Donnie is heading to Iraq

[chrissy]

Yeppers. Before, it was still just a bad statement someone said over the phone that could disappear w/o orders appearing. That has happened before to him.

He still doesn't have his orders as they are still coming down. He is doing the out processing - making sure his training is up to date and such. He brought home a stack about an inch thick to read and get signed off.

We were originally told he was going to Base Ali. Today he was told Baghdad. Still not doing his normal job - he will be doing something with the mail as previously told. He heard the word convoys mentioned. And we know he has about 2-3 weeks of Army combat training before he heads over.

He was told he would most likely be returning in Jan or Feb depending on when he leaves for the combat training- and we don't know when the next training starts. But he has to be ready ASAP because he could have as short as 2 days notice.


Personally, I am okay - so far. I mean, I survived when he went to Korea but there wasn't road side bombs going off when he was there. I am nervous, but not a wreck - so far. I am not done with him so he has to come back :) (my new motto for the next few months.)

[Sirrich3]

Wow, a friend of mine's brother was called yesterday to leave tomorrow for Iraq....

[RoniMan]

My brother is leaving for Iraq next month as well.

[Butch]

One of my best friends from HS is being shipped off to Afghanistan . . . he was just in the Reserves . . . was in the middle of trying to get a business started - bleh.

[ShawnLee]

Donnie will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[eSDee]

Wow Chrissy that's definitely suckage, but like you said you have done this before. I admire your courage. One group that definitely doesn't get enough credit is the wives/husbands of those serving overseas. You definitely have it the hardest as you are used to seeing him everyday. But like you said, you're not done with him, and he'll be back soon.

Your family is in my prayers as well.

[Thesifer]

Yeppers. Before, it was still just a bad statement someone said over the phone that could disappear w/o orders appearing. That has happened before to him.

He still doesn't have his orders as they are still coming down. He is doing the out processing - making sure his training is up to date and such. He brought home a stack about an inch thick to read and get signed off.

We were originally told he was going to Base Ali. Today he was told Baghdad. Still not doing his normal job - he will be doing something with the mail as previously told. He heard the word convoys mentioned. And we know he has about 2-3 weeks of Army combat training before he heads over.

He was told he would most likely be returning in Jan or Feb depending on when he leaves for the combat training- and we don't know when the next training starts. But he has to be ready ASAP because he could have as short as 2 days notice.


Personally, I am okay - so far. I mean, I survived when he went to Korea but there wasn't road side bombs going off when he was there. I am nervous, but not a wreck - so far. I am not done with him so he has to come back :) (my new motto for the next few months.)

Is he Navy?

[Houdini]

Your family, as well as Roniman's and everyone else in that vein are in my thoughts and prayers as well. I met some Marines at the airport in SD who were catching the same flight I was to Houston for a transfer to whatever bases for whatever training schools. Most were 19-20 years old. Smart guys from good families. Joined knowing they would be deployed. All I could say was that it took balls and more importantly honor to do what they were doing, and that they had my utmost respect, gratitude, and prayers.

If you need anything from us chrissy/Roniman, you know where to find us. :)

[Kevster]

I know how you folks feel. My brother's current Iraqi deployment has been extended three months and now we're expecting him back in late November. He hasn't been able to keep in touch with us much lately and I don't even know right now if he knows he's officially an uncle now.

[zenbooty]

I feel for you Chrissy. I just visited my brother in Corpus Christi to see him off as he spends the next 4 months or so on a minesweeper in the Persian Gulf. His girlfriend is worried to Hell and lonely now.

[chrissy]

Thanks guys :) It must be the changing of the guards over there with everyone leaving in June. I will keep all of yours in my prayers too :)

Thesifer, we are Air Force stationed at Nellis.

[Thesifer]

Thanks guys :) It must be the changing of the guards over there with everyone leaving in June. I will keep all of yours in my prayers too :)

Thesifer, we are Air Force stationed at Nellis.


Ahh ok. Just figured with the "couple weeks of army training" he was navy, but they probably just do the same thing we do when we get deployed to Iraq.

We have 2 people and 1 on the way right now, out of my Office.

[eSDee]

Ahh ok. Just figured with the "couple weeks of army training" he was navy, but they probably just do the same thing we do when we get deployed to Iraq.

We have 2 people and 1 on the way right now, out of my Office.

I'm sure it's Army training because an Army base converted the normal training grounds into a middle east specific training ground. The Army bases are usually larger and better equipped for that kind of training anyway. When I was enlisted the other branches frequently came to train with us. I met some good people that way.


Thanks guys :) It must be the changing of the guards over there with everyone leaving in June. I will keep all of yours in my prayers too :)

Thesifer, we are Air Force stationed at Nellis.

One of my co-workers is Air Force Reserves. They keep increasing his training schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if they activated him for a few months.

Good luck again chrissy. Let us know if you need us to build you a website ;)

[Thesifer]

I'm sure it's Army training because an Army base converted the normal training grounds into a middle east specific training ground. The Army bases are usually larger and better equipped for that kind of training anyway. When I was enlisted the other branches frequently came to train with us. I met some good people that way.



One of my co-workers is Air Force Reserves. They keep increasing his training schedule. I wouldn't be surprised if they activated him for a few months.

