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The plea of a father highlights the plight of our military. The situation of this family is caused by the ignorance and pride of one man who unable to admit his mistake causes other to pay the price of "staying the course."

My prayers are with the Freeman family and all others in that situation that their sons and daughters don't become statistics in this pointless enterprise.

Mr. Freeman,

First off, congratulations for raising a son that has volunteered to serve his country. I’m sorry that he has decided to change his mind after serving only a portion of what he signed up for, I saw that a lot in Vietnam.

I have mentioned before that the vast majority of people who are serving now have either enlisted during war time or reenlisted during war time. In either case, the contract that they signed details what they are obligated to do; whether they agree or disagree, with the Commander in Chief.

As far as your statement about subsequent tours increasing the odds, the people that run the military, as you probably know, would rather have seasoned combat veterans leading the new guys than anyone else. During your son’s first tour, would you rather him being led by someone that been there and done that or by someone who’s never been there?

I am aware of how hard it is to have a loved one in the military, especially if you don’t agree with the current administrations policies, but you must remember that your son joined to serve this great country, whoever the Commander in Chief may be. When his contract has been fulfilled, he can again make the choice as to whether he will continue to serve. In the meantime, you and your son can take part in the election for the next Commander in Chief. What other job have you had where you can help elect your own boss?

Mr. Freeman, I pray the the Light of God shine blindingly upon your son during his upcoming tour of duty. Specifically, I pray that the Light of God be so bright that no means of harm will overtake him due to the Light shinning upon him. I also pray that same Light be a comforting presence for your family during this time.

WAJ, I believe there may be a misunderstanding. Mr. Freeman noted; "his unit at Fort Stewart is to be deployed in September, preventing him from proceeding with his discharge in August." So, what does this comment mean; "When his contract has been fulfilled, he can again make the choice as to whether he will continue to serve." It seems to me that August comes before September on the calendar. With that in mind, it would seem that Mr. Freeman's son's "contract" is completed. However, as the populus knows, the military is using a "backdoor" re-enlistment policy that prevents soldiers such as Mr. Freeman's son from "over-serving" their obligation.

Also, I do not see Mr. Freeman as being against the failed policies of the Crawford Clown. Rather, of the failed misguided war hawks in the Department of Defense who along with the CC did not plan for an occupation of Iraq.

WAJ, next time when commenting, try not to defend one's own view of this Middle East Boondoogle and putting one's spin on such LTTE and read more what the LTTE writer states.

Shalom

Daryll:

I think "his unit at Fort Stewart is to be deployed in September, preventing him from proceeding with his discharge in August" relates to a claw-back that tha Military has - similar to the stop-loss - that (as I understand it) that let's them volunteer you to more duty, even after you're released.

WAJ: I would suggest it's more of a "didn't read the fine print" issue vs. "changed his mind". Regardless - there will be a lot of twisted minds coming back from that hell hole.

==

I'd be curious about the some "never see war and [others are forced] to repeatedly serve .." statement. Perhaps it just a who's-trained-for-what issue .. I'm truely curious.

Daryll,

Again, your ignorance of military practices speaks volumes. Please do a little research prior to shooting off your thoughts. Remember, It is much better for people to think you’re a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

First term military contracts (even the “fine print” JDR is always harping about) include both active and inactive/active reserve periods. You are obligated to serve for so many years (it was 6 when I first enlisted) but that comprised both active duty and active/inactive reserve. (Subsequent enlistment periods are another story and I think at this point the explanation would cause you further brain damage)

Mr. Freeman’s son's active duty obviously ends in August but as you wisely pointed out, August is before September (I can now construct my calendar with a little more certainty (I still have a problem with June and July)) and in September his unit is being deployed. In this case it seems that he will be experiencing an “involuntary extension” of his active duty; a very common occurrence in war time. (This is my guess because his letter did not include all the info I would need for certainty)

As far as a "backdoor" re-enlistment policy, I have no idea what you’re talking about (as I suspect is your problem on the entire subject)…

W(hat)A J(erk),

I find your lack of empathy to be directly related to your political views. Just out of curiosity, do you have a child enlisted in the military? I would bet money you don't. Otherwise you would not be so flippant and detacthed regarding a father's concern about his child.

It's easy to be critical of the writer when YOU are not risking your own flesh and blood. You serving in 'Nam does is not the same as sending your child to his/her possible death. I would die any day if it doing so would save any one of my children.

I guess you gotta define "fine print", but I'll bet your life that on recruiting, the enlistment officer did not expressly point out that, "BTW - after your x year active duty, we can hold you under penalty of firing squad for another y years."

In your eyes Freeman's son may be a pussy, but try that tactic when selling a pack of cigarretes: "The Surgeon General ... " or buying a car or house: "This says ___ , initial here and here, then sign here - no use your full name."

... and I'm no saying any of this "fine print" is bad or even not-necessary ... but at least be honest about it, WAJ.

BTW, WAJ - can you shine a light on the "some never see war and [others are forced] to repeatedly serve" statement?

I'm truely curious.

WAJ,
You must realize that active duty is no substitute for Chris Mathews, wikipedia, and 'frontline' videos when it comes to military matters. These armchair generals have sacrificed untold hours behind their keyboards researching websites and listening to npr before reaching their conclusions. I'm sure they can produce a 'frontline' video that will explain this 'backdoor re-enlistment policy' that the military personnel, being the uneducated dolts stuck in Iraq that they are, are too stupid to realize they have re-upped.

It's the little things that add up. Like knowing that August comes before Sept. that makes me stand in awe and realize that resistance is futile in the face of such brainpower.

I surrender.

