Can anything be done

[spammy84]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Utah

My husband signed his original contract in 2003 and was active duty in the army for just under 3 years. (Originally it was for 2 years, but he was stop-lossed after a few months in Iraq). I know he has an eight year commitment and through working the system one way or another has been non-deployable in the army reserve for the last 3 years. He has 20 months left and just became deployable again last month and we found out a few days ago that of course he's now involunatrily being deployed next month. His opinion about the government and war have changed significantly since he joined and now he doesn't believe in the war at all. His behavior has changed to the point where he doesn't care about working, and now never jokes but hasn't gotten as bad to threaten suicide. He said he believes that the government is so corrupt that it's not worth saving, that we should not be in the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, and he doesn't care about the Iraqis at all. He said the only reason he will shoot a gun is if someone is shooting specifically at him. The list kinda keeps going and I know some of it is frustration but I'm worried and wonder if there's anything I can do. Or if he has any hope of not going because I don't think he sounds like the ideal guy to send. And if it makes any difference, his record doesn't look good either. He's been the same rank for four years and I think only passed one p.t. test in the last three years.

Any advice is appreciated.

[objetora]

After your husband's 3 years active duty, is he now the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) or is he in the Selected (drilling) reserves? That makes a huge difference in how seriously the Army treats the orders to deploy, the options available to your husband, and the consequences of his choices.

[spammy84]

He was drilling, so Selected. A few other things if they matter. He's not MOS qualified for what he's supposed to be in the reserves, but the army pulled him as his active duty MOS instead. Another thing is they also attached him to another unit in a different state to deploy.

[objetora]

With the upcoming deployment, his not being qualified for MOS for the reserves is not likely to be much of an issue at this point, as long as he is qualified for the MOS for the active duty. According to regulation, they cannot force him to drill in another state if it requires a commute of more than 100 miles, but that regulation doesn't seem to restrict attachment to another unit for deployment. Does he have another drill before the deployment?

Your husband's analysis of this particular war or his feelings about it won't help much, but his emotional state could be an issue. You say that he hasn't threatened suicide, but it sounds as though he might be seriously depressed. One thing that might help would be an evaluation by a civilian psychiatrist. While his commander need not follow the advice of a civilian psychiatrist, if it turns out that your husband is very depressed, he could ask to see an Army psychiatrist and bring the evaluation from the civilian one with him.

[spammy84]

He's supposed to show up for training with his unit and then deploy right after they finish. There aren't any drills before that.

I'm going to try and convince him to see a civilian psychologist I think, but it might be easier said than done.

Thanks for the advice.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by spammy84

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Utah

My husband signed his original contract in 2003 and was active duty in the army for just under 3 years. (Originally it was for 2 years, but he was stop-lossed after a few months in Iraq). I know he has an eight year commitment and through working the system one way or another has been non-deployable in the army reserve for the last 3 years. He has 20 months left and just became deployable again last month and we found out a few days ago that of course he's now involunatrily being deployed next month. His opinion about the government and war have changed significantly since he joined and now he doesn't believe in the war at all. His behavior has changed to the point where he doesn't care about working, and now never jokes but hasn't gotten as bad to threaten suicide. He said he believes that the government is so corrupt that it's not worth saving, that we should not be in the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, and he doesn't care about the Iraqis at all. He said the only reason he will shoot a gun is if someone is shooting specifically at him. The list kinda keeps going and I know some of it is frustration but I'm worried and wonder if there's anything I can do. Or if he has any hope of not going because I don't think he sounds like the ideal guy to send. And if it makes any difference, his record doesn't look good either. He's been the same rank for four years and I think only passed one p.t. test in the last three years.

Any advice is appreciated.

He should prepare himself for some time in the desert with battle rattle on his back. Anything less will simply get him and someone else killed.

[nichols7]

my husband and I are on our second deployment, the first was to Iraq and he is now in Afganistan... I know I don't know your entire situation, but personal opinion from one miliraty wife to another, he needs to suck it up... He joined the military, and as a service member for hiim to not be willing to stand next to his fellow soldiers and fight for his own country, or fight to help an iraqi or afgan soldier is very upsetting. He may not care about the military anymore, he may not care about the iraqis or think we should be anywhere... no one likes the war.. but dispite his cowardness to deploy, he has ajob to do.

[dad43]

Originally Posted by nichols7

my husband and I are on our second deployment, the first was to Iraq and he is now in Afganistan... I know I don't know your entire situation, but personal opinion from one miliraty wife to another, he needs to suck it up... He joined the military, and as a service member for hiim to not be willing to stand next to his fellow soldiers and fight for his own country, or fight to help an iraqi or afgan soldier is very upsetting. He may not care about the military anymore, he may not care about the iraqis or think we should be anywhere... no one likes the war.. but dispite his cowardness to deploy, he has ajob to do.

while, yes i can see what you're saying....you are a WIFE...what personal experience as a SOLDIER do you have to say such a thing?! just b/c your husband may be more apt at handling things, not everyone is the same...my cousin was shot in the face in the "green zone" in iraq, after his OWN gunner decided he wanted to cuss him out. when my cousin attempted to calm him down, the other soldier shot him in the damned face. it was later brought to light that SEVERAL pyschiatrists thought it was best the soldier be discharged, YET no one else agreed. he served 6 months in the brig, and was released from duty with a civilian record of involuntary manslaughter...SO as OP said, while this might not be a good enough reason for him not to go back, he IS a danger to others...if he gets this thought in his mind "just b/c they shoot the SGT, doesn't mean i have to shoot back", then that leaves several men and women open to this man's emotional misgivings...while PTSD is VERY OFTEN just an easy gateway for p*****s to get out easily, it is a reality for others.

nichols7, she asked what she could do to help her husband...you saying suck it up, is 1 more reason why wife's DO belong only in the home on a military base...you often poke your noses, and assume since you know everything about YOUR HUSBANDS unit, then you know everything...when in fact you know very little, b/c NOT every unit, follows the correct protocals when it comes to things...