How many of you have read the article on www.military.com and does it change your opinion to know that he has been over 4 times and all those deployments since 2001 equal only 10 months in the country on the ground. Most deployments are 1 solid year and some are longer. Also that he received a deferment of deployment last year and knew that this was coming so asked for an exemption from deployment which was reviewed and denied. Do any of the supports change their opinion with the new information ? why or why not?
2007-07-17 17:18:05 · 12 answers · asked by seachelle38 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I did more than a dozen major deployments. No brag just fact. I didn't whine or cry to the media about it or try to get out of any of them. I just did what I committed myself to do. If you can't honor your oath and commitments then how honorable a person are you? You take the good with the bad and the hard with the easy. If you can't hack it then you get out. The door opens both ways - in and out - and if you don't want to do your job then don't let the door hit you in your rear on the way out. I certainly DO NOT support him.
2007-07-17 18:54:46 · answer #1 · answered by cwomo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I originally supported the idea that he should not have to deploy just because it is so hard on a person and he has a good career going. But understanding he has only been deployed a total of 10 months and soldiers are now deployed for 15 months. He was able to escape deployment last time and should have known the army was going to ask something in return. But honestly he just started his 7th year of his 8yrs as a reservist which is more than enough time to deploy again. Had he not wanted to deploy again he should not have signed for 8 years. Also because he is reserves it is not likely that he will deploy for the full 12-15 months.
2007-07-19 21:45:28 · answer #2 · answered by Elizabeth C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to deploy and stop whining. A one month deployment and fifteen day deployment doesn't count as a real deployment. When he has been over there on his third or fourth year- to- 18 month deployment - then he has earned the right to whine. He VOLUNTARILY enlisted in the military- now do the right thing and honor the contract. Or did he forget his Army Values already of Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage. His comment he can serve the country better as a defense contractor proves he is just looking out for himself and wanting to earn money as most of those contractors earn two to three times the amount of money to do the same job as the enlisted.
2007-07-18 07:19:03 · answer #3 · answered by prime7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My take on deployments is number of months in a combat zone.
A doctor in the National Guard may deploy for 3 months on a deployment to allow him/her to continue his practice and civilian income.
At that rate 5 deployments are 15 months, still one month short of a single Regular Army 16 month deployment today.
The Army needs to expand to meet current needs.
I am not familiar with Botta's case but it does not seem cause, solution, or important as an indicator.
..................
Just read the Military.com article.
Sounds more like a educational deferment case asking for uniform treatment the same as other educational deferments from the article.
He said he would go if they rule against him.
2007-07-18 00:37:13 · answer #4 · answered by mirror 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cousin is on his 3rd 18month deployment, the neighbor boy is on his second 18month deployment. I am so tired of seeing kids sent to the meat grinder that I cant even watch the news anymore. I am the mom of 3 boys and I physically became ill the day Bush said that the war will most likely last more than 9 years. We are never going to fix that quagmire over there. They dont think the same way we do, and they dont want the same thing we have. But, if for one moment you dont think i support my troops, and go out of my way to thank the kids I meet who have survived that mess, your dead wrong. I just wish they were all safely home. My cousin Kevins baby will be a year old before he meets his dad, and that is just sad.
2007-07-18 00:31:47 · answer #5 · answered by jennifer g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to read the fine print.
This guy has 10 months in country in 5 deployments -- they were all short.
I know plenty of guys here at Fort Benning on their 3rd year long deployment to Iraq and they are not crying like little girls.
Erik Botta needs to honor his commitment.
2007-07-18 00:53:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 months on the ground is nothing. He is lucky to be staying so briefly. There are tons of soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan who would love to trade places with him. He has also had the opportunity to leave the military if the deployments are too much for him. The longest term of enlistment is six years. He needs to suck it up and do his job. He signed the contract, he needs to fufill his comittment. My brother accepted one last deployment to Afganistan before he was going to retire. He didnt have to go, he was given the option of staying home until he retired next year. He felt it his duty to accept the deployment. He was killed on July 9. This was his third ONE YEAR deployment in the region. I dont have a lot of sympathy for some smuck who hasnt spent a year on site and whines because its too tough on him.
2007-07-18 01:56:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always said he needs to suck it up and drive on. He willingly signed the contract and raised his right hand, most of us recognize that that means being deployed when our time comes.
That article only reinforced my way of thinking. The sum of his time in theatre doesn't come anywhere close to matching my first deployment. On his 4th deployment he was practically still pissing stateside water by the time he was sent back. A whopping 15 days!
2007-07-18 00:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by vbplr_12 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
please 2 weeks is not a bloody deployment. In fact, I don't consider anything under three months a deployment. ten whole months?! whoopdidoo. Sea duty on a ship can easily be ten months in a year..
he's had one deferment, it';s time for him to give some poor kid on his third or fourth FIFTEEN MONTH(In a row, mind you) Deployment a break.
2007-07-18 08:28:29 · answer #9 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for the update Seachelle. Those numbers do not surprise me at all.
I said the last time that he signed the contract and I see now that he obviously was more concerned with the benefits than the obligation and responsibility. I also stated he had chosen the wrong method of addressing the issue.
My pity for him is most definitely decreased by multiples. (or should I say my contempt of him is increased by multiples?) He is a disservice to the uniform and frankly I hope they put him out as soon as he returns.
"Return from battle carrying your shield or being carried on it, for I wish not to spill my blood with cowards."
2007-07-18 00:53:43 · answer #10 · answered by John T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