what is a deployment to Iraq like for national guard?

Question

it's my first deployment and my unit isn't telling me anything, I'd like to know about the six months of conus training (if they still do that) and possibly any tricks from veterans on what to expect and what to bring with me to help me survive. anything you can tell me will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Not much different than for that of an active duty guy.

If possible try to find out what FOB you are going to be stationed at. Some of the larger FOBs have ISPs who will provide Internet access so a laptop computer, webcam and headset/microphone would make communicating with home a lot cheaper.

Another thing that is likely is that there will not be a whole lot of entertainment during your off-duty time. (I did not mind working 12-hour shifts with no days off because there was not much else to do.)

If there are any particular brands of shaving cream, soap etc. that you prefer - take a supply with you and make sure somebody back home knows your preferences. otherwise you will have to use the one brand carried by the PX that month.

One of the things that I was glad to have was an aftermarket rifle sling. It was much wider and padded so it was much more comfortable to carry around all the time for a year.

Good socks. Spend the money at clothing sales and buy the $10 each socks. Your feet will thank you for it.

Have your unit get extra 'shake-and-bake' mosquito repellent kits. Generally they will order one for each of your uniforms but forget about your PT uniforms. As a result when you are off duty and hanging around in your PTs you will get eaten alive by the mosquito's.

Answer 2

This is an answer I know about . I was deployed with my national guard unit . Well you should bring some civilian clothing (about 4 sets) because you are going to want to change into during your conus training. Just remember to mail them home just before u ship off. If you wear glasses make sure u spend the money on having your prescription put in your wiley X's . also on the conus side make sure your cellphone works there and get some caling cards. they will come in handy to iraq and conus.

Best to pack light and buy items when you are setteled overseas (iraq)

Get a psp. it is a life saver with all the traveling. Before you ship off make sure u have some cash to buy old tv's and refridgerators from other soldiers in Iraq. The cashier lines in iraq can be long and with your money you could buy things quicker and settle quicker.

Good luck

Answer 3

Try to bring comfort items like a CD player etc. Don't bother with civilian clothing. I had a crock pot mailed to me so I could have something other than mess hall food all the time. I'm not sure about housing but I hear it has improved quite a bit. I was there in the first year of the war and either slept in a tent or on top of a truck. Clean your weapon every day. I never put oil on mine because of the dust. I used to see idiots walking around with duct tape covering all the openings on their rifle. That told me they never cleaned their weapon. Probably clerks or something. Get used to never having any privacy. Good luck and take care.

Answer 4

definite, 4 hundred days is start to end from the day he comments to the unit for mobilization. that's in keeping with 12 months plus bypass away and demob. don't get caught up in the 4 hundred days. they are going to return in "a pair of million 12 months". Demob will ensue. they are going to calculate the bypass away for each man or woman man or woman and amend each and each Soldier's orders to cover the bypass away on the decrease back end. squaddies who've deployed before earn better bypass away and would boost fairly some days. Our 4 hundred day orders have been marked as 12 months and started July 18. We decrease back to the states June 22. i became homestead on June 30 and stayed on orders until Aug. 13. Demob is approximately a million week from plane landing to so long, out the door. Kuwait to Iraq is usually 2-3 weeks. We did Oct. 9 to Oct. 22. It relies upon on while they are mandatory in Iraq and what elective preparation the unit signs and indications up for. it may be as low as a million week, yet that's no longer ordinary.

Answer 5

Why dont the idiots keep their mouths closed? If folks cant actually answer, then dang, move on to another question. Geesh.

Anyway...gonna help you from my husbands perspective. He has deployed 3 times, twice since we have been together. Depending on your MOS, you may have alot of downtime. CD player, MP3, portable DVD, PSP (husband takes all of these items), pictures of loved ones, comfortable sheets (spongebob being my husbands favorite), laptop (husband takes his), and good shower shoes (Adidas is the best).

That is all I can think of for now. Entertainment is what you need. You may be able to inherit alot of electronics from those leaving. Many inherit what they get from others, so they will just pass it on to others. Its how my husband got a 13" tv and a portable dvd player. Good luck and take care!

Answer 6

well happy holiday...and one more thing, careful with those IEDs, snipers, car bombs, suicide bombers, RPGs and those mehdi army members.plz send them my regards.