The differences between a first tour and a second tour...?

[kentuck]

Right now, many troops in Iraq are in their 2nd and 3rd tours. That is something the average American may not think much about. However, as a 2-tour veteran of the Vietnam War, I can tell you that the 2nd tour is much more difficult than the first. It does affect the morale of you and all those around you if you are in a situation too long.

Not only does it affect the morale, it affects the mission. After a while, you just don't give a damn. You seek escape. If there are drugs, you will find them. You lose respect for authority, the longer you are in those situations. These are just my observations from a previous debacle by our government. Perhaps others can give their impressions or observations?

[Swamp Rat]

1. We'll find out for sure when they come home.

:(

[flamin lib]

2. Yeah, what you said.

I didn't serve in country, I served with those who came back.

This is going to be with us for a very very long time.

[w8liftinglady]

3. My son's picture his first tour

I don't have a second picture,but visualize hollow eyes,a drinking problem and a hatred of anyone from Iraq.
That's the difference.

[w8liftinglady]

4. I want to kick this to see if there are other reactions.

it's a good and timely question that needs to be asked.

[flamin lib]

5. ..

[genie_weenie]

6. The main problem will be misplaced anger.

And demagogues will latch onto it and shift that anger onto whomever is convenient. Immigrants comes to mind as the current prime scapegoats.

Of course, the ultimate Scapegoats will be all the Service Members who will end up paying for this with the blood and souls...

[Sweet Freedom]

7. According to my brother

who is currently serving his second tour...

the differences are
1) the food is better since there are now a lot of American fast food restaurants
2) the American soldiers there are inexperienced so he doesn't have a "family feel" and doesn't feel like anyone has "got his back"
3) he can't do anything without an Iraqi soldier or police officer present so he feels helpless against the insurgents
4) the insurgent attacks are ruthless and frequent. His first tour he rarely told us of attacks. This time, he tells us of attacks every week
5) he lost his commander and three of his soldiers on his second tour; none on his first
6) this time when he comes home, he won't get to come home to his wife--he has to leave her in Iraq since her first tour starts just next month

the things that haven't changed
1) he believes that liberals hate him and anyone in the military (I'll be working on that once he gets home)
2) the only bug spray potent enough to kill the mosquitos over there will probably cause cancer
3) it's hot and sandy
4) the nightmares still suck

[w8liftinglady]

8. my son has the same emotions...when your brother comes home-share

our letters with him.we really DO support the soldiers.

[Sweet Freedom]

9. Thank you. I will. /nt

[TahitiNut]

10. I only did one tour (with a 6-week 'early out')

I can't imagine the depth of morale doing a second. I was getting stupid enough as it was. It ws bad enough dealing with newbie EM ... the newbie lifer/NCOs were often worse and the newbie junior officers were the pits. The longer I was there, the less tolerant of the Mickey Mouse I got.

[kentuck]

11. 2nd tour was much worse than the first...

Even for those that came out of the bush for more friendly confines - they also seemed to have a lot of problems...