Pre-deployment

This mobilization is the 2nd largest in South Carolina history since World War II. The many of the brigade have already arrived at the mobilization station, (Camp Shelby, Mississippi). My group, (RCAG/ETTs) have about four or so weeks to depart to our respective mobilization station, (Fort Riley, Kansas). As we Ramp-up this week, (meaning getting ready), the anxiety of the family seems to grow. I am scheduled to attend a two-week communications training course designed to better enable us to integrate computers/automation into the communications scheme. So, you see that we are working very hard to ready our personnel as much as we can prior to arriving at the mob station.

This past week has been filled with jitters as many of the troops, including myself are knocking on the door of leaving. Family members are also feeling the uncertainty of deployment and the effect it will have on them. For me, that is a tough one, to see that sense of security dwindle in their eyes. But through it all we are trying to remain positive and also trying to find a way to minimize that level of insecurity.

Also this past week have been filled with 25B Refresher training, I really did not know how little I knew about computers and automation until this week. Things like basic networking concepts, managing networks, managing and maintaining servers, troubleshooting networks, TCP/IP fundamentals, managing the active directory, and SMTP....... (sounds greek, sounded that way to me at first), luckily I have gained an appreciation for computer geeks...... The truth of the matter is that this have been quite valuable and I have learned so much. This undoubtedly will prove very beneficial to me on this deployment....

I also finally received my individual deployment order yesterday, so the reality of this takes on another level.... I have another week of computer training to go,, so thanks for all the warm thoughts and prayers... Until next week......