Key Assumptions For Deployments
- We are not going to a stable place.
- We are not going to a clean place.
- We are not going to a friendly place.
- We are not oging to a "nice" place.
- We are not going to have an easy mission.
- We are not going for the specified time they told us we would be going for.
- But, we are going.
- So what can we do, what can I do, to prepare in order to win: maintain health, sanity, survival and success?
- Get your professional affairs in order and read-learn-use information to your advantage!
Additional Assumptions Which Complicate Matters
- I will not be given the information I wish to have.
- I will not be given the information I want to have.
- I will not be given the information I need to have.
- I will not be receiving a lot of information.
- But, I am going and I require information.
- So what can I do, to prepare in order to win: maintain health, sanity, survival and success?
Be active, be proactive, be bold, be assertive, be curious, be inquisitive, be prepared!
You are the only one that can prepare you and it is your responsibility.
Your Outlook Is Essential To Your Success
- "You deploy tomorrow the way you are today."
- "Think worst case, worst situtation, worst consequences."
- "The notification to deploy is too late to prepare to deploy."
- "The desire to deploy is not nearly as important as the desire to prepare to deploy."
- "Sweating today is always better than bleeding tomorrow."
Protective Factors For Successful Deployment
- Supportive, stable & caring family structure.
- Positive personality, disposition/attitude.
- Supportive community; extended family and friends.
- Strengthened coping skills in the family; spouse and children.
- Strengthened coping skills in yourself.
Personal Readiness Means Total Preparation
Physical, Mental, Spiritual, Social, Familial, Financial, Legal.
Plan, Know and Share with your Spouse/Family the Strategic Plan; Financial Plan; Estate Plan; Key Documents.
Get the following properly in order and completed:
1. Will 2. Powers of Attorney 3. Living Will 4. Beneficiary/Child Care Plans 5. Family Support Group contacts 6. Finances-joint access to accounts 7. Credit Cards/PINS 8. List of POCs-military and civilian 9. Lawyer POCs 10. Emergency numbers 11. Insurance and Beneficiary information 12. Family ID cards/SIDPERS 13. Bills and Payments-mortgage, loans 14. Investment information 15. Taxes 16. Burial Plan
Activities of Daily Living
1. Batteries with spares for all equipment (including watch, clock, walkman, pilot, camera, flashlight)
2. Converters: from 120 to 220V as well as plugs
3. Extension cord +/- damper box for computer
4. Walkman (tapes/CDs) +/ -speakers/ blank tapes for recording and ear phones
5. Dictating machine with extra tapes
6. Computer with extra discs
7. Short-wave radio with frequencies for particular country for VOA, RFI, BBC, RCI
8. Inexpensive waterproof watch x2
9. Travel alarm clock (windup)
10. Camera and film (b/w, color and slide film) plus mini-tripod
11. Ziploc bags (large and small)
12. Earplugs and blinders
13. Flag pins for gifts
14. Pens, highlighters and clipboard
15. Palm pilot
16. Flashlight (include head held one)
17. Water bottle
18. Maglite/flashlight
19. Sewing kit
20. Stationery and pens
21. Inflatable travel pillow
22. Playing cards
23. Pipe cleaners
24. A few wire hangers
25. Scissors
26. Matches, disposable lighter
Toiletries
1. Razor, blades and shave cream, extra blades
2. Toilet paper
3. Q-tips
4. Skin moisturizer
5. Nail clippers
6. Condoms
7. Contact lenses (throwaways), lens cleaner and glasses (2 old pair)
8. Toothbrush/toothpaste
9. Handiwipes
10. Comb/brush
11. Deoderant
12. Shampoo
13. Soap/soap dish
14. Tweezers
15. Sanitary napkins
16. Small mirror
17. Rubber shower sandals/flip flops
18. Large safety pins
Medications/Medical Supplies
1. Antimalarials-prophylaxis and treat ment
2. AntiInfectives-Cipro, Ampicillin
3. Steroid Cream
4. Antihistamines (non-sedating and Benadryl)
5. Tylenol cold/flu tablets
6. Antidirrheal-Lomotil
7. Antifungal Spray/powder
8. Analgesics-aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen
9. Melatonin
10. Echinacea
11. Ativan-10 pills
12. Sunscreen/Sunblock
13. Ambien
14. Prescription Medications (90 day supply)
15. Mole Skin
16. Dropper bottle with Bleach
17. Medizinc
18. Foot Powder
19. Vaseline
20. First Aid Kit- include sterile syringes and needles
21. Water Purifier Apparatus and Tabs
22. Permothrin for mosquito net/clothes
Personal Items
1. Family Photos
2. Address and phone numbers
3. Cash/money
4. Credit card
5. Telephone card
6. Credentials
7. Eye glasses, repair kit, extra glasses, Sunglasses with safety strap
8. Last LES
9. Journal/notebook
10. Stamps
11. Nonperishable snacks
12. Uniform sizes (boots/footwear, top, bottom, cap)
Communications And Orientation Equipment
1. Signal Mirror
2. Whistle
3. Small Strobe light
4. Compass
5. Street map of area
6. County Guide
7. Phrase book and Dictionary
Identification
1. ID card 2. Geneva Convention Card 3. Orders (mil) 4. Dog Tags 5. Passport 6. International driver's license 7. Driver's license 8. Government credit card 9. Shot record 10. Allergy tags/Medical tags
Security Items
1. Combination lock
2. Special lock for door
3. Money belt (include waterproof one for beach)
4. Ten (10) passport size photos
5. Photocopy of all important documents (bring one copy and give another to contact at home) i.e. next of kin contacts, passport, driver's license, traveler's checks, immunization schedule, birth certificate, credit cards, diplomas and medical licenses, emergency telephone numbers, calling cards, etc.
6. Blood type, SSN
7. Powers of Attorney to someone back home
8. Pepper spray
9. Dry food ration
10. Mountain climbing nylon strap and carabineer
11. Candles, matches, lighter
12. Anti-bug coils
13. Mosquito repellant-DETT and 1 can Permithrin
14. Proper medical insurance including medevac in war sit'ns
15. Medical malpractice insurance-check out situation in country
16. Swiss Army knife/leatherman
17. Padlock-combo/key
Shelter and Site Equipment
1. Sleeping bag
2. Sleeping sheet (sewn up into sleeping bag style)
3. Pillowcase
4. Hammock
5. Canoe bag (waterproof bag)
6. Mosquito net/deb net/mosquito bar
7. Goggles
8. Red Cross badge/band
9. Gas mask inserts
10. Small throw rug
11. Laundry bag and detergent
12. Umbrella/poncho
13. Trash bags, waterproof
14. Leather gloves
15. Fanny pack
16. Backpack
17. Water bottle