Deployment to Afghanistan... (UPDATED 06. Dec 2006)
 

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Good luck and be safe. Please know that there are many of us that do support our troops regardless of politics.

For what it's worth, God speed (this is a nice thing to say from Christians).

Thank you for your service to our country.

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Thanks for the service. I was in Iraq, but from my friends in Afghanistan conditions are about the same, but the bases in Afghani get less funding for MWR facilities. My advice... Travel light. It's a pain lugging two or three C-bags, and luggage around from plane to helicopter, then your flight gets cancelled and you lug it off the plane back to the hangar, then back to temp billeting. It is just a pain. Most things you need you can snag at a PX/BX along the way, or will receive in care packages (or someone else's care package who already has two years supply of shampoo).

Depending on where you end up in Afghan, winters are bitter cold, summers are hot. Make friends with people in Supply, they have the good gloves, and such (rather than wasting money at the PX/BX). My main advice. Phone cards, if you see a deal on phone cards, grab as many minutes as you can, that is what you will spend most of your money on. If you have a laptop, bring that if you're comfortable with it being in not the greatest of conditions. Otherwise, bring something to entertain yourself during those down times (Gameboy, DVD Player, books). At the hangars they usually have a pile of books you can go through and grab whatever you like.

Bring photos of friends and family, I had my little photo album with me, and on shitty days that brought a huge smile to my face. Once you're in Kuwait (where you'll probably be sent first), shipping to your base should be free, so, get what you need at the PX, get a trunk, and ship it instead of lugging it with you.

Good luck, be safe, and if you can stay in touch. It's a royal pain in the ass at the FOB's to get a consistent internet connection, and even then most websites are blocked. Oh, and unless they've pinned it down, Google Chat would occassionally work (was always nice to be able to IM somebody).

My advice, go light, oh and if you have a multi-tool, or knive you particularly like, bring it with you. I ordered two sets of either (didn't like the selection at the PX), and my packages of books always made it, but those packages "disappeared" in the military postal system.

If you like alcohol, poor out some bottles of Listerine, poor in vodka, and dye it to match the Listerine, and ship it to yourself.

How long is your tour over there?

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I've got a friend in afghanistan with the Royal Engineers right now, the best advice he gives is to drink a crap load of water.

Beyond that, expect to get mortared and keep your wits (and gun) about you. The British deployment and base system is different, so whats been said above is more appropriate to you yanks.

But good luck out there anyway!

I don't support the war, but I do support the people who are risking their lives for ours.

Thank you for being brave enough to be one of those people:). The best of luck to you and from what I know (my cousin was recently in Iraq) we still talked via IM and email quite often so keep in touch with us when you can!

If anyone sends a package, make sure they send it through USPS, FedEx or UPS will cost much more, and take forever to get there. It should only cost senders as much as it would to send anywhere in the US. The being able to send letters for free is a great service, and you can ship an entire trunk filled with stuff (under 70 lbs of course) for $45-90 depending on how fast of a service you request.

At a main base I found it took about 2 weeks for letter to get to the base or back home from the U.S. At an FOB it generally took 3-4 weeks for letters. My Amazon shipments usually arrived within 2-3 weeks, and others took at least a month. I had a few boxes take 3 months to get to me.

You may have Ugandans working Security on base. They are the nicest people in the world. Buy a soccer ball at a PX, kick it around and you'll have an instant startup game (sometimes the Iraqi Army trainees will come out and play too). The fields will more than likely be just a hard dirt field with poorly built posts for goals. Bring some comfortable shoes if you plan to do that, my indoor adidas did alright.

The first few times a mortar or rocket hits nearby you it will freak you out, but you will quickly learn what you need to worry about and what you do not.

Sounds like you will have 12-14 months in country. I really wish they would cut back on tour lengths. Twelve+ months is extremely rough. Hopefully they will offer some decent vacation time. If you're single and do not have a family to go back and see I would certainly take that opportunity to go somewhere you have always wanted to go.

If you have any more questions keep firing them away.

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Weapons I am not so sure about. The infantry guys have a different setup then the Marines I was around. Each service also has their own way of divying out weapons. I know with the Marines E5's and below usually were carrying around M4's. As far as rifle mounted flashlights and such, if the military thinks you MIGHT need it at least once they will give it to you, and you might find out it's extra weight, but that ONE time you do need it you will certainly be glad you have been lugging it around.

