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Vets, current and retired, help me out.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:34 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:34 pm
I feel like a fricking pussy.
My unit is sourced to deploy to Kuwait in February. It's my first time going over. I was fine with it, even slightly (strangely) looking forward to it. I mean, it's why we signed up, right? Let's do it.
But, the closer it creeps and the more this ISIS bullshite stirs up the more I feel like I'll be getting there just as Obama decides for us to push back into Iraq and try to take on these psychotic motherfrickers. The thought of that gives me a bad, ominous feeling that I can't shake.
Now look, I'm just an Air Traffic Controller. I shouldn't be on the frontline. But, there's been talks that my specific section that I'm section sergeant of could be tasked out to more tactical units for special missions. We are the most tactical form of ATC there is other than Combat Controllers (AF Special Forces guys), so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
My wife is hellbent on trying for a kid. I'm scared to death of getting her pregnant before I go over - especially with all this going on that could change our mission.
I just can't shake this feeling that I'm meant to go overseas right now...and not for a good reason. My contract would have lapsed this November, but I still had 2 years of Inactive Ready Reserve on it and my unit told me they'd just pull me from that if I failed to reenlist. So, I just bit the bullet and signed up for 3 more years.
I love the military and I planned on doing my time till retirement, but starting a family changes shite fast.
I really don't have anyone to talk about this with. I can't talk to my parents for fear of freaking them out. Same goes for the wife. I have to put on a strong front because I've always been the strong, never scared one. I'm freaking out inside, though.
So that's why I needed to make this post here. I don't know you guys IRL, but most of you are solid people who I can respect the opinions of.
I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, though. I know it's a lie to say it's not dangerous. Even Kuwait has its hazards, but the thought of pressing back into Iraq has me scared as hell and this is the only place I can say that.
My unit is sourced to deploy to Kuwait in February. It's my first time going over. I was fine with it, even slightly (strangely) looking forward to it. I mean, it's why we signed up, right? Let's do it.
But, the closer it creeps and the more this ISIS bullshite stirs up the more I feel like I'll be getting there just as Obama decides for us to push back into Iraq and try to take on these psychotic motherfrickers. The thought of that gives me a bad, ominous feeling that I can't shake.
Now look, I'm just an Air Traffic Controller. I shouldn't be on the frontline. But, there's been talks that my specific section that I'm section sergeant of could be tasked out to more tactical units for special missions. We are the most tactical form of ATC there is other than Combat Controllers (AF Special Forces guys), so it's not out of the realm of possibility.
My wife is hellbent on trying for a kid. I'm scared to death of getting her pregnant before I go over - especially with all this going on that could change our mission.
I just can't shake this feeling that I'm meant to go overseas right now...and not for a good reason. My contract would have lapsed this November, but I still had 2 years of Inactive Ready Reserve on it and my unit told me they'd just pull me from that if I failed to reenlist. So, I just bit the bullet and signed up for 3 more years.
I love the military and I planned on doing my time till retirement, but starting a family changes shite fast.
I really don't have anyone to talk about this with. I can't talk to my parents for fear of freaking them out. Same goes for the wife. I have to put on a strong front because I've always been the strong, never scared one. I'm freaking out inside, though.
So that's why I needed to make this post here. I don't know you guys IRL, but most of you are solid people who I can respect the opinions of.
I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, though. I know it's a lie to say it's not dangerous. Even Kuwait has its hazards, but the thought of pressing back into Iraq has me scared as hell and this is the only place I can say that.
16
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:52 pm to Wanderin Reb
First and foremost, thanks for your service.
And it's understandable to be freaked the hell out. I've had friends ship out and don't know many that didn't have some level of fear in that if they were going to an active area. My brother was talking about enlisting at one point and I was scared as hell for him I know that much.
Have you talked with the wife about how you feel about trying right now? I'd like to think even if it bummed her out she'd be understanding of it.
And it's understandable to be freaked the hell out. I've had friends ship out and don't know many that didn't have some level of fear in that if they were going to an active area. My brother was talking about enlisting at one point and I was scared as hell for him I know that much.
