5 month review

I've been on deployment for almost 5 months.  Here are some other thoughts of what to bring and not to bring on deployment.


Things I never or rarely used:


1)Knee and elbow pads-never used it.  I would not bring this.
2)7 layer system (cold weather gear)-I still would bring a fleece.
3)The infamous overshoes-Why did I pack this?
4)Sleeping bag- I used this in Kuwait but then never used it again.
5)Flame retardant uniforms-I wish I would have worn these.
6)Personal stethescope, otoscope, opthalmoscope-The aid station had plenty. Waste of weight.  I should have never brought them.
7)Medical references-The unit will have their own.  I was glad to bring some specific study materials for myself, but I would not bring too many of these references.
8)Ruck-dont bring it.
9)Extra personal hygiene items-In Iraq, we had so much of this stuff sent from the generosity of the American people in care packages.  Afghanistan might be different.  I would NOT bring too much extra soap, shampoo, lotions, deodarant, and so forth.  You can pick this stuff up at Kuwait anyways.
10)2nd pair of boots- NEVER used them. I wouldnt bring them.  Come on....how often are doctors going outside the wire.
11) Wet weather gear--Never used them.  Next time I'm leaving them.


I was glad that I brought or had shipped the following:


1) IPOD-for workouts
2) External drive-for movies
3) Cooling pad for laptop-My junky Dell Laptop kept overheating.
4) Extra USB ports
5) Logitech Video camera
6) Cell phone with Epocrates
7) Laptop backpack
8) Shower shoes
9) Extra name patches, IR Flag, unit patches.
10) Camera
11) PSP for entertainment
12) Basketball shoes
13) Alarm clock
14) Running shoes
15) Paddle holster
16) Professional Stamp (name, degree, specialty)
17) Tough box
18) Headphones for workouts


Things I wish I would have done better:


1) Wear the flame retardant uniforms.
2) Bring only 2 pairs of regular ACUs because of the flame retardant uniforms.
3) Bring a bigger tough box.
4) Bring 4 shorts and about 4 PT shirts.  You can order them once you are in theater or buy some at Kuwait but supplies and your size maybe limited in Kuwait.
5) Buy some souvenirs in Kuwait at Camp Buehring and sent them to the family.


Things I did just right during deployment:


1) Start the paperwork for a split deployment on day 1 of being in theater.
2) Savings deposit program.
3) CMEs via medscape.
4) Lots of teaching of medics.
5) Make good connections with MEDEVAC.


Hope this helps for those you getting ready to deploy.

How to Communicate Home

This post covers the most recent developments how army doctors can communicate home during from the deployment.   Notice I used the word communicate rather than call....read below..there are some cool things available.

Phone Calls (not video) home

In Kuwait, there are plenty of AT&T call centers if you like paying for phone cards.  I personally like free.  For free calls home, there are several ways to do this:

    

    1.  Use the DSN phones for a moral and welfare calls.  You can go to the TOC (tactical operation center) of your unit and use one of those phones and ask how to make a moral and welfare call.  You can also go to the USO and make free calls using DSN.

    2. VOIP!  Use voice over ip.  In other words call using your computer.  Skype charges if you call a cell phone or land line.  However, GOOGLE does this for FREE.  Create a gmail account.   Look at the left column under chat and you notice a "Call Phone" hyperlink.  Click on that and then download the voice/video plugin.  Of course you will need a microphone.  All calls to the US are free!  Can you believe that?  Try it out. 

   3.  Magic Jack is popular.  There is a subscription and you have to have an internet connection.

Video Teleconference

This is huge to keep your personal morale up.  Most laptops have their own video camera but there is a benefit in having one of those cameras that you have to plug in.  At least here in Kuwait, the public computers that have Skype or any other video conferencing software do not have a camera.  I just plugged my camera in there and was able to video teleconference...a nice convenience.  Coordinating a video teleconference with your family might be hard, so I used the free text message options.  Read text message options below.

   1. Skype is very popular.  Free of course.

   2. Gmail.  Yes.  You can actually video teleconference using gmail or google chat.

   3. Yahoo messenger also offers a video teleconference.   4. Logitech has their own software for video teleconference.

Texting Home

There are several ways to do this for free.  Texting is a must to coordinate video teleconferencing or just sending those "Hey babe, I'm doing fine.  Just wanted to tell you that I love ya and the kids too" messages.

