How do you feel before you are about to deploy into combat?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 14:43:47 -0500

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 14 at 2015 7:45 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 19:45:07 -0500

Ready to kick some terrorist ass.

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 14 at 2015 11:43 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 23:43:43 -0500

It felt like a responsibility. Not for any patriotic rhetoric but as a responsibility to my Marines. An opportunity to test my mettle and prove all the years of training.

Response by SPC Michael Bailey made Mar 15 at 2016 7:44 AM

SPC Michael Bailey — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 07:44:18 -0400

Excited. I always felt like a kid playing indiana jones. Even when things got bad. When I'd go out on missions I'd sit there my knee practically jumping up and down, waiting to go. Bad shit happened, and it was hard to deal with, but there was always that feel of sheer bad-assery that would come over you when you got your game face on.

What can I say. War is my drug

Response by CAPT John Harman made Mar 15 at 2016 9:21 AM

CAPT John Harman — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 09:21:05 -0400

Excited and nervous when I was a pup and landed in Saigon in 1967. Excited and concerned about my family back home when I landed in Sarajevo in 2001...

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Dec 6 at 2016 11:31 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 23:31:33 -0500

I found myself feeling happy, nervous and excited to head out on my deployment. I was going with great NCOs and my squadron was also tasked. We were at different locations in Iraq though. 3E9s (Air Force CBRN) normally do not deploy with the entire squadron to the same spots. While on my deployment, we did a lot, responded to multiple mortar attacks, etc. I learned quite a bit on that deployment as well! Thanks SPC Margaret Higgins for posting this great question....even if I am a year plus in responding.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Dec 7 at 2016 8:12 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 08:12:23 -0500

butterflies in my stomach because of done this before, wondering if I'm coming back or what is in stored for me this time, and what to say in that crazy letter I have to write to my family if I don't come back.

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Feb 10 at 2020 6:52 AM

1SG John Highfill — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 06:52:16 -0500

Frightened but then the adrenaline kicks in