Frustration for the US soldiers who never went to war

[daftandbarmy]

Frustration for the US soldiers who never went to war

Former Marine Jay Agg explains the disappointment and frustration of not being deployed to Iraq.

When Jay Agg signed up for the US Marine Corps after the 9/11 attacks, he knew he risked being severely injured, perhaps losing limbs. He knew he might even lose his life. Yet, much to the surprise of many civilians, when his service came to an end in 2006 and he hadn't served in a combat zone, Mr Agg was sorely disappointed. Some might imagine that soldiers who don't get deployed breathe an enormous sigh of relief, pleased that they are remaining on safe soil, far from danger.

But that is rarely the case - and it's one more reason why many servicemen and women feel deeply misunderstood.
In the Vietnam era, dodging the military draft wasn't uncommon. Young men fabricated injuries, rushed into marriages or moved to Canada to avoid fighting and possibly dying in the bloody Asian conflict. But in an all-volunteer military, those who sign up are steeled for their possible fate, so missing out on a battlefield tour can be a source of frustration, disgruntlement and, for some, shame.

Many in the armed forces feel that too few civilians fully appreciate the drive to serve in combat. "The root cause of the misunderstanding is that the average person wouldn't actually want to volunteer for the military, so they don't understand that motivation to fight in war zone in the first place," Mr Agg, who now works as the national communications manager for veteran's group Amvets, told the BBC.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10547610

 

[SeanNewman]

I know the feeling and it is quite tangible.

My second last posting was to 3 RCR right after they got back from Kabul, then I sat back as the bridesmade for tour after tour building work-up training ranges for my friends in the other units.

From 06 to 08 I felt like a tool.

I don't think it's a matter of itching to see combat as the article states (at least from what I saw), so much as just wanting to contribute.

 

[57Chevy]

It shows some reasonning why the Combat Arms Trades are always filled.

 

[Pusser]

It's absolutely true that it's not so much a desire to see combat as it is a sense of having contributed.  Too many times over the years I was told that I was "too important" in a "one of" position to be deployed.  My biggest beef was that I felt I had no credibility amongst my peers because I lacked operational experience (despite several sea tours).  I was on the brink of getting out in frustration when i was finally selected for an overseas tour.  After that I was hooked!  Hopefully I can get another one soon.

 

[fischer10]

I have a friend I played Call of Duty 4 with that was in the USMC. He recently got out because they would not deploy him. He really was not pleased!

 

[SeanNewman]

I am sure that the odd one does not deploy for whatever reason, but you would have to think that it would have to be for something major like they were a discipline case or they had a job they couldn't be replaced at.

Every American soldier and Marine I talked to over there gave the impression that it was one tour after another after another with them.  And in some cases not even a break in between, just a plane from Iraq to Afghanistan.

 

[medicineman]

Every American soldier and Marine I talked to over there gave the impression that it was one tour after another after another with them.  And in some cases not even a break in between, just a plane from Iraq to Afghanistan.

Alot of the USN medics that were in Haiti with their Role 2+ were in that boat - they were in Haiti, go home for a month to regroup, then off to Iraq for a 15 month stint - their tour in the smelly place was about 3 months IIRC.  Worst thing was most had been to Iraq or Afghanistan within the past 18 months.

Don't get me going about personal frustrations...my late Grandfather called it LOB - Left Out of Battle.  So as not to turn this into a feeling sorry for myself rant, suffice to say nobody likes training for something and doing nothing with it or watching their friends go off and leave them behind.

MM

 

[ArmyRick]

I know US Army pers do long tours (like 16-18 months) but I was under the impression that US Marines do 6-8 month tours (like us) but deploy more frequently. Eiither way deploying too often can be a curse or a blessing, depending on the individual I guess.

 

[jollyjacktar]

When I was there last one of my co-workers ran into a group of very pissed off Marines.  They had finished their time in Iraq, were told they were going home to muster out.  When the plane landed they were told to get off and at this point were informed they were stop lossed and they would continue in Afghanistan for another period of time.  My friend told me these guys were spitting blood and hovering about 10 feet off the ground.  Damn dirty trick.

