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Mobilization-Advice and suggestions
- Thread starter usam004
- Start date
You're right about the "it depends" part. Most intel mobilizations are for IA billets, which usually translate into something like 270-365 days BOG (boots on ground), although they may be starting to shorten. Preliminary training will tack on some time, as well as mob/demob time. Calling it "one year" is as good a guess as any.
Both times I was mob'd my orders said "...for a period of two years." This causes your heart to race a little the first time you eyeball it on your orders, but it really means "...up to two years." I also know people who were mob'd for <30 days, but they are certainly an extreme rarity - the BUPERS people hate that, since if you are mob'd for even one day you get "mobilization stink" on you (in an administrative sense...), and your name goes to the bottom of the list.
The 1-in-5 or 1-in-4 for mission critical skills sets (which includes Intel) is a fairly new guideline/target.
The most recent message on the issue (www.npc.navy.mil) states ANY REQUEST TO INVOLUNTARILY MOBILIZE INDIVIDUALS INSIDE OF 1:4 DWELL REQUIRES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SECDEF) APPROVAL.
http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/C48424F5-CF8D-4BE2-A6D0-1ECEC61042E5/0/NAV08235.txt
That is not to say the SECDEF wouldn't approve if requested, but it does set a requirement to keep the Navy from tapping the same people repeatedly.
The most recent message on the issue (www.npc.navy.mil) states ANY REQUEST TO INVOLUNTARILY MOBILIZE INDIVIDUALS INSIDE OF 1:4 DWELL REQUIRES SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SECDEF) APPROVAL.
http://www.npc.navy.mil/NR/rdonlyres/C48424F5-CF8D-4BE2-A6D0-1ECEC61042E5/0/NAV08235.txt
That is not to say the SECDEF wouldn't approve if requested, but it does set a requirement to keep the Navy from tapping the same people repeatedly.
DangerousDan
I could tell you but I would have to kill you
Hey, I have orders to Mobilize to Iraq and wondered if anybody had advice and suggestions. I would sincerely appreciate it.
TrunkMonkey
Spy Navy
What kind of advice are you looking for? Things to pack? What to expect?
Do you know where you will be or who you will be attached to?
I have never been to Iraq, but have deployed twice to Afghanistan. In my experience, it is hard to generalize. There is a big difference between being at the largest US base in the country (like me), or being out at one of the FOBs. There is also a big difference between regular Army and "others".
PM me your SIPR address if you do not want to get into it here.
Do you know where you will be or who you will be attached to?
I have never been to Iraq, but have deployed twice to Afghanistan. In my experience, it is hard to generalize. There is a big difference between being at the largest US base in the country (like me), or being out at one of the FOBs. There is also a big difference between regular Army and "others".
PM me your SIPR address if you do not want to get into it here.
It's been 2 years since I was there, and to say the landscape has changed is a bit of an uderstatement, so my advice is probably of limited value. Like Trunkmokney offered, specific advice would really depend on exactly where you are going (e.g., Balad, Al Asad, Camp Victory, etc.) and what your job is going to be.
Having just gone through the Navy's mob/demob process again this year, however, I will say to bring an infinite supply of patience when you show up at whatever mobilization center they've assigned. To say that the process represents the worst of all bureaucracies combined is being generous. Just bring a couple of good books and roll with it - you're getting paid either way. You'll be way ahead of the game if you can have all your medical issues squared away and properly documented. Make sure your shot record is correct, or you'll be getting the full series again anyway. If you can the smallpox done while you're at your home station, you'll be ahead of the game - it's kind of annoying.
Get a good holster - I bought my own in advance (Galco Miami, based on AW recommendations...) and never regretted it. I saw lots of guys with the govt issue nylon crap who were constantly pulling and pushing theirs around, trying to make them comfortable. The Miami fit like a glove.
Be comfortable with whatever weapon you are issued. You probably will never need it, but.... Also, don't lose one of the three magazines you are issued, or your callsign will become "Jimmy Two Clips"....
Try and get a sense of whether you'll have any kind of internet service in your can - if so, be sure to bring a computer. If not, a computer is probably baggage you can do without.
Good base layers are great for different times of the year; it can be damn hot in the summer, and surprisingly chilly in the winter - depending on where you are.