They will issue you the weapon at Bragg, and I do not think you will have much choice on what you get. Ammo I believe they issue before missions, if you use even a single round be prepared to have to make a report about it (don't let paperwork make you afraid of using your weapon though).

Xepherys, once you know your address I would like to send a care package or two and I'm sure others here might too. Train hard and stay safe.:icare:

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If you need supplies, instant message me. I've already sent a shitload of stuff to Iraq through charitable organizations (everything from jackets to DVDs).

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Really~! The thing is, whether I agree with the war or support the troops in all their actions, there are a lot of good people in a lot of danger over there. While I won't send you weapons (I'm sure you'll have enough anyway), I'm glad to send over stuff that will help make it more bearable or safe for you guys. My cousin's husband is in Baghdad right now, and he asked to get the DVD of Little Man (there's no acocunting for taste) and a fleece jacket for when he sleeps. I was happy to send something. I know that Little Man means a lot more to him than it would mean to someone safe at home.

That's a hell of a long time to be away from your wife and child. :( I am sorry to hear that you have to go through that... I know you signed up for it with eyes open, but I don't envy you, man. I hope you'll be able to check into TFP whenever possible and let us know how it is; most of all, though, I hope you'll be able to stay in as much communication with your wife as possible. Get lots of phone cards, yes! :)

the folk who get sent into harm's way are not the ones who make the policies.

take care of yourself, xephyrx.
like others have said, check in from time to time, when you can, and let us know what the world looks like where you are.
but mostly stay safe.

i have real problems with the reasons we're in iraq, but it would appear that the dude responsible for the attack on the WTC is hiding with his minions in either afghanistan or pakistan. i spent a couple of years in viet nam and had no idea why we were there other than to beef up defense contractors wallets, but hopefully you are going to afghanistan with a purpose. learn your job, do it well, and send that son of a bitch to the promised land...

Anything you do can only help our men and women in Afghanistan.

Thanks and good luck!

May whomever you pray to and whatever guardian angels you have look over you in your hours of need. Woe be to those who try to harm our service people. (Wink)

Candles will burn for your safe returns.

Agreed. Once you know where we can send stuff, please drop us a line as to where we can send it.

Take care of yourself, man. I'll be thinking of you.

Thanks again everyone. I'll certainly do my best to keep in touch. :-)

Please stay safe, and warm. A picture of your wife and kid handy (in your wallet or something) will surely help you feel better and warmer.
I have immense respect for all who show such devotion to their ideals and country.
Take care, xepherys.

First of all, thank you for your sacrifice and service. My bf came home recently and is done and out of the Marines, although in about a year or two he'll be returning after going to OCS (after finishing his college degree).

Second, Motomail is awesome. The people in your life can send you letters instantly, and although they won't be handwritten, they'll get to you much quicker than by regular postal mail. http://www.motomail.us

Sign up at http://anysoldier.com/ when you're overseas - you might get more than you bargained for (in a good way).

I know you're in the Natl. Guard, but Semper Fi!

-Sue

Thanks for the tips, Sue... and the further kind words from everyone.

No prob xep :) Take care.

Come back safe. Be on the lookout for anything and everything.

I would take a crash course in Afghan Persian, Dari and Pashtu languages. It's best if you know a little bit of the language. I would also know quite a bit about the muslim religion before I went there.

Good luck!

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Are you with the Army? If so, look into their Rosetta Stone program. I believe they give you access to a website that has all the Rosetta Stone language learning software (in all their full glory). You cannot download them, but you can go through them online. Unfortunately, when you are in Afghanistan you probably will not have a decent enough connection to be able to successfully access that feature.

Hi! my boyfriend is a recent addition to the 82nd airborne- 4th brigade. do you know if you are leaving when they do, with them, or are you being attached to another portion of the 82? I have no idea whats goin on with his group, and he just got there and hasnt been told much.

Lauryn

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My dad donated sunglasses (apparently the ones issued are few and far between but this was for Iraq.)

I don't know if you need them or not but looking into a really good pair wouldn't hurt.

Ditto on the address and the mail bit. I know I don't know you personally but I would love to write to you.

Oh, sunglasses, as far as those go, normally they give out the Wiley-X's, but if you can try and get some Oakley M Frames from supply. From what I noticed that was what most the infantry guys had.

Oakley M's... I'll give it a shot. Thanks!

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