Year long tours?

Colliefrog

I know this isn't quite moneysaving... but has anyone heard about the year long tours?

My hubby is off to Iraq in May, it's been on the cards for a while. But he's just recently found out that the tour may be a year long instead of the usual 6 months(ish).

He's been told that most of them will do 2 month stints, so go there for 2 months, come home for 2 months, go back for 2 months etc. But, key personnel (such as my husband) will have to go for the whole year with 2 x 2 weeks R&R.

Now, I knew what I was getting into when I marrried him and I accept that while his career has some extremely great perks (like that fact our rent is to go down to £60 odd a month!!), I have to support him through the bad times too. This will be the 5th time in 7 years that's he's gone away for more than 3 months and each time it gets easier but....

A WHOLE YEAR!!! :-(

I'm absolutely gutted. I've always coped well when he's away, I have a job to keep me busy ( a new one in 3 weeks), I can drive so can get to see relatives and have very good friends living nearby who are all in the same boat. But a year is just such a long time. He's worried that I'll get fed up and leave him, I'm worried about all the usual stuff - injury, death etc.

I'm actually quite angry at the army at the moment! I know that sounds really pathetic, but I can't help it! I suppose I should think myslef lucky... the USA army go for 2 years!

ICATQ

Having worked alongside some American Forces in the past they do a variety of tour lengths depending on if they are Army, USAF, Marines etc. The reserves tend to do about 12 months (as an average). Some have been doing 12 months on 12 months off then another 12 months on!

There have been some Det posts that have been 12 months in the UK Forces for a while and some have even been accompanied (FI for example).

There are no doubt reasons why the Det is 12 months, continuity etc, but two sets of RnR in 12 does sound a bit harsh !! especially when others are doing 2 on 2 off.

If you knew the reasons why it would probably help understand. There will of course be benefits, and I hope his Unit provide good support while he is away.

MoneyHoney

There's been rumours about this for quite a while but I've not heard of it actually happening regularly yet. Will be interesting to read the responses. Try contacting AFF as they should be able to give you a really up to date picture on the situation you describe.

The 2 months on 2 months could throw up many, many implications (6 month bonus?).
Hope you get the 6 months not 12

PS the rent is not a perk....it's complicated and factored for numerous reasons including and not limited to constant home moves (e.g. loss/disruption to second wage), often isolated locations, standard/condition but most importantly no tenatnts rights.

Trying_to_be_good

My best friend is on a nearly 10-month tour at the moment, but they had to work out how they would deal with that as it was a new one (6-months being the norm). He's had two 2 week R&R breaks (well, less the travelling time each way) for what should've been 9-months, so I would think there would be an argument for 3 R&R breaks in a 12-month tour if they do go with it. But that's down in the weeds - the real issue is the nightmare of a 12-month op tour separation, with an op tour being very different to a deployment/detatchment.

Best of luck, I agree that the AFF should be interested in this - I bet the Army haven't thought about the length of leave he'd be entitled to when he comes back, and the system won't be able to cope with that gap.

maggymoo

First rule don't ever listen to gossip until you hear your hubby coming home and telling you yourself that he is defiantly going for a year/ I cannot see this happening Iraq is due to finish tours soon. I have heard so many people saying "oh there coming home early from tour" I would of thought it will be how it's always been. Still going there for while but dying out slowly. So try not to get stress out about it until it happens.

Colliefrog

This isn't gossip, it's straight from the horses mouth!! (The CO)

I too thought they were supposed to be pulling out this year and was actually wondering (before I found out about this) if they's cut this tour short. But apparently if they do pull out they be sat in Kuwait in case anything kicks off.

I'm not particulaly stressed, just a bit shocked when I first find out. I should realise the army are always coming up with new ways to !!!! us wives off!

mannews

Yes Iraq is finishing, but it will take time to move out you cannot do it overnight. I am really sorry to hear that your hubby is going to be away for such a long time. In the twelve years that I have been with my hubby I don't think there has been a year without disruption. If he hasn't been away I have. No one can take away your grief at the moment or your fears but I have learnt that you must just carry on. It doesn't mean you love them any less. You are lucky you have friends and I hope that they help you through this. Make sure you use all the welfare that is available and do not under any circumstances lock yourself away. Every month put something on the calender that you can look forward to and this should help time go a little quicker. I would also focus on when he will be due home for RandR not his tour ex. Good luck and hope all goes well for you and your hubby. xx

Colliefrog

Thanks for that. He's just gone on exercise for 10 days and I usually appreciate some peace and quite and 'us time' with my son, but there's peace and quiet and taking the mick lol. Although we have been pretty lucky lately. Apart from a 4 month stint in Canada he hasn't been anywhere (dangerous) since 2005.

There's always something going on... either a trip to see my parents, the in laws or friends. And the families office have trips or activities on once a month. I'm wondering if it'll seem to go quicker this time as I'm working now and last time he went I spent most of the time at home. And at least this time we had plenty of notice of him going.... the last 2 times he went we only had 3 weeks notice!!

One thing I am rather gutted about... I'd already bought my dress for the xmas ball (ebay - £2.75, bargain!) so that'll have to wait til next year now!

EmmEve

I can't see them doing 2 mths there 2 mths at home would be a nightmare logistically not to mention hugely expensive. I can't see them doing 1 yr tours either. Too many people would sign off and they already have retention issues!

JimBear

If it's any help, my husband did a year in Sierra Leone, and it wasn't any worse than a six month tour. He was able to time his leave (all 6 weeks of it) to cover Christmas, Easter and two weeks in the summer. To be honest (and don't tell him this) 2 months on, 2 months off sounds awful. We are all really stressed for at least a week before he goes away, and for at least a week when he goes back, I think doing that repeatedly would be worse than him just going.

mannews

One thing I am rather gutted about... I'd already bought my dress for the xmas ball (ebay - £2.75, bargain!) so that'll have to wait til next year now!

Can you not go with a group of friends in the same position as you. Iknow it might be difficult but you all might enjoy yourselves. Or he might even be back for RandR