Help SAVE MY LIFE! (Platoon Leader slot Kosovo)

[badkarma11b]

I am a 21 year old recently commissioned scout platoon leader for the 1-18th Cavalry in California (National Guard)

I recently got a conditional job offer from a highly competitive sheriffs department in southern california. I have also recently found out that I am locked in to the DMD for a Kosovo Deployment beginning in December 08. While legally the sheriffs department cannot prevent me from getting hired as a result of a military deployment, they can choose not to overlook certain things to my past they have at this point thus far.

The only way for me to get off the DMD is to find a one for one replacement to command my platoon. The PSG is squared away as are the junior NCOs, the majority of which have combat experience.

Also, I'm expected to deploy to benning for BOLC for 5 months, see my family and pregnant girlfriend for a couple weeks and deploy again for 9 months. This is too big of a burden for my family to bear.

If you OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW who is a qualifired Infantry, Armor, or Cavalry O-1 or O-2 wants to take my scout platoon to Kosovo for 9 months, there is a gauranteed slot available. It is a cush assignment. Camp Bondsteel has a movie theater, a bowling alley, passes into the neighboring town and adjacent countries such as Bulgaria and Greece. You are also eligable for hazardous duty pay. If you're looking to travel but don't want an OEF or OIF mission this is up for grabs.

Im literally begging you guys to please consider this or ask around your Infantry, Cav, or Armor officer buddies if they would be interested. The IST process for this sort of transfer is easy and expedient.

God bless you all.

-2LT Freed, IN

[Brad]

You know, I hesitate to respond to this being just a civilian, but I think I'm going to anyway. I'll start out by saying that I tried for 3 years to get into the military after 9/11 - and that's having 3 kids at the time I was trying to get in and 5 now. My brother's an AF pilot with now 7 kids. My brother in law is an Officer of Marines with 2 tours in Iraq under his belt - and two kids. I understand the strain of the military on a family - and on a reservist.

I have a cousin who's an Indiana National Guardsman - Military Policeman. He was in the exact same situation as you, trying to get on with a couple police departments and holding down a job and with a brand new wife. He got called up to Afghanistan. Twice. He went without complaining and without trying to get out of it. And was proud to do it. Cost him that policeman job, too.

Just saying.

[RR691983]

First of all don't you think starting a thread with

Originally Posted by badkarma11b

"Help SAVE MY LIFE!"

is being a little bit over dramatic? I don't think the deployment will kill you. Just sayin' that's all.

Secondly, I can understand where you're coming from with wanting to keep the job. However as a commissioned officer I would expect you to be knowledgeable about USSERA and your rights. If not for your own well being then for the well being of your soldiers. Because that's what leaders do, they take care of their soldiers before themselves.

It is ILLEGAL for the sheriff's department to deny you employment due to a deployment.

Now going back to the second paragraph I'll remind you of one of our CORE VALUES you may have even heard of it it's something called SELFLESS SERVICE. The job with the sheriff's office isn't going anywhere the department will be there when you return home. You signed a CONTRACT to serve the USA and lead soldiers into combat. I may be wrong but I'll go out on a limb and assume that you incurred this obligation by having Uncle Sam but you through college and as repayment you are required to serve in uniform.

I think you're smart enough to see where I am going there? As a combat Infantryman and a Soldier in the US Army with nearly half of my 6 years in service so far spent on the receiving end of hostile fire I think you may understand while I am not sympathetic to your plight. I do have a small shred of empathy for your situation but you will survive. Freedom is not free regardless of what they're teaching students in college these days. It is paid for with the blood of PATRIOTS. Patriots like my brother SSG Tyler Pickett who was just KIA last weekend in Iraq, and 18 of my other brothers who were wounded in the same attack.

These are men I served with, and many of which I even trained and led before seeing them off because I am recovering STILL from an injury sustained in my last deployment. I feel I should still be there with them but I am physically unable and you know what, that fact KILLS me every waking moment of the day. Which is why SIR, I am going to give you the advice I would give one of my own Soldiers.

Man up, drink some ****ing water, and drive on!

I would expect no less from one of my men, and damn sure wouldn't except any less from an Infantry officer (which is an 11A for those confused by your s/n as I was myself).

p.s.

Originally Posted by badkarma11b

please respond with any serious inqueries at (email address removed)" target="_blank

I wanted to let that go but I can't. Your whole post to this grunt reads like a huge slap in the face to my service and the sacrifices of some of the best men I've ever known. That last statement reeks of pure laziness to me. If you were truly worried you would take the time out of your oh so busy day ( we all know how busy LT's are) and come back and read the forum. But you would rather be catered to I presume. I hate to do it but you appear to me to be another of the "myspace generation" officers that we have been seeing so much of the last couple years. Everything is "me, me, me" with no regards for anyone else. I'm going to stop myself before I get carried away here. All I can say now is shame on you Sir.

[Frisbee]

Originally Posted by RR691983

All I can say now is shame on you Sir.

Pretty much sums it up for me.

[ClutterbusterNY]

As an outside (civilian, yet patriotic) observer, I'd say you don't really know the difference between "life and death" issues. Your post is an affront to all those who do, and a kick in the teeth to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy.

[RR691983]

I can't wait until some of his men see this. Or even better, HIS leadership sees this. Funny thing about posting in a public forum...

[Brad]

You'd think a guy with a college education would know better than to put his name on something like that...

[Batgirl]

I tried to stay out of this thread especially as I'm an outsider and your fellow countrymen have said what needs to be said. However, after spending the morning at Headley Court with two of my injured Soldiers and seeing their courage and determination to pull themselves through is very humbling and I couldn't let your selfish post go. These two young lads (18 and 20 respectively) would return to Helmand tomorrow if they could and are focused on returning to active duty as quickly as possible. There is no self pity or whining about their personal circumstances. Incredibly, they feel guilty, yes GUILTY for getting injured and in their minds "abandoning" their comrades. The humility and bravery of these young Privates contrasts sharply with your selfishness and lack of regard for your men. The fact you haven't returned to this board to respond to your critics also says more about your character and lack of backbone. A job offer is more important than fulfilling your duty to your Soldiers?

You Sir are not fit to polish the boots of your Soldiers, let alone lead them into battle.

[RR691983]

I wonder how many other boards he did a hit and run on trying to get someone to pity him.