My dear BF is in IRAQ for a now 15 month tour. This is the first time that I have dated a military man, so of course I am anxious! Initially, he was supposed to be in Iraq for a year, but now it's 15 months. Initially, he mentioned that he may be home for a two week visit in the summer. Does this still hold true? Or does the tour extension change that?
2007-04-17 08:33:14 · 8 answers · asked by miss_him_lots 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I guess I should add that since I am not a spouse, I feel left out alot...Is there somewhere online that I can get information about how to handle life with him gone to Iraq. I have found many resources for spouses, but none for girlfriends.
2007-04-17 08:43:14 · update #1
To: LCPL_UND
I didn't ask him myself because he is already BUSY enough there. I try to be as resourceful as possible and not "bother" him so that he can FOCUS on the real issue... Getting home alive and well. If it bothered you that I asked, then just skip the answering part!
2007-04-17 08:49:39 · update #2
My husbands last deployment, R & R started about 4 months into the tour and went all the way up until 3 months until they were to come home. My husband never wants to come home until at least half way through.
I doubt the 3 month extension will have any effect on R & R. They may get more days of "liberty" but wont affect his 2 weeks of leave.
Good luck to you!
2007-04-17 08:41:06 · answer #1 · answered by an88mikewife 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Last time my husband's unit was deployed, they started sending guys home on R&R about 3 months in, and the last ones came home about 4-6 weeks before they came home. That was a 12 month tour, but still I'd imagine that's about standard for most units.
I know it's hard to wait for R&R, but the longer you wait for it, the less time he has left when he goes back. My husband could have come home for Christmas last time, but it was only 3 months after he left. I told him no way, that'd still leave 9 months at the end of the deployment. The first time he was deployed was for 15 months, and he came home around the 9 month mark. That was nice, because the bulk of the time was already behind us at that point.
If they have already given him a window for R&R, it can still change, but I doubt the extension will have anything to do with it. He probably doesn't have anymore information than you do right now. As it gets closer, you'll both know more. Also, I've never known exactly when hubby was going to be home until the day of, so don't expect a solid date for his plane to land anytime soon!
As far as getting more information from his unit, try to get in touch the the Family Readiness Group. Some of them are kind of picky about contacting people who aren't spouses, but they will probably try to keep you in the loop. If not, they may be in contact with his parents, so see if they have any information.
Good luck - this 15 month extension thing really sucks. Enjoy his R&R, whenever it is!
2007-04-17 11:15:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just returned home from a 15 month tour, let me clear this up for you. Within a unit the command tries to get everyone home for a 2 week R&R. In our unit, they asked if people had a certain day that they needed to be home for and that would be for children being born, family getting married, etc. After those people got their dates confirmed we all got to ask for dates, summer is popular because it is so stinkin' hot and everyone wants to go home during that time. The dates will then be arranged with higher ranking people getting their first choice until everyone has a date set. Now with that said, in the military things can change in an instant. I was a truck driver and the mission really dictated our leave dates. If a big mission came down right near my leave date and I was needed to go on that mission then my dates would be changed. More than likely he will definetly be able to come home for 2 weeks but it might be hard to exactly say when depending on his job. Hope this helps, email me if you have more questions, I know how frustrating it is trying to get info about loved ones.
2007-04-17 09:09:34 · answer #3 · answered by KellyS 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there really is no hard and fast answer. some people don't get a mid tour R&R at all, others get them at the halfway point, others closer to the end or even towards the beginning.
go to www.military.com and take a look around the forums there. you will find lots of non spouses there.
2007-04-17 10:12:50 · answer #4 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the same boat. My boyfriend was extended. He is "supposed" to get his leave in the summertime as well. With anything expect for the unexpected. Things constantly change. You will be lucky if he still get's his r&r in the summer. You probably won't know for about a month before hand when he will be getting it for sure. Welcome to military relationships :)
2007-04-18 04:19:19 · answer #5 · answered by TT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he should know by now or soon........leave is like a lottery, they draw names and dates and that's when they are suppose to go but it is the army....so who knows...you will have to wait and see. my daughter just married her man when he was home on leave so she is learning too....Good luck, and may God bless your soldier!
2007-04-17 09:02:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you ask him yourself rather than people on Y! Answers?
2007-04-17 08:46:33 · answer #7 · answered by BadKarma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
welcome to military life, Answer:you never know
2007-04-17 08:37:37 · answer #8 · answered by Falloutgirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