1.  Before you leave the US, get Google VOICE.  Once you have set up your google voice, you can text any cell phone in the US for free.  The nice thing about Google Voice is that you keep a history of the text conversation!

2.  Yahoo email also allows you to text any cell phone for free.

3.  Go to the carrier's website.  For example, if your spouse has Sprint PCS go to the Sprint PCS and you can send him text messages for free from the Sprint PCS website.  Unfortunately, you wont be able to receive text messages on this website.  I don't recommend using this option, but it is available.

4.  Facebook.  You can text your spouse on facebook only if he/she has her smart phone connected to facebook.  They basically would receive any facebook emails you send them as text messages on their phones.

Texting is a must to coordinate your video teleconference.  I know that I recommended Google many times in this blog and I promise that I don't own their stock (I wish I did).  I hope this helps.  Stay safe out there.

Kuwait Update for deploying physicians and nurses

Update:  If you pass through Kuwait, then you have PLENTY of amenities here.  Check your itinerary for your deployment.  If you know that you will pass through Kuwait, then hopefully the following hints will help you out.

PX: The PX is robust here.  You have all hygiene items available so I wouldn't pack extra like I did.  They have assortment of boots, running shoes, and uniform items such as the IR flags for about $9.  They accept cash, credit, and the eagle cash.

Starbucks: Can you believe it?  To even make it bette, Starbucks is open 24/7 with internet access.

Internet Access/Wifi:  There is free internet access (not wifi) at the USO and MWR here.  I plugged in my Logitech c500 camera and was able to skype.  When lines are long, then there is a prepaid internet access for $28 for a month.  This is available at the Starbucks too!

Phone calls:  You can either do the free calls with USO or MWR using a DSN or buy prepaid AT&T cards and use the calling centers.   FYI, the USO gave me a free calling card just prior to me getting on the plane.

Gym:  Very nice.  Open 24 hour.

MWR:  Wow!  This is really nice.  They have a movie theatre and rec center with individual TVs with DVD players.  You can borrow from their large collection of DVDs.  Xbox, pS3, and wiI are available too.  Very nice in Kuwait.

Hope this helps some of you docs/nurses getting ready to deploy.

What to do and what not to do prior to a deployment (Updated 5 Jan 11)

Introduction


I'm going on my first deployment soon.  These are my lessons learned from my preparation for my deployment.  In preparation for this deployment, I often came across the same questions "What is the Army going to provide me? What do I need to buy?  What things are absolutely essential and what are some of the other creature comforts that I should consider buying?" My hope is that my tips will help other physicians who will also be deploying soon.


UPDATE 5 Jan 11: I'm now 4 months into deployment and I have made some changes to these recommendations.


My situation:  I have been "profised" or sent from another base to deploy with another unit at another base.  This is a common way for doctors and nurses to be deployed.  

New IOTV

If you are new to the army, then you probably do not have much military gear.  If you never received your "basic issue" of gear from CIF, then go and get it.  Go ahead and draw all of it because you will need get your name sewn on some of it.  The only exception is that I would decline the body armor if it is not the new IOTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest).  There is another issue called RFI (rapid forwarding issue, if I am not mistaken) just prior to your deployment. The following hints will hopefully save you money and give you some guidance on what you really need and what you can wait to buy.


Must Buy Things/Do:


1) Carry a copy of your credentials on your person and also digitize your documents and leave it on a server like google.


2) Increase your life insurance.  Go get some additional term-life insurance.  Make sure they do not have a war clause.


3) Name Tags-Get your name sewn on your rucksack, MOLLE (the vest that has a bunch of pockets, assault back (the small backpack), and the helmet band.  Also get your battle roster number which is your initials of your first name and last name and your last 4 sewn on the helmet band.  Mark your other gear with a permanent marker.  Update: Don't bring the MOLLE.  I have never used my rucksack.


4) I bought some of the new sophisticated duffle bags that have wheels.  My RFI also gave me two more of the new duffle bags.  I would purchase these new sophisticated duffle bags from the clothing store to make it easier to move things down to your unit.  Get the black one so you can actually use for normal travel.


