I am really close friends with a Marine who is serving in Iraq. We have known eachother for almost ten years and were extremely close during his last vacation.
I write him letters, e-mails, and send cards all of the time. He very seldomly writes back, but he does read all of the things that I send. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to why he doesn't write back often? It has been months at a time, but when he does write back, he writes very nice things.
2007-09-17 12:04:09 · 15 answers · asked by tatiana 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Most deployed Marines are not in the nicest of places, and it can take weeks or even longer for mail to catch up with them. For example, he could be on a ship that only gets mail once a month or moving so much from area to area, that he only gets mail when they return to a base of operations on a rare basis.
When he does get his mail, he probably gets a stack that he has to spend time reading, while trying to get a hot meal for a change, some clean clothes, a shower that might be luke-warm if all the hot water is not already used up, and a few more hours sleep than he's had in many nights.
If he only writes back 1 for the 15 you sent, guess what? He's still alive, still serving, and still loves ya!
Sometimes, I wonder who sacrifices more: Those who serve, or those left behind to wait for their return. Both are brave and both deserve honor.
2007-09-17 12:14:35 · answer #1 · answered by JD_in_FL 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That is actually very normal. When my husband was last over there, he came back with a ton of stuff that I had sent to him, letters, cards, etc. but the amount of letters that he had sent in return were probably less than an eighth of what I had sent to him. He just said that he just didn't have the time to write as often as he'd like to or when he had down time he wanted to just sit and do nothing or read his Bible. Hang in there, I hear this from a lot of military spouses, mothers, girlfriends, fathers, etc., it is very normal. Just keep the letters and cards and care packages going. He'll appreciate it more than you know! Thank you for supporting him!!
2007-09-17 20:32:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sweetie, if you got a letter thank your lucky stars - in my experience only about 30% of guys ever write back at all and only 10% of those write more than once.
He is distracted and busy, many Marines are not in a position to get regular internet access and some are stationed in such a way that even snail mail is only an occasional opportunity. I know it is hard, but try to keep it about him until at least a few weeks after he gets back. This is one of the hardest times in his life, and that he thought of you at all is a great complement.
Good Luck, God Bless, and Keep Writing
2007-09-19 21:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Jeanne- LEAVES Military Ministry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could be very busy and just not have time; also sometimes writing from a combat area is not easy for the simple reason you don't know what to say and don't want people to worry. If he reads what you send then it is important to him and since he does write back occasionally it is doubly so. Not being done for a lot of reasons but it sounds like those two. Good luck to him and to you-keep writing him and let him know the news and that you are still friends that is important.
2007-09-17 19:12:00 · answer #4 · answered by GunnyC 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Darlin' - I live in a military town.
It is a common thing for our dear ones who are left behind to wait long periods between letters due to the length of time in mailing as well as the serious nature of the work involved.
Our fighting men and women deal with many hardships - and sometimes have difficulty expressing themselves while processing their experiences.
Please be patient with your friend. Continue to support him. Do not write complaints about the rarity of his letters - just continue to be positive for his sake.
They are in life and death situations daily - be his ray of sunshine in the midst of dark times.
Wait until his tour of duty is up - and he returns home... give him time to detox from the war zone - a few months - and THEN work on what the nature of your relationship is.
Remember the credo of the Marines - "Semper Fi" - "Always Faithful" and BE that for him.
Peace.
2007-09-17 19:15:31 · answer #5 · answered by Depoetic 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's probably working about 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. He barely has time to eat and shower (if he has a shower). What little time he has he eats, sleeps and takes care of his equipment, especialy his weapons. Don't get upset, he has very little free time. Do continue to write and send him junk. Even he he can't use it, he will be glad to share it with any of his buddies who can.
2007-09-17 19:23:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. Maybe he does not like to write. If I don't have a computer, I rarely write anything.
2. He is likely to be VERY busy. There is a war going on. Keeps a Marine busy.
2007-09-17 19:11:12 · answer #7 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 10⤊ 0⤋
ok he is in Iraq! Why do you think he is there..he is working, sometimes late, withought rest, last thing he is thinking of is writing letters , sleep is on his mind. be glad he writes at all and have patience. those letters you send make his time there more bearable.
2007-09-19 14:36:58 · answer #8 · answered by elizabeth c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He might be someplace that its hard to get things in the mail or have internet access. Be patient he will write when he ha a chance.
2007-09-17 20:34:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having been in the military, I would think he's pretty busy, and pretty tired. I would keep writing him I would bet your letters mean more to him than you could possibly image.
Good Luck
2007-09-17 19:14:43 · answer #10 · answered by The Last Lamoe 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