 

[colt]

i can honestly feel for people who just want to "contribute and do their part" im in the same boat-so to speak.

 

[Tank Troll]

It was hard sitting in Gagetown teaching and watching all the others including your buddies go over and you are stuck there. Then there are others that don't understand that.

 

[colt]

exactly. im sitting in gagetown waiting for a course as everyone i went through basic with has already come and gone.
Not even my family can understand the frustration.

 

[eurowing]

It is very frustrating indeed.
During my Artillery time I was in Germany and not eligible for a peacekeeping tour. During the Gulf War I was cranking aircraft engines out of test cell and couldn't go. Even during my Tac Hel time I managed to get posted when the unit was static. 
I applied for 3 positions in Afghanistan as well.  2 times for Watch Officer in KAF and one for the Flight Safety position in Kabul.  The chance to come over as a civilian to finally, directly contribute, was certainly a factor in putting in my release a few years early. The chance came about and after 2 years I am pretty happy with what I am doing, but some of my family was less than thrilled with the thought of Dad/Grandpa working in KAF.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

When I was there last one of my co-workers ran into a group of very pissed off Marines.  They had finished their time in Iraq, were told they were going home to muster out.  When the plane landed they were told to get off and at this point were informed they were stop lossed and they would continue in Afghanistan for another period of time.  My friend told me these guys were spitting blood and hovering about 10 feet off the ground.  Damn dirty trick.

That should not have been a surprise. While in Bahgram in 03 I spoke to Marines that were told they were leaving Iraq after almost a year. They didn't tell them they were going home, just leaving Iraq. Landed them in Afghanistan and told them to settle in for another year. Yeah, they felt betrayed and pissed off too. So it's not a new phenomenon, but an old ploy, that the rank and file should be expecting by this point.

 

[Kat Stevens]

23 years training for a war that never happened.  When things did start heating up, my back was in too bad a shape to go anywhere.  Now personal friends of mine have returned home feet first, and I can do nothing about it.  Frustration doesn't even begin to describe the feeling.

 

[Wookilar]

...and now that things are finally turned around, I am once again fully trained to be gainfully employed and I am able to fully contribute to the mission.....I'm still sitting behind a desk on a training base and the chance to get my boots covered in the same dust as my buds is dwindling quickly. I certainly feel the disconnect missing out on current operations.

As others have mentioned, "frustrating" is the most polite term I can use right now.

Wook

 

[jollyjacktar]

That should not have been a surprise.

True, but I suppose a youngster can always hope that he is not being told a pack of lies.  Afterall they were told they were going home to be mustered out.  There are all sorts of odd stories and things you see.

My first time there I was speaking with a Cdn MWO who was mentoring along with his US counterpart.  The Yank had, seven years previously hit the ripe old age of 45.  Wanted to stay in, but was told "No, you're too old.  Goodbye".  He got out, started anew life and drew his pension.  5 years later at age 50, he gets a letter in the mail from Uncle Sam, informing him that his pension was ceased forthwith, he was recalled to active duty and to report to Fort Such and Such by this date or face a prison term.  And next thing he knew he was there mentoring. 

Just before I came home in Oct, I saw this really old boy in a US Army uniform creaking up the steps towards Tim's on the Boardwalk.  He was ancient and looked as if he would have trouble keeping up with a Turtle.  I really felt for the poor devil and thought they must be getting hard up for replacements to be hitting the nursing home, and stop lossing kids like that.

 

[Loachman]

I'm still sitting behind a desk on a training base and the chance to get my boots covered in the same dust as my buds is dwindling quickly. I certainly feel the disconnect missing out on current operations.

As others have mentioned, "frustrating" is the most polite term I can use right now.

And I got posted into an HQ, which cost me the same thing. I share your pain.