Posted on 07/09/2007 8:16:14 AM PDT by Kaslin
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- A Florida soldier who enlisted after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks plans to sue the military, fighting his fifth order to combat, according to a Local 6 report.
Twenty-six-year-old Erik Botta, who is a Port St. Lucie reservist, signed up for the service days after the Sept. 11 attacks. He did a tour in Afghanistan and three in Iraq, but he said enough is enough.
(Excerpt) Read more at local6.com ...
Most contracts are for eight years; four on active, four on inactive. Once you’ve done your eight, however it gets done, your finished. Some guys sign up for six years with two inactive, etc. If you are a reservist, however, they can all you up on active duty whenever they wish. This really stinks for him. We’ve done a lot of deployments, but six over six years is a lot. Question is, how long were each of the deployments and is he in a critical field. I don’t think going about suing is the right way to settle this, though. The article was very vague on real particulars, like did he try his chain of command, etc.
Actually, I didn't make an original comment. My first posting in this thread is the one you just responded to.
Did you even think before posting this? Because if you did think, and still posted it, you’re pretty dumb.
He plans on re-enlisting while in Iraq, as the incentives are better for some reason.
From all of us, thank him for his service.
infuriating
So why is he in his second enlistment?
I’ll back out now. I thought you were the original poster cited by Minipax. My bad.
Army deployments are 12 month “boots on the ground.”
Reserve deployments take about 16 months for the train up and re-entry periods.
I’m not surprised at how many deployments he’s been on. My son is active duty Marines. He deployed last May to IRAQ, came home in Nov. He left earlier this week for his 2nd tour and already knows that they are going again next summer. So, bascially, they are gone for 6 months, home for 6 months, gone for 6 months, home....you get the point. Our deploying forces are stretched mighty thin.
Build the regular army, dammit!
I think he means that working on Fridays, or indeed almost nothing he could have accomplished, does not near what this man has already given to his “job” his country. Ya think?!!
“Once you enlist your not completely finished until you complete all your reserve duties.”
That’s a good point - and just to add:
These rules change give or take a few years and also between commisions and enlistments, but that reserve duty committment-the eight years you are talking about- starts the day you commit, but maybe you are right, maybe it’s different now.
Then when you get “out” the possibility of being called back lasts four years or so. The military extends that in a lot of cases, but never without your consent. Taking a training assignment or so can extend it. And it’s a matter of reading the fine print AFTER using common sense.
Five deploymnents is very hard, and he might have a legitimate complaint, but he wasn’t drafted.
Sorry about missing the sarcasm. It is getting harder for me to tell now days with so many new and unfamiliar freepers.
Could still be his first since he is a reservist.
My brother is an infantry marine, he doesn’t cry when they tell him they need him over there. He’s happy to go back where he can help his friends. After all, it is the job and duty he volunteered for. Also, don’t presume to question my right to comment on anyone I please.
I was simply stating that he has no right to complain. I’m sure some of his friends are physically or mortally unable to re-deploy, and he should feel lucky. I think you have me figured wrong.
He apparently had an eight year commitment...what on earth did he get as a benefit for an eight year commitment?
It MUST be some special training/schooling, special MOS or a special signing bonus.
Anyone have any idea?
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