Marine told to make funeral arrangements

[Shooterman]

Going Back To Iraq for Fourth Tour!

The Beaumont Enterprise - Marine ordered to Iraq for fourth time; he's told to make funeral arrangements

snip

Dusty Trahan got orders this week for a fourth trip to Iraq and a warning he had not heard the three prior times: get a will and make funeral arrangements.

"I was like, 'Gee, thanks. That makes me feel real safe,'" the 23-year-old Marine from Lumberton said.

Trahan had hoped his time in uniform was done. He spent four years on active duty - including three deployments to Iraq - and left the Marine Corps last February with a four-year inactive commitment remaining.

snip

Then in late March he got notice he would be reactivated. He asked for a stateside assignment this time, but a trip to Kansas City this week brought other orders.

"I'm leaving in October to go to California for five months, and then fly from there to Iraq for seven months," Trahan said.

He's not happy, but figures there's not much he can do about it.

"They told us they're calling us back for a reason, but I don't see a reason," Trahan said. "I've been three times and half the guys up there have only been once."

Trahan's father, Michael, who accompanied him to Kansas City, had hoped for the best but expected the worst regarding his son's destination. A former Marine, Michael Trahan said before the trip he felt pride mixed with sadness.

I wonder how many more young men are in the same boat. But, hell, we hung that sumbich, Saddam. Right?

[leobold1]

Bellyaching isn't going to do anything about it, and I hate to say that. When you join up, you know its for 8 years minimum. Its all spelled out in black and white. But, people still think its unfair.

Having said that...The military is recalling the IRR, while they're kicking out on high-year tenure anyone that WANTS to stay in. I've been in the military, in one branch or another, for 11 years, and have only deployed outside CONUS to Japan for 6 months...and that was in 2000.

And being told to make funeral arrangements is actually a problem that the military has been having. The local recruiter's offices and VFW have had to make the arrangements in about 10% of the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. They've seen the problem, and are being proactive about it.

But, a little more tact could go much farther.

[Woodmonkey]

Originally Posted by leobold1

Bellyaching isn't going to do anything about it, and I hate to say that. When you join up, you know its for 8 years minimum. Its all spelled out in black and white. But, people still think its unfair.

Yes, they do know that. My kids did for sure.

Having said that...The military is recalling the IRR, while they're kicking out on high-year tenure anyone that WANTS to stay in. I've been in the military, in one branch or another, for 11 years, and have only deployed outside CONUS to Japan for 6 months...and that was in 2000.

That makes no sense, but that is the military and they've been like that since I can remember, at least in the Air Force.

And being told to make funeral arrangements is actually a problem that the military has been having. The local recruiter's offices and VFW have had to make the arrangements in about 10% of the deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. They've seen the problem, and are being proactive about it.

It's not pleasant, but should be done by the soldier. Actually all of us should have those plans set out.

But, a little more tact could go much farther.

Yes.

[KBay84]

That whole will and funeral arrangements thing is bunk, at the very least being taken out of context. Each of the four deployment I've been on, either to Japan, or on a carrier to the Gulf, we were told to have a will, a power of attourney and personal affairs in order in case the worst happens.

[leobold1]

KBay...I was told the same thing. But, I was never told outright to make the funeral arrangements.

And when they did that, the media started salivating.

[Woodmonkey]

The trivial media would start salivating at that.