If you have a good small pillow you like, pack it. It's the little quality of life things that can matter a lot.
Bloom where planted. There's generally nothing else to do but work-eat-work out-sleep, so you end up putting in a lot of hours. Be an information sponge - if you have any aspirations of sticking around in the intel community for any length of time, this will be a tremendous opportunity to learn about the business end of this whole "war" thing. You'd be surprised what you could find yourself doing by demonstrating competence and interest, being polite, asking nicely, and bribing appropriately.
If you have a family, make sure you have a will and power of attorney set up. Set up as many bills as you can on auto-pay. While internet connectivity is good to great, it can still go down for extended periods. Don't let things like bills wait until the last minute.
PM with any specifics you might have in mind.
DangerousDan
I could tell you but I would have to kill you
Well based on further information from talking to the commander relieving (although i dont expect to fill his shoes completely) it looks like im going to be going to Camp Victory to work with MNF-I. It seems like im going to be thrown in with some of the planners rather than doing true intel work.
Oh and I did get me a Miami Classic based on your advice as well.
DangerousDan
I could tell you but I would have to kill you
Well here's the update after being here for 60 days.
The conditions on VBC are nice. I live close to work, the gym and the dfac. The CHU is small but not bad since I only have one roomie and plenty of locker space.
On the Job front I work alot of hours and its hard to pull myself out of the office to goto the gym or the exchange. I enjoy the people I work with yet, as the most junior guy in the directorate I find myself doing everything except Intel work. I knew this billet going in wasn't a traditional analysis billet, but to be told you are going to be the computer support person come on. I have come to realize the plans team needs a more senior LCDR/CDR who has knowlege and experience not some wet behind the ears LT. However I have gotten pushback from the COS about getting someone more senior in here.
At this point I have just started counting the days to R&R and leaving.
Getting out of country is a pain in the A$$. Kuwait SUX...Don't forget shower gear and a blanket/sheet/pillow of some sort, the Army won't issue you anything...just an air conditioned room with a cot with 14 new friend.
R&R itself is AWESOME. I was pretty much WORTHLESS for about two week after returning from R&R.
-ea6bflyr
^^^^What he said. Though I actually didn't mind Kuwait that much. The process is typical Army and involves 8 million formations, but it was nice decompression time to run around in pt gear, watch movies, etc. Pack as light as you possibly can, because you're going to be toting that shit around all over the place and there aren't any facilities to secure your gear while you go eat, etc. Also, make sure all of your kit that you are going to turn in is well labeled and accounted for on the hand receipt. Our SOP was to strip everything off so that you just had a slick plate carrier and a helmet to turn in at the warehouse. Mag pouches, holsters, etc have been known to grow legs and walk away while guys are back in the states. Enjoy, I know I did.Getting out of country is a pain in the A$$. Kuwait SUX...Don't forget shower gear and a blanket/sheet/pillow of some sort, the Army won't issue you anything...just an air conditioned room with a cot with 14 new friend.
R&R itself is AWESOME. I was pretty much WORTHLESS for about two week after returning from R&R.
-ea6bflyr
bucki4lyfe
Michigan Sucks
In regards to mobilization...Dephyler posted something on the Navy Reserve board about voluntarily mobilizing and the NIRRC putting "involuntarily mobilized" on there...so he would not be involuntarily mob'd again for 5 years. I'm not trying to spill the beans on any said NIRRC or anywhere else, but I'm wondering, does anyone else know of that happening?
From what we have been briefed on in my unit that is pretty standard across the board, your first mobilization will be labeled 'involuntary' whether it is or not. Don't have anything in writing to back that up though.
Neither do I, I'm just parroting a brief we were given. I haven't met anyone that's been affected by that policy either. Wish I had, but I might have to play guinea pig in a year or so
bucki4lyfe
Michigan Sucks
Neither do I, I'm just parroting a brief we were given. I haven't met anyone that's been affected by that policy either. Wish I had, but I might have to play guinea pig in a year or so
Well boys and girls, I guess we'll see what happens when I volunteer to mobilize once my training is complete. Could be interesting to see...
Check back in 3 years for your answer! : )
Thanks for the info.