Advice for junior enlisted soldiers for Deployment preparation.

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 10:16:02 -0400

In a time when our combat tours are closed and the regionally aligned force ideals are in full swing; what advice would you give your soldiers to prepare for these training missions overseas? How can they best prepare?
Please avoid being vague and give good in depth ideas when it comes to things like financial readiness and the like.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 10:16 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 10:16:46 -0400

Keep and A bag and B bag packed and ready. Keep cash and have a tourist passport on hand.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 10:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 10:25:28 -0400

First and foremost I would say ensure your family is prepared things you can do for this are:

1) Go to Jag and recieve a power of attorney and will brief and determine what you need i.e. ability to discuss credit card issues, cell phone contracts etc... if they are in the Soldiers name only

2) Ensure that your spouse or significate other has the correct access to funds to pay your bills and support themself and family. (You can also set up alottments to pay the bills)

3) Ensure they know how to contact the Rear Detachment and other agencies that can assist if they need help like ACS, Chaplain etc.

4) Develope a tentative plan on how you will communicate for the first month or so that way you can figure out what communicatins you will have on your deployment.

5) Set up a separate bank account that transfers necessary funds to just you that you will need while deployed these funds should only be accessable by you.

I hope this helps!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 15 at 2015 10:38 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Fri, 15 May 2015 10:38:13 -0400

Don't forget that you are a warrior.
1. Excel at individual marksmanship.
2. Be decent at back-ups like pistols, knives, empty hands and improvised weapons.
3. Know your individual job as best you can, weapon system, comm system etc.
4. Know Trauma management medicine. Know P-MARCH-P
5. Take care of your buddies, get them as proficient as you.
You are the do-ers. Be prepared to do.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 11:30 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 11:30:10 -0400

Mental preparedness should be a priority. Start getting your wellness in check, mentally, emmotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 1 at 2016 12:10 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 12:10:58 -0400

Monthly, Quarterly, and Semi-annual PM's on household appliances and auto etc. that the SM does should be updated and the spouse should be involved so he/she knows what to do in the SM's absence.

Although not universal, it is not uncommon:
-for couples to bicker and fight as the deployment nears. It is not that you don't love each other anymore. It is a defense mechanism. It is easier to inevitably separate from someone who is a "knothead".
-for couples to bicker and fight upon return. A routine is established and comfortable. The SM comes home and inevitably that routine will change.

Do not get a pet while the SM is gone, if you're going to do it, do it well before deployment. When I got back my wife's new cat was very possessive. It was about two months before I was not regularly waking up to the "attack cat", trying to separate my eyes from their sockets. Believe me it was not normal kitten playfulness. Eating cat fried rice was not an acceptable counter measure for my wife.

If you are newlyweds think about the timing of the spouse moving to the base. It is not fair to take 19 year old away from their support base (family and friends) to live at distant base when the spouse is deploying for six months to a year, two months before the deployment. I'm not saying don't marry, I'm saying co-locate after the deployment.

I am a pre-internet dinosaur so some of these may not be issues anymore:
-The spouse should take over the bills 2-3 months out.
-Liberty allowance should be established so there are no overdrafts.
-Establish a budget for overseas calls to each other. In the 80's a 10 minute call could be 20-30% of a junior Marine's monthly take home in the wrong port.
-Agree to a plan for regular contact. Random timing leads to unnecessary worry

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 1 at 2016 12:20 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 12:20:36 -0400

Make sure your wife/husband knows where all the important papers are. Take the time to explain. Make sure all finances are squared away. Be sure they understand life doesn't run on plastic(credit cards). Establish a budget. AND YOU, GOING DOWN RANGE DON'T SPEND SO MUCH MONEY ON PHONE CALLS!! I've seen many enlisted go deep because of this.
Make sure the check book is fully understood - if possible go to the bank and talk to someone so they know the deal and understand.
Sometimes when all that tax fee money starts to roll in, people start to spend. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Deployments end.

Response by CSM Mio Franceschi made Apr 5 at 2016 3:27 PM

CSM Mio Franceschi — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:27:12 -0400

SGT Kitchen 1) ensure DD 93/ SGLI/ Power of attorney/ ERB/ Will, are all up to date and current, do not!!!!! I SAY AGAIN DO NOT let the Soldier tell they are. Personally check each one and make sure that this is also put out at the FRG meeting prior to deployment, there is nothing worse than losing a Soldier or a WIA and there info is wrong, or the family went somewhere else upon deployment. Also make sure you get with the S1 NCOIC or Clerk and see if they have been all up loaded into the system, if not then ask when because once again if not up loaded then there not updated. I work in the Casualty Assistance Office I know what I'm talking about when it comes to taking care of families after the fact, so please trust me. Finance!!!!!! Make sure you personally check that your Soldiers have a plan for all there bills once deployed, and make sue that the married Soldiers are taking care of the family once deployed, not send a check to them, give the wife control but make sure the Soldier can check the bank account from overseas. The last and finial thing is make sure you train your Soldiers do not try to get over just because you want to go home early or your Soldiers want to go home early, bleed in training not in war.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Jul 26 at 2016 6:16 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:16:59 -0400

1) stay positive for your families. You're going into harms way at a young age and the last thing you want to do is leave with a bad impression (remember: it might be your LAST physical impression they remember.)

2) Get your personal affairs in order. Will, DD93, SGLI, POAs. Take advantage of SRP so you aren't doing this on your personal time.

3) Communicate. Talk to your family/friends. Tell them the TRUTH. Don't put up a stance like you can take on the world.

4) Listen. Your friends, fellow soldiers and families are all afraid. Let them express that to you.

5) You will see that large sum of money in your bank account-> Don't act like an idiot when you get back.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 3 at 2021 2:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 14:31:21 -0400

Get some G2 on where you will be deployed too. What are the living quarters like? Is there internet? What voltage will you use? I took my laptop when I deployed the last time. Here other items:
- 550 cord.
- Flashlight.
- Thick flip flops. I learned the hard way. It hurt like hell wearing cheap flip flops as I walked on sharp gravel to the shower facilities.
- 100 MPH tape.
- A clock.
- Ask the medics for cravats so u can use them like masks due to the sand and dust.
- Buy locks for the duffel bags.
- You can use plastic tape to differentiate your duffle bags.
- Perhaps you can buy a book in regards to the country you will deploy too. I read a book about Kuwait during Desert Storm.