Seeing my brother off...

**Slowpoke** · 03-18-2011

My brother is only a couple years younger then me. He's my best friend, the person I trust more then anybody else in my life, and we've done everything together for what seems like forever. Needless to say, we're pretty close. So seeing him off to Afghanistan a couple days ago has been pretty tough on me. He's an MP in the Army, and where he is going is a very dangerous part of the country.

Now I know everybody knows somebody that has gone off to serve, I myself have been to Iraq more then once while I was in the Air Force. It was different for me though, I never saw close combat, I've never had to fire on a living person. These things he will most certainly have to do. Four people from the platoon his is replacing have fallen in combat. Something else that's heavy on my heart is the he may return with PTSD. After this, I firmly believe it is harder to see a loved one off, then to go yourself. At least that's the way it has been for me.

You're probably thinking I'm just being a ***** that needs to man up, and you may be right. I would ask a favor of you though, if you're a person that prays from time to time, throw a little something in there for my brother. His name is Dan, and if any of you take this request seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thankyou.

**MrPoopyButthole** · 03-18-2011

PTSD is nothing to joke about and going into an area where there is still heavy combat does not help.

All you can do is hope and pray he comes home safe and sound, I wish all him all the best for serving our country.

**MidnightBlue** · 03-18-2011

I wish him the best of luck man.

**brandonl2000** · 03-18-2011

No man, no one thinks anything of you for expressing your feelings. I think it's great you have a good relationship with your brother and I'm sure everything will be fine. I will keep your brother, you, and your family in my prayers and thoughts. My heart goes out to you guys, I don't know what I'd do if I was in your situation.

**ZR1Vette09** · 03-18-2011

It's cool man. My dad may be leaving next weekend for Afghanistan. He is a civilian though.

**taman86** · 03-18-2011

i served in the ghan from 07-08 in the province of khowst, about 50 miles from the pakistani border. it is no joke over there, i an apache mechanic and wasnt EVER able to leave the FOB. we were rocketed and motared more then a hundred times during the year. i came back with a mild case of ptsd. there are several levels of the disorder, it all depends on the person

**csssaint12** · 03-18-2011

I'll keep him in my prayers. May God bless him.

**Odi** · 03-18-2011

all u guys who serve, i take my hat off and salute you.

i wish all of you out there will come back safe and sound.

**JarenSTi** · 03-18-2011

good luck to him and u. bless u guys. hope to be be in the military oretty soon

but i wish i had a brother

**tayl5645** · 03-18-2011

As everyone else said God bless the ones who serve

**GreyGhost** · 03-18-2011

We owe them everything that this country allows us to do/offer. Nothing, but respect for them.

**SilvaMan61** · 03-18-2011

i'll keep you gouys in my thoughts. hoping everything turns out well

**06camarodude** · 03-18-2011

Originally Posted by jaren02gt

good luck to him and u. bless u guys. hope to be be in the military oretty soon

but i wish i had a brother

If you join the military, you will soon have hundreds of brothers and sisters. The bond between soldiers is unbelievable. I was an MP in the Army as well, and the people I served with are some of the closest friends I have, I consider them all my brothers and sisters.

OP, I will be praying for your brother.

**thunder71173** · 03-18-2011

I was an active duty Marine during desert storm and any where in the middle east is no joke! Soldiers are very protective of one another and im sure your bro will be fine (just thank god first that he isnt infantry, special forces, Motor transport or communications!) At least with he bieng an mp he will be in the rear with the gear! Its times like these that make you take less things for granted so just do me a favor and tell your brother to think of everything he has going good for him rather than what is going wrong it will help to keep jis head on straight, and write him all of the time no matter how busy you get those letters give him something to look fwd to every day and it is a good way for you to keep up with how he is doing to ease your mind too. We will keep you and your family in our prayers!!

Semper Fi

**Sularus65** · 03-18-2011

Your a good man for wanting to see your brother home safe and sound and for asking for everyone to pray for him. I am headed to the stan in less than a month. I am supporting an infantry battalion on the ground so it will be a bit hairy. It is what I volunteered for though. Good luck to all.

J

**oneil.GTP** · 03-18-2011

Originally Posted by Slowpoke

You're probably thinking I'm just being a ***** that needs to man up, and you may be right. I would ask a favor of you though, if you're a person that prays from time to time, throw a little something in there for my brother. His name is Dan, and if any of you take this request seriously, from the bottom of my heart, thankyou.

not at all man, and first off thank YOU for having served, regardless if you were in the 'heat' of battle or not. serving is serving, and hats off to you and anyone else who has or will serve, including your brother. i certainly don't have the balls to do such a thing.

ive had my share of close buddies shipped out. it's hard to accept and deal with, but keep the thoughts and prayers on the positive side. and i know where you're coming from with the younger brother 'relationship'. though we're not that close anymore, you still have a natural drive to be concerned and protective of your younger siblings.

keep thoughts on a positive note and good things will happen.

**danielle15** · 03-18-2011

Thank you to your brother (and everyone) who serves and risks their lives overseas to keep us safe.

Your brother will be in my prayers.
God bless your brother and your family!

**05CompG** · 03-18-2011

Definently will add Dan to the list of friends/Family that i have in the Armed Forces. Cousin in Kuait, Cousin in Japan, 2 Cousins and a Uncle in Afgan. Trust me it is VERY hard seeing a loved one off. And i understand about the connection as well. My favorite cousin is in Kuait...me and her have done everything together since we were little.

**06camarodude** · 03-18-2011

Originally Posted by thunder71173

I was an active duty Marine during desert storm and any where in the middle east is no joke! Soldiers are very protective of one another and im sure your bro will be fine (just thank god first that he isnt infantry, special forces, Motor transport or communications!) At least with he bieng an mp he will be in the rear with the gear! Its times like these that make you take less things for granted so just do me a favor and tell your brother to think of everything he has going good for him rather than what is going wrong it will help to keep jis head on straight, and write him all of the time no matter how busy you get those letters give him something to look fwd to every day and it is a good way for you to keep up with how he is doing to ease your mind too. We will keep you and your family in our prayers!!

Semper Fi

IDK how it was for Marine MP's, but Army MP's see just as much combat as Infantry does. They called us "Mounted Infantry" because we were the ones who handled convoy operations and security, we had ASV's and up-armored HMMWV's, and we had more firepower than even the Infantry had. We were the ones who led the convoys and provided security for humanitarian missions, escorted the supply and transportation guys through rough areas, etc.

We are more than assholes working on a base somewhere, we don't even do the law enforcement side of things at most bases, we train for combat most of the time.

Honestly, MP's are among the best soldiers I have worked with, they are in a job that requires that they take their training seriously, and most of them do. Your brother will be fine, he's going to make it back home.

If you want to help him through his deployment, make sure you stay in contact with him, send care packages, letters, make sure you are available for him to call you, that sort of thing. It's hard being away from family for that long, trust me, I know.

**brandonl2000** · 03-18-2011

Originally Posted by oneil.GTP

not at all man, and first off thank YOU for having served, regardless if you were in the 'heat' of battle or not. serving is serving, and hats off to you and anyone else who has or will serve, including your brother. i certainly don't have the balls to do such a thing.

i'm with him, my hat is completely off to those serving, and especially those who actively WANT to be in the forces. i for one am terrified of merely getting a recruitment letter, i definitely do not have what it takes.

my sister is now going full duty so i'm kinda nervous whether or not they may deploy her

much respect, love, and thoughts to you and your family, slow.