You’re right nicko. The grind gets to every soldier eventually and the adventure wears off. My deployment to Iraq (15 months) was particularly difficult for me (I have 2 toddlers at home). My wife barely made it. I’m a Major in the National Guard and your point about dwell time is an accurate one. People forget the massive train-up you go through before a deployment. You spend many months away from your family before you even officially depart for the sand box.
Here’s the big issue I have. I get sick and tired of hearing that we’re an all-volunteer force, and we signed up for this and have to deploy without complaining. Fine. My comlaint is that more people don’t volunteer. The percentage of citizens protecting this nation is tiny. The few who step up to the plate and serve end up getting pushed to the brink. I want more people to put their money where their mouth is.
I actually get tired of people coming up and thanking me. It’s a friendly gesture and all that, but I wonder “why don’t you serve too? Why don’t you sign up to defend this nation?” I’m tired of the lip service.
“The few who step up to the plate and serve end up getting pushed to the brink.”
Of course, it all depends on how the war, or wars play out. Gulf War 1 went swimmingly well, and everybody got a parade.
After OEF/OIF kicked off, we assumed that many other nations, including Afghanistan and Iraq would be able to provide enough soldiers to take control. Psyche. Thus, the grinding of the American soldier continues. If these countries don’t get it soon, we may have to drastically reduce our roll to a search and destroy air support/specwar mode. When enough of their dead pile up, maybe they will put AQ down on their own.
I’m afraid these two wars are going to be like living next to a neighbor you despise and there’s not much you can do about it, short of move. There will be no parade in the war against AQ. Muslim fanaticism has been around since 600 AD. Now that they have become more emboldened since watching and clapping when two of the world’s largest buildings fell, well, things are going to get hairy. that’s why Afghanistan and Pakistan cannot fall.
My deployment to Iraq (15 months) was particularly difficult for me
...and some have had to endure not one but multiple long term deployments. During Vietnam, SAC aircrews would go on one day short of six month Arclight tours that broke many a marriage and many a back. One of my friends after serving a year in country flying combat missions, got sent to a SAC B-52 unit and after two back to back six month deployments, resigned his commission. It is a hard life for many, and yes the load needs to be shared. A balance needs to be found that will allow sufficient R and R for the troops, their families, and still provide for the needs of the nation. A seemingly impossible hurdle.
Like you say, lip service is cheap, and many of those giving you thanks have long since passed their prime, but would gladly serve in any capacity if needed, sadly older folks and their troubles aren’t needed like the young and vigorous.