Im so angry & disappointed!!

[woven_wings]

Our friend is a warrant officer in the Air Force. He has a wonderful wife and 3 kids.

He has just returned 4 weeks ago from spending 7 months in Afganistan. His family have been getting used to having him home and he came home a different person, because of the horror he had seen, serving overseas stripped his personality. He used to be a bubbly, joking, happy person and now... he suffers from sensory overload and has only just started to settle back into life at home.

And guess what???!!!

They told us today... that he's being DEPLOYED!! AGAIN!! AS OF NEXT WEEK! This one is just a 6 week stint but he cant turn it down, he was head hunted to fill a leave position.

His wife and kids are ripped apart and he really doesnt want to go back. He just thought he had escaped from it all and now he's got to go back.

I got permission to phone DP to let him know, as he gets back next week, just as our friend leaves again.

DP assured me that he always thought they had to be home for at least 6 months before another deployment. And there is no way our friend could have passed a proper pych test!

Are we correct?

I am so angry and disappointed for them! My heart just hurts for them.

I am so worried. What the heck are Mark and I in for!!

Armed servicemen risk their lives for the good of this country and get no respect!!

[happymama]

I feel you darlin, My hubby is on his third stint since 04 to Iraq all up he has spent almost 2 yrs there. He has spent less of our daughters life with them than he has been away. Its not fun :no:

Jess 25
DH 29
DD 29.09.05
DD 18.04.07

[Nickschick]

i have always been told, that they have to atleast
do 6 months+ a year at home..

BUT things can be pushed thru if you get my drift.. ;)

i would tell them to go to the padre or go to physc to be honest esp if he isnt over last trip... tell wifey too say she is worried about his well being and if anything happens to him over there the defence force wont hear the end of it...

i really feel for them, my hubby wasnt the same when he came back... an di miss it,,, but i know he still there somewhere...

wishing yoru friends best of luck thinking of them

[kas3]

I'm so sorry for your friends woven_wings.

It always amazes me how poorly this country treats our servicemen and women.

My dad's a Vietnam vet. He's been able to function well for most of the time since his tour, but about 7 years ago he started suffering from PTSD. He's had ongoing health problems ever since. And the govt won't give him a pension. Not only did he fight for this country, but he's paid taxes since he was 17. It just sh*ts me off!

I hope things work out for your friend and his family.

[KJEmum]

It's so wrong when things like that happen. He really needs some downtime doesn't he.

I agree that maybe the padre needs to come into things. I heard padres are wonderful ppl and can help in various situations.

Let's hope there's a good outcome and he doesn't have to go.

[ConcernedParent]

In the army:-

They are supposed to be home for 12 months but Defence can apply for a waiver due to service needs.

He has the right to say no, BUT it has to come from him. He needs to stand up for himself and speak to his chain of command and tell them he doesn't want to go so soon after coming back.

Also, make a note: There is talk about pushing out deployments and making them a little longer, (a month or so).

The bottom line is he needs to stand up for himself and his family. (Not bad when you consider these guys are taught not to say no!).

We have done it, refused a deployment, and were told the career was ruined, no promotions chances etc etc. (I think my response was I don't GAF to his boss). It's all rubbish!! DH was promoted ahead of schedule 2 years later.

His career will be fine if he puts himself and his family first. He just has to take a deep breath and take that step.

[woven_wings]

Just to let you all know, he has gone and returned. He is doing ok and is happy to be home.

Thankyou for your feedback.

[MrsPee]

Woven Wings,

I am so pleased to hear that he is back home and ok.

Thankyou for letting us know what happened. So many times we often wonder what the outcome was. Well I know that I do and it is so nice to hear.

Thanks