| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
Fellow Buellers I am gearing up for a deployment to Iraq. I know this forum is full of current and ex-military types and undoubtedly we have family and friends who have spent some time in the sandbox recently. I have been in the military for a long time but I’ve never deployed to something like this. I’ve also been around long enough to know that the Supply chain generally sucks and that the things you may need the most are the things you can’t ever get. So what I’m asking for is suggestions for things I need to bring that I can’t count on getting through normal channels prior to deployment. I’m mostly talking about things like ballistic protective glasses, nomex gloves, etc – but I will gladly accept any input. One of the military magazines had a list like “The Top 100 Things to Pack for Deployment” of something similar but I can’t seem to find it Thanks is advance. For OPSEC/COMSEC concerns I would prefer to remain anonymous. Note to the moderator/webmaster – if anonymity is a problem, please feel free to remove this post. | ||
| Seth |
Most important... you've got to give us your name and address when you are over seas so we can all send you stuff. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
be safe, and thanks for what you - and the rest of our armed forces - do. Ferris and Denise | ||
| Anonymous |
will do and thank you - but hey - I'm not leaving tomorrow or anything. I am a long range planner - I've got some time here. Thanks again | ||
| Ryker77 |
good sunglasses... with extra lenses. Of course ballistic lenses. If your doing alot of road trips. Dust maskes might help. I allways enjoyed the 5 minutes of shower time. So nice expensive soap, lotion, toothpaste.. yes I know its gay sounding. But when your in the desert that 5 minutes of peace is a nice break. water supply. ie a camelback with extra bladder. Nice pillow good socks that can handle sweat. If allowed to wear those fancy $$$ t-shirts use them. Most of that area is built up real nice. So you'll have access to most things needed. Your not the first on the ground. Thats when it sucks | ||
| Garrett1998s1 |
Buddy of mines kid was over there a while back. One of the biggest things he wanted was new socks and undies. Guess they were hard to get a hold of over there then. Not sure if its still that big a problem now. | ||
| Spiderman |
M&M's  | ||
| Djkaplan |
Two of my riding buddies just got back with the 3rd Brigade. Soon as they get back from R&R I'll ask them what they needed the most when they were deployed. Good luck, soldier... | ||
| Buellin_ri |
I forgot towels.  Shower shoes. You may want to pick up some cheap sandles for the sowers too. Something you can bring over than throw out on your way home. I bought a 50 cent pair while over there. It depends on where your going and how stocked the BX is. I-pod, lap top, dvd player, xbox/ps2, books. you'll need something to pass the time. Again it depends on the base, but the library usually has some good dvds and books for the bubble. Sunglasses. Bring a crap load. I broke/lost about a dozen in 90 days. Depends on your job I suppose (mine was harsh on them). The base I was stationed had more damn candy than you could shake a stick at. Thats what everyone seemed to send out (thank you). Can't think of anything else at the moment. Good Luck. Hope your back riding soon. | ||
| Spreadem |
Bring some travel size toilet paper rolls. TP in the MRE's sucks when you're in the field, and you never know when and where you gotta go!  | ||
| Southern Marine |
Forget the TP, well take a roll, but use wipes over there, you'll need a lot of wipes. We had trailers with the porcelain, but most of the time you have to use porta johns. Depending on what your job is, it will determine what you may or may not need, but they have a LOT of stuff in the stores over there (gear, candy, some junk food, etc...) Some fellow BadWebbers sent me some goodies and I was extremely thankful. We went through coffee and beef jerky like crazy, popcorn as well. There is more stuff available, but it makes troops, anyone, feel good to get mail, packages, etc.. I didn't go out in the field, worked with the network and computers, so I didn't need a camelback, etc.. We had bottled water everywhere. Depending where you are, we had problems with water, a lot, mainly for showers, so a shower bag came in handy but you can use the bottled water as well to do s drip shower. Good Luck | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Like Southern Marine said it depends on your job/ branch of service/ base on what you are going to need. Have you spoken with anyone in your unit that has previously deployed? They may have more info. | ||
| Chasespeed |
good sunglasses... with extra lenses. Of course ballistic lenses. My unit uses WileyX glasses. The have clear as well as different smoked lenses. And get some extra lenses. They also have foam on the face side, which will help keep the sand and dust outta your eyes...the sandstorms can be VISCIOUS. Camelback(shoudl be issues to you, CHECK). Hand sanitizer(if you are really concerned about keeping yoru hands clean)... A kerchief, to cover your nose/mouth, in one o fthose dust storms... And those expensive shirts mentioned, "Performance Tees", they shoudl be issue as well, depending on who you are deploying with. But you should be able to grab the at your base exchange. extra socks, and underwear... as much personal grooming things as nesecary, razors, toothpaste, etc... You might wanna grab a small plastic bottle, to keep CLP in(gun oil for those that dont know), and a couple of lint free rags, KEEP THAT WEAPON CLEAN...the dust is freaking horrid in those things.. Another thing, if you are on some long term meds, for..whatever, get your orders to medical, and aquire...I belive its 90-120 days on them. will give your supply chain a slight break. Depending on your unti, your medic, corpsman, whatever you have where you are...may have to carry them in is box... There are more things..but, alot of them are location specific...so... Biggest thing I can tell you, the trip will be what you make of it...I havent been there, in about a year...but its hell...that place will suck the life outta you, IF YOU LET IT. It gets freaking hot, then at might, the temp drops... Anyway. Again, make the best of it, and, if you can, keep your head down, and hopes up.... Oh, good luck brother...sucks you have to go...but, its a fact of life now...when you get back, enjoy that money, spend it on a new bike(how I bought my buell)... Chase} | ||
