Preparation tips you won't get in the welcome packages.
Since it has come to my attention that this blog is being passed around as a deployment prep, and 'cause I always get questions (like I asked before I arrived) about what people should bring that they aren't told about in the welcome package they've been provided prior to leaving, which is invariably at least eight months out of date, and because I wanted to write an insanely long complex sentence for the sheer pleasure of driving a few people crazy because they're sitting pretty surrounded by green things and nice restaurants in the States because misery loves company, I thought I'd jot down a few recommendations for those who are to join us here in Vacationland come Christmas.
Before you deploy:
Splurge and enjoy every fine and/or favorite restaurant you can. Indulge yourself. Don't worry about your weight. Go to Dunkin Donuts. Drink all the alcohol you desire. Worry about how you'll get home but don't drive. Walk around your neighborhood, listen to the sounds, enjoy the smells, talk to your neighbors. Take your dog for as many walks as you can. Take some leave and be as lazy as you are capable of being without risking bedsores. Spend all the time with your family you can wedge in. Indulge, appreciate, and remember. You won't get any of this stuff here.
When you pack*:
Frantically stuff everything you could possibly need or want into the five huge honking bags you're allowed to take. Spare no space or weight. Then calm down and remove the following gear: sleeping bag, parka, mess kit, civilian clothing. You'll have laundry facilities (as well as people who will launder and fold your stuff for you for free, but it takes longer) and a PX that has everything but precisely what you're shopping for at any given moment (like, 20 billion batteries but not a single 3V lithium that'll fit the flashlight they sold you last month). Pack any special needs items. If it isn't something at least 50% of the population doesn't routinely need or use, they won't have it here. If you need a name brand anything, bring it with you or have a dozen or so care-package people lined up to supply it to you.
* An hour or two before catching the plane, if you're normal.
Unfortunately, the heaviest bag will be the C-bag (chem gear), and you'll have to bring it for the same reason you take your umbrella with you on a clear day. It's a good luck charm.
Treat your uniforms with permethrin (the shake 'n' bake variety if you can) before you disembark. If you do it a week in advance and allow them to dry naturally, there will be no smell that will seep through to the rest of your luggage.* You'll never regret having treated them.
* Although your house will smell delightful for a few days.
VERY IMPORTANT: find a brightly-colored unique tag for every piece of your luggage. Trust me. You won't regret this.
You'll be issued everything you need for work, and probably a lot of stuff you don't, once you arrive. Buy them before you leave if you wish, but you'll probably be issued a nicer one here, anyway.
Get GORTEX. I had to have my unit return the field jackets they'd ordered for us (which turns out to have been the default) and specifically request Gortex. When the rain starts to fall, the field jacket will do its job for about a day, then it'll just be soggy. Your poncho has limited utility. Make them issue you Gortex. At this very moment, our squadron is collecting the names of those who were not issued Gortex at their home station and requiring each and every one to fund the purchase of Gortex for their already-deployed members. If your home unit issues you field jackets, they're wasting their money. They'll have to get you Gortex anyway.
You can bring baby wipes, but there's plenty to be had here. For the women: don't bother with makeup. Even the inordinately vain here discover that no one notices and no one cares and it doesn't matter. It's frivolous and a waste of time and energy.
Bring something you've been planning to do when you get time but can never seem to work up the energy or interest to do, such as CDCs, night classes, CBTs or writing your dissertation. You still won't do it, but at least you'll enjoy being bored a bit more every time you remind yourself you should be working on it.
Bring pictures of your loved ones.
Bring spray-on OFF. The AF issues copious amounts of Army issue DEET that smears on like Elmer's glue. You'll use it once, then decide you'd rather risk malaria and leishmaniasis.*
* This is not to be confused with actually preferring to GET either disease, but human beings have a tendency to make choices based on short-term results rather than long-term ones, which is why so many of us smoke and eat junk food and don't exercise.
Realize it'll last until it's over and no sooner. That seems tautological, I know, but you'll find yourself wishing it was over already. This is counterproductive. Not only can you not accomplish anything worthwhile while you're feeling sorry for yourself, but an "I'd rather be elsewhere" attitude plays havoc with morale. The people around you here will absorb your attitude, whatever it is. Keep it positive, and don't forget to make fun of every conceivable target.
TravisF: CASF is right across the street from my squadron. I haven't been over there because we don't mix with your kind.
Kidding. The real reason is I haven't been maimed yet, and like most people, I don't like to be reminded of the possibility that I might get maimed, so I avoid visiting places where maimed people congregate.*
* I was just thinking of our word choices this morning, as a matter of fact. "Maim" seems harsh. IMO, Our government glosses over the real meaning by calling these people "wounded." When you've had your legs blown off, you aren't "wounded," in my opinion. You're maimed. And to think it's an unpopular war even with the euphemisms.
I have been to the hospital, though, in the course of my work. Here's the skinny: the Army is moving out of what was the CSH (Combat Support Hospital) and the Air Force is moving into the AFTH (Air Force Theater Hospital).* They're currently occupying an interesting network of tents, but there is a proper hardened facility in the works. If you see it during your rotation, I'll be surprised. Things happen quickly around here, but probably not quite that quickly.
* Same building, same patients, but we saw CSH was too pronouncable and so changed the acronym immediately.
You'll be living in modular housing here in proper beds with linens and everything. They're twin beds, so if you want to bring your own linens (and pillow--I highly recommend you bring your own pillow) you're encouraged to do so. I make no guarantee concerning the quality of linens you'll be issued. (I was issued some that were polyester. I didn't even know such a thing existed.)
We hike to the head. That isn't likely to change. Make sure you have a basket of some sort for your toiletries. You'll need a flashlight, too. They have a nice selection at the PX if you don't want replacement batteries. (I'm kidding. I'm sure they've accidentally stocked batteries that will fit some of their flashlights.)
Make sure your boots fit and fit well before you leave. This means put them on, wear them all day and take the dog for a long walk while you're at it. If they begin to chafe, now is the time to do whatever is necessary to get boots that fit properly. Like the bag tags, the importance of properly-fitting boots cannot be overemphasized. (Again...trust me.) You will be wearing them every waking hour for four months.
If you have any personal stuff that depends upon electricity, use battery power if you can. We have an interesting collage of electrical outlets and voltages here, none of which can be counted on to have the proper recepticle for the plug you're holding. Transformers are scarce. Buying one before you leave will not only weight down your luggage, but will more than likely not have the plug design you'll end up needing for wherever you thought you were going to plug it in. It's easiest to just leave non-battery powered stuff at home.
Humor: you cannot have enough of it. This is a good rule for life, but requisition extra for your stay here, if the Air Force can see its way clear to issue you some. (Some people never got their initial issue, it seems. I think someone should look into that.)
I s'pose that's enough for now. Any questions?
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