Good luck again chrissy. Let us know if you need us to build you a website ;)



It's usually Army training (at least with the Navy) because we have no idea what to do when it comes to ground combat and patrol. But they are sending the Navy anyways. By trade I work on Mainframe data systems, and other electronics repair, but we have 2 people from work there right now, that do what I do also.

They had to go through a "Combat training course" before being deployed on the ground in Iraq.

The Navy dropped their requirement for "Breach and Entry" school, because they did it as a "just in case" thing, but the Army decided that if you were over there and had gone through the school, you could go out with a team to clear houses. Navy or not.

So the Navy decided not to play their game in that area. Which is a good thing.

[eSDee]

Interesting. Better to have it than not right?

[Thesifer]

Interesting. Better to have it than not right?


No if you don't have the training, you don't get pulled. So I'd rather not, and stay at the base doing the job that I am over there for.

[Jenny]

No if you don't have the training, you don't get pulled. So I'd rather not, and stay at the base doing the job that I am over there for.

Yeah, but I don't think they are giving Donnie the option, are they Chrissy?

[oblongmelon]

A thirteen year old girl AND a husband going to Iraq? Holy Smokes..you've got alot under your belt!..I'm sure he'll be fine-and you'll all be in my thoughts.

[chrissy]

yes, obby, I do! Between Audie, Donnie, my mom having eye surgery yesterday and my dad's prostate biopsy at the end of the month... I am waiting for Mikey and Patrick to do something! I would rather they not, unless Patrick finally decides that he wants to finish potty training completely! I love Mikey :)

Jenny is right. They are not giving Donnie the option to not train. As soon as the next class starts, he is gone. We just don't know when that class is apparently.

He also works with electronics (Ground radio and Navigation equipment) but his equipment is contracted over there so when they go, they don't do their job anyway. He is supposed to be 'Mail Augmentee*'. It would be VERY NICE if they called and said 'eh, we don't need him anyway' It's just the not knowing and not knowing when that is driving me bonkers right now.

*How do you spell that anyway? Augmented and Augmenter I could find, but not that... :(

[Jenny]

I *think* you have it spelled right. lol

[Thesifer]

yes, obby, I do! Between Audie, Donnie, my mom having eye surgery yesterday and my dad's prostate biopsy at the end of the month... I am waiting for Mikey and Patrick to do something! I would rather they not, unless Patrick finally decides that he wants to finish potty training completely! I love Mikey :)

Jenny is right. They are not giving Donnie the option to not train. As soon as the next class starts, he is gone. We just don't know when that class is apparently.

He also works with electronics (Ground radio and Navigation equipment) but his equipment is contracted over there so when they go, they don't do their job anyway. He is supposed to be 'Mail Augmentee*'. It would be VERY NICE if they called and said 'eh, we don't need him anyway' It's just the not knowing and not knowing when that is driving me bonkers right now.

*How do you spell that anyway? Augmented and Augmenter I could find, but not that... :(


I was actually speaking of something totally different.. which was why I said "Doing my job OVER THERE"

The Navy was sending people to "Breach and Entry School" even though they shouldn't have needed it, so because of that, the Army was pulling NAVY people in IRAQ to go out on Patrols with them.

But that wasn't what they were in IRAQ for. So the Navy dropped the school.

[chrissy]

Oh yeah, I caught what you are saying. :)

But, he doesn't have the choice of saying no to the school. He is going over for the mail job, not to knock on doors, but if that is what this training is... :/

[Kevster]

Well I finally got to talk to my brother yesterday for about 30 minutes. He's very happy to be a new uncle. :) It's also ~110 degrees there right now during the day and fortunately his new trailer on-base is air-conditioned.

[Thesifer]

Oh yeah, I caught what you are saying. :)

But, he doesn't have the choice of saying no to the school. He is going over for the mail job, not to knock on doors, but if that is what this training is... :/


Yep. Navy people didn't have the choice either. And the Navy didn't even want them "Door knocking" but the Army decided since they were trained, then they were going to. That's why the Navy dropped it.

[chrissy]

So, found out a possible date
June 16th

But July 16th also came up. Dunno, but at least we have narrowed it down to that.

[chrissy]

k
got his orders today

He leaves on Saturday for Ft. Hood (has to be there two days prior to start of the training) Then his orders say Baghdad. That's it. Not Balad (which is what they have been saying for the past couple weeks), not BIA, not Sather. Just Baghdad for 6 months.

[uncledaddy]

Chrissy, thanks to you and your family for your service. My father was retired Air Force, vietnam, has since passed on, and my brother was a Marine, two tours in Iraq. My prayers go out to your family.:)

[eSDee]

That sucks chrissy :( I guess at least you know now. He'll be back soon though 6 months isn't too bad!

[chrissy]

Well, I just got off the phone with him. He is sitting at BWI for his flight to Germany.

While he was in TX in training, we talked prob every other day. It's so freaking sad that I can't just pick up the phone and hear his voice. The dumb doofus is so my rock.

I mean even when he went to Korea back in 2000, I don't remember being upset. I mean, I was, but it was different. I can't tell if it's location, situation, both or neither.

[guiseppewv]

Did they decide on where he is going? In your first post he was supposed to go to one place then they said he was going someplace else.

[chrissy]

nope- all we know is baghdad. We should find out as soon as he is able to msg us or call us
but checking his flights, he should be in IUD (Qatar) about 3 hrs ago.

(sorry for any typos, me and the inlaws drank 3 bottles of wine while playing mexican train)