I'm in Kuwait. - The Orange Mane

Ratboy · 09-18-2007, 09:10 PM

I arrived in Kuwait and I would love to be back in Virginia. I already miss my girlfriend, friends, and family. I'm probably making it worse than it is, but I'm home sick already and it's been a day.

I just hope time will start going faster.

theAPAOps5 · 09-18-2007, 09:12 PM

Hang in there I am sure it will get better. Once you get a routine and get busy things will go faster hopefully.

REB · 09-18-2007, 09:19 PM

Good luck to you Ratboy and stay safe

Ratboy · 09-18-2007, 09:45 PM

Yeah, I'm sure it will get 'better'.

It's still hitting me that i'm so far from home and in the desert. It's so hot here.

Ray Finkle · 09-18-2007, 09:53 PM

Stay safe Rat.

Billy Clyde Puckett · 09-18-2007, 09:55 PM

Good luck and stay safe Rat. Send pictures when you can.

Garcia Bronco · 09-18-2007, 11:41 PM

Keep your head on and come home safe. That's your job.

ant1999e · 09-18-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApaOps5

Hang in there I am sure it will get better. Once you get a routine and get busy things will go faster hopefully.

The most important thing is to get a routine. Makes less dead time. Also, make those morale calls. Aren't you in Comm? I'm sure you can call all you want.

I make it a year in Korea w/o my wife and kids this way.

Los Broncos · 09-19-2007, 12:35 AM

I feel for you man, please come home soon.

DomCasual · 09-19-2007, 01:34 AM

Dude, that sucks.

I'll give you a bit of advice, if you don't mind. A few of us here served Mormon missions. Now, I am not saying that is directly analogous to being in a war in a foreign land - but from the things you mentioned (specifically homesickness), there are definitely some comparisons to be made.

When I first realized that I was not going to see anyone I knew for two freakin' years, I wondered what in the heck I had done. I started really considering things I could do to go home. For example, I would think about "accidentally" stepping in front of a moving car. I would speculate about how fast it would need to be going to break a few of my bones, but not kill or permanently injure me. I was more miserable than I had ever been in my life, and that misery lasted the first five or six months I was out.

What I learned was that constantly thinking about my misery made it much, much worse. And the only way for me to stop thinking about it was to stay busy. So, I just immersed myself in work. I really tried to discipline myself to work from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. And I'll tell you what - the time flew by. And, to boot, I developed some great personal habits in the process.

I guess what I'm saying is concentrate while you are there on doing your absolute best at everything you tackle. Even if it seems insignificant in the big scheme of things, attack it like it's a great opportunity for you. The time will move by much faster; your career (if you want a military career) certainly won't be hurt by your working your butt off; and you will come home feeling like you grew a ton personally while you were there. Going through the motions and "just getting by" will make it seem like a prison sentence.

Anyway, I hope I'm not being presumptuous in giving the advice. I was just thinking that I wished a friend had given similar advice when I was contemplating stepping in front of that car.

No matter what, stay safe!

Ratboy · 09-19-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DomCasual

Dude, that sucks.

I'll give you a bit of advice, if you don't mind. A few of us here served Mormon missions. Now, I am not saying that is directly analogous to being in a war in a foreign land - but from the things you mentioned (specifically homesickness), there are definitely some comparisons to be made.

When I first realized that I was not going to see anyone I knew for two freakin' years, I wondered what in the heck I had done. I started really considering things I could do to go home. For example, I would think about "accidentally" stepping in front of a moving car. I would speculate about how fast it would need to be going to break a few of my bones, but not kill or permanently injure me. I was more miserable than I had ever been in my life, and that misery lasted the first five or six months I was out.

What I learned was that constantly thinking about my misery made it much, much worse. And the only way for me to stop thinking about it was to stay busy. So, I just immersed myself in work. I really tried to discipline myself to work from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. And I'll tell you what - the time flew by. And, to boot, I developed some great personal habits in the process.

I guess what I'm saying is concentrate while you are there on doing your absolute best at everything you tackle. Even if it seems insignificant in the big scheme of things, attack it like it's a great opportunity for you. The time will move by much faster; your career (if you want a military career) certainly won't be hurt by your working your butt off; and you will come home feeling like you grew a ton personally while you were there. Going through the motions and "just getting by" will make it seem like a prison sentence.

Anyway, I hope I'm not being presumptuous in giving the advice. I was just thinking that I wished a friend had given similar advice when I was contemplating stepping in front of that car.

No matter what, stay safe!

This is wonderful advice. Thanks a lot!

Orange_Beard · 09-19-2007, 02:29 PM

come home safe. Keep your head.

