Semi Political Grumbling

[desertvixen]

The following entry is enclosed in an lj-cut for those trying to avoid political discussion here :

Inside the cut, the actual article is in bold.

Poll: Most Think U.S. Will Remain in Iraq
Thu Feb 24, 6:07 PM ET U.S. National - AP

WASHINGTON - A majority of Americans now say they believe U.S. troops will have to stay in Iraq for at least two more years, compared with 44 percent of people who felt that way last summer, a poll released Thursday finds.

I am glad to see that people are starting to see this outside the military.

The poll found that 54 percent of those surveyed think U.S. troops will have to stay in Iraq for two more years, while 22 percent put the time at longer than five years.

Yes, Brian and I belong in the 22% category. We're pretty sure we'll both get a chance to get to go visit, more than once.

Fifty-two percent say they do not think the Iraqi elections have increased the likelihood that other countries in the Middle East will become more democratic.

Comments

[selenite.livejournal.com]

I've been pointing at Germany and Japan whenever the subject comes up. "Win and get out" didn't work so well for WWI.

[darksakura.livejournal.com]

Dan and I are also in the 22% which is why he doesn't want me enlisting.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

Depending on the job, though, you might never go. I know that also means you might, but...

Personally speaking? I wouldn't be surprised if we could have a family tour in 10-15 years.

Brian and I have 13 and 14 years, respectively, to go. I plan on making it all the way. Now is when the people who enlisted in our group/time (ie, before September 11th) are starting to get out.

rant I do get a little annoyed at all the attention paid to the people who joined after 9/11 and how patriotic and all ... I'm personally more impressed by the people who are STAYING in, because that's the tough part... /rant

DV

[darksakura.livejournal.com]

Maybe those who are doing it from a burst of patriotism might be thinking again? It's been a point of argument in my house, at any rate.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

One good thing is it means some of the new recruits are less whiny - "What do you mean I have to deploy?" isn't happening as much, since it's pretty obvious it'll happen. They haven't called my number yet, but I expect it within the year, maybe 4-6 mos after I finish training in September, maybe sooner.

Honestly speaking, it was something we had to think about long and hard before we reenlisted (both of us), especially in light of having a family and being in the Army. Luckily, his mother and stepfather have expressed that they'd be all right with taking the kids for awhile if we both got deployed in the same time frame - a possibility we have to be ready for.

The bottom line? I love what I do, and I love knowing what I do is important to people. I don't always love all the *parts* of it, like runs at oh-dark thirty and working weekends, but I love it too much to stop. It's my second family. Especially because MI is small enough that we keep running into each other - my first sergeant now was one of my instructors at DLI.

DV

[sapphiremind.livejournal.com]

A little depressing, ain't it.

And I'll agree, I think there should be just as much, if not more kudos to the men and women who were willing to serve before 9/11 happened, before they felt personally threatened.

[garbagewomyn.livejournal.com]

hey.

I went ahead and added you to my friend's list. You seem like the type of person I would get along with...plus I need more military folk on my list. Plus you are intell...anyhow yeah.

[garbagewomyn.livejournal.com]

Not to mention I agree with the five year estimate if not much much longer.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

And you're added as well. :)

I'm really pessimistic and go for ten. People forget that everyone didn't come home after Gulf I, and there was a presence there The Whole Time. A much smaller presence, but a presence all the same.

DV

[kd5mdk.livejournal.com]

10? I'm guessing 30-50. Iraq is the Southwest Asian version of South Korea. With the forces out of Saudi, I'm betting that there will be an Air Force wing, at least 2 brigades if not a full division for as long as I can forsee. The attraction of being able to drive into Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait is just too sweet to do less.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

>>10? I'm guessing 30-50.>>

I think by the time we get into *that* range, it'll be a much more settled presence and people will forget that there was ever an uproar about us being there that long, and people will casually remark that they'll have a family tour to Kuwait next year....

>>The attraction of being able to drive into Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait is just too sweet to do less.>>

You betcha. Brian and I plan on being stationed over there at some point, or possibly in Kuwait or Qatar (CENTCOM). Part of me is really interested and looking forward to the idea.

DV

[rockahulababy.livejournal.com]

Still thinking long and hard about any sort of deployment. It won't happen within like, 120 days, as I am one of the unit's new mail clerks. I think they're filled up with people replacing those whose tours in Kuwait are almost through. We have one going to Afghanistan. I don't think there are any in Iraq, though. Not in the MI series here, anyway (that I know of).

I believe we're going to be there for a while. If we don't want the country to crumble, that is.

[desert-vixen.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to go to Afghanistan. I'd actually sort of prefer it, because we're trying to see how mnay countries we can visit, and Brian's already done Iraq. And Kuwait.

I'm *supposed* to be coming to Gordon as a 96B in the Oct/Nov timeframe. I'll really believe it when I have orders stating such. My class runs from 20 May to 19 September, so no sooner than October. I was really hoping for an earlier date, but yeah, we know how that works.

It drives me a little crazy, because I'm actually **trying** to get into a deployable MOS from a non-deployable MOS, and they're making me wait so someone who just got done with Basic can have a class seat. I know, I already have a job and am doing useful things, but I really really want to go.

DV

[rockahulababy.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling, sort of. I see people coming into the Army after me getting their full clearance before me, and it sort of shits me. I don't want to be one of those people waiting three years for their full clearance (we actually have a sergeant in the unit who is in that situation and still doesn't have her full clearance). I will not re-enlist under those conditions, at least not in this MOS, anyway.

(A little bit of a different situation, just trying to say I understand your frustration, to some extent.)

You're a 98G, right?

*hugs* <33

The Numbers

[medic-lifeline.livejournal.com]

I have to say I am in the 22 % that believes we will be there longer. Oh well, we did it in WWI, WWII, Korea(Still there) , Bosnia(But hey we got home for Christmas like the pres said didn't we. JUST 10 YEARS LATER! ), Japan, uh hmmm still there. I do not know what all the bitching is about.

For all of those out there, My husband has been in a total of 26 years, and he has been to OIF and OEF more then once. just to let you know, and no not on some short stint or posh TDY either. He will most likely have to go again this year. It is a fact of life.

You join the military, there is a great chance to be deployed, don't want to go? Do not join.
Too bad the media does not tell the positive things going on over there. At least people are understanding we will not be out in 6 months.