What are your tips for a first time deployer?

2018-08-16T20:51:27-04:00

I will be deployed overseas for the first time in the near future. This was short notice. I have an idea of what I should pack, but my unit has not provided much guidance on what a service member ought to do before they leave. This is where I rely on your help. So far I am making a will, addressing a power of attorney and leaving some cash for my family. Any recommendations on cell phone carriers? I live in the northeast so I'm afraid my car will be snowed in/plowed on, and I cannot park in the barracks. Should I renew my vehicle registration and/or suspend my car insurance? I've also alerted my banks and got a credit card with zero foreign transaction charges. Thank you all.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Aug 16 at 2018 9:06 PM

2018-08-16T21:06:56-04:00

Will and power of attorney is great, just make sure it's people you trust entirely (seen it bad with family before sadly). A medical power of attorney is also worth looking into.

The cash for your family could be put into a bank account that you control and you transfer it as needed. Rights of survivorship on the family member of choice just in case the worst happens.

For the car, can you leave it with family? Is there a place you can park it off the street and out of the weather? For the insurance, it would be best to call your insurance company and inform them you are deploying. Generally you can lower your insurance to collision insurance at the minimum to meet legal requirements. Also speak to the DMV as they might suspend the need to renew your car until you get back or something similar (my wife renewed mine).

Alerting the banks is good, make sure you save as much of that sweet tax free money as you can.

Where will you be going?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 16 at 2018 9:08 PM

2018-08-16T21:08:02-04:00

Make sure that all of your ducks are in a row here in the states before you head out. Make sure that your belongings are safe and that whatever bills might need to be paid are set up to be taken care of. Make sure that whoever might need a Special or General POA have them and make sure that you REALLY trust that/those people. The less stuff that you have to worry about back here the more you can focus on the mission and, more importantly, staying alive.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 16 at 2018 9:15 PM

2018-08-16T21:15:15-04:00

What is your units mission? Pack in accordance to it, while packing to anticipate the ability to change. You’ll never be able to pack everything. As the rest, the Army has a pre-deployment checklist. It’s basic, but a solid means of getting the basics down. The command sets the tone on that, and all of your personal items should be squared away at that point. Have you thought of having a family member or REALLY good friend deal with the vehicle using a specific POA? On the car insurance thing, check with who has you now. They can cover the car while it’s being stored at a cheaper rate. A lot of dudes i rolled with sold their vehicles. It might be something to think about.. especially if you have nowhere to store it. Cell phone service? Stateside or deployed? If deployed depending on where I wouldn’t worry about it. In the Stan, all the cellphones were ‘monitored’ by various out of country but state owned entities. It wasn’t worth the headache after awhile. I’m missing a few things, but i hope you get the gist of what I’m sayin.
In the end, come back the same way you left. Kick ass and take names(not the names of crayons).

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 16 at 2018 9:28 PM

2018-08-16T21:28:48-04:00

Make yourself a couple of carepackages of things you might want.
Nothing with liquid in it. But razors, spare phone charge, 6 pack of socks, stupid stuff. Have a couple of them boxed up and tell a family member to drop the first one in the mail 30 days have you leave and the second one 60 days out.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 16 at 2018 9:50 PM

2018-08-16T21:50:39-04:00

GREAT QUESTION ! I would like to add a query of my own. Are ‘Geneva Convention’ cards still issued prior to deployment?

Mine was issued before shipping to Korea in May of 1954 when it was still considered a ‘war zone’.

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Aug 16 at 2018 10:24 PM

2018-08-16T22:24:32-04:00

They should have a secured lot on post for you to leave your car (exposed to the elements and no one checks on it). You might want to keep your insurance just incase.
I kept my phone plan, but left my phone in storage with my other possessions.
My only advice is to save your money and don't make any large unnecessary purchases when you get back.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 17 at 2018 12:13 AM

2018-08-17T00:13:04-04:00

Talk to the JAG's. They have check sheets and they also have a lot of institutional knowledge about the other stuff that you have questions with (Cars, insurance, banking, etc).
Semper Fi buddy, give em hell and take care of you and your fellow Marines!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2018 12:15 AM

2018-08-17T00:15:48-04:00

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member If you are married, make sure that you have a friend or relative that can assist your wife with anything that comes up. Semper Fi Marine.

