DF wants to go into the Army

And actually WANTS to go to Iraq. I have always wanted him to buckle down and get in sape and I am even okay with him going in the Army but I am really not comfortable with him going half way around the world and fighting in a war. It scares me.

Sat. Mar 29, 7:42pm

What is "DF"?
I just need to say at this point God Bless them and any other American who takes on this incredible and heroic mission I pray for all of our miliatry daily and yet I empathisize w/ you. It is an incredible sacrafice on many families to send their loved ones half way around the world.

Saturday, March 29, 2008, 7:59 PM

DF= Dear Fiance

Saturday, March 29, 2008, 8:04 PM

Words of wisdom

Hey OP,
I do think it's admirable that your fiance wants to serve. Just be sure you understand some important info:
1. He should buy body amor and night-vision goggles (several pair) before going. The military is overstretched and a lot of this stuff that's supposed to be standard-issue is not getting to the soldiers. Or, they get one pair of goggles and then they fall and crack and that's it. Both are important to his survival, so stock up.
2. Be prepared to have him do two, three, and up to five tours of duty in Iraq. Right now the tours are a little over a year and a half. That means he has to be willing to have his total investment in Iraq be between 3 and 7 years there.
3. IED's, or improvised explosive devices, are the biggest threat there still. Most humvees are not armored. That means that his rate of injury or death is a lot higher. Soldiers there are using aluminum and steel that they take from abadoned cars to cover the sides of the humvees, but it doesn't quite do the job.
My brother died in 2005 in a roadside bomb attack. What happened was his unamored humvee hit a roadside bomb, and when the surviving soldiers were carrying his still-alive body out of the humvee, the insurgents ambushed them with gun fire and he died at the side of the road. These are realities you have to be ready for.
My other brother went to Iraq and came back. He's a captain in the Army. He's happy that he was able to help a lot of Iraqi families but it was hell there. A lot of bombings, a lot of dismembered bodies, a lot of seeing his buddies dead. It's a lot for him to handle, though he seems to be doing great so far.
So that's how I know what I know. Both my brothers are heroes as far as I'm concerned, but if your fiance is going out there make sure he has the gear he needs. It's expensive (you can order it online), so you may want to take up a family collection to make sure he leaves with it. Even before bootcamp.
My first brother didn't know this and had to order the gear from Iraq from the states. He was in heightened danger for several weeks while he didn't have the night-vision goggles he needed. It's bad enough already there without more complications.
Good luck to you and your fiance. I just wanted to give you some words of wisdom before he goes.
God bless,
CJ

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 8:16 AM

what scares you? That he could die? That he could come home without legs? Either of those things can happen on his drive to the office in the city.

You can't be happy with him being in the army, and not happy with him going to war. That's why we have armies- to fight wars. They do other stuff, but the primary function of a military is fight.

So either start researching being a military spouse and suck it up, or break up with him and find someone who doesn't want to be in the military. It's not that hard of a question, just the follow through may be hard.

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 3:23 PM

To CJ

I just wanted to thank your family for their service and sacrifice. I come from a military family and was never in favor of this war. However I recognize the committment, dedication and loyalty of our military and their families. This war is invisible in many ways unless you've got "skin in the game". Military personnel and their families are sacrificing more than civilians can ever imagine. Thank you.

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 3:31 PM

everyone who has served, is serving, is thinking about serving needs a big thank you and vote of support.

-PT

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 8:33 PM

CJ, Even though I'm against this war, I too come from a military family and my heart goes out to you. God bless you and your brothers.

Monday, March 31, 2008, 6:45 PM

My son is a Marine He is getting out this August. He is a enlisted man. Marines tours are 7 months by the way. He volunteered to go to Iraq in boot camp.. They didn't let him go till after he completed his training. He was a machinest.The first time He went He wasn't a machinest so he saw some action. The second time He was a machinest. He did wonderful as a Marine. He has unblievable confidence now. He Has about a years worth of college credits. They made him take a writing course. The Marines put him in charge of his shop. He is now a Corporal. When he leaves, he can attend college or get quiet a few jobs due to his military experience. It was the best thing in the world for him. I am very proud of him !

