ok, one of my friends is in iraq.  he had to go on a mission last week, and after that he was moving to a different base. well he got back to his old one after the mission,like 3 days ago. he said he was taking a shower then going to bed and he would talk to me later.  well i havnt heard from him in 3 days.  i think he was moving.  but how long does that take, and when can he contact people
201192
3 days is nothing.  he may be going from one base that has easy access(computers set up with email access, phones, etc) to one that has none of those things.  \n\nHe may be stuck doing missions.  there are a million different reasons, and all of them legit, that could explain why he hasn't gotten in touch with you.\n\nI have gone weeks and months without hearing frommine, it's par for the course.
280025
just be there for him as his freind, support him while hes gone fighting for our country. he sounds like a really nice guy. but if its only been 4 days, make a little space between you,it seems like he is moving fast,
626087
I check the list from time to time - but I know I'll hear about the people I'm looking for from friends before I see them on the net.\n\nBest way to support? Be strong, send care packages, letters, take advantage of video conferencing if your base has a program. My dad and I went in and bought my uncle a spare bullet proof vest, in case he misplaced his - crazy I know, but you never know.\n\nLean like hell on your family and troop support groups. Stay busy, don't read to much news. Alot of it is bad news that looks alot worse then it is.\n\nKeep the faith.
453650
How long is he going to be stationed there?\nCan you go with him? It is in the States afterall.\nThis happens to alot of married Military.\nsome stay home because they don't want to move and they know that their spouse will be back in a year. but if it is for a longer period of time and you own a home you could rent it out and then rent a place where he is.\nIs moving out of the Question?\n\nGood Luck to you, i hope your dilemma gets resolved.
379906
my brother was over seas for a while, and i barely ever heard from him. it is hard for them to get to the phone, etc, they are so busy and focused on what they are doing. i would keep it up, you probably dont realize your emails are making his day. i would think you should keep it up.
497164
When I went through Basic Training the phones were available to us for a block of time on Sundays...I believe 10 AM till 2 PM.   There were a lot of factors involved in using the telephone though.   The biggest factor was that there were three pay phones and about 250 people that wanted to use them...and generally no limit on time you were allowed to talk...or how many calls you could make.   So, if he isn't big on standing in long lines all day....then he may just be opting not to call.   During basic training free time...I liked to sleep and/or just rest.   \n\nSome people get pulled for extra duty and aren't able to use the phones during that time.   \n\nSome people lose phone priviledges by screwing something up that week.\n\nMany factors.    \n\nOne thing they don't hold back is the US Mail.   Send postcards and letters.   He is given time to write back...even short notes.
422776
my best friend is currently in Lebanon...when she is home we normally speak daily and see each other 2-3 times a week....i miss her dearly....shes been gone now for 3months and wont be home for another 9months....so i would love to see her face to face just to give her a hug...(shes going through some bad times over there)
92689
Just do your best to listen to him, even if he doesnt say much about it. My best friend in the Marine Corps was killed while we were in Iraq, and all I wanted from my fiance (wife now) was a shoulder, if I felt like shedding a tear, and an ear to listen. That is all I needed. She was there for me, and it helped a lot. You will never understand what he is going through, especially if they were very close, but you dont have to understand to be able to help. Dont press the issue if he doesnt want to talk about it, but I would mention it, in case he does want to talk. Ask how he is doing, but dont try to get any details from him. I feel for both of you and I wish you well.
348368
Try to contact his FRG (family readiness group). They can keep you up-to-date with what is going on with the unit. However, some units have restrictions on who can receive information, and there may be certain things they can't/won't tell you (since you are not married yet). There should be some people who you can make friends with and talk to though. If moving is an option, move near his base so that you can really be near the FRG and also be there when he  gets back. However, you cannot live on the base until you are married, and the military will not pay you an allowance to live off-base, like they would if  you were married. \n\nWhen you think you can't take it anymore, remember why you love him. It sucks when he's gone, but it will be so worth it when he gets home, trust me.
330763
I've had the same thing happen to me and it sucks. My two best friends ever had to leave but that didn't stop our friendship. I e-mail them almost everyday and I talk to them on the phone. I haven't seen them in a long time but that never stopped our friendship. My friends moved different countries. You're lucky at least your friend is in the same country and if you want to visit you should make a plan. Things will be different but something that NEVER changes is friendship. Trust me it'll be ok.