JDR,

The recruiters are held to a very fine set of rules as to what they have to tell enlistees. Any deviation from these rules is punishable under the UCMJ. Can you imagine the trouble if someone was hurt or, God forbid, killed because of ignorance of the “fine print”? As far as the statement "some never see war and [others are forced] to repeatedly serve" I will pass to the person that uttered it, why don’t you ask him?

Yvonne,

My son has a heart condition that prevents him from serving. (I bet that tickles you).

“I would die any day if it doing so would save any one of my children.” I feel the same way but I include as “my children” all the Americans I served for 20 years in uniform. What have you done besides sit in judgment and call people names?

It appears that bloggers who were in the military were totally brainwashed into total support of the commander in chief and his goals and never question the logic, morality, or feasibility of orders...and they accuse the Muslims of teaching hate and killing of enemies and following of commands of their leaders. Am I the only one who sees a parallel?

Choosing a life in the military is just that...a choice. I seriously doubt that protecting Americans was your goal. Carrying a gun and strutting your stuff seems to be what you did.

If you think the war in Iraq is going well, you obviously don't live in the real world. Is 3000 soldiers not enough to sacrifice for the Bush fiasco? Are hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis not enough? If you think soldiers WANT to return to Iraq, you are not thinking or listening.

Unless we get out of Iraq soon, get ready for the draft.

So NanP,

Got dumped by a man in uniform, did you? Maybe you should have kept your mouth shut...

Jeeze WAJ, re your response to NanP: Feeling agressive today, are you?

As for "The recruiters are held to a very fine set of rules" only reinforces my contention about the fine print: deliberately quelched.

... again I say: Maybe Ok in the real world, but at least be honest herein.

I found the following editorial from the Washington Post to be provocative: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101801500.html

Two birds with one stone? The American Foreign Legion? Hmmm....

James,

I can hardly blame WAJ for his reaction after the honor of his service was so insultingly mocked: "I seriously doubt that protecting Americans was your goal. Carrying a gun and strutting your stuff seems to be what you did"

On the other hand, I do sympathize with the father who wrote this letter. While his son is legally bound by what he signed, I can understand why he might be frustrated, saddened, angered and filled with regret at having his son go back into the pits of Iraq.

I can only pray that God will protect his son and bring him (and the rest of our troops) home safely.

DEAR WAJ
MY SON IS BEING GIVEN INVOLUNTARY EXTENSION OF HIS ACTIVE DUTY AND BEING DEPLOYED FOR A 3RD TIME TO IRAQ WHILE MANY UNITS HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN THERE.
MY SON ,WHO IS MY ONLY SON , WILLING ENLISTED BUT HAS COME TO SEE UNFAIRNESS IN THE MILITARY STRATEGY.
AT SOME POINT THESES MEN WILL COME HOME (HOPEFULLY) AND OTHERS NEED TO BE TRAINED TO REPLACE THEM WHICH WILL NOT HAPPEN BY USING THE SAME TROOPS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.THE TROOPS WHO REPEATEDLY GO ARE BURNT OUT AND HAVE LOW MORAL. NOT EVERYONE IS A GI JOE VETERN WHO LIVES IN THE PAST. THE ARMY IS DIFFERENT NOW THEN IT WAS 20 YRS AGO. THIS WAR IS NOT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE ITS ABOUT POLITICS AND OIL, THE SOLDIERS ARE JUST AN END TO A MEANS. KEN FREEMAN

Thank you for speaking up, Ken. My heart breaks for you and for your son. I pray that your son will be safe. I don't know what I would do if I had a child in Iraq. If I had one who was about to be sent, I would be planning a trip to Canada.

I don't think enough attention has been paid to the mental state of those who are there now, and their mental state when and if they return. They will need a lot of help. Let's hope we have leaders who will want to help them.

Mr Freeman - thanks for checking back - I wish all the LTE writers would blog to clarify.

Can you offer some insight about your statement, "some never see war [while others are forced] to repeatedly serve."? I'm not doubting it, just trying to understand it.

... could be because 100% of our fighting forces are already utilized and the rest are specialists in "support roles", e.g, cooks and logistics.

... could be because some fighting force are being given special treatment, or at least that's the appearance.

Both scenarios are scary - but it could also be something else.

Thanks in advance - I'm really trying to understand, and some good links would also be appreciated.

JDR,MY COMMENT WAS RELATING TO BOTH OF THE SCENARIOS YOU MENTIONED. THE UNITS THAT GO ARE SPREAD THIN AND REDEPLOYED REPEATEDLY. I HAVE ALSO HEARD FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT THEIR ENLISTED FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE SEEN NO ACTION AND IN FACT A FEW WERE OFFER THIER CHOICE OF ASSIGNMENT IF THEY REENLISTED FOR X NUMBER OF YEARS. THE MILITARY AS A WHOLE SHOULD LOOK AT OTHER AVENUES SUCH AS PULLING NAVY UNITS AND TRAINING THEM FOR THIS COMBAT. ANOTHER SUGGESTION IN THIS BLOG WAS TO OFFER CITIZENSHIP TO SOME OF THE IMMIGRANTS IN EXCHANGE FOR SERVICE. THERE IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I THINK SOMEONE'S SON OR FATHER ETC.. IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE AT RISK UNTIL WE LEAVE IRAQ, A COUNTRY THAT REALLY DOESN'T WANT US THERE ANYWAY. I HAVE AN EXIT PLAN-LEAVE!

I say amen, Ken.

We have seen that Saddam was executed, now we will see that his associates are executed. Strange to me that we execute a person for executing people. Do we really believe the current or future leader of Iraq is going to be a kinder and gentler leader?????

Also, Ken please keep blogging. Your experience and personl experiences are welcome and very helpful to me.

Carol,

I know what you mean.

"Strange to me that we execute a person for executing people"

I prefer to say "they" rather than "we".