Vets , any one anyone??? My son might be sent overseas..

[Mari333]

Hes in the National Guard in MI and WAS supposed to be OUT in November...he just found out they wont let him out, and now they might force him to stay in and go over to The Sinai desert for 6 months...
any tips on how to get OUT of this???
Hes pissed at Bush and thinks hes nuts..

[short bus president]

1. Several ways out, none very satisfactory

Leavenworth is one.

Would be interested to know how NG can be "stop-lossed." I thought that was only for regulars.

[Mari333]

2. Thats what they said STOP LOSS to him

so he is in whether he likes it or not.

[Submariner]

4. The Stop Loss provision makes his continued service

MANDATORY! If he does find a way out of it, and it's under less than honorable conditions, then that will have an undesirable impact on veterans benefits and certain career paths where employers check this information as part of security checks. Good luck.

[JackSwift]

3. He should learn to smoke the mary jane

they don't let those folks stay in the military. In times of war they do keep gays in the service, even if they are in the open.

[Wcross]

5. Go to the Sinai

It could be worse, Iraq isn't really good for a young mans health these days. He would be foolish to try avoiding his obligation. He didn't get drafted, he signed the contract and should have known that it could happen. Sorry, your boy is no better than any of our young men in uniform. I did as I was told while I served our country and he should as well.

Flame away if you wish, but signing up for the education money or other benefits has a price.

[short bus president]

6. Your sentiment is valid,

but a little more sensitivity might be nice. This thead was posted by a mother concerned about her son. Nobody said he thought he was any better than anyone else. I can only imagine he takes his committment to the Guard and his duty to his country as seriously as you did when you served. Nonetheless, it is perfectly reasonable for the woman who gave birth to him to not be happy about his present situation.

[Wcross]

9. Sorry

I thought I was being sensitive, I have the kids best interest at heart. I don't think it's a good idea to trade his future against a couple of months in the desert.

Getting out of it is not an option. I can be blunt at times but I have strong feelings about this. Do you think anyone WANTS to go to the desert and pull peacekeeping duty. If the young man decides to fail a drug test or ask&tell about his homosexuality he will recieve a less than honorable discharge. This will cripple him for the rest of his life. He will be denied rights that people whom have never served enjoy.

As far as his being "special"? He would be better off than the guy they send in his place.

[short bus president]

10. Yeah, the dishonorable

discharge is another of the less-than-satisfactory options. And I apologize for being accusatory and rude in my post. I try usually to live and let live in the Lounge.

I wondered, and maybe you can help me out with this, if there's any provision for claiming conscientious objector status once actively in the service? Or is it too late to "find religion" once you've signed on the dotted line? Maybe this war could spawn something like Operation Whitecoat, although that was for draftees who were conscientious objectors.

[Wcross]

11. Hey its the lounge!

I don't know anything about the c/o status, it might be an option. I wouldn't think that sitting in the desert between Isreal and Egypt for six months could harm the kid at all.(if it comes to that)

[rasputin1952]

12. You can apply for CO status at any point in your hitch...

but it IS only an application. The thought that a Commander would accept this at his discretion, is highly doubfiul. Also, depending on your MOS, it would be really absurd if you requested CO if you are Infantry, Artillery, etc. CO's would not join the military anyway, except as Medics or Chaplains Asst's.

In any case, Military Mom....hang in there, the Sinai is not that bad and he gets 6 mo's overseas pay. Not really that bad, if you look at it as a learning experience.

My heart goes out to you, and I understand your dilema. As a vet, I know what can happen, in certain situations. I am a decorated vet, but I wish no one the the hell I went through, or some of the others that were with me. One of the signs of maturity and dignity though, is to live up to your obligations. I am sure that once your son returns hoome to you in a few months, he will be better for it. IMHO, there are few things that are less desirable than a soldier who shirks his/her duty, unless they are ordered into something unlawful.

You and you son are in my thoughts and prayers; be strong, this may be over before you know it.

[alfredo]

7. I didn't know they were doing stop loss for NG's that sucks.

the Sinai will be very hot. Tell him the best way to handle the heat is water, and a relaxed attitude towards the heat. In time his body will become adjusted. Be sure to drink before becoming thirsty.

I spent three years in the sub Sahara, I know heat. It is beautiful country, the mountains are magic, but the climate can be brutal. It will be a time he will not forget. He will make lifelong friends. The bond between soldiers is the tightest.

If he stays relaxed but aware, he will make it home just fine.

It might be good to check with him about relaying troop movements. Sometimes it can be sensitive information.

Tell him good luck.

[DemoTex]

8. I considered Canada when I was told I would do a 2nd tour in 'Nam.

Fortunately, I got my branch hdqs. at the Pentagon to give me an early out. The right hand literally did not know what the left hand was doing. I out-processed from the Army with a copy of orders back to the 'Nam in my briefcase. I di-di maued and made myself extremely scarce. It worked.

President Carter issued a blanket amnesty for Vietnam draft evaders (AWOLs and deserters, I cannot remember). Some future sane president will probably do the same for those who flee the country to avoid what is fast becoming our second Vietnam.

Tough call. I know what I'd do, though.

[HawkerHurricane]

13. I know of no good ways.

Most involve doing one of the 'crash landings' and taking your Bad Conduct Discharge. I don't recomend any of these, but...

1: Public Admission of Homosexuality.
2: Public Admission of use of Controlled Substance and use of same, there is no point in making the admission of use if the urine test comes back negative.

Considering when he would be making the admission, he might be brought up on additional charges (malingering) for trying to get out of his deployment.

I'm sorry, I can make no other suggestions. Personally, I feel that he should go; he gave his word after all and if he doesn't go, someone else will have to take his place.

[Kamika]

14. He signed the papers

He has a obligation to do it, its honor now.

And Sinai is nothin. Let him get a good experience instead of branding him for life.


Same for everyone