Just found out that my son, who is in college but is in the Army National Guard received notification yesterday that he will be deploying in September for either Jordan or Kuwait for 9 months. I'm sick! This was not supposed to happen. He is in college ROTC and was supposed to be able to defer but he is in the loop hole time period and they can get him and are. I just don't know what to do or feel! I think I'm going to be sick!
Just got off the phone with my son. He is NOT being deployed. This is a new unit for him and he is not job trained for any of the jobs. Apparently you can't be deployed if you don't know the jobs!!
I think he is somewhat disappointment but relieved. He didn't want to fall behind in his studies but he was sort of excited. He's 19 and bullet proof according to him!
Thank you all again!!!
Me and my bf are prepping for the news. Things are changing in his unit and a lot of training is coming up. Best advice ( lets hope I can eat my own words when the time comes.) remember they train them for this. And as hard as it seems at the time they are trained very well.
Jordan and Kuwait are not as dangerous as the rest of the middle east. 9 months will fly....and obviously, he'll learn a whole lot more there than in college for 9 months!
Breathe. It WILL be ok.
Look at it this way its not Afganistan! My mother in law is also in the Army reserves and was deployed back in 2004 when the concitration of troops where being sent to Iraq. There is no heavy fighting in Jordan nor Kuwait. We have troops everywhere including Bosnia and Korea. So believe me when I say that the chances of him getting hurt there are just as much here. My mother in law handles the military funerals in our area. There are a lot more funerals for guys that come home and something stupid happens. A car accident or something along those lines.
Be proud of the fact that he is serving his country. It's because of guys like him that we have our freedom. Hundreds and thousands of our soldiers come home everyday just fine. He will have many opportunities in his life and this is a great one!
Please thank him for his service!
Welcome to the world of the military.
Yes, they do tell you that you should be safe or get a deferment but when they need bodies they pull bodies to fill the slots. You knew that this could possibly happen when he joined the National Guard.
Now you will be part of the other society the military one. Contact a local unit for support for spouses and parents and get information on what you can do while he is away. They will have lists of things you can and cannot send to him while away. Create a support group if there is not one nearby so that you can all cope with the deployment together.
Thanking your son for his service to his country and your brave support behind the scenes.
The other S.
Retired Military Wife
PS This will give a time to reflect and to mature into the man he wants to be.
Is it in his contract that he's doing the college first program? If so, he needs to talk to his unit.
If he's going, you need to stand strong and be supportive. Yes, you're worried...but he'll need to focus on training for the mission. If you're stressing and he sees it, it will distract him from what he needs to do.
Be strong and pray for his safety and the end of all war. Don't worry. This is what we train for.
Take time to be sick and sad. Then be so very proud and PRAY. Things are calming down and its not nearly as dangerous as it once was. Also most likely he will be in random other places like hawaii or germany. Not in the war zone the entire time. Be strong for him. and PRAY.
I know how bad it must suck and this won't make you feel better but take comfort that it's not 2002 and he's not getting called to Iraq or Afghanistan. I'd be crushed too but he knew what he was signing up for, my husband is going reserves and we know that at any point they can call him up and we can't say a thing about it. It's how the military works, luckily he's finding out now before he has a family that counts on his daily support. I know it's hard but you'll all get through it and you'll be stronger on the other end. Invest in a web cam (if you don't have one already) and spend as much time together as you can now. You'll all come out with a bigger love & respect for each other. And who knows.. he may even end up being excited about it (doubtful but just trying to make you feel better :) ).
Friend of ours just shipped out himself. Try not to panic. In this day and age there are more (if still limited) opportunities for communication. Friend said, "It's my job. I'm ready for it." We can't keep him from going so we just smile and wish him well and tease him about the things we'll do to his apartment when he's away. Find out before your son goes what kind of support you can offer and what support is available for families left behind to hold the fort.
And please thank your son for his service.
