Heading back stateside from Afghanistan tomorrow.

[Sworrub]

Been in Afghanistan since July 2009, with midtour leave in December. Currently in-transit to the states here at Manas AFB in Kyrgyzstan.

Not going to toot my own horn here... I just want to talk about it a bit. Maybe there are some other soldiers here... feel free to share your thoughts as well .

I'm field artillery, we pretty much did our job, but we shot illumination rounds mostly. We use M777A2 howitzers, so we're light artillery. I'm a 13D (computer operator, other crap involved -- I basically tell the guns where to point and shoot, etc.).

I tell ya, even though the infantry had some casualties, it was one hell of a useless deployment. Totally boring, totally needless... I'd say more, but until September, I'm still a soldier (yes, I'm getting out, fuck this deployment business) and can't speak negatively too much. I've been in since March '07, by the way. Anyway, read up on some of the "winning the hearts and minds" bullshit... we've had to put up with a lot of shit regarding what the forward observers could call for fire on... and the regulations. It's bullshit... collateral damage is a part of war, sometimes you gotta break some eggs for that delicious omelet. It worked for Iraq.

It's going to be great being back, adjusting to the real world again. I didn't suffer any personal losses except a grandparent and a friend back home while I was gone, which I'm pretty fucked up over, but I didn't see anyone die here.

I also can't wait to jump back into Final Fantasy XI. I'm on Valefor... BLM75, SCH75, and RNG75... alchemy 100.


Blah... I'm anxious :D.

If any other soldiers post here, hooah... and even though I'm a soldier myself, thank you for what you do and what you've done.

Boom.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5574317_n.jpg

Me hanging with a few locals.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7284602_n.jpg

Me at FOB Price.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1144206_n.jpg

Air assaulting in one of the guns.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._2108847_n.jpg

[Celestialstrife]

No no thank you! Glad you get to come home soon

[Kiarax]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2dv3mgh.jpg

[Zeb]

Pic

You're taking notes too, eh? I thought I was gonna have to wait for Kuya to post it.

[Gethsemane]

If you are truly in Europe you have no say what goes on in the US Military. Shut the fuck up and troll another thread. If I donated money back then and got one of those free bans you would have deserved it for posting that picture. Would have used them all on you too. Rather my tax money go to the military than these government slobs that sit on their god damn asses all day doing nothing. At least the military gets shit done. Goes for any country really.

[Sworrub]

[Kiarax's picture]

Hmm, I suppose the USA can demilitarize and be defenseless... your call. The EU would have no more friend(s).

[Abandon]

Glad you're on your way home, soldier. I'm on deployment right now, in the Med. sea. Don't mind Kiara's pic, some people can think what they want, but even if they don't agree with the reasons for us being there, you can still be happy for someone getting out of the situation safely. Enjoy your time at home and tell me how the switch back to civilian life is, lol. I personally plan on retiring from the Navy, but as we all know, the military lifestlye, dependant on your branch, isn't for everyone. Not gonna give you a hooah, but I'll give you a Hooyah, lol.

[BerenTebogo]

[Kiarax's picture]

Hmm, I suppose the USA can demilitarize and be defenseless... your call. The EU would have no more friend(s).

Demilitarization is an unrealistic pipe dream, so much so that even being sarcastic about it loses effect.

Recalling and shutting down foreign bases of operations that are heavily manned by non-combatant personnel in areas of Europe and Asia that offer almost no practical strategic positioning in the day and age of everything being done from computers and from fleets of craft carriers in an effort to curb the negative connotation of America held by much of the world as well as helping to improve our own deficit and country as a whole? (I'm pretty sure them slanteyes got Pearl Harbor out of their system by now.)

Well, that's just silly.

That being said, grats on coming back alive.

But more importantly lol at the up in arms over blatant trolling.

[Vajra]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2dv3mgh.jpg

Ok listen man, this is very disgusting. Can't you at least just welcome him back home and be polite? The man risked his life to protect the USA, which is one of your allies...Does the EU think they got some big chests or something...gosh, I think that picture is very prickish man...Anyways, thanks soldier for defending this country and hope you can have some nice relaxation while off duty.

[Blarg]

Exactly. I think that picture is in very poor taste. Without the military the terrorist muslins would be over here killing every one of us and building their mosques on our sacred ground. I think Kiarax should spend more time praying to jesus and less time hating AMERICA

[Mistress Stowastiq]

@Sworrub

I don't know you but I admire your strength and want to thank you for your service. I am sincerely glad that you are doing well and heading home.

I heard that things are pretty crazy in Kyrgyzstan also with the refugees fleeing and getting turned away so I hope things go well as you travel through there.

When you get back, take it real slow, enjoy yourself and please do not be afraid to talk about how you feel to those who care and those who will listen. You shouldn't have to hold all of those experiences inside if you don't wish to.

As for FFXI:
There is lots of new and crazy things to do in the game and maybe you can score a beta test key for FFXIV as well.
Keep safe, and I will make a point of saying hello when you get back on BG.

[Kiro]

Kiara got 2 for 1. My goodness.

[The_OG_Nelta]

US sucks.

[Mizango]

Kiara got 2 for 1. My goodness.

Set em up, knock em down lol. Then again Vajra has the IQ of a turnip, so I wouldn't really notch my belt with that one.

[BerenTebogo]

Set em up, knock em down lol. Then again Vajra has the IQ of a turnip, so I wouldn't really notch my belt with that one.

If you don't like America you can giiiiiiit out.

[MoogleAura]

Surprised how many people actually took the bait. :D

[Sworrub]

Thanks for the positive replies. There is so much positive I forgot to mention about the deployment...

Me:
-I've grown a lot more patient.
-I have a new appreciation for deployed soldiers (from my pre-military life).
-I think I've matured a lot more... but that's a life-long process, even though I'm 25.
-My knowledge of the military and how things work has grown exponentially.
-I now know my place in life, and it's not the military, lol... not for me.
-I enjoy working out more now, ahaha, but I was always muscular.
-I had a lot of fun and grew closer to friends I never thought I'd have.
-Probably a lot more I'm brainfarting about.

Overall:
-The US is the most advanced and mightiest military the world has ever seen. Even though there are a lot of wrong people in high places, we can do what no other military can. The things soldiers know, see, and do every day in the special ops portions of the military are unfuckingbelievable...
-Our tactics may be flawed, but we'll always have more firepower and more strength than ANY enemy.
-Even though my brigade did a [******] job, we did pave way for the surge and helped gain some ground in the fight against the insurgency. It always starts somewhere.
-Field artillery can be pretty badass.

[Mizango]

If you don't like America you can giiiiiiit out.

<3

Surprised how many people actually took the bait. :D

Mhmm

[MF Perm tha Fineass]

look at this hick asshole bragging, motherfucker needs to be glassed

[Kiarax]

Overall:
-The US is the most advanced and mightiest military the world has ever seen. Even though there are a lot of wrong people in high places, we can do what no other military can. The things soldiers know, see, and do every day in the secret ops portions of the military are unfuckingbelievable...
-Our tactics may be flawed, but we'll always have more firepower and more strength than ANY enemy.

http://i47.tinypic.com/al3m8w.jpg