| Dave |
You're concern is OPSEC not COMSEC Make sure your family and friends have a good address for ya. Letters from home was always a big plus. DAve | ||
| Anonymous |
opsec, comsec, what the heck - I always lump them together - thanks for all the input. I was thinking, if everybody here mailed me just one piece of a Uly........how long would it take for me to reassemble the baddest bike in the desert? Of course, it would have to be black....... | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Don't forget the portable personal forcefield, & the invisibility device. They've always worked for me, those damn martians haven't caught up with me yet!  | ||
| Spreadem |
Anony- OPSEC is more of not giving sensitive info that can be used to piece together a mission. I.E. Unit, installation, your MOS, dep. and return dates, etc. Simply telling people you're going downrange,and nothing more, isn't really a violation unless you're a clandestine field op.  I'm sure there are some B-Webbers who'd like to keep in touch with you and send you care packages while you're gone. Let everyone know if there's anything else we can do while you're gone to help you out! | ||
| Voltage_vector |
everyone has it covered, good luck, and stay aleart... and come back in one piece  | ||
| Blublak |
For OPSEC purposes, if you want you could select a single BadWebber as your 'clearing house'. All things go through the clearing house and then once washed once, out to you at point 'X'. Sounds kind of complex, but works for some folks I know. Then again, if you're in the regulars, a good military address will take care of most of that 'OPSEC'. As for COMSEC... Well, that's gonna be on you. After all, we can't tell you anything about you're job that you don't first impart on us.. Capice? No matter what, walk with the angels and come back to ride with us ASAP. | ||
| Chiefiron |
Hey man, im writing you from the sandbox and half way into my 3rd year. unless you are a marine in the field,{most of them have it pretty tough over here}, i have yet to find all i needed in the base PX's, that hasnt always been the case but i think they pretty much have it figured out now and some of the remote ones have all the good stuff, not as many REMFS around. bring only what you need because i have no doubt that you will leave with more than you came with, even those highspeed shirts. most units issue all the protective gear you will ever need or want so dont blow the bank on extra stuff that you have to carry. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
hey Cheif, You got it pretty good. Last time I deployed, damn comm guys blocked all forums. | ||
| Southern Marine |
Hey, I didn't block BadWeb when I was over there.  Just Porn | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Allah doesn't like porn.  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Southern, I used Badweb to verify connectivity in every new data center we put up :-) G2 | ||
| Seanp |
I spent 15 months in Iraq from APR03 to JUL04. Which FOB are you going to? I am in Kuwait now, but I was up in Iraq at a few FOBs last fall. That whole place is nice - they've got really nice PXs, the DFACs are awesome, and you can buy almost anything you'd want. One thing you might want to do is to pack your underwear/socks/t-shirts in gallon zip-lock bags. I had 21 gallon bags that I packed a clean set of underclothes in, (three weeks' worth) and it was great because it kept the dust and sand out of my boxers, socks and tees. But really, unless you're going to some small FOB somewhere far off the beaten path, you've got it made nowadays... | ||
| Navygunner |
Hey Anonymous, I am currently in the sand box and like Chiefiron said don't bother bringing to much stuff. They have everything you need at the BX. I wish you were replacing me. I have a ton of stuff I have accumulated here some lucky sailor/soldier will get in April. I am streamlining everything on my exit. Half a seabag is all I'm returning with! | ||
| Navygunner |
Hey seanp, Any chance you are around the coast (Can't get to specific) I have a lot of stuff I am getting rid of and you can have it if you want(Cooler, Underarmor shirts, New camelbacks and a Ton of MC mags and movies). Ping me if you are interested. I'll be here till Mid April. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
thank you for your service to our country. be brave, and come home safe. D | ||
| Lowflyer |
Bring extra socks. Preferably ones without mates. Dirty ones are okay. The Marines will show you what to do with them.  | ||
| Anonymous |
Hey again Been away for a few days and have to say again I really appreciate all the input. Recently we acquired a former SeaBee with 2 previous tours in Iraq who served as their chief convoy security guy. Got to talking about equipment, specifically load bearing vests and holsters (I'll probably be carrying a pistol at least part of the time). Looks like the only thing we can count on being issued is an set of OD Alice suspenders and web belt. I have no problem spending personal $ for this kind of stuff. He strongly suggested a shoulder or vest mounted holster versus one on the belt. My primary concern is function - I'll go for anything that gives me a better chance of staying alive and keeping my guys alive. We'll be Air Force pukes on an Army base. I've never been in a hostile environment and I don't want to come off like John Wayne. I'm thinking something like this but as always I value your input (not you lowflyer!) Thanks  (Message edited by midnightrider on February 06, 2006) |
