My cousin was shipped to iraq today

[Aaron]

Well it's really weird how today, while I was in school thinking of this, and now it really happens.
I really honestly did not think he was going to go through with this situation, he signed up for the army because of bad situations in his life that he had no control over.
Further more he was thinking that joining the army, and just staying for training would calm him down and occupy his mind on different things.
Not only did he know that he went to sign up from mechanics, and they switched his title to artillery.
When my mom told me that I was just astonished. I know he didn't want to go to war, he wanted to be a mechanic, because that's what he does; works on cars, boats, some planes, etc.
That's what he wanted to do.

In all honesty when someone tells you when you're in the system, you're in it for good -- don't take that statement for-granted because it's true.
The only reason why he signed up for the army is to get away from home, and to think about other things. His grandmother died (On his dad's side of the family, he's obviously my cusion from my Mom's sister), then he just found out his dad died from alcohol poisoning.
His father had been drinking for a while though. My aunt and his father had been divorced for about 15 years, and his dad just died a couple months ago.
His grandmother died shortly before his father, there was about a 6 month difference there between both of them dying.

There was a shipping about a month ago that he was supposed to take part in, but he wasn't able to be shipped because of his vision. He was told he wasn't going to be shipped back out in 2 years, had he not known they were lying. They called his house and told his mother he'd be shipped out in on November 10, 2008 and he'd need to be in Texas by the 8th. So my aunt was crying her heart out, and called my mother then my mom started crying and there was all this commotion. It's really weird having my cusion get shipped out to the war because you don't really imagine someone in such a dangerous environment. I mean, he's used to working on cars, and stuff, and he's only 19. I remember when we were young and used to play with hotwheels.. god damn life flies by so fast. It's just really sad to see my cusion go, and I really hope he comes home after his tour, and may god bless him and the rest of his team.

Be safe~

[MentaL]

[kuribohgx]

Sad story. I don't think its right they switched his title. Something is wrong here.

[Wilsongb1010]

i Wish your cousin has a safe trip there and back home.

[wounded]

Sorry to hear man, not much you could do...He'll be alright.
But he will come back as a changed man for sure...war changes everyone.
Pretty tragic...
Hope all turns out well.

[kuribohgx]

Why not wish him a safe time spent in Iraq?

[kuribohgx]

Sorry to hear man, not much you could do...He'll be alright.
But he will come back as a changed man for sure...war changes everyone.
Pretty tragic...
Hope all turns out well.

Not if he gets scarred and gets shellshock or something.

[Moofin]

Two of my best friends from high school are on their second tour of Afghanistan. There isn't a day I think about them.

I wish your cousin and your aunt all the best for the years to come. We are proud to have someone like your cousin serving his country and protecting our liberty, the greatest luxury known to mankind.

[Chelseaa]

Two of my best friends from high school are on their second tour of Afghanistan. There isn't a day I think about them.

I wish your cousin and your aunt all the best for the years to come. We are proud to have someone like your cousin serving his country and protecting our liberty, the greatest luxury known to mankind.

I hope you mean 'don't think about them' or that's rude. D:

Best wishes towards you and your cousin, Aaron. I'll protect him with my magic.

^___^

[Parker]

How long has he been training in the army for?
1 year isn't alot of training especially if he signed up as a mechanic and then got put into artillery.

The Navy is the only unit that can go over sea's without the presidents authorisation, so the George Bush is probably trying to rap it up within the 70 or so days left of office.

[exclamatio]

get this, one of my best mates is in the navy and hes in the middle of fucking afganistan dodging car bombs, wtf is that all about

[wounded]

Not if he gets scarred and gets shellshock or something.

I never stated how he would get changed...for better or worse.
But the fact still stands, he will change.

[xblackcat]

Best of luck to your cousin, hopefully the war stops soon. I also have a cousin overseas and yea it does get kinda sad

[Aaron]

How long has he been training in the army for?
1 year isn't alot of training especially if he signed up as a mechanic and then got put into artillery.

The Navy is the only unit that can go over sea's without the presidents authorisation, so the George Bush is probably trying to rap it up within the 70 or so days left of office.

