Kinda Depressing

Arsenic · 04-22-2006, 11:30 PM

I find it a bit depressing....as many of my fellow soldiers here in Bosnia do....that we have damn near been forgotten about. It seems that anytime you see something on the news about care packages being sent out that the only mention of deployed soldiers is Iraq or Afghanistan.

Now I'm not in any way trying to take anything away from the guys serving there, but hey....we are deployed far away from home just like they are! While we may not be going through the same dangers as them....its still nice to know we are appreciated and acknowledged as well. Anytime I tell someone that I am deployed....they ask what part of Iraq I'm in. Its almost embarassing to tell them I'm in Bosnia. I always seem to get the same reaction, "Oh....we still have troops there?"

The guys and I here all think we have been forgotten about. Hell I think the only reason the Army still knows we are here is because they are still paying us! Sorry for the long rant....but this, in my opinion, is a bunch of BS. There is NEVER any mention of this place on the news....and most people dont even remember why we are even over here. Its getting old....really old.

I'm sorry if this offended anyone....I just needed to get it off my chest.

END RANT

USMC Chuter · 04-23-2006, 02:19 AM

Rant duly noted, soldier. Although I understand your frustration, consider a few things.. 1: Bosnia isn't on the news, because Bosnia isn't where the news is occurring. That's a good thing for you and your buddies. 2. The care packages go where the ammenities aren't and the danger is. 3. Serving in seemingly thankless jobs in relatively forgotten places is part and parcel to military service. Be proud of what you're doing and where you're serving. Those of us in the know remember you're there and appreciate what you're doing.

**Covertness** · 04-23-2006, 06:34 AM

good rant troop. Just remember that you're not in the news because ya'll are doing such a good job. The media only wants to hear/tell about what's bad in the world, not what's good.

**AngelBear** · 04-23-2006, 06:55 AM

It is so true that if you are not in the limelight then you are one of the lucky ones... but you can still get care packages. Go so www.anysoldier.com and put your name on the list

Also go to www.booksforsoldier.com and they will send reading material as well as goodies to you and your guys/gals.

**RR691983** · 04-23-2006, 07:14 AM

I feel ya, even in afghanistan teh only time we were ever in the news was when one of us was killed. Hang tough.

USMCRET6391 · 04-23-2006, 08:40 AM

What AB said....

Hasbeen · 04-23-2006, 02:02 PM

What everyone else has said couldn't be more true.........you may not get the press, but we know where you are and why you're there. We may be but a handful, but we're a fiercely loyal bunch. We all thank you.

Arsenic · 04-23-2006, 02:34 PM

Thanks for listening to me rant. Its been something that has been pissing me off for the last 4 months. When we began training at FT Hood for this deployment our CO came out and told us "I wouldnt be surprised if you dont get shot at at least once while we are there". So coming out here we got pretty amped up thinking things might get "interesting". Since we have been here....the most shooting I have done was at SAVT or on my Xbox. We constantly train for nothing. The Bosnians love us here....at least most of them do anyway. The Bosnian men HATE us though....I think thats kinda funny though.

The women here are beautiful for the most part, until they smile. YIKES!

Just upsetting for me...since I volunteered for Iraq and Afghanistan and was told no....but got sent here. As an Infantryman I want to do my job....not sit here on vacation away from my family for a freakin year. The funniest thing is...the movie JARHEAD damn near describes this deployment to a T! Keep ready for a fight that isnt really gonna happen!

taylorre · 04-24-2006, 08:04 PM

Arsenic, I haven't forgotten about you guys nor about the troops still in Haiti. Don't let your guard down by getting in a rut and having complacency set in. Your next deployment could find you in the "sandbox". Maintain your Situational Awareness.

**Vulture6** · 04-24-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

We constantly train for nothing.

I know it's frustrating, but you train for everything so that nothing will happen. Keep up the good work, because if it does happen, it'll happen when your not expecting it, but you'll be prepared and know what to do.

Frequently, serving your country is one of the most under-appreciated things you can do. While the public may not notice, there's a bunch of people who do know and appreciate what you do.

Grimmy · 04-24-2006, 09:40 PM

You may also want to consider that we're still very early in this GWOT. There's many more fronts to be opened and fights to be fought before its all said and done.

Where you are and doing what you're doing now should hold y'all in good stead when its time for you to redeploy. You'll have some of the "caluses" already developed to cover the soft spots of deployment living and be more familiiar with adjusting to a patrol type schedule.
All that may very well make snapping into a new hotzone that much smoother.

**AngelBear** · 04-25-2006, 06:47 AM

Another something to remember is "supporters" don't get a list from the Government as to who is where and what the address is. It takes someone already there to set up "support" for thier guys/gals. There are TONS of sites and people who want to help.

All sorts of reasons come to mind why its important to get a little "something" from the outside world. Family members can be strapped for money and packages or even a simple letter can be a struggle. Hearing from a stranger can open up a whole new world. We even lis