#1 - he did serve, and there is honor in that, but you can never, ever, never disobey a lawful order. It negates whatever honor you had gained.
#2 - one of his "Deployments" was for 15 days. That isn't a "Deployment" - it is what is know in the military as a TDY - the equivilent of a business trip.
#3 - while he has served a 7 month tour, the total time he has been gone in almost 5 years is about 11 months and change. I bet he would not wish to compare that record to a lot of active duty soldiers, marines, sailors, and airman. He would hang his head in shame after about 3 minutes of comparative stories.
I will make two additional points:
-- The cost of war to a nation's citizens is great. Today, very, very few of American contribute to the "War on Terror" (it is really a war against Islamic Fascism, but that is for another thread). Americans go shopping while military members and their families deal with stress that most people cannot imagine.
-- The soldier who had himself shot by a hitman to avoid another tour is in another category entirely in my book. If I had been his commander, I would have sent him to the doctors. He is suffering from PTSD - period. I'll let the people who have never served a day in uniform or in combat to make light of that condition, or the reality of it.
As far as this Reservist goes, he went to the MSM, and they spun his tale for the Democratic-Liberal cause. He wants to be a "Defense Contractor" now? Good luck with that.
In fact, good luck to him, period.
Typical Dem/MSM talking points. Service of any kind makes people untouchable in their book. I did six years of sea duty, I was probably home a total of a quarter of that time, including 2 six month deployments. This guy should just suck it up and move on.
- If 15 days constitutes one "Deployment", and a few weeks constitutes another "Deployment", then the military owes me for a several hundred "Deployments" in my career.
If that is the case, I want to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for the military officer with the most Deployments in the history of the US military.
So, "11 months and change" is his total for overseas deployment? That certainly puts the "Fifth Deployment" in perspective!
15 days equals a deployment? LOL.
You might be interested in this.
"It was terrible, man. I had to wear blues every day in that hot Alabama Summer!"
Ah, the deception. Prior articles had us believing he had put in 5 tours — meaning 4-5 years!
As I posted on the O’Reilly thread, out of the 70 months since 9/11, my Reservist husband has been on active duty for 40. More than 50% of the time.
He’s not whining and moaning about it. He was actually upset that he didn’t leave in June and can’t wait to head over in December or January.
We are honored and proud to support our country in this way. I simply don’t have much sympathy for these whiners.
If you don’t want to be in the military, don’t join!
Damn, I’ve almost equaled him with only one deployment in two years of Active Duty (considering six months was essentially initial entry schooling, cadet work and OBC).
You forgot another point. He wanted to go active duty, and did.
One for Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2002)and One for Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005-2006). All a volunteer
Running to the MSM speaks volumes.
FYI : The 2nd.BCT.10th.Mt.Div.(COMMANDO) has been in combat
For 15 months,as of 7-13-07,in Mahmudiyh,”living forward”,
(in the field),since May 12-13th,,,This unit has already been “extended” till November,,,,That will make 19 months
In combat...
Are we short of troops ?
Are all units going to stay 19 months ?
Prayers Up for the Troops...
Thinking about pinging the folks that were flaming me on the original thread. May wait a while and see if they bother to show up here.
His service to his country is done, and I thank him for it. Now grant him his general discharge and set him up a payment plan for the training he received. He should have thought it all out before joining up.
Ping to update on the reservist who is yelling hardship about another deployment:
“He then had three deployments to Iraq - about a month in 2003, three months in 2004 and 15 days later that year.”
Reservist Tries to Stop Fifth Deployment (one was for 15 days)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1865987/posts
Previously, I had support this kid, but when I read this line...
“Army spokeswoman Maj. Cheryl Phillips noted that Army Reserve units deploy for 12 consecutive months, and that Botta had only accumulated about 10 nonconsecutive months of deployment. She also noted that Botta was under an eight-year service contract.”
...my sympathy waned.
Suck it up soldier.
Why isn’t that the FIRST line of the article. In my opinion it’s the most salient. Unless, of course, you are trying to make the army look bad. Naw... they wouldn’t, would they?
I’ve been in the AF Reserves since 1976. Plus 3 1/2 years Active Duty prior to that. My Active Home Base was Little Rock AFB. (The Rock) The largest C-130 patch on the planet.
Did several deployments to good and bad places, usually 90 days at a whack.
My Reserve Home Base is Andrews, AFB and I’ve done many, many 15 day TDYs (Called “Annual Tour”) all around the world. Plus long deployments to Panama, Germany. UK and Honduras.
You sign your name to the contract and you give free rein to people who do not know or care about you to f**k with your life.
It comes with the territory. I believe this guy does not have a leg to stand on.
Jack.