Serving in Afganistan...

[CrazyLadder]

Stress is a funny thing. It shows its self in many places and in different circumstances. As a vollie DC some of my stress comes from the fire ground, are my people going to be safe, will the young guys remember what they were taught, will my senior firefighters and line officers make good decisions. Back at the station, stress comes from some of the normal friction between members and normal station routines.
I now have a new stress level to deal with. One of our youngest firefighters is now serving in Afganistan. He left Monday with the deployment group from Gagetown, NB. Chris is the youngest Canadian soldier serving abroad. He will turn 19 on Sunday. His mother has been a volunteer firefighter for almost 15 years. Chris worked up throught the junior program. When he returns he will be enstated as a full firefighting member. I realize that there are many firefighters serving in the armed forces, but this is one of mine.
Be safe over there....all of you.

[JGallagher]

He has the best training and equipment avaible to him. Dont tell his mother this but our weapons are made by Matel!!! I worked with some people who were over the. What we hear on the news is far from what is happening. They have what is called the Kandahar Diet. Our troops do not have enough supplies out in the field. They are out there eating rats to surive. It is very dire for our troops. As long as they follow the SOP's set out by previous personal then all should be great. Stay safe brother.

[Sapsprog]

I know lots of people serving in afghanistan and I myself served. I don't ever recall eating a rat and I was on the first rotation. They have kitchens and nice living accomidations now. He'll be just fine. What unit is he with?

[JGallagher]

He would be attached with RCR. The Royal Canadian Regiment. I am not sure but I belive that it is 2RCR.

[ndvfd_ff33]

He would be attached with RCR. The Royal Canadian Regiment. I am not sure but I belive that it is 2RCR.

If its gagetown its 2 RCR.If he's in Pet its 1 or 3 RCR

[fenianff]

Sapsrog I served in afghan as well TF-106 OP Archer , 1 PPCLI and I can assure you there were many times we went weeks without setting foot in KAF. While in FOB robinson we did all we could to get our hands on american rations as a little treat. Also the resupply drops didnt include tim hortons or burger king. I cant speak to what is the op tempo is right now but eating rations was certainly par for the course on my roto. What is your trade sapsrog?

[Sapsprog]

I was with 1 CER I said we never at Rats not rations. I was on roto 0 with the 3rd battalion. Gallagher made a comment that guys had to eat Rats. I was responding to that. Are you still in the 1st battalion?

[nocomment]

We have some guys on our job that have served over seas on various peace keeping missions. Very quiet and reserved about what they saw and did over in places like kosovo, serbia, afghanistan etc.... But heroes none the less.

[fenianff]

No, Sapper after that tour I was fed up. My apologies I assumed you were KAF based , I worked with many Echo C/S and they were all great. I am now a firefighter and leaving the infantry was the best move I ever made. Still proud though, just happier now. Cheers.

[Sapsprog]

No problem. Glad to see some one else got to where they wanted to be. I was KAF based but it was recce tents and rations for the most part. Rations were normally better then the american mess.

[fenianff]

whats wrong with the american mess? want some more deep fried everything with grits? Hahhaha. Yeah the grass really is greener outside the green machine.

[Rescue78]

JGallagher

You were being sarcatic right?????

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. You probably read somewhere that soldiers were living on rats and not being familiar with military lingo, you took it for cash that they were eating rodents. But worst is that go repeat stuff you don't understand. Rats are rations packs. Food pre cooked and packed in an air tight package that you throw in boiling water to eat up, or eat cold for that matter.

As for weapons made by mattel, it is nothing but an urban legend. And even then, the urban legend was that some parts were made by that company.

The guy is telling you he is worried about a young guy from his department being deployed in theatre, and you throw BS you read about and took for cash at him.

I served in Bosnia in 93 as support deployed with 3PPCLI. I had my Mattel with me and ate rats I guess, but it does not mean what you might think it means.

I mean no disrespect JG, you are a very active member on here. I just wanted to get rid of some false understanding you might have.

[Rescue78]

Ooops! I just noted the date on these posts :o