About to ship on my first deployment, please share some of your experiences!

2014-01-31T13:06:42-05:00

Im getting ready to ship out for my first deployment soon, and I'm really nervous. Do you remember what your first deployment was like? What are some of your deployment experiences?

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 1:09 PM

2014-01-31T13:09:35-05:00

Deployments are the best times to focus on what it is that you do for a living and hone it to the best of your abilities without the traditional distractions of the garrison environment. Other than that, experiences vary from branch to branch, MOS' to MOS, etc...it is what you make of it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 1:18 PM

2014-01-31T13:18:07-05:00

Other than being away from Family and the everyday conviences of life, I have had some of my best experiences on deployment.  As SGT Jaynes said it varies from branch to branch and job to job, however it is what you make of it.  Depending on how busy you are on a day to day it is also a great time to get is great shape, work on you degree and save tons of money.  The best part of deployment was the lifelong friends I made there.  The expeience I gained on these deployments did not hurt my career at all either.  Sooo.... Enjoy it, learn from it, stay safe and come home and share all of that with juniors.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 1:52 PM

2014-01-31T13:52:51-05:00

I'm on my first deployment right now.
The workload is intense, and the struggle is real but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.
Keep a positive attitude and be ready to do your job, whatever it may be.
you will develop a bond and closeness with all those around you, and come out of this a stronger individual in multiple aspects of your own life. That's a promise.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 4:22 AM

2014-02-02T04:22:48-05:00

The moment you can get out of the mindset of expecting the normalities you would back home deployments can be very enjoyable. Its where co-workers become family, and you no longer just assist eachother, but rely on, joke with, and build relations. Take the time you have to improve upon yourself, and help others improve as well. Maintain a positive outlook and you can't go wrong.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 7:10 AM

2014-02-02T07:10:44-05:00

A1C Marsh,

I would say my experience was the very intense! Do physical training, take college, skip meals, read a book, and always try to Skype someone you love. If you do those things it will go smooth. Good luck!

1SG Haro

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 10:33 AM

2014-02-03T10:33:00-05:00

A1C Marsh,

I have deployed to the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Although the workload is usually much higher than what you might be accustomed to, you will adjust. The best advice I can give you is to be sure to take care of yourself; exercise regularly, eat healthy, try to get enough rest. If the job you are doing starts to wear you down, seek out help. Sometimes all it takes is to sit down and talk to a sympathetic individual like the Chaplain to get yourself back on track. Good luck and stay safe!

p.s. My son, A1C McCormick, deployed out of Moody to Iraq in 2011. For such a small base, they seem to send out a lot of people.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2014 11:14 PM

2014-02-10T23:14:49-05:00

I remember I was nervous as well as excited for my recent first deployment too. But take it one step at a time. Get involved in things in your off time while deployed. It will make deployment a much more enjoyable and rewarding experience. You meet so many new people too!

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Feb 14 at 2014 3:30 AM

2014-02-14T03:30:38-05:00

A1C Marsh:

Ensure that you keep the battle buddy system, I would encourage you to journal and ensure that you see the Chaplain in the event you need to talk to someone.

The toughest situation for me was berthing; we had an open bay set up. I would bring a good travel bag in the event you have to use the showers at the trailers.

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Feb 14 at 2014 4:35 AM

2014-02-14T04:35:25-05:00

I don't know how your deployment will be compared to my first (and current) deployment. Also the differences in branches, length of deployment, etc may result in different experiences. All I can tell you about mine is that it has been important to remember that the mission comes first. If you maintain that mindset and philosophy, you'll get over the BS and petty things that can make deployment stressful. It can be a lot of fun if you allow it to be, and don't mind working hard while getting little sleep.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Feb 14 at 2014 2:44 PM

2014-02-14T14:44:03-05:00

You're absolutely best weapon is your brain housing group. Too many people try to follow everything by the book. Keep the book for reference but mix things up. If your going into an asymmetrical battlefield, then not being predictable is you best bet. Listen to those who have experience & hopefully those who are in charge do the same. My group had awesome NCO's & mostly less than adequate officers. Yes, we must watch & protect those officers even when they do less than stellar things. Watch the locals. Learn what their norm is & what is not. Sudden absence of locals very bad. Watch the kids. They are so cute standing their holding their hands over their ears & squeezing their eyes shut it ends up distracting you that you are about to get nailed. Build good rapport with the locals. The military hasn't learned yet but locals tend to have trust in individuals, not in entire units. Eye contact is very important. Learn a bit about their culture, religion, & quirks. They will trust you more & will offer up information rather than you trying to get it out of them. If your gut tells you something is wrong, listen to your gut. Enjoy your time there. Expect the worse & plan for it. And be safe.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2014 11:25 PM

2014-05-06T23:25:31-04:00

I was pretty nervous. Mainly because I was traveling by myself for the most part, also because I knew I was representing not only myself but my unit back home. My deployment was considered an 'easy one' but it wasn't a walk in the park. Still put in long hours and the amount of work was very plentiful. I did enjoy the experience and meeting new people/friends.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 6 at 2014 11:51 PM

2014-05-06T23:51:41-04:00

I was a Senior E-6 when I went on my first "Westpac". I was reporting to USS Arkansas TAD and meeting the ship in Subic Bay, It was 13 Jun 91. Rest was History, Mt Pinatubo Erupted on the 15 with the largest Volcanic Eruption in a Century on the Earth. Front Row Seat.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 22 at 2014 7:14 PM

2014-06-22T19:14:55-04:00

If Booze is available, Don't drink too much. My first Semi Isolated Tour was a year on Adak, I stayed pretty drunk which is sad because it really was beautiful. 4 Mo's Tad on USS Arkansas Fiery Vigil/Desert Storm/Southern Watch in 91 great time, got to see Philippines, Phuket Thailand, Bahrain and Dubai. Haggling for Precious Stones and Silk Kimonos in Thailand is great fun. 1 year on Dodge (Diego Garcia) was heaven on earth. Drinking, Fishing, Diving, Camping out at the old French Guest House. 6 mos Desert Strike 96 Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Melbourne. You got me Jealous and Envious.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2014 2:22 AM

2014-06-23T02:22:43-04:00

A lot depends on where you are going. Now though a lot of the deployments are more like PCSing for 6 months as opposed to deploying. It's sucks being away from your "normal" life for that time but if you are there with a good group the time will fly. My first deployment was 01 to UAE and living in tents from May til Aug it was a blast because we were there with a great group nad made it fun instead of bitching about the bad stuff.

Response by MSgt Marvin Kinderknecht made Jul 26 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-07-26T21:37:31-04:00

I never "shipped out" but I went to japan on a troop ship. All the e-7's has booze in their AWOL bags and I had ^)(^&^*%$!! Be prepared for anything.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 26 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-07-26T21:50:53-04:00

Praying for your safety. Do things that keep you mentally and physically fit.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 10:18 PM

2015-08-10T22:18:17-04:00

Some of my best friends I met while deployed. While in Afghanistan, I worked with people from a few other countries that I still talk to today. Stay healthy, eat right, and don't be afraid to talk to people. You never know the person you are talking to could be a life long friend. And have fun. Don't stay cooped up in your room/ tent your whole deployment.