Hello.  I am very new at this but maybe one or two of you can help me.  My boyfriend has been deployed to Afghanistan since October.  It may be a little late but any advice on how I could cheer him up?  What can I do to get him to actually communicate with me??  Thanks!  Also, is there any counseling available on post for us when he returns?

Hello.  I am very new at this but maybe one or two of you can help me.  My boyfriend has been deployed to Afghanistan since October.  First of all, I do not know much about your situation, so I am only willing to tell you a little bit about Afghanistan.  I would hope he has filled you in some.  

It may be a little late but any advice on how I could cheer him up?  Any amount of care packages and letters will do the trick. Be creative and make sure you take care of OPSEC when you send stuff.  Just be positive.

What can I do to get him to actually communicate with me??  You can never get them to communicate with you.  They will talk when they are good and ready.  If you force them, you can end up hurting them and yourselves.  Just be supportive, caring, understanding and lend an ear when needed.  He will be distant and there is nothing you can do about it except accept it. 

Thanks!  Also, is there any counseling available on post for us when he returns? Your FRG group can help you out with that, if not, it is up to the 2 of you to get it.  He will go through mandatory couseling when he gets home, but it is not mandatory for you.

"Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush

Another problem is that FSG or what ever they call it today will be of no help because he is your BOYFRIEND and not a hubby...........you'll get limited info unless you volunteer time at the unit and get involved!

Find out who is incharge of his units Support Group and do things with the wives to find out what is going on.....usually a First Sgt.'s wife or the commander's wife is in charge......you get out of it what you put into it.........

Some guys like to open up and talk.....some guys hate it.......just like some guys like big birthday parties and all that stuff while other guys want you to remember thier birthdays but hate you making a big deal about it..........

Keep those letters going to him........I always liked my wifes perfume on it......damn......I remember sniffing those damn things all nite.......my buddies even use to ask to sniff them.....lol......send him things HE WOULD LIKE not neccessarily what YOU LIKE......

ie......I remember being gone and my folks would send me info on the University of Texas football clipping from the paper, Rockets NBA stuff, and Houston Astros baseball stuff.......those were my teams and I loved to see my teams doing good..........

Cigerettes are good........I never smoked and would tell my wife to send them........shhhheeeeeeiiitttt.......I could trade a pack of Marlbro Reds for a whole human SOUL! I dipped and would dip.....re-dip.....then dip again.......ROFL!

good luck to your boyfriend

"The ones that run are VC......the ones that just stand there are well disciplined VC." 

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