GL1800Riders Forums banner

Something to Ponder

5K views 50 replies 34 participants last post by  bmoore106 
I am unhappy.

My son volunteered for 4 years - that was up last August.

He has been in Afghanistan since Jan last year.

His company's replacements arrived, assumed my son's company's duties, and my son was to fly out yesterday to Kandahar, then to Kuwait, then leave for the states tomorrow.

They come in yesterday while all packed up and ready to leave and tell them they are not coming back to the states until June. Can you imagine how devastated they were as well as the families back home?

My son gladly accepted the 8 month service extension beyond what he volunteered for (they keep them another 3+ months after they return to the states too). Now it will likely be a full year beyond what he volunteered for by the time he gets out - and to tell them that the same day they are suppose to be coming home after counting down the days for months.
What is the difference between forcibly extending the service of a VOLUNTEER and drafting someone??? We are abusing the patriotism of our volunteers so Mr Bush does not have to take the political hit for a draft. The way I figure it only 75% of our forces are volunteer, the rest are drafted exclusively from the armed forces by extending their service.

It is not right.

I am happy to be an American and live in the greatest country in the world - it was this way long before Bush and will be so long after he is gone but it is clear to me our leadership has us in a situation they cannot manage when they abuse our troops in the manner they are doing now.

Raise you hand if you honestly believe the middle east will be better in 6 months or in 6 years? We are just throwing gas on the flames over there - they cannot live with each other much less the rest of the world.

I apologize but this came at a very bad moment for me and I generally avoid political discussions at all cost.

I am just terribly disappointed not to have my son coming back home after he has already served proudly and honorably above and beyond his commitment.

God bless all of our troops - they deserve better
 
Billy Said.........
Just got off of the phone with my brother-in-law whom we raised. He is in Afganistan and was also scheduled to leave this week, only to be extended until at least June. He has a new baby that he has only seen for about 3 months of her 2 years of life. He is pretty bummed. All I could do was thank him for what he is doing and tell him to be safe. But it just tears at your heart hearing the sadness in his voice. Thank yopur son for me and my family.

Hey Billy is your brother in law in the 10th Mtn Division out of Fort Drum NY?

My son is - here is an article regarding the extension:


==========================================

Afghanistan Deployment Extended for 10th Mountain Division
Jan 25, 2007
BY Sgt. Sara Wood
American Forces Press Service


Pfc. Joshua Correia, from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, close to the Pakistan border. Photo by Spc. Bem Minor
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Jan. 25, 2007) - Some 3,200 Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, will have their tour in Afghanistan extended for up to 120 additional days, Defense Department officials announced today.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates approved the extension based on the recommendations of commanders on the ground, whom Gates visited last week, said Bryan Whitman, a DoD spokesman. The extension will provide military capability for NATO to build on the success achieved in promoting stability and security in Afghanistan while denying safe haven for the Taliban, he said.

"What is certain is that Secretary Gates is very interested in ensuring that the successes that we've achieved in Afghanistan are not lost, and that commanders on the ground have sufficient forces to build upon the successes that we've achieved so far in Afghanistan," Whitman said.

Force levels in Afghanistan continue to be conditions-based, and will be determined in consultation with the Afghan government and NATO, Whitman said. The United States remains committed to leading counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, training and equipping the Afghan national security forces, and assisting with reconstruction, according to a DoD news release announcing the extension.

The United States continues to be the largest troop contributor for NATO's International Security Assistance Force, and this request for forces by U.S. commanders was endorsed by the supreme allied commander for Europe, according to the release. Whitman stressed that the United States will continue to work with NATO to get the partner countries to fulfill the rest of their military commitment to Afghanistan, and remove restrictions from forces already deployed there.

In an Army news release, Gen. Richard Cody, Army vice chief of staff, said leaders recognize the sacrifices and contributions of the extended Soldiers and their families, and will continue to support them. The unit's home base is Fort Drum, N.Y.

"The Army is very proud of the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and will ensure that they and their families have all the support and resources they need during this challenging time," Cody said. "These Soldiers have accomplished a great deal in Afghanistan and will continue to get the mission done for our Army and this nation. They and their families are truly Army strong, and I am thankful every day for their professional and selfless commitment."

Lieutenant Gen. Karl Eikenberry, commander of Combined Forces Command Afghanistan, said Jan. 16 during Gates' visit there that NATO, U.S. and Afghan forces are preparing to counter an expected Taliban spring offensive. Speaking to reporters, Eikenberry said he expects the Taliban to launch a terror offensive in the south and east of the country, but coalition forces are ready to counter them.

"I'm very confident that, as I look at what we're doing now, although it is going to be a violent spring and we're going to have violence into the summer, I'm absolutely confident that we will be able to dominate," he said.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top