to ask anyone else to risk their life so that the friends of people in high government levels can make more money, or so that it will be a little less expensive to drive my jeep. Joe, you are 18 years old. I hope you get to spend many, many more years on this planet. I hope you get to play many more Alembics. I hope you get to fall in love, have a family, pursue dreams, attain satisfaction. I hope you don't get killed. I hope you never have to kill someone else for questionable reasons and then struggle with remorse and other related feelings for the rest of your life.

I am old enough to have lived though the Vietnam era. These days you'd think there was unanimous opposition to that war. I don't know anyone who today will admit they supported that war. Yet, back in the 60's - 70's, the U.S. government spouted the same pronouncements they are now making about Iraq. The conservatives, called the Hawks back then, sang the praises of supporting our troops just like today. At least there was, obstensibly, an opponent in that war, we were supposedly fighting the North Vietnamese. I ask, who is the enemy in Iraq? Just whom are we supposed to be fighting? The Saudi Arabians who attacked our nation on Sept. 11th led by the son of one of our President's family's best friends? Joe, please don't die or kill some foreign mother's son over this bullshit.

Bill, tgo

paulman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:05:24 PM »

Bill, that was worded awesomely! TGO indeed

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #12 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:21:48 PM »

I support the War on Terrorism. Kill them or they will kill us.

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** February 28, 2007, 12:59:10 PM »

Doc, the question I would ask is who is them? I see no difference between Terrorism and the Boogieman. Both are indefinable nebulous creatures of the imagination that scare the living bejeezus out of people to the point that they react emotionally rather than rationally. There is a known, definable organization of people out there who attacked the U.S. I have no problem defending our nation aginst this group. Iraq has nothing to do with them. Iraq is a fractured society composed of groups of various cultures and beliefs who do not get along with each other. About the only thing they can all agree on is that the situation is none of the U.S.'s business. I personallly agree with them. Regardless of my beliefs, the war our nation is now mired in has some very scary implications:

1. It has nothing to do with the Sept. 11 attacks;
2. It distracts us from using our limited respources to avenge the Sept. 11 attacks;
3. It creates immense ill will in the world towards the U.S. which will inevitably result in more attacks agains us;

Any government that would make the claim that increasing the number of troops by the 10s of thousands is not an escalation, but merely an augmentation cannot be trusted to do the right thing. (Augmentation? It sounds like they want to give all the soldiers breast implants!). Personally, I'd like my government to be honest with its citizens.

Bill, tgo

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #14 on:** February 28, 2007, 01:14:46 PM »

Bill. Perhaps we should start another thread. I'd hate to hijack applejuice's thread with this debate.

I enlisted in the Marine Corps just before Desert Storm and I just missed going over there. And I'd re-enlist now if I were 40lbs. lighter and a couple of years younger.

The enemy is not a nebulous creature of the imagination. Just ask any soldier who is currently fighting them, will be fighting them, or has fought them.

Okay. I'm sayin any more about this ion this thread. Bill, if you'd like to start a new thread, I'll engage. I believe that you and I can have a civil discussion in this forum.