My old Army unit is going to Iraq; should I go too?

[cavebear]

If I must be cynical about it, it will look great on your resume'.

[Darsnan]

My last active day in the US Regular Army was July 29th, 1990. Saddam then invaded Kuwait August 4th, 1990.
In early January 1991, I saw news footage showing soldiers from a previous unit I was in 2 years previous counting "flash to bang" times in a forward bunker on the Irag border!
I spent 7 years of my life in the US Army, serving my country, ready and willing to fullfill the pleadge I took upon entering the military. However, I served my 7 years, and IMO when I ETS'd, why I had done more for my country than a lot of Americans had EVER done (and since you've also served, you know what I'm talking about). Therefore I'd politely decline the SFC's offer, as IMO this war will be over before you even can rummage up all your old BDU's!
Regardless of your decision, the best to you!

D

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Darsnan
My last active day in the US Regular Army was July 29th, 1990. Saddam then invaded Kuwait August 4th, 1990.
In early January 1991, I saw news footage showing soldiers from a previous unit I was in 2 years previous counting "flash to bang" times in a forward bunker on the Irag border!
I spent 7 years of my life in the US Army, serving my country, ready and willing to fullfill the pleadge I took upon entering the military. However, I served my 7 years, and IMO when I ETS'd, why I had done more for my country than a lot of Americans had EVER done (and since you've also served, you know what I'm talking about). Therefore I'd politely decline the SFC's offer, as IMO this war will be over before you even can rummage up all your old BDU's!
Regardless of your decision, the best to you!

D

I ETS'd 5 Feb 79..1/51 stationed Crailsheim Deutchland..

I wonder whatever happened to that unit?

I guess i am just an old geezer now and well, I am glad I had no combat duty, I would have gone and served, just i am not a War Monga...

Peace

Troll

[Dinner]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
A friend invites you to join him in some foriegn, hostile country...

...and you're flattered?

It has more to do with a friend is facing possible death and he feels both he and our other friends would do do better if I was with them. That's what I was flattered about. I some how doubt I'll reenlist just because of it but still it's not every day a man tells you he feels like his chances of survival are better if your there.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Ned
Go. If you do not, you will forever wish you had.

That is one thing I'm afraid of Ned. I don't want to be the fat old man sitting around wishing he had done something different when he was in his mid-twenties.

Troll: I'm going to make up my mind and I'm certainly not going to ask any soldiers I've served with, however, you folks are just anonomous faces so there for you're safe. Get it? Besides I have a good four months still before the call has to be made so now is the perfect time to mull things over a bit.

[Pekka]

Your buddies need you. Go. Don't let them down.

[Sava]

please go

[Nubclear]

Do what your instincts say. If theyre saying go but you have doubts....go. If theyre saying dont go but you have doubts......dont go.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by Oerdin


That is one thing I'm afraid of Ned. I don't want to be the fat old man sitting around wishing he had done something different when he was in his mid-twenties.

Troll: I'm going to make up my mind and I'm certainly not going to ask any soldiers I've served with, however, you folks are just anonomous faces so there for you're safe. Get it? Besides I have a good four months still before the call has to be made so now is the perfect time to mull things over a bit.

But get this Oerdin, you dont know me from adam or whomever, My point is why ask a bunch of keyboard strikers?

I mean, something this important. well, just seems much too important than asking a bunch of unknowns, "anonymous faces" if you will.


As for watching over them, I would hope if you are called, flattered as you may be, be careful, do your job and come home to 'Poly and tell how brave you were and how America's fighting force stood tall, kicked buttocks and took names

I hope you go for the right reasons is all, not what we say or dont say, but what you decide!

Peace

Troll

[DRoseDARs]

Originally posted by Oerdin


It has more to do with a friend is facing possible death and he feels both he and our other friends would do do better if I was with them. That's what I was flattered about. I some how doubt I'll reenlist just because of it but still it's not every day a man tells you he feels like his chances of survival are better if your there.

And you could one-up him by convincing him not to go so soon.

Assuming end-of-summer scenario, if you wish to go with him, both of you should wait at least end-of-year before going. Hopefully by then things will have calmed down enough for rebuilding the country to begin in ernst.

[Dinner]

With or without me the unit is scheduled to leave for Iraq at the beginning of summer. I'm in the IRR so currently my name is not on the list, but, if I choice to reenlist then my name would appear on the list. I think what I'm going to do is delay the final decision for as long as possible thus gaining time to evaluate how things are going in Iraq. If things are going well then I'll sign a one year extension doing 6-8 months of it in Iraq and if things are going poorly then I'll make sure to send them a really nice post card.

[Kramerman]

Originally posted by Oerdin
With or without me the unit is scheduled to leave for Iraq at the beginning of summer. I'm in the IRR so currently my name is not on the list, but, if I choice to reenlist then my name would appear on the list. I think what I'm going to do is delay the final decision for as long as possible thus gaining time to evaluate how things are going in Iraq. If things are going well then I'll sign a one year extension doing 6-8 months of it in Iraq and if things are going poorly then I'll make sure to send them a really nice post card.

I agree with this.
I have much respect for you. Your obviously very honorable, as you are considering joining up with your fromer comrades in arms, and serving your country once again.

[Al'Kimiya]

Go! I've heard the brothels of Baghdad has all kinds of special treats.

[Dinner]

Arab brothels? I thought that would be anti-Islamic or something. When I was in Thailand there seemed to be prostitutes every where. You literally couldn't walk across the street without some prosititute asking you what your plans for the night were. I never par-took but still going into one of those "fish bowls" was something else and I'll never forget the donkey show.

[Lancer]

If I were to go it would only be to go in with the attacking 'regular army'. Preferably with my old unit, the 2d ACR. The peacetime occupation forces aregoing to be under a microscope, and that means a double dose of brass bull****. You'll be on a tight leash regarding getting loose, and 'keeping the peace'...wandering around in squad strength waiting for a bullet.

Other than that it ought to be a piece of cake.