Goin' Back To War

[odims_sphere]

As some of you know Candy and I had drill this weekend. During the course of that drill our company commander addressed us as a company to let us know our unit has been selected and officially alerted for mobilization in fiscal year 2009 which for the army that starts in October. What exactly does that mean? Well...

Right now that means that our unit has been pushed to the top of the priority list for funding. Meaning that it will be a lot easier to order and receive supplies, gear, and other assorted materials for war. Also we are on the top priority for military schooling, such as MOS schools and NCOES schools.

Currently we have NOT been mobilized. We don't even know what theater we'll go to if we are selected for mobilization. We do know it'll be one of three places, 1. Iraq, (which includes Kuwait) 2. Afghanistan 3. The Horn of Africa.

Bottom line what this means:

Are we going to war? Most likely.

Some of you maybe asking yourselves if this is a violation of OPSEC by announcing it here. It is in fact not. Nothing I've said is classified information. It's not even restricted.

What would be considered OPSEC violations are, (for example), flight numbers, unit strength, exact dates, Which airports we are flying to and from, basically anything specific.

I'll be happy to answer any questions if anyone is curious about the mobilization process and how all this works, but please if I say I can't say something don't take offense. It's not personal. This is still a public website that anyone can look at.

[Pandora]

Hi,

I have two questions:

1. Do you enjoy being in the military?

2. Are you unhappy about possibly being sent to the places you mentioned?

I'm personally sorry if you go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Not the best places to be right now, civilian or otherwise.

[Onyx]

Wow. Seems like Candy just got back.

Since you are in the same unit, does that mean that you and Candy will likely be going to the same place?

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Oh God I wish I could go with you guys. Damn my old age and broken body.

[odims_sphere]

Hi,

I have two questions:

1. Do you enjoy being in the military?

2. Are you unhappy about possibly being sent to the places you mentioned?

I'm personally sorry if you go to Iraq or Afghanistan. Not the best places to be right now, civilian or otherwise.

1. I do. I enjoy the structure. I enjoy serving my country. I enjoy the responsibility. I think the military has given me so much as far as decision making tools, confidence, motivation, and the ability to deal with stressful situations in logical and calculating ways.

2. I'm unhappy that I'll have to leave my kids again, last time they didn't even know who I was when I got home.

[odims_sphere]

Wow. Seems like Candy just got back.

Since you are in the same unit, does that mean that you and Candy will likely be going to the same place?

Depending on when the mobilization begins she'll most likely have the choice to go or not. And Yes we would be deployed together.

[Pandora]

I respect the military and those who serve in it greatly. I'm a massive WW2 buff, and am starting to research Vietnam.

Yes leaving your children must be heartbreaking. How does that affect how you serve when you're away?

And from a soldier's perspective, what are your thoughts on Afghanistan and Iraq? I can understand going into Afghanistan, but I'm fairly against the invasion of Iraq. I'm of the opinion we must stay and rebuild their infrastructure, but very much wish we had not invaded at all. The number of civilian deaths, military deaths and displaced Iraqi citizens is too great a loss.

[Msterbeau]

I respect the military and those who serve in it greatly. I'm a massive WW2 buff, and am starting to research Vietnam.

Yes leaving your children must be heartbreaking. How does that affect how you serve when you're away?

And from a soldier's perspective, what are your thoughts on Afghanistan and Iraq? I can understand going into Afghanistan, but I'm fairly against the invasion of Iraq. I'm of the opinion we must stay and rebuild their infrastructure, but very much wish we had not invaded at all. The number of civilian deaths, military deaths and displaced Iraqi citizens is too great a loss.

Donnie.. Totally with you on missing the kids. That sucks. Even when I lived in Kentucky at least I got to see mine every two weeks. I'm not sure if I'll go nuts when I go to Japan for 4 months later this year. *HUGS*

Pandora... You forgot to browse the giant WW2 book while you were over!!!

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

On a WWII trivia note... I have every issue of "Stars and Stripes" from the day they bombed Pearl Harbor till the day it's headline says "THE WAR IS OVER"

[Pandora]

Donnie.. Totally with you on missing the kids. That sucks. Even when I lived in Kentucky at least I got to see mine every two weeks. I'm not sure if I'll go nuts when I go to Japan for 4 months later this year. *HUGS*

Pandora... You forgot to browse the giant WW2 book while you were over!!!

