Has anyone deployed as a 42A? What was it like?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 03:48:17 -0400

As I am still young in my 42A career I am just curious if any of you gave deployed as a 42A and paint a picture for me.I am expecting my time to come soon.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 3:49 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 03:49:47 -0400

*have

Response by SSG James Behnke made Oct 30 at 2017 4:39 AM

SSG James Behnke — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 04:39:26 -0400

Was not deployed as a 41A but served as an 11B and saw them routinely. Most likely you would have shift work within a building on whichever base your unit is assigned. There are certain details or duties that could require you to perform guard duty or convoy patrols but they are not typical for your MOS.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 5:42 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 05:42:45 -0400

I deployed as a 42B in charge of the S1 section. SSG James Behnke is correct - we worked shift work. Awards were processed mostly during the night shift. The biggest problem I had was to keep my people engaged in S1 stuff - the company routinely pulled them away for details. The end of the tour was the busiest because of all the awards we had to process. My section was the C1 section for MNF-NW in Mosul, Iraq in 2005. We deployed as a Regiment (Brigade) S1 section, but turned into a Division-level C1 with two subordinate Brigades to support. As we began to process to redeploy, those two brigades plus our headquarters all submitted their end of tour awards - easily in the thousands.

Casualty reporting was one of the other major duties. We would have to track each casualty report from initial report to final notification to family.

Tracking leaves and passes is a little different. Our COL had a policy that everyone would take a pass and mid-tour leave. We had to plan out when everyone was going to take their leave so a section wasn't left empty. We had to get that done within the first couple months.

Standard S1 stuff continues during deployment - personnel accounting from the units and reporting it higher, evaluations continue to be processed.

I actually ended up with CFC chairman duties during my tour. I had to do the collections and get the forms from my location to the mail at the airfield and report to a higher level chairperson in Germany.

My section was based with the headquarters at Spearhead palace - across the city from the airfield. The airfield had all the stuff. The Brigade downstairs took on the responsibility of running a small PX, so we did have access to stuff. We also had a couple of cleared shop owners that ran two small stores on our base. I remember the $5 DVDs. That's how I got to see Star Wars 3 and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

We worked 12 hour shifts. Initially I gave my troops one day off; later it became 1/2 day when we assume Division level roles. We had a giant mess tent with some pretty awesome food. They served four meals daily (the fourth being a midnight meal for the night shift).

We lived in containerized housing units (CHUs) - basically tin cans with two bunks, two footlockers, and two night stand tables. I used my footlocker as a table top during my off time for my laptop. My CHU had several places where it was patched with packing tape and cardboard. One of the details was to sandbag everything in the living area.

I'm probably leaving out a bunch - but it has been 12 years since I deployed. Hopefully this answers your question at least somewhat.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 7:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:46:31 -0400

SPC Jamie I am SGT Calhoun, S-1 NCO. I have Deployed 3 times as an S-1 and may get a 4th before I'm out. Much of what MAJ Grove said still applies today. Depending on which level of command you work at will determine what type of work you may have to do. I have worked everything from Mail, Casualty Assistance, I.D. Cards, and the rest of the normal S-1 duties. The amount of hours you put in can be the most stressful thing of all. Remember to continue to adapt and over come. Sometimes things might get tough but try to consider what those Soldiers on the ground are going through at the time. Remember it's always about the team and looking out for one another. The work is just that "WORK". It's something to pass the time. The important piece is being there for your fellow Soldiers when the time comes.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 7:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 19:47:13 -0400

MAJ Frobe sorry for the auto correct

Response by SSG Alonzo Evans made Oct 31 at 2017 7:08 AM

SSG Alonzo Evans — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 07:08:10 -0400

I deployed day after Christmas from Germany as a 42A2O in 1990 during Desert Storm/Shield. Remember, you're a soldier first. Take your common task skills training serious. At our first site, we spent hours filling sandbags and building fighting position. So, don't let anyone tell you just because you're in a rear element that you do not soldier is like. One other thing, and we did perimeter security.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2017 8:06 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 20:06:33 -0400

I deployed as a 42A F4. Postal Supervisor. it was interesting. Did a lot of travel by Helo in Afghanistan. but nothing spectacular.

