ArmyBengal Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Well Bengalzoners, The Army busted in the f*cking door to my cozy hideout and slapped the sh*t out of me. They told me to pack my crap and get the hell out !!! I'm going to be going to Fort Riley Kansas at the end of October. I'll be part of a small team and conduct training with them for the next couple of months. From there, I'll go to Kuwait for a while and then the team goes into Iraq. The team's mission is to train the Iraqi forces and aid in the transition from OUR forces to THEIR forces. It's an honor to be doing this specific job and will be the team medic responsible for force health protection and medical training of my Iraqi counterparts, as well as my fellow Soldiers. The bad parts of it are the fact that I have to go two weeks after ArmyBengal Jr. is due to arrive and that I'll miss most of the remainder of this season AND all of next season !!! I get to take my laptop and have been told there will be times I'll be able to get on the internet, so I promise to check in from time to time and give you guys updates. I've got 5 more working days and then I'm taking some leave and the family is coming down from Cincinnati to see ArmyBengal Jr. and spend some time with me. Mrs. ArmyBengal is going to be moving back to Cincinnati for the time I'm gone and then we will go from there when it's all said and done. I don't know where I'm going after that, but that is half the fun in it all. 3 more years and then I'll have my Bengals season tickets and won't have to worry about it !!! I'm not gone yet, but would like to say, you guys have been great to me on here and I've enjoyed my time. I'm proud to be getting the chance to serve my Country in a wartime period and plan on writing a book about this ArmyBengal's experience through it all. Thanks again to you all and God bless !!!Mark (ArmyBengal)WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 We'll definitely miss you when the time comes.All of my political ideals aside, I really appreciate the sacrifices you guys (and gals) make to serve our country. Seems like a pretty long stint...a friend of mine just had her husband get back from Iraq, and he was there just a little over a year (I think...maybe a bit longer). How long does the typical tour of duty last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 How long does the typical tour of duty last?"Typically" 12 months, but some have been extended so on and so forth. If you include my time in train up (Wife not authorized to come) and the actual 13 months in Country, it will be about 15 months for me away from family... Everyone is handling it pretty well, so it will be OK !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 As I've told you before bro, you have my respect. Please be safe. I know that's not always possible being a medic, but do your best to find cover and use it effectively if required, which I hope never happens. We'll chat more on this before you go Army... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richmond_mat Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Thanks Army for the service to this country. May you return in one whole piece after doing a bang up tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agreen_112 Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 My opinions aside also, I just want to thank you for the sacrifices that your making to serve our country. It takes a certain kind of person to step up and have the kind of bravery that you have and at the same time support your own family. Good luck and god bless you and your "team". Whodey!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Well, I'm sure that armed forces network will show the Super Bowl, so at least you'll get to see them win it all, right? In the meantime, good luck, God Bless, best to your family, and keep your head down! If you need anything while you're over there, let us know & we'll get a care package together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Good luck out there, man. Get those guys trained and get outta there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Well, I'm sure that armed forces network will show the Super Bowl, so at least you'll get to see them win it all, right?The nature of the job puts us out there in the middle of nowhere at times, but I'm hopeful to catch the Super Bowl !!!Thanks for the support guys !!!I better get in more than my fair share of these----> WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Be safe man. You're my favorite mod on the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBenBlows Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 God bless you and your family. I salute you for your efforts and your sacrafice to our wonderful country. It really sucks you'll miss so much of army jrs. life but i'm sure when he/she(not sure what you are having) gets older he/she will understand. I have a 3 year old daughter and I couldn't imagine not getting to see her every day. Like I said good luck and God bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 It really sucks you'll miss so much of army jrs. life but i'm sure when he/she(not sure what you are having) gets older he/she will understand.ArmyBengal Jr. is going to be a little dude and one good thing about it is, he won't be able to remember any of this. It's going to CRUSH me to be away from my little dude for his first year, but it would be worse if the child had an understanding and I had to try to explain all of this to them. Thank God for the little things I guess !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ox Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Hey brother, do take care of yourself when you go. We all respect the sh*t out of you for doing what you do. I'll try and keep sanity around here in your absence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 I'll try and keep sanity around here in your absence.Is that what I did around here ?? Keep the sanity ?? Holy hell, I wasn't getting paid enough them !!! Wait a minute, my dumb ass was doing it for free ?? Damnit !!! Anyway, thanks !!!At least I won't be the posting-whore for a while !!! TDB do you want your crown back on that one or does a renewed Billy take over that position ?? WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GapControl Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 I'll try and keep sanity around here in your absence.Is that what I did around here ?? Keep the sanity ?? Holy hell, I wasn't getting paid enough them !!! Wait a minute, my dumb ass was doing it for free ?? Damnit !!! Anyway, thanks !!!At least I won't be the posting-whore for a while !!! TDB do you want your crown back on that one or does a renewed Billy take over that position ?? WHODEY !!!I was just started to get to know you, too! Good luck and enjoy serving your country. It is an honor. The time will pass quickly and you will be right back state-side worrying yourself over the next Bengals draft pick. Don't let those bad guys get to you over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChadJohnson-85 Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 Be safe out there man, we need someone to keep the board alive when there's nothing to post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 At least I won't be the posting-whore for a while !!! TDB do you want your crown back on that one or does a renewed Billy take over that position ?? I'm sure we can find a way to pick up the slack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 As if there were any concern...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Much respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spain Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 watch your ass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted September 17, 2006 Report Share Posted September 17, 2006 Thanks for your service.I spent time in the military also, so I know how rough it is to be separated from your family esp during holidays and special occasions. That was the worst part for me.Stay strong and remember that there are people here who support you and what you are doing.Thanks again and may God bless you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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