Alright I was stationed at Fort Drum, deployed to Iraq from Aug 05 to Jul 06. Reclassed from Apr 07-Sep 07. Stationed in Korea from Sep 07 - Sep 08 and I'm returning back to Drum. They're trying to deploy me in Feb. I'm recently married and have a baby on the way in Nov. With all the math done, thats 9 months in the last 30 that I've been able to spend at home. What steps can I take to either delay this deployment or get moved back into my old bct who returns from Iraq just as I get back from Korea. I've got no problem going back to the sandbox, I hate paying taxes anyway. But this is already tearing my wife apart knowing she not only has already been away from me for 18 months non stop, but now she's gonna only get 6 months with me and a new baby and I'm right back out the door.
Got engaged, went to Korea 03-04, Iraq 04-04, got married went to Iraq after 2 months for Iraq 05-06, Iraq 08-09. Wife due in 2 months, won't be home for it. What's the problem?
Posts: 102 | Location: Iraq | Registered: 27 May 2007
Whats the problem? Besides the obvious? The guy has given the Army almost three years of deployment time and all he wants in return is some time with his family. The very least you could offer is some condolence or sympathy.
You are portraying yourself as someone who cares more for the government than for his own family. Someone who would rather spend a year away from his wife and kids than spend any time with them.
SGTGERRY, although I empathize with your situation, but dwell time is based on actual deployment and you haven't deployed since 2006 ... 12 months have since passed so dwell time will noy come into play.
Since the reclassification was probably a voluntary decision and your first duty station after reclassification isn't the best, this was your decision.
You may want to contact (or have your CSM contact) the CSM of the brigade you're wanting to get assigned to and request assistance.
quote:
Originally posted by whyme: The guy has given the Army almost three years of deployment time and all he wants in return is some time with his family.
11 months of deployment time ... the reclassification was voluntary.
Joking. But seriously, got married in Korea May 06, PCS'd to Ft Eustis in Aug 06 (without my wife who was forced to finish her second tour). Wife arrived in Apr 07, went TDY enroute to Ft Sill in Oct 07, right around the time my wife was stop-lossed. Oh yeah, and she's six months pregnant and I won't have the remote potential to be at the same station with her until Feb 09. Maybe. So roughly nine months together (two of those spent on WLC between us) in the 2+ years we've been married.
I totally feel for you bro. If I could find a way to fix this, I totally would. Does anyone know if writing your congressman really works...?
Like AR said, you have only been deployed for 11 months. You will probably not get much sypathy from soldiers, as many of us are on our third deployment. I left for Korea 4 months after I returned from a 14 month deployment (Nov 02-Jan 04). The cool thing was after I got to Korea I was in 2/2 BCT, and got to deploy for my second tour to Iraq, which equates to 4 months in Korea, followed by 12 in Iraq. I am now serving my third tour, so you get my point, this is what most of the Army has done. Dwell time is a goal and guideline, not concrete. You will find most soldiers in Divisional units have their careers this way.
Again, when were you married?
1. Procrastination is like a disease.
Posts: 164 | Location: Iraq, where else would I be? | Registered: 12 January 2004
I feel for you also. I won't even go into my situation. I've been together with my gal almost 4 years, and have spent a total of about 4 months with her. I love my job, but this is one of the reasons I'll be hitting the civilian sector in a couple of years. More power to those who do it their whole career..it takes a strong relationship.
Wow! I thought I was all alone in my constant deployment(3.5years). I feel for all those who have a family, love them, and are constantly gone, yet, there are thousands who never, ever seen the middle east. Yes, where is the fairness and what is our branches doing about it? Let's put it this way, my branch NCOIC has held his slot since 2004. He's making sure he has a great assignment. The truth is, for me, that I actually love serving my country, love my job, but I am certain I am only a SSN to DA. I have no face, no family and definetly no choice. What hurts even more is that others in my brigade with the same MOS(92Y) have no shot at leadership positions because we are assigned to combat arms units, not quartermaster. All we have is the Battalion S-4, which has been the same guys since 2003 because THEY haven't gone anywhere since. Something that noone really takes in consideration, hence no shot at promotion. All I can say is stay strong, do your job and pray for the best!
"Success demands a high level of logistical and organizational competence"
Originally posted by Sarge07: Got engaged, went to Korea 03-04, Iraq 04-04, got married went to Iraq after 2 months for Iraq 05-06, Iraq 08-09. Wife due in 2 months, won't be home for it. What's the problem?
You know what? I understand everyone's point, but just because you are perfectly content being gone all the time doesn't mean the soldier doesn't have a right to be concerned. Whether being upset nets him anything besides being able to vent to fellow soldiers without them bragging about how "tough they have it" is another thing.
Volunteer for Recruiting Duty. Do your packet while your in Korea, then if it gets accepted(which it most likely will) Then you can go to school in route on your PCS. As much as I hate recruiting thats my only suggestion to you that I can think of.
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