5) Pelican box- Buy one of these either from craiglist or new.  I'm putting my medical reference books and external hard drive with digital copies of movies.  I got the 1620 model.  UPDATE: Other officers brought a Stanley (a big) tuff box. Go buy one these bad boys from Home Depot or Lowes.  They are huge.  The pelican I bought is 3 times smaller :(  I wish I got the Stanley. UPDATE: GET A STANLEY!


6) In preparation for the deployment, remember to schedule time away from your clinic to visit CIF (Central Issue Facility) and to pack.  Remember, preparing (i.e. packing) for a deployment is an army duty and you should be doing that during the duty day and not during your personal time.


7) Update your hearing (audiogram), PPD, HIV, Pap (for the women) before going to SRP.  Update your glasses if necessary and get those free glasses from the Army.  I'm surprised that the new army glasses are actually stylish.


8) Do your Will.  Get those Power of Attorney documents done.  They will take care of this at the SRP but if you can do it before SRP, then it is one less thing you have to wait for in a long line.


9) Most important-  Find out what resources are available for your spouse/family.  The doctors/nurses are often forgotten when it comes to deployment support.


10) Absolutely MUST BUY a paddle holster.  I bought a paddle holster from Fobus.  This will make your life so much easier when dealing with the 9mm.  The leg strap from the Army is cumbersome and difficult to use especially in the PT uniform.  Consider buying the fobus 9mm cartridge holder paddle too.  (I don't have any financial stake in this company.  This is the company that other soldiers who have deployed have recommended to me.)  UPDATE 5 Jan 11: this has been one of the best recommendations.


11) Flashlights- get a head lamp, a nice hand flashlight, and then get one of those key chain flashlights.  Don't get those crappy army issued flashlights.  Get all LED flashlights.


12) Pack a pillow.


13) Laptop, webcam, headphones, microphone if your webcam doesn't have a mic.

You need more than 1!

14) Update your epocrates and other software that you use for clinical practice.


15) IR US Flags-  Try and buy these second hand from local internet markets or craiglist.  RFI only gives you 1!  You need more.  Probably like 5.  Full price  is near $20 each.  I bought 4 used ones for $20.  For example, here a few links to local internet markets that sell military gear second hand:


http://www.stewartyardsales.com/
http://www.campbellyardsales.com/

http://www.hoodyardsales.com/


UPDATE: Just buy 1-2.  You will be issued 1 and then you can order another one for free once you have been deployed through a program called ADO.


16) Patrol Cap


17) MP3 player (ie IPOD)


18) Epocrates on your phone.

Don't Buy Things: 


1) Sunglasses (aka eye protection)-wait until you are issued the eye protection from the RFI.  If you don't like the issued eye protection then go buy yourself those nice oakleys.  US Standard Issue sells Oakley's and other high speed things at a good discount.


2) Camel back-You get issued one from your basic issue and another bladder from RFI.


3) Multipurpose Tool (ie. gerber)-Free from RFI.


4) Extra ACUs and boots-Go through RFI first.  I did not get extra ACUs from RFI but if you go to Afghanistan you might get some different uniforms.  I brought 3 ACUs which is fine.  You can buy uniforms once you are in theater.  Same thing goes for boots.  Wait for RFI.  I think those going to Afghanistan are getting some cool boots while those going to Iraq do not get any new boots.


5) Gloves- Your basic issue and RFI will give you all different kinds of gloves.


Don't Use/Don't Do/Get out of it if you can:


1) Traditional duffle (green one)- The straps break with too much weight.  


2) Original body armor-Turn in your original body armor.  I did not bring my original body armor down to my new unit, because I knew that I would be receiving the new body armor known as the IOTV.  What I didn't know was that I could have turned in my original armor.


3) Canteen cup and canteens- My unit didn't put these on the packing list.  Camel backs are the way to go.


4) Qualifying on your weapons- This wont stop the deployment and your unit will require you to qualify on the actual weapon you will carry.  I qualified at my home base only to find out that I have to do it again.  If you like shooting, then go ahead and qualify at your home base.

5) Winter gear- Don't buy this!  They will give you winter gear at RFI!


To all my fellow docs out there who have deployed or are getting to deploy, be safe.  Please comment on other hints.  I'll add another blog about deployment benefits and the process for splitting deployments for docs.


Leave comments, complaints, or suggestions below.