[P3pilotJAX]

Folks, I am a republican. I believe in constitutional principles. I vote for president Bush and republicans every single time. However, I am growing very weary of our role in Iraq. I am a Navy pilot. Millions of dollars have been put into my training. I have been on Sea duty for the past four years. Two years on a carrier and two years in a squadron. I am currently on deployment overseas for six months. I have a wife and four children. We had our youngest (10 months old) because I am owed a shore tour after this assignment and we planned for me finally to be home. I have rarely seen my children for the past four years and I have never been able to be involved in their lives the way you all take for granted(little league, PTA, etc....). Even when I am home I leave for work before my children wake up and come home after dark. As an officer, I work most weekends. My wife raises a 9,5,3 and ten month old by herself. We have no family near-by to help her. My nine year old is suicidal because of the stress of me not being around and my wife raising four children on her own. I come off deployment before XMAS and am I probably going to get sent to Iraq next summer for a year and a half doing convoy duty. A Navy pilot doing convoy duty! This is happening to alot of us. I know, tough sh_t, but professional military men like myself are not robots. We love our country and want to protect it from scum. I made a decision to make the military a career when I went to Annapolis, but I never imagined that I would be abused like I think I am about to be. They have me by the balls because I can't just leave 16 years of service with four children and a wife. I am very depressed about it. Guys are getting killed in droves just driving around town in Baghdad. I am not sure how I should feel about all of this, but I completely believe that we are being way too PC over there. We need to kick the crap out of those bastards or get the hell out and let them kill each other. What do you think?

[txhurl]

A Navy pilot doing convoy duty!

Like you said, after them spending millions to train you this sounds rather irrational if what you say here is TRUE.

[MNJohnnie]

Hey P3,

Resign. There are plenty of other things for you to do. There are penty of other people to take your job. Your family should be your first concern.

[MNJohnnie]

Hey Pukin, what do you think of this?

From P3piolotJAX: Folks, I am a republican. I believe in constitutional principles. I vote for president Bush and republicans every single time. However, I am growing very weary of our role in Iraq. I am a Navy pilot. Millions of dollars have been put into my training. I have been on Sea duty for the past four years. Two years on a carrier and two years in a squadron. I am currently on deployment overseas for six months. I have a wife and four children. We had our youngest (10 months old) because I am owed a shore tour after this assignment and we planned for me finally to be home. I have rarely seen my children for the past four years and I have never been able to be involved in their lives the way you all take for granted(little league, PTA, etc....). Even when I am home I leave for work before my children wake up and come home after dark. As an officer, I work most weekends. My wife raises a 9,5,3 and ten month old by herself. We have no family near-by to help her. My nine year old is suicidal because of the stress of me not being around and my wife raising four children on her own. I come off deployment before XMAS and am I probably going to get sent to Iraq next summer for a year and a half doing convoy duty. A Navy pilot doing convoy duty! This is happening to alot of us. I know, tough sh_t, but professional military men like myself are not robots. We love our country and want to protect it from scum. I made a decision to make the military a career when I went to Annapolis, but I never imagined that I would be abused like I think I am about to be. They have me by the balls because I can't just leave 16 years of service with four children and a wife. I am very depressed about it. Guys are getting killed in droves just driving around town in Baghdad. I am not sure how I should feel about all of this, but I completely believe that we are being way too PC over there. We need to kick the crap out of those bastards or get the hell out and let them kill each other. What do you think

[MNJohnnie]

http://icasualties.org/oif/


Killed in droves driving around Baghdad? Hmm odd the casualty data doesn't back that claim up

[reagan_fanatic]

Thank You for your service to your country and your personal sacrifices. Not everyone is capable of doing what you are doing and putting up with the b.s.

[oceanview]

exactly right.

we don't need more troops if their mission remains the same - convoys, checkpoints, patrols. Either use acute US force, or don't add troops.

Fire Casey, Abizaid, and anyone else who came up with this plan. Get some generals in there who can win this thing.

[Wiseghy]

Pilot,

the politics underpinning the current political spin is complex, but basically the President IS applying pressure and setting deadlines, using the current political climate in the US as an excuse to pressure the reluctant Iraqi's to shape up or risk losing our support. The coming 10 days will reveal the new strategy in better detail.

Don't believe the doom and gloom in the press about "stay the course" inflexibility in the administration. This is total hogwash. The President knows that we're streched, but also wants the Iraqis to show they are willing and able to take control themselves, in the near term.

[Marine_Uncle]

"What do you think?"
I think I stand at attention and smartly salute your honorable service to your country, and then ask HE can do all things, to arrange for you to not have to go on that two year sea duty, and be able to spend more time with your family.
By arranging, I exclude the thoughts of injury,duty change due to misconduct, or less then high standards etc..
Keep the faith. Sometimes HE can set things up where it seems otherwise futile to hope.
I know. I've been there.

[Liberty Valance]

This item on cnn gave me pause and your post made me wonder if they were somehow connected.

---

Monday, October 23, 2006
Active troops ask congress to end Iraqi occupation
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sixty five active duty service members are officially asking Congress to end the war in Iraq -- the first time active troops have done so since U.S. invasion began in 2003.

Three of the service members will hold a press conference Wednesday explaining their decision to send "Appeals for Redress" under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act to their members of Congress. Under the act, National Guard and Reservists can send communications about any subject to their member of Congress without punishment.


-CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
Posted 10/23/2006 11:32:00 AM | Permalink
http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2006/10/active-troops-ask-congress-to-end.html

[truth_seeker]

"We need to kick the crap out of those bastards or get the hell out and let them kill each other. What do you think?"

I think Bush bet on our ability to overcome centuries of Arab tribalism, and violence inherent in islam. He thought a taste of democracy would be a powerful incentive, and that (almost) all would rally to his vision.

Yet few, if any, examples can be found among these people of the kind of modern civilization we hoped to softly impose.

So I agree with you. Blast them down to the extent we did
Germany and Japan. Sort of like an alcoholic or addict hitting true bottom.

Or quit kidding ourselves, and let them grovel in their chosen misery. It is their culture. Like DNA.

[TheGunny]

Sad story is right....resign your commission and go the F*ck home! I am very depressed about it....well, get over to medical and get some Zoloft first. Shameful. Master Sergeant/Iraq