Your buddies are on operations and you're in Canada

[maniac779]

Thanks alot for the replies boys. It helps to know I'm not the only one with this S**TTY feeling some days.

The boys are doing a great job over there.

Semper Paratus.

 

[honestyrules]

Come on folks!
Everybody knows somebody that doesn't merit to deploy and is going and others, dedicated individuals left behind.
OK some people have to stay back to train, hold the fort, that sort of things. But, depending of your trade and the positions available on a task force, there might be 5 positions and 15 people willing to fill those. So, to me, it sometimes sounds like...who's lucky, or who's the boss's buddy.

Most people join the CF to (I hope) deploy and work in their trade on Ops. Not to stay back on camp, supporting an exercise or wiping off the garage floor.

It's a good, touchy topic...I say that some people are trying to deny that they are frustrated big time because they are not deploying.
Kudos to rear parties that are dedicated to the troops support though. Really important.

I'm expecting some flack on this one...I'll keep my head down.

Del

 

[17thRecceSgt]

Ya you're right, its not a perfect world!  ;D

How's that for a bashing  :rofl:

 

[a78jumper]

Understand your frustration. I was stuck in a very bloated pre FRP/force reduction NDHQ doing little more than nothing in the mid 90s,  when it seemed everyone I knew from the Airborne world was deploying overseas to the Balkans, Somalia, Haiti, Cambodia. And when I tried to get put on the Intl Standby List, every excuse in the book was used to support the "maintenance of the empire". Nauseating to put it mildly.
My 2 cents-stick it out where you are and in time I can swear on a Bible you will be involved in something that really will challange your sense of duty and self. In the meantime, support our troops best you can- I recall sending a package on request,  of all the latest porn to a good friend in Somalia-the clerk in the Rideau Centre UCS must have thought I was a pervert. I got a good deal of satisfaction doing things like that for friends, though in today's politically correct military such publications might not be appreciated.

 

[17thRecceSgt]

a78Jumper,

Not appreciated by the Posties and Coc, but definitely appreciated by the troops though wouldn't you say?

 

[a78jumper]

Actually I sent them over with a full Colonel(one of the most strait laced people I ever worked for) wrapped in brown paper when he went on one o fthose infamous NDHQ "Liaison" visits. And what can I say they were destined for EME types, and we all know they can't read, just look at the pictures LOL.

 

[17thRecceSgt]

Actually I sent them over with a full Colonel(one of the most strait laced people I ever worked for) wrapped in brown paper when he went on one o fthose infamous NDHQ "Liaison" visits. And what can I say they were destined for EME types, and we all know they can't read, just look at the pictures LOL.

+1.  Your "courier" just makes the deed all the better.

 

[Danjanou]

Ok check fire on this “my bros are in the sandbox and I’m stuck here doing meaningless crap train of thought.”

We all have a role to fill. Those of us in harms way in a far distant land, those of us back here either awaiting their turn and/or doing vital work at home, even those of us who have done our service and taken off the uniform for the last time. There are jobs that need doing and they must be done. They are important even if they do not seem so now. One of those first lessons we all learned as a soldier was orders are to be carried out even if at the time we are not privy to the why. We trust in those above us that said orders are correct and tasks set before us are meaningful and important, even if at the time they do not seem to be.

Monday I overheard a couple of young troopies at the CNE bemoaning their fate at being stuck there.  Soldiers right to bitch of course although when I was a twenty something Cpl, TD at the CNE would have been a swan job, unless of course as now my brothers were fighting and dieing half a world away.

What they were doing in Toronto that day in the long run may have as much an effect on the war as Operation Medusa. They made the effort to explain and show to the general public what we are and why we do what we do.  A battle we need to win here, yeah but small consolation to the 20 year old troopie who will have to look his friends in the eye when they come home, or worse act as a pall bearer.

I sympathized. Those fighting and dieing in Afghnaistan are as important to me as my own blood relatives, more so they are my family and have been so for almost thirty years now. I didn’t see a recruiting booth asking for over the hill overweight pushing 50 old grunts and yeah I looked. I know that my role is here doing whatever little I can now as is many others. I don't like my "new role" but I have to accept reality and will shoulder it knowing maybe it helps it the long run.

 

[orange.paint]

I understand all your stories and am glad to see this fourm.I'm currently doing everything in my power to get posted back to a real regiment.Stuck in a school setting ( on the staff side...sort of) I am starting to get desperate to get overseas.I currently have only one roto to Yugo and am scared ****less of not getting my kick at the sandbox as I'm proably stuck here for at least two more years.I'm quite ashamed when civi friends ask what Afghanistan like and I have to tell em I haven't been yet.It kills me.

But solutions!You gotta have em or you'll go nuts. CSOR,OT to other trade to get you out of school are my silver linings.

As Danjanou sated though everyone does an important job.Some like myself make sure students have AFV manuals....oh and those Canada notebooks. ;D but he is right a lot of you people keep the green machine running.

Just go to the gym or beast yourself on a 30km run,that's my medicine.And dream of brighter tomorrows,i.e CSOR or OT.

 

[BARBARIAN.X]

I hear ya and know how you feel. I have family and friends over there and I would give up everything to be there now. Normally it's them that wish they had my back because we have the shit hit the fan regularly.  I've never felt so Fn useless in all my life.

 

[1feral1]

I hear ya and know how you feel. I have family and friends over there and I would give up everything to be there now.

Be careful what you wish for mate. Many including myself would rather be home where its safe, but I am here for my men, after all it's them that come first.

Truly it's the shytehole of all shyteholes here. Another volley of HE 122mm rockets fell here today, missing us of course, but close enough to rattle one's cage (nearly bounced me out of my bed).

Be patient, this war is going to last for generations to come, wether its here in Iraq, or in the Ghan.

Believe me, there is nothing 'cool' about being here.


Regards from hell (and it is),

Wes

 

[BARBARIAN.X]

Believe me, there is nothing 'cool' about being here.

Wes

Cool? I'd say! I don't know how you poor bastards can take the heat.
I'd have to lay down and sleep the whole tour. ;D