Ratboy · 09-20-2007, 08:19 AM

It's not too bad, but i'm still homesick. and yeah, at times you think about anyway to get home. I was real excited about coming, but now the excitement has been replaced with a regret feeling. The worst part is seeing all the people who have been here for 4 months leaving and talking about it. I'm in Day 3 of my 120 day deployment and already dreaming of the day I can see my friends and family again. I'm not sure how to make the time go by faster, right now it seems like i'm going to sleep, eat, and work.

It would be so much easier if they could call me at anytime, but they can't. I even have limitations on how much I can talk on the phone, which seems retarded. I don't see how people can do year deployments. I go crazy at the thought of four, but a year? I appreciate anyone doing that.

Bronco_Beerslug · 09-20-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratboy

It's not too bad, but i'm still homesick. and yeah, at times you think about anyway to get home. I was real excited about coming, but now the excitement has been replaced with a regret feeling. The worst part is seeing all the people who have been here for 4 months leaving and talking about it. I'm in Day 3 of my 120 day deployment and already dreaming of the day I can see my friends and family again. I'm not sure how to make the time go by faster, right now it seems like i'm going to sleep, eat, and work.

It would be so much easier if they could call me at anytime, but they can't. I even have limitations on how much I can talk on the phone, which seems retarded. I don't see how people can do year deployments. I go crazy at the thought of four, but a year? I appreciate anyone doing that.

You had to know volunteering for the Air Force you might be deployed overseas? Maybe think about the ground forces over there doing their 3rd and 4th one year deployments in Iraq with no end in sight, that should make you feel a little better.

Ratboy · 09-20-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

You had to know volunteering for the Air Force you might be deployed overseas? Maybe think about the ground forces over there doing their 3rd and 4th one year deployments in Iraq with no end in sight, that should make you feel a little better.

I just said that.

crawdad · 09-20-2007, 12:24 PM

Hang in there RatBoy, I felt that same kind of angst when I spent a year in Thailand...Things will change back home in a year but keep yourself busy with emails, snailmail and making new friends. Some of the happiest times I had were with new friends while stationed overseas. Make your own party and make the best with what you got and as Dom said...stay busy to occupy your mind.

Ratboy · 09-20-2007, 01:02 PM

I'm only here for 4 months, so i'm lucky i don't have that much time to dwell over things. I could safely say i would lose all hope if i was here for a year.

HEAV · 09-20-2007, 09:38 PM

Damn RB! Stay safe bro. I'm happy you made the changes in your life.

Just make sure you do everything within your power to get back here safe!

missingnumber7 · 09-21-2007, 02:23 AM

Hey Ratboy you coming north or you get to stay down south. I'm at LSAA up north. Airforce heavy here, but if you get up this way let me know. Just remember that football starts at 9pm here.

Ratboy · 09-21-2007, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missingnumber7

Hey Ratboy you coming north or you get to stay down south. I'm at LSAA up north. Airforce heavy here, but if you get up this way let me know. Just remember that football starts at 9pm here.

How far is LSA? I'm staying down south for the most part. How long are you there for?

watermock · 09-21-2007, 12:39 PM

Thanks for serving.

missingnumber7 · 09-29-2007, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratboy

How far is LSA? I'm staying down south for the most part. How long are you there for?

LSA is north of baghdad. I'm here till may i hope, we don't know. for sure. We are doing route clearance.

Ratboy · 09-29-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missingnumber7

LSA is north of baghdad. I'm here till may i hope, we don't know. for sure. We are doing route clearance.

Ah! okay. We have an LSA here also, and i believe that's north of here too. I hope i don't have to head into Iraq. My job shouldnt require it, I'm a System Administrator. I pretty much surf Orangemane all day!

missingnumber7 · 09-29-2007, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratboy

Ah! okay. We have an LSA here also, and i believe that's north of here too. I hope i don't have to head into Iraq. My job shouldnt require it, I'm a System Administrator. I pretty much surf Orangemane all day!

You want to come fix our internet...we have a satelite system that sucks.

I'm at LSA Anaconda...basically the largest logistics hub in Iraq. I go outside looking for bombs every day...found several already...2 have found me though.

Ratboy · 10-01-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missingnumber7

You want to come fix our internet...we have a satelite system that sucks.

I'm at LSA Anaconda...basically the largest logistics hub in Iraq. I go outside looking for bombs every day...found several already...2 have found me though.

Whoa! Be safe.

09-18-2007, 09:10 PM	#1
Ratboy It's all over... ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 13,276	I'm in Kuwait. I arrived in Kuwait and I would love to be back in Virginia. I already miss my girlfriend, friends, and family. I'm probably making it worse than it is, but I'm home sick already and it's been a day. I just hope time will start going faster.

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09-18-2007, 09:12 PM	#2
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,058 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Hang in there I am sure it will get better. Once you get a routine and get busy things will go faster hopefully.

