Posted on Jan 15, 2022
How should I get ready for my first deployment?
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It took me full contract to get to my first deployment. Now, with less than half a year left, I'm trying to figure out how to get ready for it... What should I bring, what are small things that will make my life better there, what to do with my truck and so on... Advice from single female soldiers who deployed recently would be the value of gold.
Just to clarify I'm not asking for the official to-do list. I'm looking for personal experiences and opinions, on what would make things easier there.
Just to clarify I'm not asking for the official to-do list. I'm looking for personal experiences and opinions, on what would make things easier there.
Posted in these groups: 
Deployment
Deployment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Try to find out what kind of site you are going to. Then start from there, like does it have internet? Is the electricity 220 or 110? Take some crocs. I took cheap flip flops and the gravel really hurt my feet. This is what I took on my last deployment:
- Laptop.
- Cravats for the sand storms.
- Definitely baby wipes. They will save you a lot of aggravation.
- Flashlight.
- 550 cord and 100 MPH tape.
- Alarm clock.
- Goggles.
- Extension cord.
- Small pillow.
Good luck.
- Laptop.
- Cravats for the sand storms.
- Definitely baby wipes. They will save you a lot of aggravation.
- Flashlight.
- 550 cord and 100 MPH tape.
- Alarm clock.
- Goggles.
- Extension cord.
- Small pillow.
Good luck.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Laptop and an external hard drive definitely. Download the VLC media player, then get a VPN and torrent all the movies and tv shows you can.
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SGT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - oh yes, those two are on the top of my packing list. Due to the fact that I'm planning to get some studying done too.
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For starters...find out where you are going and then find out what unit you are RIPing. Then, get in touch with someone from that unit and ask them exactly what will be needed at that location. Since they are the ones that are BOG, they'll know best. Find out from them what is available for purchase on site and what needs to be brought by you. These steps right here will help save you time, energy, money and weight from the bags.
As for single female perspective, you can go with that, sure. But, coming from the perspective of a married man that had single females in his unit....be mindful of where you go and when you go. For example, at night in low vis areas, I'd recommend a battle buddy. Carry a knife at all times. I would like to say that you won't have to worry about horndogs hitting on you....but if I did, I would be lying. It will happen, I just don't know how often/severe it will happen. When I was at PSAB in Saudi....married and single folk were hornier than Hell with each other, but luckily very few sexual assaults (at least, I only heard of one attempt but that was a Saudi trying to assault a US SM).
Honestly, though...It's hard to give specific personal experience advice without knowing where you will end up. That is why I suggest you contact the unit you will be replacing.
As for single female perspective, you can go with that, sure. But, coming from the perspective of a married man that had single females in his unit....be mindful of where you go and when you go. For example, at night in low vis areas, I'd recommend a battle buddy. Carry a knife at all times. I would like to say that you won't have to worry about horndogs hitting on you....but if I did, I would be lying. It will happen, I just don't know how often/severe it will happen. When I was at PSAB in Saudi....married and single folk were hornier than Hell with each other, but luckily very few sexual assaults (at least, I only heard of one attempt but that was a Saudi trying to assault a US SM).
Honestly, though...It's hard to give specific personal experience advice without knowing where you will end up. That is why I suggest you contact the unit you will be replacing.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you very much for your response! I'm still waiting on clarification where exactly me and my team will end-up, but your advice on contacting them is really good!
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SPC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - MSG (Join to see) is right, I wish I didn't have to confirm this but working my side of things it did happen. After one event, there wasn't a single knife left at the PX. Your joe's might not appreciate the Battle Buddy or Pack mentality, but it was needed. Additionally, be weary of anyone carrying frozen water bottles. Wish this could be a happier note, but it's not.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - yes I will have to switch to "be aware" mode for sure. As I spend 4 years in the unit with the most awesome brothers in arms, I do realize not everyone is the same...
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SPC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - Being a Guard unit, you will find most of these issues are from the outside coming in. That said, your unit will experience its own discipline issues. Another factor of the Reserve Component that brings disciplinary issues is that most of the Soldiers have not spent any real amount of time together outside of drill, AT, and other training. Then you pack 100+ people into close quarters for most of them their first time and regardless of rank issues pop up.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
SGT (Join to see) - Manuals if you have a CONEX or TAT boxes. Ask about civies. Bluetooth headphones and a burka. Take some long eye lashes so you will look good in a burka.
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SGT (Join to see)
MAJ Ken Landgren - this part already taken care off, my tablet has almost all pubs from FAM record , also bunch of TMs, and actual manuals for work. Also planning to study for my A&P license if time permits.
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