Monday, March 31, 2008, 9:27 PM

I was in the miltary. I got out at the start of the First Bush's desert Storm. My son is 17, I just got his passport updated in case I have to stash him somewhere if another war mongerer, 100 years in Iraq type gets elected. So I am not anti-military, I am not anti-war if the cause is well determined. But using the lie of WMD's and the persuant coverup by these oil company mavericks called the currrent adminstration has led me to not believe a word they say. Therefore, my son does not go.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 1:47 PM

We have no right being there, or in Afghanistan. It is not for us to decide the fate of a country, and by "us" I mean in terms of the United States, Canada, UK, France, Australia.
I can't stand to hear another innocent life has been taken because of the sickly war, that applies to allied soldiers and Iraqis, Afghans. The United States has always tried to exert its influence on the Middle East (for what else but oil).

I am sorry to hear your DF wants to go and fight in it, it is wrong for someone to risk their life for something so meaningless.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 2:05 PM

I am 1:47

I volunteered for the military to get the GI bill. My grades in school were not great, I did not come from money. I wanted more education. Luckily, I got that education and never had to go fight an illegal war to do it. Now, I am smart enough to know that if the United Nations tells the US flat out 'Do not attack this country!' and the US does it any way, that makes Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Rice, and Powell. War criminals and they should be taken to Nuremberg for a Crimes Agianst Humanity and Ethnic cleansing hear trial.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 3:46 PM

I totally concur 3:46 !!!!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 4:09 PM

Power to the people 3:46!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 4:11 PM

a lot of men & women join to better themselves & their families while doing what THEY feel is right for their country. They do not ask you how they feel because you are not the one out there risking your life.. You have what you have today because of our brave soldiers. My cousin has 3 years until he can retire, he is a green baret & is 1st in his class, front of the line. he has been to Iraq 5 times. It is scary every single day for those 7 + months he spends over there. Send him packages, letters, ANYTHING to let him know you will be here when he gets home. I was told by a couple of soldiers they worry more about if they will have someone to come home to than if they will even come home. When they are lying in bed at night, know he is thinking of you & your support. You may not be happy w/ his decision, but you should feel honored that he wants to do something so righteous. Tell him he has my thoughts & prayers.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 6:15 PM

2:05, as a Cdn soldier, exactly what do you think we're doing in Afghanistan? Do you actually know anything about what the mission is in Afghanistan? Or do you just have some ignorant idea based upon the US presence in Iraq? The Iraq and Afghanistan missions and conflicts are not the same, so don't disrespect those who are over there building infrastructure, training Afghani Police, and introducing them to the principles of due process, habeus corpus, stare decisis, by suggesting they risk dying a meaningless death over there.

Moreoever, as to "deciding the fate of a country"- you can take the same passive stance next time you see someone bleeding on the side of the road in a snow storm- it is not for you to decide their fate- let them live or die, but certainly don't help them.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 8:12 PM

OP here

I did not mean to start a debate over the validity of the war. I am simply scared of the idea that my fiance and the father of my daughter will be in a country where the statistic he will not come home is high than him returning safely. My brother just returned from a very tense 18 mths in Iraq where he was accidentally listed as dead and may soon be stop lossed 19 days before his discharge goes through and sent right back, and my father retired USAF where he served in Desert Strorm. I fear and feared for their safety just as I fear for my fiance's.

Truth be told none of us know all the facts, but everyone can support the soldiers without supporting the war.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 1:21 AM

7:09 if you are ashamed of your country you can move to another country where they live & let live....