He's in the army, not navy. He started training for artillery around the end of last year, beginning of this year. He was flown to Oklahoma where they did boot camp and other parachute training. Then from there, they sent him to actual artillery training in Texas I believe?

get this, one of my best mates is in the navy and hes in the middle of fucking afganistan dodging car bombs, wtf is that all about

I know, it's bullshit imho. I understand people want to go and serve the country, but god damn there's a limit as to how much shit a person can take if you ask me. There's all these suicide bombers, people dying left and right, your close friends in the army getting shot people throwing grenades, crazy wackoes shooting bazookas. I know for a fact my cousin better strap down his belt buckle when he gets there because he's entering a whole new world.

It's really weird though, because if you think about it you want him to do what's best (what he wants to do), but it's also a dangerous idea. Then again, he didn't want to do artillery he wanted to do mechanics and they switched him. I just hope he makes it back okay and doesn't get stop-losed.. Oh lord..

[Markii]

Wish your Cuz a Good Trip :D

[xblackcat]

I know, it's bullshit imho. I understand people want to go and serve the country, but god damn there's a limit as to how much shit a person can take if you ask me. There's all these suicide bombers, people dying left and right, your close friends in the army getting shot people throwing grenades, crazy wackoes shooting bazookas. I know for a fact my cousin better strap down his belt buckle when he gets there because he's entering a whole new world.

It's really weird though, because if you think about it you want him to do what's best (what he wants to do), but it's also a dangerous idea. Then again, he didn't want to do artillery he wanted to do mechanics and they switched him. I just hope he makes it back okay and doesn't get stop-losed.. Oh lord..

Well it was a completely bs war, bush really had no reason to send our troops over there. Basically a loss of life. I guess you really don't know what war is like, until you actually go there. The only "war" type experiences i've had would either be movies or just games.

[Mreow]

The afgan war meant something.

Anyways, good luck to your friend. Hope he survives to tell the tale to his children.

[Aaron]

The afgan war meant something.

Anyways, good luck to your friend. Hope he survives to tell the tale to his children.

You do mean good luck to my cousin right? You're totally mixed up

[Clysse]

i Wish your cousin has a safe trip there and back home.

second that

[saden99]

Unfortunately these things are happening and you don't have control over it unless you want to be thrown into a military jail. I find it all quite odd because they say you're allowed to choose your field based on your test scores, but they often change your field to better fit their needs in the war. Which is why he wanted to be a mechanic and ended up in Artillery...they aren't the same thing and they aren't even near the same thing unless he's supposed to be fixing tanks...

Sometimes you will get troops with no training told to try and disarm an IED. If you've ever tried to disarm an IED you probably know that having a rudimentary knowledge is not enough. They need to be training these guys to the fullest extent but they are having to deal with a financial crisis, protest against the war AND a constraint on their time. Not much they can do...which is why it's just scary and sad.

After reading this I called up a friend who is supposed to be shipped next November...no word yet but he's somewhat scared he's going to be sent soon. He's been in the army for about 8 months now(including the training). They've "made him into a fit soldier", but they have yet to give him a manual on disarming any sort of bomb or protecting convoys, etc.

[Ron]

I have an uncle over there atm, he always says its not as bad over there as the media makes you think it is & hes been over there for 7 months. The media only puts up "___ soldiers died today", or "___ was ambushed", or even "a ___ has crashed today". They never put up the good stuff they're doing.

Don't worry about it too much. Things over there are under more control than everyone thinks, though it is still stressful to have to cope with it. Obama will get it set straight, no worries.

[.YourName]

i was thinking about going into the army, id get all drugged up and kill some towel heads, how sick does that sound!?

[LilWayneFTW]

Wow let's hope he gets a safe trip and take care at Iraq =[

[OddMike]

Hope he get back safe!

[Genryu]

I hope you mean 'don't think about them' or that's rude. D:

Best wishes towards you and your cousin, Aaron. I'll protect him with my magic.

^___^

So if he dies, its your fault!

[Stup]

i was thinking about going into the army, id get all drugged up and kill some towel heads, how sick does that sound!?

Minus the Drugged, and FUCK YEA!