Sadness

[shadowfacedanes]

So, our best friend has been in Iraq since last April, it's his second tour. We've stayed in contact the whole time - emails, phone calls, letters, etc and he's said how he's getting out of the Army when his enlistment is up.

He was part of one of the units that did convoys and raided houses door to door, so his job was extremely dangerous and I think that's what had him saying he was getting out when his time was up.

Well, for the last month or so, since he's coming home in a couple weeks, they have him now pulling cafeteria duty and the new guys are doing the dangerous missions. So he's bored. So he re-enlisted.

His plans when he got home were to buy a house and settle down,.Now he's going to move to Virginia and be Army full time.

Don't get me wrong, I am VERY happy for him. He loves his job and he's good at what he does and I am very proud of him for being so successful and strong. But I miss him. And he'll be gone. Again.

He called Saturday and he said nothing of this to me. Only to Jeff. I think he knows it would make me sad.

And that's it...I'm just sad. I know it's selfish to be sad, and I won't act sad in front of him when he does get home (in two weeks SQUEEEEEEEE), I'm just hurting inside and figure a few chaz hugs wouldn't hurt. He's the brother I never had (I would say little brother, because he's younger than me, but he's about three times my size, lol.) and I don't want him to go away.

 

[HoundedByHounds]

aww I am sorry ((hugs))

 

[bubbatd]

It's sad for you , but it's what he wants to do and I admire him for it .

 

[Buddy'sParents]

so sorry (((HUGS)))

 

[AGonzalez]

(((((Hugs)))))

It's a tough decision, I'm sure he didn't make it lightly. Here's well wishes for all of you!

 

[Renee750il]

((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) Yah . . . it's hard to watch someone do that.

 

[Domestika]

I have a friend who has re-enlisted twice now, and voluntarily extended his stay.

The first time he was in Iraq was ok...he was a driver. He just drove a general around and stayed in a palace the military had moved into. Still risky of course...but not bad. And out of the really nasty stuff.

When he came home everyone was SO relieved.

Then he re-enlisted and...*clunk* stomach hit the ground. He can't pay for school otherwise. He doesn't think he could make a go at any other career.

This time (again, in Iraq) he is in..."communication", which in his case is more like "interrogation". He was in training for quite a long time and although he doesn't talk about it, I'm quite sure that he is one of the people who interrogates "people of interest".

Depending on what you believe (or don't) about the tactics used by the American military to interrogate people of interest in Iraq...I believe his job now is FAR more emotionally and mentally disturbing than when he was a driver.

I think a lot of people are in his same situation, though. How else are you going to get a bunch of money?

 

[AGonzalez]

INTEL positions require a long school...right where we were stationed before at Fort Huachuca, AZ - I used to work with the intel guys a lot.
It's emotionally draining for sure, becasuse a lot of it is psychological (i.e. mind f---ing) to do to people. A lot of the reason he doesnt' talk about it is probably because you're not supposed to, and not because of torture tactics, because if the enemy knows how you'll approach it, it's easier to duck the questions.

There's things a lot worse than re-enlisting, and in the economy right now it's probably one of the most stable things someone could do, even though it sucks. It's a guaranteed paycheck, in a world of unknown financial issues, and unfortunately, that's all Uncle Sam has going for him at this point, IMO.
My husband will be reenlisting next month to take him out to his retirement at 20 years, I wish frequently that he wouldn't, but I know that it'd be stupid to think otherwise.

 

[FoxyWench]

i just hope hes re-enlisting because thats realy what he wants to do and not just because hes bored with the cafeteria duty...

either way all my best to him and hugs to you, its hard

 

[Domestika]

There's things a lot worse than re-enlisting, and in the economy right now it's probably one of the most stable things someone could do, even though it sucks.

I find it so sad that the state of the country is such that enlisting in the war is one of the only options (if not THE only option) for people to survive, particularly in some parts of the country/demographic. Ironic, really. And extremely sad.

 

[Dakotah]

(((HUGS)))
I know that must be hard on you and your & his family, Shadow.