Sorry, I'm gonna vent

[AintQik]

1. I love my country

I have been dragging a 1950 Chevy p/u around the blessed country for 7 years. I am building it for my dad who is getting on in years and I have had hell trying to get it together due to lack of funds (military) and lack of any time at home (military). So I don't hate life and go insane, I've been working on my 67 Camaro PT car which is going well but slow due to money (military) and time home (military). We were going to get orders back to New Jersey where I was about to put an offer in on a house with a big shop so I could finally settle down, unpack all my neat car bending and building junk and see how it went. I could keep the "dream house" and if we move again mothball it to coem back to. But, I'm probably going to retire there. I might have the 50 done in time so I could take it out to my dad, hand him the keys and hope his old arse legs can still work the clutch. That whirlwind effort to get it done this winter has drained me of what little time I have and what little money I have but I didn't want to drag it across country again to some other base and have to unpack and start over. Now I have a son due in a month. He is going to be my lil shop helper and I was going to see him born and grow up, something I missed with my daughter. Gone all the time, ex-wife took off. Today, instead of orders to New Jersey, I get some to Bagram. I'm just drained.
I won't see the kid's first year. I won't get my house with my shop I always looked forward to, at least no time soon. If I don't fill that job opening back home, someone else will and I won't get it. I'll get to move to some other place when I get back from the desert and have to drag crap around a few more times. My dad's truck won't get done, and I'm getting a lil choked up but the old ******* better live until I get back and finish the damn thing. The 67 is the least of my worries. Just not destined to see any of my kids grow up, at least in the lil years. Sometimes this **** is hard.

2. I love my country

[Mkelcy]

I honor you for your service. The sacrifices our service men and women make go far beyond the potential for injury or death, and is too little recognized.

[wmhjr]

RJ, Been there and feel your pain. I finally retired the last time it happened. I wasn't planning on retiring from the Army quite yet but I found out through my branch manager that I was likely getting orders for another tour earlier than expected - and it was going to be a hardship tour. I had just bought a house, kids were in school, it was where I wanted to retire too, so I just decided 23 years was enough.

I truly wish you the best and hope things work out for you. If I were closer to you I'd offer to pitch in and help get some things done for you in your absence but I'm too far away.

Anybody out there on the boards who can help? We need to take care of our own.

[ls6monte]

I appreciate all you service you have done for your country. I have a good friend of mine leaving for Afghanistan next week for a year. He wanted to get his car all finished but it didn't quite get done.

[AintQik]

Thank you and I know there are many, many good guys and gals in the same boat.

Its just tough, you think you are gonna get it done, get the house and get the kid greasy and poof, it all goes away. Just thankful I'm still breathin... we'll get it doen one fo these days. Just completely bummed right now.

I'm praying something happens. In my line of work these things change very quickly, its not like the Army god bless em. We go out onesy twosey so its not uncommon for changes. Thsoe poor guys go out as a gaggle and hell or high water wint stopping them.

Gotta keep the ole man alive another few years God.

[buddyleerc512001]

i too would like to say thanks. its defintely something i need to say more often to members of the armed forces. i am very grateful for all you do.
is there anything that we as members can do to help?

[WS6]

Thank you for your service RJ. Luckily our military is voluntary. If you decide you want more stability in your life and to watch your kids grow up, there's not going to be a person here who will hold that against you. It's completely understandable to reach a limit and decide you want something new or something more personal. I wish you well and hope you can get the truck done for your day.

If someone puts something together to try and help RJ out, let me know and I'll do what I can.

[dsittler]

You guys and gals in the military give up so much, more then most people realize and I wish you the best of luck. I too work at the Kandahar Airfield but not in the military and I see so many young people "just doin there job" it impresses me so much! My stints over there are only 3 months at a time and I don't know how you do it.
One of the things that amazes me the most is that I had to go halfway around the globe to meet the best people in the world and they were my neighbours back home.

Derek

your Canadian neighbour

[1994 Python]

I appreciate everything the armed forces do for the US. If there is any way I can help you get the truck completed please let me know. I am in Colorado. I couldn't see were you are from. I would love to help how everI can.

[Droolguy]

Hey, I know how you feel... I am in the sand box right now.

This job has cost me my wife (shes divorced me while I was here because she couldn't deal with the separation) and my dog (the wife sold it).

Not trying to one-up or anything, just trying to say there are a lot of us in this s**t together so stay strong.

P.S. You could apply for a compassionate reassignment because you are expecting a baby.

[Jim Nilsen]

I will be praying for you to make it back alive.

I heard the other day that it will cost 1 million per soldier in Afghanistan. I really wish they would give you guys some of that up front for your families and more when you get back. I don't know where it all goes but it seems the soldiers are getting the short end of the deal and someone who will never fight for anything is getting rich.

I hope your dad can enjoy the truck and you make it back to hear all about it and share everything with your new born.

Wishing you the best !!!!

[twosaturns]

at some point you have to decide if the sacrifices you make are worth it. each person needs to decide that for himself.

[John Wright]

Thank You for your service.

[ErikLS2]

I wouldn't blame you one bit for retiring and putting down roots and living your life. In fact, I would be proud of you and thank you for your service to our country. Most people have never served (me included) and a lof of them complain (me included). Good luck!

[MonzaRacer]

Thanks for the service,and if you ever need help from a guy in southern Indiana give me shout, if its in my power Ill help.