09-18-2007, 09:19 PM	#3
REB LP.org/L4L.org "This one's for John!" 3:16 Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: 'I guess he'd rather be in Colorado' Posts: 8,723	Good luck to you Ratboy and stay safe

09-18-2007, 09:45 PM	#4
Ratboy It's all over... ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 13,276	Yeah, I'm sure it will get 'better'. It's still hitting me that i'm so far from home and in the desert. It's so hot here.

09-18-2007, 09:53 PM	#5
Ray Finkle DOOONNNTTTTT CAAARRREEE! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 7,406	Stay safe Rat.

09-18-2007, 09:55 PM	#6
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	Good luck and stay safe Rat. Send pictures when you can.

09-18-2007, 11:41 PM	#7
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,991 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Keep your head on and come home safe. That's your job.

09-19-2007, 12:35 AM	#9
Los Broncos Ring of farmers Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anaheim Hills, Santa Ana Mountains CA Posts: 18,766 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ryan Clady	I feel for you man, please come home soon.

09-19-2007, 01:34 AM	#10
DomCasual The Dude abides. Shameless Homer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Cocytus Posts: 13,167 Adopt-a-Bronco: Gus Frerotte	Dude, that sucks. I'll give you a bit of advice, if you don't mind. A few of us here served Mormon missions. Now, I am not saying that is directly analogous to being in a war in a foreign land - but from the things you mentioned (specifically homesickness), there are definitely some comparisons to be made. When I first realized that I was not going to see anyone I knew for two freakin' years, I wondered what in the heck I had done. I started really considering things I could do to go home. For example, I would think about "accidentally" stepping in front of a moving car. I would speculate about how fast it would need to be going to break a few of my bones, but not kill or permanently injure me. I was more miserable than I had ever been in my life, and that misery lasted the first five or six months I was out. What I learned was that constantly thinking about my misery made it much, much worse. And the only way for me to stop thinking about it was to stay busy. So, I just immersed myself in work. I really tried to discipline myself to work from the time I got up until the time I went to bed. And I'll tell you what - the time flew by. And, to boot, I developed some great personal habits in the process. I guess what I'm saying is concentrate while you are there on doing your absolute best at everything you tackle. Even if it seems insignificant in the big scheme of things, attack it like it's a great opportunity for you. The time will move by much faster; your career (if you want a military career) certainly won't be hurt by your working your butt off; and you will come home feeling like you grew a ton personally while you were there. Going through the motions and "just getting by" will make it seem like a prison sentence. Anyway, I hope I'm not being presumptuous in giving the advice. I was just thinking that I wished a friend had given similar advice when I was contemplating stepping in front of that car. No matter what, stay safe!

09-19-2007, 02:29 PM	#12
Orange_Beard Over Jay Cutler Todd Snider Rules! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 7,836 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tony Scheffler	come home safe. Keep your head.

09-20-2007, 08:19 AM	#13
Ratboy It's all over... ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 13,276	It's not too bad, but i'm still homesick. and yeah, at times you think about anyway to get home. I was real excited about coming, but now the excitement has been replaced with a regret feeling. The worst part is seeing all the people who have been here for 4 months leaving and talking about it. I'm in Day 3 of my 120 day deployment and already dreaming of the day I can see my friends and family again. I'm not sure how to make the time go by faster, right now it seems like i'm going to sleep, eat, and work. It would be so much easier if they could call me at anytime, but they can't. I even have limitations on how much I can talk on the phone, which seems retarded. I don't see how people can do year deployments. I go crazy at the thought of four, but a year? I appreciate anyone doing that.

09-20-2007, 12:24 PM	#16
crawdad IL Oldest Bronco Maniac Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Decatur, IL Posts: 4,935 Adopt-a-Bronco: Bay Bay	Hang in there RatBoy, I felt that same kind of angst when I spent a year in Thailand...Things will change back home in a year but keep yourself busy with emails, snailmail and making new friends. Some of the happiest times I had were with new friends while stationed overseas. Make your own party and make the best with what you got and as Dom said...stay busy to occupy your mind.

09-20-2007, 01:02 PM	#17
Ratboy It's all over... ಠ_ಠ Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Okinawa, Japan Posts: 13,276	I'm only here for 4 months, so i'm lucky i don't have that much time to dwell over things. I could safely say i would lose all hope if i was here for a year.

09-20-2007, 09:38 PM	#18
HEAV Ring of Famer It's about the Team Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Ville Posts: 12,077 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brian Dawkins	Damn RB! Stay safe bro. I'm happy you made the changes in your life. Just make sure you do everything within your power to get back here safe!

09-21-2007, 02:23 AM	#19
missingnumber7 Vote Joe Mays to Pro Bowl Joe 4 Pro Bowl ST's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bismarck Posts: 4,760 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Hey Ratboy you coming north or you get to stay down south. I'm at LSAA up north. Airforce heavy here, but if you get up this way let me know. Just remember that football starts at 9pm here.

09-21-2007, 12:39 PM	#21
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Thanks for serving.