OT - Anyone have friends/relatives in Iraq?

[Metros69]

I just found out today that one of my best friends is joining the Army. It wasn't his choice, it was his Dads. His Dad basically gave him the option, either join the Army (because his dad was in the Army) or basically be disowned by his father. It's a long, complicated situation that I don't feel like getting in to. He was currently in school to be a mechanic but his father pretty much took control of his life even though he's 20, and made him join the Army. In about a month he's going to sign up and be in the military police. The Army recruiter told him that there's a chance he could end up in Germany or Australia or some other country but I highly doubt that, and I think it's pretty clear he'll end up in Iraq.

To be quite honest I'm really scared and I hope he doesn't end up in Iraq. But for anyone out there that has a close one in Iraq, how do you deal with it, knowing their life is in danger every day? Especially being in the Military Police, those are the people that you see die every day from a suicide bomber.

I hate to be so negative, but I just found this out today and he's one of my best friends and I'm not sure how to go about this situation.

[avsfan21]

There is always a chance he wont be in Iraq. My cousins husband is stationed in Kenya. Granted I am not quite sure what exactly he is. I know that he does something at the US Embassy there.

[TheEdge32EJ]

My best friend joined the Army after High School, we graduated in '03.
He is MP, military police, he is stationed in Baghdad, he is currently in his 3rd mainstay there.
He should be out sometime in the spring/summer if they don't deploy him back there for a fourth time.

On a personal level it has greatly affected me, imagine seeing your best friend for probably less than 30 days in 4 years? It's tough (he is living in Ga. when in the states). But troops also can call back(not very often) but can frequently update you via e-mail or facebook.

The worst was somewhere around 4 months ago when his mother got a call, he was in serious condition. Turns out 24 hours later the ARMY called his mother based on a rumor and he was ok, but news like that can mess you up, thankfully it was only for 24 hours.