Response by PO1 Raymond Fochler made Aug 17 at 2018 6:50 AM

2018-08-17T06:50:38-04:00

Some helpful advice from someone who ruined his car during my first deployment. They make additives to add to gas tanks that will be sitting for a long time. Either that or make sure its bone dry before it sits for 6-12 months....

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 17 at 2018 12:23 PM

2018-08-17T12:23:39-04:00

Did they discuss securing property in your barracks room?

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 17 at 2018 2:12 PM

2018-08-17T14:12:23-04:00

Where is the deployment?

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 17 at 2018 5:24 PM

2018-08-17T17:24:38-04:00

What kind of deployment?
is it a MEU, Oki for 6 months or fly to destination unknown? The difference matters

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Aug 17 at 2018 6:33 PM

2018-08-17T18:33:06-04:00

1. You need three documents: Your last will and testament, a general power of attorney, a medical directive. Generally you can get these done at JAG offices. (However, if you are a member of a tribal nation, please go to a local attorney who specializes in Indian Law. I've seen way too many screwed up JAG wills for tribal members that didn't comport to tribal/federal Indian law.) The general power of attorney needs to have two (2) people who are named to use the power. Just in case one gets ill. The Medical Directive needs to have two (2) people who can carry out your medical wishes. The Medical Directive needs to be as specific as possible concerning certain incidences, such as resuscitation. Do you want resuscitation if it's nearby and no major medical issues would be involved, etc. Talk with your doctor about all those various situations and put them in the Medical Directive. Then you need to really discuss with your family what you really want done should you be unable to make medical decisions for yourself. And then, this is the hardest part, do you want to have your parents/girlfriend/etc. be the one to make the decision to end life saving treatment? I know some who don't want to put their parents through that, so I have been the one who would do it. (It's always the attorney in the family who gets this.) Also, I talked at length with that soldier to understand every possible medical procedure that may or may not be wanted.
2. Talk with your car insurer to make sure that your vehicle is covered should something happen to it. You won't need driving insurance itself. Also, make sure you pickle the car if you are going to be gone for more than three months. Suspend your car registration. Call your state DMV and inform them of the situation. Generally, they will be able to suspend the registration until you return.
3. Cell phone carriers must comply with the SCRA. They can't charge you to get out of the contract due to your deployment. It may make sense to ditch the contract or to go to the cheapest plan while you are deployed. Then leave your cell phone in a safe place while you are out of the country.
4. Go to your bank and sign up to be able to make wire transfers to certain bank accounts if you need to. Also sign up for automatic payment of bills, such as your cell phone, car payment, car insurance. Make sure you can access your bank account from overseas if necessary. Credit cards should be guarded very carefully. Don't allow anyone else to be a signer/user of your credit card. Your bankers are more than happy to help you out.
5. Review any other contracts which you may currently have to see whether or not the lower interest rate under SCRA applies. If the contracts do fall under the SCRA lower interest rate, let them know in writing when you are leaving and when you are returning. Make sure to check the bills to see that the lower interest rate is being applied.
Best of luck to you!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2018 10:18 PM

2018-08-17T22:18:22-04:00

Do not cancel your insurance, it will just cost more to restart it. Deployments are the reason I keep re-uping. Garrison drove me up the the wall. But deployments were something else. You will remember it as the worst/best times of your life. At the time you will be cursing up a storm on how much you hate it and want to go home...but then months even years later, you will be doing something normal like washing dishes or changing your oil and you will remember something from a deployment and crack a smile and laugh. My one major tip for you is for you to make memories while deployed. Pranks, deep conversations with your brothers. Those are the things that make a deployment the greatest experience on earth.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 17 at 2018 10:58 PM

2018-08-17T22:58:16-04:00

Surely to the Lord your unit has a deployment checklist. Shots, Will, POA, Vehicle security, family plan. A fricking cell phone!!!!!! Damn fat lot of good that will do you in a fire fight. You can use MARS, letters, tape recorders, etc.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 5 at 2018 9:30 PM

2018-09-05T21:30:10-04:00

I try to buy a book about the places I am deploying too. It makes it more interesting.