I was in college in the mid- to late-90s. The people I know from that era did ROTC and such for the schooling benefits, living under the illusion that we were a nation at peace, so they would do their require service and bounce. My BiL, for example, managed to stay in 20 years, retiring about 4 years ago, and never deployed to a combat zone. But I also have two close friends who are doctors, and have gone a couple of times. And another friend who is a linguist, he doesn’t talk much about his deployments, but I know he has. Plus, my most recent DoD stint was 2006-ish. So all the active duty I worked with had just come back from deployment.
Post by amberlyrose on Aug 16, 2021 11:04:06 GMT -5
I know so, so many. I work with a lot of non-profits for veterans through my job and used to hire hundreds of vets each year. I actually don't know many from my own years in the military.
Yes, several of DHs friends from high school enlisted after graduation (2001). I met H in 2007 and his roommate had just returned from deployment and his twin was deployed at the time we started dating. They all had multiple deployments and went to Afghanistan, Iraq or both.
PDQ One of Hs high school best friends that deployed to Afghanistan years ago I believe has serious PTSD and is basically a functioning alcoholic now. We saw him this weekend and he is not doing well. It was very heartbreaking to see as we had not seen him or his family for awhile.
My family spent time there before I was born, before the USSR invaded. So when I think of Afghanistan, I tend to think of the Afghani people and what has happened to them more than the US soldiers. I also know two people who were deployed there, but they aren't who I think of first for Afghanistan.
Two now ex BILs (one was married to my sister, and we still keep in touch. The other was married to H's sister, and none of us have heard anything from him in a couple years), and 3 cousins. One cousin was stationed off and on in Kabul for 2 years as a Marine. After his last tour, he got out. He was not ok - and many that he served with took their lives after returning home. This would have been somewhere between 2007 - 2010.
My other two cousins don't really talk about it or their time in Iraq. Both are still in the military.
I'm sure there are other acquaintances from high school or college, but I don't know for sure.
Yes, several, including one classmate who came very close to losing his life but thankfully has made a full physical recovery. An ex boyfriend served as a military nurse.
Post by chickadee77 on Aug 16, 2021 15:20:52 GMT -5
A few co-workers and students; but no one with whom I have a close relationship. My heart goes out, though, to all who have served and who are close to those that have.
Thinking of all of those who lost someone in the war, and whose lives are forever changed. It is telling to me that about 80% of this left-leaning board is one degree of separation or less from the war.
Post by shortcake2675 on Aug 16, 2021 16:33:00 GMT -5
My sister was deployed twice in Afghanistan with the Army. Once for a long period (7 or 8 months iirc) and once two years ago for 45 days while someone was on leave.
A college friend I was really close to in college and just acquainted with afterward enlisted after 9/11 and was killed in Afghanistan. My dad was in the reserves and deployed to Iraq in 2003 in the related search for WMDs. He returned in 2004 after being injured and disabled. After suffering from severe PTSD he died at age 56.
Post by ruthie7532 on Aug 16, 2021 17:15:15 GMT -5
I had a large contingent in medical school who had their training funded by the military, and they were actually commissioned during our second year, I think. Since we graduated in 2002, I am certain that several of them probably deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan at some point, though I’m only absolutely sure of my study partner’s deployment location. (she was actually an Air Force Academy grad). Her husband was deployed to Mazar e Sharif for a bit too.
I also know several who were in Kabul for civilian reasons, mostly physicians who spent time training family doctors over there. One of my mentors spent two years doing so with his family, and another colleague has worked in a different hospital for 5 years. She was evacuated emergently a couple days ago. I know from previous communication that she’s extremely worried about her residents. My husband actually spent six weeks working in the hospital and teaching medical students. I was in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif for similar work, but only for 2 weeks. When I was there, nearly 50% of the medical students were female. It’s really heartbreaking to be able to picture places and faces when I read the news.
Yes. My uncle has PTSD and a service dog now because of what he experienced there. I live in a town with a lot of current and former military, so I'm sure I know multiple people who served in Afghanistan even though I can't confirm it. Several years ago I also dated a man who moved to the US from Afghanistan as a child and I used to work with a woman whose family story was the same.
No one I am close with, but I worry about them all the same. Just, old high school acquaintances or my little sister’s friends. My Dad works with the VA to get these former military people homes, a lot of times adapted to what they need. Dad makes sure they are safe and accessible and he loves being able to help that way.
[mention]picksthemusic [/mention] No, I went to SHS down the hill. My mom went to lakes and my dad went to CP (along with a bunch of other relatives at both).
Post by foundmylazybum on Aug 17, 2021 10:01:24 GMT -5
I need to say something.
I'm not exactly sure what it it is, but it bothers me that it seems like the only ways people can describe the people they know or knew personally who served are "have ptsd" "they are messed up" "struggle with dependency" "suicide" etc.
85-90% of the NCOs and commanders I worked with served in Afghanistan. They were the post 9/11 generation.
Here are some other words I would use to describe my friends, colleagues and collaborators:
Easily the most motivated group of people I've ever met.
Passionate Innovative Caring. Open minded.. They taught me and all my other civilian coworkers an entire culture and invited us into their world.
Fucking resilient. Amazing teammates Funny
I could go on and on.
Did they have and suffer consequences because of the SUPER stressful jobs and situations they found themselves in?
Um. Yes, and I'm not ignoring that. They are a special population that requires specific acknowledgement and care of those needs.
But that isn't who they ARE.
I realize this sounds lecture and I'm sorry, but this is pretty upsetting to me. If all you are doing is looking at your military or veteran friends, family and colleagues as these descriptors of negatives but not who they are, and you are just now realizing or thinking about this 20 year conflict that was a bfd and operating in the background..I guess the one thing I'd encourage you to do is examine how you look at if you hold a belief that is holding you back from getting to know the truth and ergo even the people who did the work.