Response by SSG Andreas von Clausbruch made Nov 2 at 2017 2:11 PM

SSG Andreas von Clausbruch — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 14:11:53 -0400

I hope that you take in everything to experience and keep a healthy mindset. It does come to an end. You will have cherished memories.

Response by SGT Dick Gonzo made Nov 5 at 2017 2:04 AM

SGT Dick Gonzo — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 02:04:24 -0500

Get them typing fingers ready for the awards you be doing, not to mention E4 and below were mostly tasked out details.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2017 10:13 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 10:13:54 -0500

I was never deployed but I heard they will assign you some where as a battalion/ brigade driver doing errands like driving officers to debriefings and as a messenger of some sort.

Response by SPC Joe Heinaman made Nov 13 at 2017 7:02 PM

SPC Joe Heinaman — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:02:08 -0500

Yes I have deployed as 42A.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2017 2:30 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 14:30:32 -0500

Depends on what your mission is, a 42A is a very versatile person when it comes to deployment. S1 or G1 is a common assignment where you will be tasked with processing awards, leave, updating of personnel records and etc.
Mail clerk is another option and requires the F5 identifier. You will work out of the postal room the entire time.
I personally deployed in a small team as casualty liaison. You take reports of serious injuries and casualties and send it through the channels to state side.
We also had R5 platoons in my company which essentially worked the flight manifests for major flight lines.
So as you can see there are a lot of options of why you could be doing wherever you go.

Response by SGT Jared Hickle made Nov 17 at 2017 2:10 AM

SGT Jared Hickle — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 02:10:08 -0500

SPC Jamie M,

Being a 42A has a great variety when it comes to job description. Many 42A's work as part of a G1 or S1 section, some as postal personnel, and some work for a company. I deployed to Afghanistan a state part of a S-1 Section and they worked on shifts. I was then move to a different camp as a company HR Specialist with different roles such as PERSTAT, R&R packets, updating ERBs and ORBs, Awards, tracking tasks, etc. I also helped the supply sergeant a great deal and learned a lot about the 92Y MOS. During any down time while still in the office I completed over 600 hours worth of correspondence courses (note it doesn't actually take 600 hours to complete them). At the end of the day, there are a great variety of jobs you can do, it's all about what type of assignment you receive. So continue learning your role as a 42A and continue to learn how to research items. It's not about knowing the answers, but how to find them. If you keep doing that, you will always be successful.

Response by SGT Lenny Johnston made Nov 29 at 2017 10:23 PM

SGT Lenny Johnston — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 22:23:49 -0500

Where?.. know your shit...and rub elbows with those on the compound if you are deploying... PAX Term..if you are on an airfield...upper command if on a big compound..meet up with other personnel people..they will show you around..and also..if there us a finance detachment...go see them as well..make no mistake..you will need TLs

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2017 2:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 02:25:15 -0500

Yes I have I been to iraq and afghanistan. It depends on the unit you deploy with because you can be send to do 11b work or unit just want you to track personnel.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2017 8:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:41:35 -0500

You will have long days....especially during EOT Awards season

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2018 8:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 08:25:21 -0400

I've deployed 4 times as a 42A. First time I was working the gateway in Kuwait back when there was R&R. My job was to put people on a plane and send them back to work
Second: Kuwait again, I was working as a ACENT rep assisting ARCENT SMs with their paperwork needed to come home. I specifically was in charge of the O6 and higher and E9s.
Third: I was working at the JMMC in yet Kuwait again. Later I got moved to UAE to be the NCOIC of a post office that had about 10 customer a week.
Fourth: KUWAIT again. I should just move there and save the Army some money. This time I was back working the Theater Gateway again but on the other side. I was scanning everyone that was coming in and out of theater.