To Serve

from JoeUser Forums
I serve in the US Navy. It seems my life is full of service and I can live with that. In fact I love this life of service =)

It's a rough life in many ways. We are working a lot of days with really long hours. And to those of you who know something about the inner workings of the Navy, YES, even us supply guys can work long hours =P

But I digress.. This is a blog about service. I serve my country, I serve my Wife, and I serve my step-daughter. Just maybe not at all in that order because no offense to this country but my Wife and step-daughter are first by far. I just sadly have the problem of life wise having my country make demands.

Recently I've found out that I'm on the list of Navy personnel likely to go IA to Afghanistan. This has been a surprise for me and my Wife admitedly. I mean absolutely NO offense to those who's husbands/wives serve in the Army/Marines/Air Force etc.. but in my line of work those types of deployments are a bit less frequent and more likely volunteer.

Now is time for the selfishness to shine through because I dont' want to go. Not for me because I'd be ok with going there. I'd have no problem serving over there but I don't want to place that worry of my being over there on my Wife. I'm sure many if not All those who have gone over there have felt the same way. That they dont' want someone else to worry about them. It's one of those things......

I have a hard time trying to figure this out in words in all truth. I want to serve my country but with all my heart my wife comes first and she always will. I will go if I have to but I won't be dissapointed at all if I don't go.

I think this is how we all who serve feel, at least mostly. None of use really want to do those rough deployments but sometimes it's just required of us and we have to do such.. So we go. We do what is required of us and do our best to come home the same man/woman we left as.

So to those on this blog site that know the pain, a big hug. To my wife, the biggest of hugs for supporting me and always being by my side.
1,448 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I hope you don't have to go. It is hard to leave the family to go to strange places where no one loves like they do and you don't much care for the native population. This is part of the infamous "X Factor" that was so popular a subject years back. There is no civilian counterpart to deployment to hostile climes. It is part of what makes those who serve so special. My heart felt thanks to you and your family for the sacrifices you have already made and the potential ones that may be in your future. I wish no one had to go.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
This is part of the infamous "X Factor" that was so popular a subject years back. There is no civilian counterpart to deployment to hostile climes. It is part of what makes those who serve so special.


Well as I talked to my wife about it, if I have to go I have to go. Nothing we can much do about it. I'll do my duty and do everything I can to come back to the ones I love.

Thank you also for your service BFD.

Asaxygirl:

That's a lot of what I've been see'ing on the boat and of the boats my friends are on. A lot of people just getting up and chosen. I understand the fact though that it has to be done. We have to do our part as much as the other services.

It sucks so bad though to read about those who were close to their retirement having to opt out instead of going over. I feel for them. When you have to chose between family and career those who chose family are the stronger ones especially knowing how hard that decision is.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
You know I'll take a hug anytime, love, but the only place in the world for me is by your side. Maybe not physically, but still there. No matter whether you're here, on the waves, or on the sand thousands of miles away.