Crap I totally did. Next time, and the Nudes book.

Japan eh? Interesting place, they read porn on their morning subway commute. And you know lots of other stuff lol.

[Rev.Reverence]

I don't want to talk about WAR... it is to depressing; to me...

I do want to wish you well, and I will pray the children find the where with all to cope in our Soldiers absences...

I gotta' stop crying now...

GOD BLESS...

[Kit Kat P]

I'm so sorry to see that you guys may have to go back. If you do, I'd like to say thank you. You'll be w/ several of my friends all of which I wish would come home.

[Jadis]

2. I'm unhappy that I'll have to leave my kids again, last time they didn't even know who I was when I got home.

I will do everything I can to make sure that they DO NOT forget you while you're gone. The boys were young and even though tumble-weed is young, she's old enough to know who Daddy is. I don't want them to forget you or Candy and I'll do whatever I can while you're gone to be sure that they don't.

Personally... I HATE that you're going again. (Candy too) but you know this already.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

[Rayne]

I'm not sure if I'll go nuts when I go to Japan for 4 months later this year. *HUGS*

I am sooooo going to stow away in your luggage ....

I've always wanted to go there.

[Hellion]

I wish you and Candy both good luck and come home safe.

[Destroit]

I am sooooo going to stow away in your luggage ....

I've always wanted to go there.

Nuh-UH

You're gonna have to beat me to it

STOWAWAY MOD FIGHT

That sucks so harshly that you guys have to go, but you know I always <3 and appreciate my troops (especially you guys). I have no questions, only hugs: but promise you'll come back safe.

[odims_sphere]

I, *we* appreciate everyones thoughts and well wishes. I assure you it does not go un-noticed.

It's still a long way off and a lot *could* change.

[Burrich1]

If you guys go, I wish you the best.

If you dont I want to say I'm grateful for all your past service.

In either case, I at least owe you guys a beer.

[bean]

If you guys go, the eternal and I will miss you and hope for your safe return.

[creatureofthenyte]

You and Candy both, have my respect.

You both willingly go off and leave home and family to fight to protect us and our freedom.

I don't know if I will ever meet you two in person, but if your travels ever take you thru my neck of the woods, hit me up with an email!

and most of all, THANK YOU! Without people like you two, and hundreds of thousands just like you, we wouldn't be here.

[CandyQuackenbush]

To answer any questions about my status:

Yes, I did get back on Sept. 22nd 2007. The Army nows has this "wonderful" *insert sarcasim* plan that they only give soliders a ONE YEAR turn around. This means that to-the-date one year after you have gotten "seperated from Active Duty" you are able to be deployed.

My One Year will end Sept 23rd 2008. At the end of the Fiscal Year. Since they are talking about a deployment in FY 2009, they can take me again.

Once we find out more information, we will start a thread about it. Until then, this is all we got.

Yeah, it sucks. If I go, I won't finish school. I'll have to pick up where I left off. What really sucks is our Annual Training is going to take me out of school for 2 whole months. So now I won't graduate in September with my friends.

I really like what I'm doing, and all of this is breaking my heart.

[phee]

Stay alive, and stay sane....

[Fierce Critter]

I really like what I'm doing, and all of this is breaking my heart.

Candy

Hit me up with an IM next time you are available and see me online.

As for both of you, I thought this was already pre-ordained a long time ago. I said it then, I'll say it now - I appreciate what you guys are doing, but it fucking sucks that it takes you away from family and friends.

[Brenda Starrr]

I, *we* appreciate everyones thoughts and well wishes. I assure you it does not go un-noticed.

It's still a long way off and a lot *could* change.

Well, Jeff and I hope that it DOES change. Bowling would be teh suck without you.

[SuZQZ]

OPSEC training, important but *snore*.

If you and/or Candy are deployed, I hope you are not gone for too long and come home safe and healthy. Like everyone else here, thank you both for all you have done in service to our country and to all of us. We are very proud of you and your fellow service members.

When you find out for sure what's going on I'll shoot you both my AKO email address as another form of contact back here, if you want it. Good luck to you both.