Deployment

[fantomfreq]

I have been largely absent from the forums recently because I was moving. More specifically, I have finished up my training in the army after 15 months and now I've arrived at Fort Stewart, GA. I was handed a surprise today when I learned that I will be deploying with my unit to Bhagdad in the very near future. I don't have orders in hand yet, but it is almost certain that I will find myself in Kuwait in November. Until then, I don't know how much time I will have by a computer and my life after that is less certain. Rest assured that I'll probably drop in from time to time (especially before deployment,) but otherwise it may seem like I've dropped off the face of the earth. See ya when I see ya.

[Samuknow]

Dude,

All I have to say is thank you. You are what makes this country great. Hope to see you around before you go. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[chrisbard]

As we say before a match, Good luck, have fun !

[Strongwolf]

I wish to see you back soon and well. Take good care of yourself and let the "Devine" guide you steps. Blessings.

[Áedán]

I hope that all goes well. I do know that Baghdad is not a nice place to be at the moment, but please do not lose hope. If you have the chance to meet him, Canon Andrew White is a very interesting person, as you probably have to be to run an Anglican church (St George's) in Iraq!

[robbie]

Yes, thank you my friend.
Return home safe.

[danrok]

Good luck and come back soon.

[Gizmo]

Be sure to check your PMs. I'll need your info so that I can send you a care package.

[Daniel ~]

You enter a war.
Your nation is divided, perhaps even your family and friends are in disagreement as to why we fight and if we should. Not surprisingly, this is often the case.

You are of us, one of us and you go now into danger for our sakes.
What ever disagreements are voiced among your countrymen; you go now into danger for our sakes.

And I think we, all of us, are just a little bit in awe of that simple truth. There are men who go into danger for our sakes. Safe return.

Blessings.

[cloasters]

Try to hang on to your humanity. It will become difficult. Very best of luck and keep your head down, we hope to see you home and safe!

[booman]

I thank you for your sacrefice to save lives and to fight for freedom. The only reason we have freedom is due to people like you willing to risk your life for someone else in need.
Come back safely.

[Samuknow]

Originally Posted by Daniel ~

You enter a war.
Your nation is divided, perhaps even your family and friends are in disagreement as to why we fight and if we should. Not surprisingly, this is often the case.

You are of us, one of us and you go now into danger for our sakes.
What ever disagreements are voiced among your countrymen; you go now into danger for our sakes.

And I think we, all of us, are just a little bit in awe of that simple truth. There are men who go into danger for our sakes. Safe return.

Blessings.

Brilliantly said.

[danrok]

I see Tony Blair has vanished off the face of the Earth!

He should be given a rifle and a pair of boots, to finish what he and Bush started.

[fantomfreq]

I've got an update on this. In order to deploy, I need to have completed a battery of training that is given once a month. If the company can get me into that training this month, I'll deploy in November. Otherwise, it will be delayed a bit more.

You guys should see the bags upon bags of stuff that they've issued me. Almost all of it will come in handy overseas, but getting it all over there will be a pain. The bulletproof vest we've been issued is full of Kevlar and ceramic plates and weighs about 60 pounds when assembled. I suppose a little sweat is preferable to being shot, though.

[Samuknow]

I work with a guy that was over there for a year. He said that all you do is sweat. The leaders actually make you stand in formation and hydrate to make sure you drink plenty. Please take care when you go. Tell us plenty of stories when you get back. I could care less what anyone thinks of this war. It is not the point anymore. The point is you are doing your duty for this land of the free. Know that many prayers and thoughts are following you over. We are proud of you......

[Strongwolf]

Well said!

[Daniel ~]

Glad you got the good protective vest, to many didn't.
I know you want to deploy with your unit, but can't bring myself to regreat your possible delay..."in God's hands".

[cloasters]

You'll be frightened, this is normal and healthy. The temperature will be OK at this time of year, so no sweat GI. lf your skills are technical but you get jerked around, complain, complain, complain! You'll be working your own MOS eventually. An air conditioned shop beats pounding sand by a thousand miles! Be well! Thank you for taking this most difficult of tasks upon yourself, we are in your debt.

[fantomfreq]

Yet another update on this. My first sergeant needs some people to be UAV qualified, so I've been told that I'm going back to Arizona in January.

This means that I won't be deploying until after this UAV training, which should keep me here in the states until April or May. The Army wants people to stay flexible, but it seems like my long term schedule changes every week!

The training consists of learning how to repair these UAVs. It may prove to be interesting, especially since the latest ones have offensive capabilities as well as intel gathering sensors.

[Daniel ~]

Home is where I would have you... ":O}