My dad may be being shipped off to fight in Iraq...?

Question

My dad fought in the first gulf war and acted as a peacekeeper in Bosnia. He is forty now, and still in good shape... he was going to be shipped out last year, but he had an injury in his wrist. I'm 17 now, and I am mostly concerned for my siblings because if something happened to him they would not have their father. I have two sisters and a brother who whould not be able to handle him being gone. My mom seems okay, but she looks scared and stressed. He was a member of the Special forces... what should I do to cope with the stress?

What should he expect there?

My siblings are younger... my oldest sister is 15, and she's taking it well. the youngest is 4 and my brother is 7. I don't think they can handle it if dad was gone since my brother's dream is to play football in high school and have his dad there to see him play good or bad. My little sister wants her dad with her all the time and I don't want to see her heart broken because she never would see her father again... I bearly remember my father when I was younger because he was gone in Iraq and Bosnia, mostly Bosnia. So me and my younger sister are not able to connect like my younger siblings.

Answer 1

As a mother I would like to congratulate your parents for having such a caring and concerned teenage daughter. My husband is leaving for Iraq in a few weeks and I know what you and your family are going through. Remember that while it is admirable that you are being strong, it is OK for you to not be as strong sometimes. This will be and already is a very difficult time for you and your family. Remember that your needs and feelings are as important and your siblings and parents. Sounds like you are a great young adult, help your parents but continuing to be wonderful and helping out when you can, but don't forget to take care of yourself as well. The greatest gift you can give your parents at this difficult time is to be honest, communicate and live your life as normally as you can. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Answer 2

I am in the Army right now and I have been to Iraq twice and possible a third time coming soon. If your father was Special Forces, he should have the right training to do well. Things are a bit different from the times of the Gulf war but all and all he should be able to cope and do fine. About your stress, this might sound weird but you should keep yourself occupied instead of worrying about your father. It is harder if you constantly think about bad things that could happen to him. Try to talk to your siblings through the time he is gone. Write letters to him, we love when we get mail, it brings us closer to our families. I hope this is of some help to you. Good Luck and best of Luck for your father.

Answer 3

Pray for God to lead him and guide him and that no harm will reach him.

Ask your dad what suggestions he has for you. Include him in any decisions. For instance he might like the idea of the younger siblings being a part of big brothers and sisters while he is gone. Maybe the unit he is stationed in has other family members whose children could 'hang out' with your brother and sisters.


He can expect a lot of sand and heat. Depending on what he does will depend on what he can expect. It's hard to say for certain.

Answer 4

First off I would like to thank your father for what he is about to do, and your mother also plays an important part, what a brave set of parents you have. I am also proud of you for your concerns about you siblings, sounds like you have a wonderful family and you all love each other very much. No doubt your dad is going into a very dangerous situation, he's a professional and know matter what God will hold you in his arms.

Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting for us.
God Bless America!

Answer 5

As a veteran and Current member of the WV National Guard, I would highly recommend getting involved with the family support group for your father's unit. It's really just a group of family members, usually spouses, parents and children of the service members. But it's a great way to exchange thoughts and words of encouragement amongst yourselves. It's the place you want to turn to if you don't know where else to go, or don't know what to do.

Don't be afraid to ask your mother or your father if you want to get involved. Trust me, the worst thing that will happen is they will gain a great level of respect for you.

Good luck, and God Bless.

Answer 6

He should expect horrible weather conditions, bad food, bad living conditions, and extreme violence amidst a civil war. He should expect to age about 5 years per tour or 7 years per extended tour.

To cope you should join up too!

Answer 7

if you really want to help, do everything in your power to make sure this war ends before he is put in harm's way. Write your representatives, start protests, make noise. Instead of worrying about what will happen to your father over there, you can try to prevent him and many others from being sent over there in the first place.

Answer 8

Atleast yall have met your father, and got to see him till a decent age. Lots of kids have never met their father. Just be proud he is doing what he is doing.
Wanna cope? Just think of how bad everyone else has it....

Answer 9

Your father will be fine. All of you need to find ways to stay busy, sports, band, church, whatever, just stay busy so you don't have a lot of time to dwell on thoughts of your dad in Iraq.

Answer 10

well if it was me i would pray and try as hard as possible to get along and not to make him upset. and just explain to your sisters and brother that he going to iraq to help the country. and he is doing it for you and the family and that god will be there and will be watching over him and let them know that they could write him letters. and you also could write letters and write him a letter telling him how you feel.