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 8:31 AM

op...politics are always a debate, war, presidents, oil, gas, religion, you mention one thing & everyone blows up...Like you stated you do not have to support the war, but do support your future husband. Speak to your mother & see how she handled it, there are also groups out there of wives of soldiers who stick together. I do wish you luck.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 8:33 AM

2:05 here

To the Cdn soldier, I know full well what the allied troups are doing in Afghan, they are trying to hold a country that was coming apart at the seams after the US deceided to go in and overthrow the taliban (In search and in hope of destroying Al Quadia).
I agree that the Afghan people are better of without taliban, what I can't stomach is hearing of another innocent Cdn soldier who has lost his life, for a war that I feel we should not be a part of. Yes Cdn's are trying to rebuild the country and adding value in that context (as a other allied troops), and their reward??? Another face and name on the Cdn news.
The middle east has been in a state of flux for centuries, it will never change, not now, not after we are all gone. Once you have established some semblance of structure and democracy, it will be destryoed again in the next uprising.
So lets save lives and get out.
As for the coment about not helping someone on the side of the road, different horse completely ! You know that as well as I do, you can't even make the comparison.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 8:52 AM

While I totally agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion, political stance, etc. I really and truly hope that every person who has spouted off about the validity of this war and people who go there "for the pleasure of killing" are all writing from some sort of anti-war activiistism office and not some middle management laptop. I don't like this war, I don't agree with this war, but I'm not going to condemn anyone who was deployed or even chose to go unless I'm willing to devote 100% of my time to making the powers that be stop it.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 9:29 AM

It's me 1:47/3:46 again

PP, well I did run for office. I did not win, but hey I was out there.
I believe the reasons for this war are criminal. The lies, we can't deny. The current Administration (including all the rats that jumped off the sinking ship when the depth of the lies was revealed) told us they knew exactly where the WMDs were, but were not at liberty to discuss it. They told us the war would help with the high cost of oil because OPEC was holding it hostage (Saudis I might add, just like Bin Laden). They told us they were going to get Bin Laden, but have not gone anywhere near Saudi Arabia where he is from and so is his family. As well as the Prince of Saudi Arabia who calls Bush Sr. Dad and was on the forward balcony of the White House smoking a cigar on Sept. 11th. Now our oilman, decider, war Prezdent is telling us that everything is going well and the 'Surge ' helped. During which the American casualty rate on both fronts has risen dramatically. Let alone the rate of Afghanistan's and Iraq's new orphans, caused by the almost 1 million regular every day people like you and me that have been murdered for what? Their freedom?
I am a veteran, I do not fault any of the brave men and women who volunteer to fight for my freedom. However, the wars in the middle East are not about my freedom or yours. They are about the job Cheney will step back into as head of Haliburton. The oil that the Bush family is so invested in. A fight for Freedom and a fight for world domination, power, money are not the same thing. I won't give my son to the later.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 10:27 AM

PP

Well written, heartfelt, thoughtful and TRUE !!!!!!!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 10:42 AM

8:52, I can and will make the comparison.

If you see someone in dire need of help, you can help them, or let them rot. Afghanistan is currently a country in need of dire help. So, we can stay the hell out and let them kill themselves off (as some here seem to imply) or we can help them. The many Afghanis killed by roadside bombs (because of course, they're completely indiscrimate) are dying as innocents as well- do you only have sympathys for innocent allied troops dying?

Regardless of any possible political motivation for why the allied forces are in Afghanistan, many of the troops over there, as individuals are there to help the Afghani people, by doing what they were trained to do. We don't have conscription in Cda, those who are in the forces are there by choice. None of them are going there with the personal purpose of protecting oil.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 1:59 PM

As I said 1:59

"I can't stand to hear another innocent life has been taken because of the sickly war, that applies to allied soldiers and Iraqis, Afghans"

I am fully aware of what I am saying yes I know there is no conscription in Canada.
What I am saying is that their (afghanis) ideoligies are so deeply rooted in every fabric of their lives, that all the wonderful work that the allied troops are doing will be blown to hell once they are gone, and several soldiers along with it.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, 2:13 PM

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