Have you talked with the wife about how you feel about trying right now? I'd like to think even if it bummed her out she'd be understanding of it.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:52 pm to Wanderin Reb
As long as you don't have an actual Combat MOS you'll never see the ground over there. Especially within the MSARNG.. It's only bad because this is your first deployment and you're facing the unknown I promise you that. You just can't let that become a figment in your head.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:56 pm to Wanderin Reb
Trust me an invasion is better than occupation. You will be alright and when its over you will be happy you did it.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:59 pm to Wanderin Reb
quote:
My contract would have lapsed this November, but I still had 2 years of Inactive Ready Reserve on it and my unit told me they'd just pull me from that if I failed to reenlist. So, I just bit the bullet and signed up for 3 more years.
This is where you were lied to.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 7:59 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
Have you talked with the wife about how you feel about trying right now? I'd like to think even if it bummed her out she'd be understanding of it.
We talked about it before I started worrying about Iraq, when it was still just Kuwait. I was ok with it then. Her mom has agreed to come up and help while I'm gone if we DO get pregnant. But now...
How do you say, "Hunny, I'm worried I might die, so let snot get pregnant"?
quote:
As long as you don't have an actual Combat MOS you'll never see the ground over there. Especially within the MSARNG.. It's only bad because this is your first deployment and you're facing the unknown I promise you that. You just can't let that become a figment in your head.
This is what I keep trying to tell myself. You know, it always feels good to see/hear it from somewhere other than your own head, though.
I'm staying busy with prep for an ARMS inspection next month, so I usually haven't had time to dwell. For some reason it's been all I could think about tonight, though, so I had to get it out somewhere.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:00 pm to Wanderin Reb
I had jitters when I was first getting ready to go to Afghanistan. Those feelings are natural and expected. Just remember that all things are sufferable when suffered with others. No matter what you will encounter you will not be alone, you will have brothers. I can't stress that enough. Sourcing to Kuwait can mean a lot of things, that's often just what Big Army uses for their force management, you could very well be pushed somewhere else.
That said you will be surrounded by professionals, the chance that anything might happen to YOU is low and if it does you will have dependable and well trained people on all sides and your family will be more than provided for assuming you're at your full 400k of SGLI. I've read somewhere that you stand a better chance of survival when sustaining a traumatic injury in a combat zone than you do on the highways of some places in the States because of all the Medics and CLS training... but don't think about that.
Just realize that everything you've done up until this in your military career has been practice, it's time to get in the game and if you're in today's Army and still slick sleeve it's about damn time...no offense of course.
That said you will be surrounded by professionals, the chance that anything might happen to YOU is low and if it does you will have dependable and well trained people on all sides and your family will be more than provided for assuming you're at your full 400k of SGLI. I've read somewhere that you stand a better chance of survival when sustaining a traumatic injury in a combat zone than you do on the highways of some places in the States because of all the Medics and CLS training... but don't think about that.
Just realize that everything you've done up until this in your military career has been practice, it's time to get in the game and if you're in today's Army and still slick sleeve it's about damn time...no offense of course.
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 8:02 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:01 pm to Wanderin Reb
Hey dude,It can be a tough situation for a family. I served 5 years in the US Air Force during Operation Enduring Freedom. I never got deployed over there but I know plenty that did. From the sound of it, it sounds like you are in the army. I am not sure if they would actually pull you off inactive reserves to fill that deployment spot. I haven't heard of that actually happening. At least I know the Air Force would never do that unless it was a AFSC that was short on personnel. I am not going to tell you that it wouldn't be tough but what I will tell you is make sure you are aware of your surroundings. Learn everything you can learn while you are there if you end up going. Everyone I knew made it back okay. So when you get back let us know that you are okay. Also this sounds like it will be a short deployment, however I don't know the specifics of your unit and personnel available. Good Luck and Thanks For Serving.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:02 pm to Wanderin Reb
quote:
We talked about it before I started worrying about Iraq, when it was still just Kuwait. I was ok with it then. Her mom has agreed to come up and help while I'm gone if we DO get pregnant. But now... How do you say, "Hunny, I'm worried I might die, so let snot get pregnant"?
Maybe drop the "I really want to be here for you and the baby" line. Which in reality is the truth.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:14 pm to Wanderin Reb
I don't want to come off as a smarmy a-hole so I'll just say sack up and good luck. And remember how determined you were to get that retirement before this shite started up.
Come on bro, These two aren't really in the same universe.
The vast majority never even break wire over there. If you go, You'll be balls deep in Skype, hard drive pron, surf n turf, and buying all the good Monster flavors from the PX
Edit: respect for sharing how you feel. You'll be fine, though
quote:
most tactical form of ATC there is other than Combat Controllers (AF Special Forces guys)
Come on bro, These two aren't really in the same universe.