503431
I dont think he should have to repay it.  I lost my twin brother in Iraq in July.  I didnt know you could get out of military because of it though.  I thought you could only do it in peace time?  I know this is supposed to be an answer and not a question but if you know more could you email me.  Im not in Iraq but I am serving in Korea.  I dont know if I want out but sometimes I feel like I should but would like to know how if I decide to.
266499
Be supportive and understanding. He's not on a vacation. Patience is key and there will be times you'll want to speak with him and maybe he won't be able to give you the time you desire.Make what time you do have to speak with him quality time and don't expect quantity time then when you get it, it's a pleasant suprise.Try not to worry him over things he can't control while away. Handle as much as possible on your own. Being with someone in the military is different than other relationships. You play a very important role. You hold down the fort while he has to be gone...I wish you both the best...
422820
A childhood friend of mine just died last month in Iraq. He was in the army. I was heart broken when I heard the news. I was friends with him since we were nine years old. He died at 21. He left behind a wife and 2 kids. Sooo sad.... It took me about 2-3 weeks to get over the news. I am not completely over it yet but I used to think about him 24-7 and dream about him every night since I heard he passed away. I wasnt able to attend his funeral but I saw pictures and read an article in my local newspaper. I keep the article clippings in my high school year book next to his picture.
651354
Just help him relax and have fun!  Did you know, more people where killed on American highways in the past two years then entire time we've been in Iraq?  You don't need to worry about him.  Odds are in his favor he'll be fine.  You can pray for him, it'll make you feel better and God can protect him better than his gear can!\nWhile he's there, wright him letters and send packages.  They live for that stuff.  You can e-mail him but letters are so much better.
561246
If he is not moving right away, spend as much time with him as you can. Make sure you guys keep in touch- phone calls, e-mails, any way that you can to contact him. You can also visit him once he moves. It is hard when a friend moves away. You will not get to see him as much, but as long as you guys stay in touch, it wouldn't be as bad.
97342
He needs to get back now.  After 30 days, a Federal Warrant is issued for his arrest.  This means he will not ever be able to get an education, get a successfull, legal job, or apply for a loan until he turns himself in, or gets caught.\n\nThese warrants can be issued much earlier under certain circumstances.  As a company commander, I was able to issue a few after 24 hours.  I was pretty aggressive about this since all of my AWOLs occured after I caught the soldiers using drugs via urinalysis.\n\nIf he does come back voluntarily, the Army may keep him in or discharge him with an "Other than honorable" discharge depending on his record while in training and the training unit's policies.  If the police drag him in, it will not be good.  He will probably go to a personell holding unit and be restricted to that building or on supervised details (like picking up garbage) until he is thrown out.\n\nBottom line is he needs to get back to the unit now.\n\nAnd as for "the king".  Are you one of the anti-coalition/anti-free Iraq terrorists killing people in Iraq?  Just wondering from all of your posts.  You seem very supportive of those who kill Americans and Iraqi civilians/police/military in post Ba'athist Iraq.
625355
Your friend really has to exhaust all her options before considering joining the military. I joined the Army reserves 5 years ago in hopes of using the money to finish college and make a better life for my family (mother and sister). Well 5 years later and my unit has been deployed stateside and to Iraq  back to back. I havent had enough time to finish my college courses that I started back in 2000. There is money available for college such as GI Bill and army tuition assistance but in most cases it pays for 75% of your tuiition. The army's basic training is not all glits and glam its very hard work physically, mentally, emotionaly not to mention if she has young children they will be without their mother for 9 weeks of basic training plus the weeks or months that must be spent in training for you MOS(military Occupation Specialty) and if shes deployed thats another 6- 18 months overseas and believe me family is what she will miss the most. If I could do it all over again I would have sought wise counsel before signing my life away. Although the experiences have been once in a lifetime and I was able to move out of chaotic circumstances I always wonder what if I never joined the military where would my life be and how would it be different. I have changed and my mindset has changed. I never discourage people from doing what they feel is best  I'm just offering my experiences   God bless