First Deployment...Have some questions

Im deploying soon. What can I bring with me to make my deployment not suck as much or what can I bring to help me in my job field? I know some of you out there have more experience/deployments than I do so any input would be much appreciated.

Here are somethings im bringing
1)Laptop
2)External HD w/ movies & shows
3) Leatherman and Rescue Knife


p.s I already have SGLI and Autopay before thats is brought up

 

Bring a BIBLE with you....

 

Good luck on your tour. Will you be in KAF or out to a FOB? I am also a military medic but in the Canadian Military. I've been to KAF in 07/08. You may not feel prepared, but when you have someone dieing in your arms. All nervousness goes out the window. It's like a switch turns on and you go into work mode.

A little advise, remember you can't save everyone. I was always hard on myself when we lost someone. Always thinking what I could have done differently, etc. remember to debrief with your troops and doc after every call. it does make it easier.

Make good friends with some guys. It will make your tour go by so much fater. I hope this helps. PM me if you want any more info or stories lol.

Bring swarm clothes if your going over during the winter months. Believe it or not, it gets FN cold there.

That's about it.

 

Your going to need some type of mp3 player with you.

Invest in a head lamp with red and usually 3 stages of white light, wal mart has energizer lights for 15 bucks... and extra AAA battery's the army doesn't have these from supply!

Books to read or an application on an ipod or something similar with reading material.

Bring a few European outlet adapters with you its not going to be standard American 3 prong plugs.

Other odd items i suggest electric shaver and disposable razors, extra hygiene stuff tooth brushes... tooth paste... shaving cream. Other things that never hurt are 550 cord, duct tape, a small mirror for shaving. And something to repel sand fleas... and if your going to a remote op like me, bring laundry detergent to hand wash your clothes.

 

Would be in our military lol

 

Bring a pillow


We had mattresses in camp bastion, so bring a twin sheet.



Good flip flops, the 99 cent ones last about 2 days.


Couple good books,



Camera

 

I really have nothing to add other than a good luck, thank you, a wish I could doing the same, and the little 15 dollar head lamp that I think he is referring to is awesome I have one and love it.

 

Good luck, and thanks.

 

Don't forget some music. Check out http://www.queensryche.com/american-soldier/

Thank you!

 

Extra PT gear to wear off duty.

 

Yea I agree some of this is OPSEC by Air Force reg, im not out to bash just cover your back.....as far as the depoloyment take some things to read, Guns and Ammo Car and Driver what ever you like. and be safe...

 

Saying where he is going isn't Nec opsec he didn't say when he was leaving or where from so I think he should be fine

 

Dude if you stay at KAF hit up the British Px and buy some NUTs and ZOO magazines you will be glad you did!!!

 

NONE of this is OPSEC related. This is all common knowledge that 82nd is deploying soon. You can find that out on any news channel around Fayettville. He did not give a date, 5 weeks is broad enough to say, and what makes you think that he is honest about the whole 5 week thing anyway? OP you are good to go with this post.

\\BREAK\\

You should bring a box of ziplock baggies for all your electronics. The sand gets into everything and ruins it. As for the pillow and sheets, IMHO I think you should have someone send you that stuff in a package, as you already have a ton of stuff to carry. My recommendation is that you pack light suck it up for the first month or so, then have your family send you comfy stuff, but def bring your laptop, hard drive, MP3 player, good flip flops for shower shoes, as many cream t-shirts, socks, and underwear as possible, and a good watch. Afcrackistan is pretty built up now, so there is a lot of stuff you can buy at the PX. Also there are things that the unit you are replacing will be trying to sell to you as they won't want to bring it back with them, ex. tv's, dvd players... Keep your head up and your ass down. You will be fine, it is an experience noone will ever be able to take away from you! And thanks for your Service!

 

Pelican cases for cameras and such.

 

you are aboslutely correct. I understand where you are coming from. It is probably because the Army is so large, we are deployed so much, it is pretty much common knowledge what units are deploying and just about when. They even post it in the Army Times

 

Same thing next door to me at Bastion Air Field



I recommend also bringing photos of family and friends so can remember what you're deployed for.

 

whats up man! i am a 68WW1 SOCM (Special Operation Combat Medic) SSG/E6 which you being at Bragg should know what that is since our school is there. The best thing i can tell you is spend as much time in the GYM as you can. it will get your mind off of shit and you will take out some agresion that will definetly build up after a couple months of being around the same people. Being deployed is a great opertunity to get in shape take full advantage of it! As far as improving your medical skills did you get to go to a live tissue lab? i think it is requiered for all medics to go through it before you deploy atleast it is for us anyways. but yeah that is great training and hands on. get with your PA or Dr. and have them teach you things take advantage of working right next to medical professionals. they will teach you different proceders and maybe even let you do some of them your self if you show intrest in learning. we just did a FAST1 on my buddy a couple days ago and a jugular iv this morning just to keep our skills up. lots of time to better youself. now at the same time dont get carried away with shit make sure you have permission for the crazy shit like FAST1's and stuff dont want you to get in trouble lol. if you are lucky to be on a FOB or COP with rangers or SF get with there medics they like to teach and have lots of knowledge and experience. i love teaching medics i know you guys get shafted in your AIT and dont learn much. its all about taking a shitty situatioin like a deployment and making yourself better instead of being a miserable little bitch for a year. show the kids in your unit that you have the skills to take care of them if they go down. let them have that confedence in you to save their lives. it really is a great thing to be a medic and a good one at that people especailly in combat respect the hell out of a GOOD medic. stay safe brother and come home in better shape and as a better trained more confident medic. Rangers lead the way!

 

Thanks for the tips on making friends and not being able to save anyone. As much as I hate to think like that its the sad truth and the purpose of Triage. All i know so far is im going to Kandahar thats it ... for Opsec i dont know when or for how long or from where

Totally didnt even think of a headlamp , I have one from night BAS drills that i might have to bring , already bringing an Ipod

The army rules are pretty lax you just cant specific dates or names of people deploying. The Army times publishes which units are deploying in which month/year so yeah...

OMG i never new about ZOO mag ... You are my hero!

Yeah nailed it on Fayetteville broadcasting eerything lol . Thanks for the pointers on electronics

Yup Army Times is a dead giveaway... shoot civilians even know weeks before we do

Being at Bragg i see all you Special Forces people everywhere , im trying to network with local PAs , MEDOs , and flight surgeons right now its its going quite well. We did do a tissue lab but It happened before i PCS'd here . Our AIT does shaft us but we did learn IO procedures to the Sternum but not the leg , other than that its TQs and Combat Gauze .... I guess ill just have to learn from who I can and have confidence in what I do and hope my soldiers have faith in me.

All the Way!!

In our unit we say "Get After It" lol

 

Bring half as much stuff as you think you'll need, then take less. Obviously don't skimp on the essentials(socks, underwear), but if you're really busy, you're just gonna have a lot of shit in your room you never use that you have to pack/carry back.