The vast majority never even break wire over there. If you go, You'll be balls deep in Skype, hard drive pron, surf n turf, and buying all the good Monster flavors from the PX
Edit: respect for sharing how you feel. You'll be fine, though
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 8:18 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:16 pm to BluegrassBelle
quote:
Just realize that everything you've done up until this in your military career has been practice, it's time to get in the game and if you're in today's Army and still slick sleeve it's about damn time...no offense of course.
Fact. One of my buddies constantly gives me the, "Hey you forgot your patch-OH THAT'S RIGHT!" line.
quote:
Also this sounds like it will be a short deployment, however I don't know the specifics of your unit and personnel available.
Yeah it should only be 9 months in country, thankfully. That's what they've gone to now.
quote:
This is where you were lied to.
Yeeeaaah...I figured that, but I didn't wanna risk going over there and not gaining any time-in-grade. If I'm going, it might as well be of my own volition. So, I have no one to blame but myself.
quote:
Trust me an invasion is better than occupation. You will be alright and when its over you will be happy you did it.
good to hear from a "real" soldier. Don't get me wrong, I take extreme pride in what I do, but I know we're here to support your ilk. quote:
Maybe drop the "I really want to be here for you and the baby" line. Which in reality is the truth.
As we get closer, this is more how I feel. We had hoped we'd be able to get pregnant in time for me to still be stateside doing pre-mob when she was due, but that's pretty much impossible now.
Thank every single one of you for your replies. Just typing out my thoughts and getting some outside input and conversation has calmed me. I'm actually still nervously excited about going over right now, but I go back and forth between that and fear. Gotta find my balance.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:19 pm to Robert Goulet
quote:
I don't want to come off as a smarmy a-hole so I'll just say sack up and good luck. And remember how determined you were to get that retirement before this shite started up.
Oh yeah I've told myself this many times.
quote:
Come on bro, These two aren't really in the same universe.
Oh noooooo. I wasn't trying to even come close to equating the two. I just needed to clarify that there are actually badass special forces guys out there for tactical ATC.
quote:
Edit: respect for sharing how you feel. You'll be fine, though.
The vast majority never even break wire over there. If you go, You'll be balls deep in Skype, hard drive pron, surf n turf, and buying all the good Monster flavors from the PX
Appreciate it. I wouldn't be in the military and loving it if I didn't have thick skin. I just needed an outlet for a minute to get that off my chest since I haven't been able to say it out loud.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:19 pm to Robert Goulet
quote:
Monster
eff that
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 8:22 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:21 pm to KSGamecock
quote:
eff that
I used to be a Monster guy, but now I've kinda become partial to NOS.
Plus, I'm not technically supposed to drink Monsters and perform ATC duties according to the Army. Taurine and Guarana are no-no's.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:22 pm to Wanderin Reb
That sucks. In my experience Taurine, Guarana and dip are the fuels that run the army.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:23 pm to KSGamecock
I was a Monster guy until 2005 and I was at Camp Stryker and they had free red bull. Now with Surge back I can go back to my first love.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:29 pm to InfantryDawg
I've been frantically checking Amazon to see when they'll get more Surge in stock.
In the meantime, Ripit Tribute is veeeerrry similar.
In the meantime, Ripit Tribute is veeeerrry similar.
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:29 pm to KSGamecock
frick, good call.
I was really hungover recently and got one of the coveted "power" flavored tall boys from the gas station. Somehow it was more awful than I remembered. The Hajjis sure did love that shite though.
Right on, man. Seriously, best of luck to you no matter what happens with this rotation.
I was really hungover recently and got one of the coveted "power" flavored tall boys from the gas station. Somehow it was more awful than I remembered. The Hajjis sure did love that shite though.
quote:
Wanderin Reb
Right on, man. Seriously, best of luck to you no matter what happens with this rotation.
This post was edited on 9/17/14 at 8:31 pm
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:30 pm to Robert Goulet
Well for the record the ones here don't taste the same
Posted on 9/17/14 at 8:35 pm to KSGamecock
Okay, good. I was hoping I wasn't just me. I guess I need to get some smuggled in. Every now and then, an Atomic Pom really hits the spot.
You weren't one of those weird fricker that liked the sugar free, were you?
You weren't one of those weird fricker that liked the sugar free, were you?
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