Four years ago I started a blog on my deployment to Georgia (the Republic of) so I'll do another one for my deployment to Germany. Here's the link to my Georgia blog ...
http://chuck-in-georgia.blogspot.com/
Make sure you read it from the beginning. Or not.
I'm starting this blog from Camp Lejeune, NC where I've spent a week in training for my deployment. The last time I was here was eleven years ago when I deployed to Iraq with the 5th Civil Affairs Group (CAG). Back then, in 2005, I just sent out a series of emails about my experiences. It was easy but I also had to make sure any pictures were formatted and not too big, and of course I had to make lists of people to send my emails to. Larry Hryb, my old college friend (and of Xbox Live fame) suggested I do a blog instead of emails. I said, "what's a blog?" Remember now this was 2005 and Facebook was only 1 year old. Maybe I try and convert all my old Iraq emails to a blog, it'll be a pain but worthwhile. Stay tuned.
OK, here we go. In my next post I'll explain what I'll be doing in Germany but for now I'll just talk about my week here in Lejeune. http://www.lejeune.marines.mil/
Every Marine who deploys overseas has to be fully prepared and trained for the country and mission assigned - no surprise there. But over the past years some mobilized reservists, and active duty too, showed up in-country without some required training. Maybe he hadn't been to the rifle or pistol range in awhile, or was never issued some needed equipment or uniforms, or his wife kept calling his old command because she didn't know what medical benefits she had. So, every mobilized reservist, and a few active duty individuals, now has to go through the Deployment Processing Command as the gateway to any overseas deployment. Depending on where and what mission you're doing dictates what training you need. Those headed to Afghanistan do the full three weeks at DPC to include rifle/pistol range - that takes up a big chunk of time.
As for me, I just needed the basics....which included the gas chamber. Last time I did the gas chamber was 11 years ago getting ready for Iraq. Why I needed it now? Who knows, I just went along with the training schedule. Besides I always liked the gas chamber, it's just a form of riot gas but still pretty powerful stuff. When you de-mask there's always at least one person who freaks out and runs into the wall trying to find the door, or makes it outside and collapses with a stream of snot coming out and retching and puking all over. Very entertaining! This time though it was quick and boring, no de-masking. I even brought my iphone to sneak a selfie but it was all over before I had a chance. Rats.
The next day we ran the PFT - physical fitness test. My run time was pretty good, 3 miles in 22:30 - thanks BBRC! Then yesterday was swim qualification. Now the last time I did my swim qualification was 26 years ago back in 1990 at The Basic School. It's not that difficult except, of course, if you can't swim. Swim 25 meters using any stroke, jump off a 20 foot platform (demonstrating correct technique - flailing doesn't count!) and then do something else - I don't remember. Something to do with sharks and a pocket knife...
Interspersed with all these exciting events are the even more exciting mandatory annual classes. Risk management, sexual harassment, substance abuse, and of course, the chaplain's class on stress management. All necessary, yes, but I've been enduring these for years now and the novelty has worn off. But still, in between classes I talk to other Marines and find out where they're going and we swap sea stories. There's always some connection - 'you're going there? I was there.' or 'Hey I know that guy'. That makes it worthwhile.
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