In the need of a little advice.

I've been really nervous lately about going to Iraq. My unit might be out there for over a year and a half. I still have a couple of months left before i ship out. I just dont know what my motivation should be to still go through with everything. Plus i dont know what i should do till i leave. I know for damn sure i am not just going to sit around and get wasted at the barraks. If you were me what would you do?

try to do anything that will get me discharged before i have to leave.

Yea, if you have the slightest question about the morality of this war, then why should you put your life on the line. Don't die for someone else's principles.

What would I do? Somehow successfully fake illness to stop me from being deployed.

I mean ... that's just me. But you want advice? What should your motivation be? Well ... what did you enlist for? What was your motivation for that? This duty is part of what you enlisted for, whether it is right or not.

I've always looked up to people willing to die for their country. It's not my thing at all ... but the courage that people have to do something like that always lifts my spirits a bit.

I'm not a supporter of this war at all ... nor any war for that matter ... but that matters not in this case. You're going to be there - sobeit. In the mean time ... fuck ... I won't skirt the issue ... write letters to those you love. Enough of your fellow troops have perished ... and while I don't want to be totally negative ... you might be next.

One never knows.

All I know is that's what I'd be doing if I wasn't totally sure about doing something ... especially in the cirumstances you are in.

Other than that ... study up on the local language used over there ... I'm sure you'll wanna use it.

Do whatever you want really ... just have fun doing it. Enjoy yourself ... keep the spirits high.

Or pull a Dubya and disappear for awhile. Whatever suits you best man.

talk to painbearer

Georgia has a lot of cool things to see. Maybe you should get out and see the country you are defending. Travel a little here, before you go there.

Yes, you didn't join the military to occupy Iraq. But by being in the military, you stand between us and the bad guys. Who ever they may be.

There is an SG Military group. Maybe you should join and talk to them. I know some have already been over there.

Good luck. And, thank you.

if i were you and had any questiond about this war, i would take the jail time in going awol. if you're resigned to go, i'd spend as much time with those that you love and let them know exactly how much they mean to you, even if the worst doesn't happen, you'll still be gone a year and a half. i think learning some of the local language is an excellent idea. it may come in very handy. good luck.

Talk to aerosolinvasion He is leaving soon too

[Edited on Jul 25, 2004 by Ravens_Draven]

Try to get yourself into a situation where you can do most good for the Iraqi people. Maybe get transferred toa job helping to train Iraqi police, or rebuilding or something.

I'm not in the military so I cant really say much but MY motivation would be the fact that I am serving my country. Just like if I was drafted I would just think it was my duty to my country. Good luck with that though.

Thanks for the comments. I was freaking out about the idea a little bit. I just found out recently. I think in the long run the experience will be something else. Its just a matter of putting up with it for 18 months