Thanks guys for all your support. I know jobs vary in every unit, but he is a mechanic and from talking to him my understanding is that he never leaves the base. I'm trying to see things from his point of view but it doesn't make it any easier. I guess when your best friend leaves a part of you leaves with them. It is his first deployment to Iraq and you guys may be right. He may not have been as ready mentally as he thought he was. I am continuing to support him to the best of my ability, and not get tooo down on him, but at the same time I think he does need to know how the kids and I feel. Thanks for being so supportive. The people on these boards are great.