So I’m deploying for the first time and I’m having mixed feelings about it. I’m excited about it but I’m also nervous. Any advice?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:13:51 -0500

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 19 at 2018 5:25 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:25:24 -0500

Jump in and get it done. Leave home at home and go all in.

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Nov 19 at 2018 5:28 PM

SGT Mark Estes — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:28:06 -0500

Live in the moment, enjoy the time with your buddies even when your board, depending on where you are, fight hard and take care of your troops. Listen to your team leader/ squad leader and have Think about all the hard work the guys did before you and build on that. Have fun and Stay safe brother!

Response by 2LT Brian L. made Nov 19 at 2018 5:31 PM

2LT Brian L. — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:31:39 -0500

It would be hard to not feel this way. Im not sure how a deployment would go for your MOS but I imagine it would be something like working in shifts? Bring plenty of movies and books and look forward to gym time.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 19 at 2018 5:50 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:50:23 -0500

What is your MOS?

Response by SSG Grant Hansen made Nov 19 at 2018 5:50 PM

SSG Grant Hansen — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 17:50:44 -0500

Being nervous is absolutely normal. If you're not at least a little nervous I'd be worried about your sanity.

The best advice I can give is to always make sure your equipment and weapons are 100% squared away every night before you sleep. Then take care of yourself. You'll work just fine with a couple days worth of grime on you, but that rifle might not fire if it gets too dirty.

Next, pay attention. If your attention lapses at the wrong time. It can have serious consequences. I'm not saying you should always be hyper alert, just pay attention. Little things can mean a lot.

Finally, listen to the guys that have been deployed before.They are a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 19 at 2018 6:19 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:19:57 -0500

Perfectly normal to feel nervous. Get ready for one of the best experiences of your life that only a small portion of the country will ever experience. My only advice is to make sure you have all the contact stuff for your family (Home address, email, Skype whatever you youngsters use these days), and make sure they have your address. They will want to hear from you when you have time, and you will definitely want care packages! Best of luck!

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2018 6:43 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 18:43:48 -0500

https://www.dfas.mil/militarymembers/payentitlements/sdp.html The following link is some info on the Savings Deposit Program (SDP). You can earn up to 10% on a savings account while deployed. I used it and well worth it. Good luck.

sdp.html

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2018 8:34 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 20:34:16 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member It is normal to be nervous when faced with life changing events. Enjoy your new challengers and adventures.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 19 at 2018 9:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 21:13:05 -0500

The safest place in the world is surrounded by your buddies.
That said, nervousness (fear) is a survival trait. It makes you sharper. That's a good thing. Use it. You should be a little nervous. Just like you should be a little excited.
We have a thing called institutional knowledge. Use it. Your NCOs are going to be passing along a lot of information while you are out there. Soak it up like a sponge. Learn everything you can. Watch what they do. Listen to what they say. There is a reason they react the way they do. They've been there before and some of those things have become second nature and they don't even realize they do it anymore. That doesn't mean it isn't important. Those habits are hard won and passed down... silly things like shaking out your boots before putting them on... so you don't have sand and critters in them... to the way people wear their kit.. watch, learn, emulate.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Nov 19 at 2018 9:13 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 21:13:56 -0500

Vast majority of troops sent overseas don't even hear combat, let alone see it. Bring a laptop. Extra hard drive for as many movies, TV shows, and games you can cram on. You will be bored.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2018 10:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 22:14:39 -0500

Completely normal to run the range of emotions. Remember you are about to do something that you will tell your kids about. No one ever asked their grandfather about what they did in college but I'm sure he had a story or two about Korea/Vietnam/Golf War

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Nov 20 at 2018 2:38 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 02:38:14 -0500

If you weren't nervous you wouldn't be human. Just do your job to the best of your ability and don't forget to really on your fellow soldiers.