For those of you who may be visiting this blog looking for information about what it is like over here, and what to expect, here you go. This is not an all inclusive list - but is based what my experience has been.
The number one most important thing to remember before you deploy, or are considering to deploy here is: You are doing this voluntarily, and you are going to live in what can be described as primitive conditions.
This is the rule, not the exception. I can only talk about deployments to Afghanistan. I have never been to other theaters such as Iraq, Africa, etc. The living conditions depend on what camp or FOB (forward operating base) you will live on. Some are better than others. Some provide hard buildings or "cans". Most likely you will live in a tent with other folks. Military and civilians usually do not live together. But do not expect a "private" living area. The only thing that may affect this is if you are a high ranking civilian or your company provides such living arrangements. Be sure to bring a good supply of ear plugs! They are cheap and light.
Do not bring more than what you need. Remember, you have to hump this shit around with you every time you move. Remember, it gets very cold and VERY hot here. Most things you can buy here if you choose to. Actually, you can get everything you need here.
I carry a backpack that contains "irreplacable" stuff with me at all times. This bag contains my laptop, all important papers (make copies of everything!), external drives, medicines, and one change of clothes. Your duffle bag contains everything else. This is in case it gets lost which can happen. I wrap my duffle with bright red or yellow duct tap with my name. This makes it easy to indentify. Be sure to buy small key locks to lock your bags!
Take $200-300 cash with you. Some places only take cash. Unless you want to pay through the nose for cell service, turn off your service from the states after you get here. T-Mobile for example will let me turn off my services and only pay $9.95 a month to keep my number. Better than paying $80-100 a month for something you will not use. There are a few options for phone service here. They are basicially pre-paid SIM cards you can buy minutes for. Some phones may need to be unlocked in order to use a new SIM.
As far as your electronic gear goes - If you are bringing a laptop, I highly recommend you purchase an additional battery, power supply, and replacement drive. Replacement drives usually come with imaging or copying software so that you can make an exact duplicate. In the event your drive fails, you can simply swap the drive out without having to reload your OS. If you are running windows 7, create recovery disks. Be sure to bring a couple of external USB drives as well and make copies of your data. Download all the music and movies you think you will need. Internet access here is intermittent, slow, and sometimes non existent. Update you OS and any programs you have. Store any installation files you may need on your external drives as well. Internet speed here can be 2k. Do the math...
If once you get here and you feel the need to bitch about your Wifi connection or your slow internet, complain to the soldiers out on missions and see what happens... Don't do it! Remember, you are here to support the troops, not the other way around. Be courteous and show respect to the fighting men and women here. Chances are, they will reciprocate.
The number one most important thing to remember before you deploy, or are considering to deploy here is: You are doing this voluntarily, and you are going to live in what can be described as primitive conditions.
This is the rule, not the exception. I can only talk about deployments to Afghanistan. I have never been to other theaters such as Iraq, Africa, etc. The living conditions depend on what camp or FOB (forward operating base) you will live on. Some are better than others. Some provide hard buildings or "cans". Most likely you will live in a tent with other folks. Military and civilians usually do not live together. But do not expect a "private" living area. The only thing that may affect this is if you are a high ranking civilian or your company provides such living arrangements. Be sure to bring a good supply of ear plugs! They are cheap and light.
Do not bring more than what you need. Remember, you have to hump this shit around with you every time you move. Remember, it gets very cold and VERY hot here. Most things you can buy here if you choose to. Actually, you can get everything you need here.
I carry a backpack that contains "irreplacable" stuff with me at all times. This bag contains my laptop, all important papers (make copies of everything!), external drives, medicines, and one change of clothes. Your duffle bag contains everything else. This is in case it gets lost which can happen. I wrap my duffle with bright red or yellow duct tap with my name. This makes it easy to indentify. Be sure to buy small key locks to lock your bags!
Take $200-300 cash with you. Some places only take cash. Unless you want to pay through the nose for cell service, turn off your service from the states after you get here. T-Mobile for example will let me turn off my services and only pay $9.95 a month to keep my number. Better than paying $80-100 a month for something you will not use. There are a few options for phone service here. They are basicially pre-paid SIM cards you can buy minutes for. Some phones may need to be unlocked in order to use a new SIM.
As far as your electronic gear goes - If you are bringing a laptop, I highly recommend you purchase an additional battery, power supply, and replacement drive. Replacement drives usually come with imaging or copying software so that you can make an exact duplicate. In the event your drive fails, you can simply swap the drive out without having to reload your OS. If you are running windows 7, create recovery disks. Be sure to bring a couple of external USB drives as well and make copies of your data. Download all the music and movies you think you will need. Internet access here is intermittent, slow, and sometimes non existent. Update you OS and any programs you have. Store any installation files you may need on your external drives as well. Internet speed here can be 2k. Do the math...
If once you get here and you feel the need to bitch about your Wifi connection or your slow internet, complain to the soldiers out on missions and see what happens... Don't do it! Remember, you are here to support the troops, not the other way around. Be courteous and show respect to the fighting men and women here. Chances are, they will reciprocate.
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