Luggage layout at CRC prior to deploying. Although individual orders may vary, deployers are typically authorized four bags to carry their issued equipment and personal effects. Luggage can be duffle bags, rucksacks, or roller bags, and should generally be camouflage patterned or black. (Photo courtesy of author)
What’s It Like?
You Have Been Tagged for an Individual Deployment. Now What?
By Captain Nino C. Monea
With deployments becoming rarer, especially for judge advocates, a Soldier may serve for years without ever being part of a unit deployment. An individual deployment as an augmentee is an alternative path to gain the invaluable experience of serving down range. Some people may actively seek it out by searching the Worldwide Individual Augmentation System (WIAS) tasker1 or asking to deploy as part of a routine permanent change of station cycle. Others simply receive notice they are slated to deploy. However you come by the opportunity, the individual deployment process can be daunting. Unlike a unit deployment, where you will have battle buddies going through the steps with you and a higher headquarters directing your deployment processing, an individual deployment requires a degree of self-motivation to ensure you get out the door on time and fully prepared.
This article aims to serve as a guide to first-time individual deployers, particularly those who are relatively new to the Army and might not know what to expect. The observations in this article are drawn from several recent individual deployers. Everyone had a slightly different process, but consistent best practices were to jump on tasks as soon as you can and seek help from as many sources as possible. This article discusses six major phases that occur once you have been informed about your individual deployment: getting in touch with your forward unit, requesting your orders, completing pre-deployment tasks, scheduling and packing for travel, attending pre-deployment training at Fort Bliss, and final preparations.
Coordination with Your Forward Unit
First things first: get in touch with personnel at your gaining unit. Talking with people doing your future job will not only give you a sense of the work but also help you figure out what to bring (as you may not receive a formal packing list), what life is like on the base, and the other steps in this deployment process.
Senior leaders in your office will likely be able to help identify names at your forward unit, but you should also lean on your network of Judge Advocate General’s Corps colleagues. Do you know anyone who deployed in the past with your gaining unit, or even to the region? Reach out. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps Personnel Directory2 might not have an up-to-date listing of judge advocates who are deployed, but it probably will contain contacts for the higher headquarters of the forward office. The higher headquarters will likely be able to help get you in touch with its deployed personnel.
Your Request for Orders and the Orders Process
Second, be on the lookout for your request for orders (RFO). Your home unit will use the RFO to produce the official orders for your assignment. An RFO will contain information about your deployment, such as length, location, job description, certain required items, clearance level, and your deployment status.3 Some may contain more information than others.4
The RFO will probably come from the Personnel, Plans, and Training Office (PPTO), and you should have it a few months before you deploy. If you have not received your RFO by three months out or so, ask your supervisor to reach out to PPTO. You will not be able to properly start the rest of the process until you have it.
As soon as you receive your RFO, start working to get your formal orders cut. The recent transition to IPPS-A5
may streamline this process for some, but best not leave things to
chance. It is better to get familiar with the various staff sections of
your home unit to guarantee everything necessary is being done. Recall
that S1 is personnel, S2 is intelligence, S3 is operations, S4 is
logistics, S5 is plans, and S6 is signal.6
Typically, the S1 or S3 shops will take the lead, but every unit is a
little different, so the safest course of action is to go to every staff
section, explain your situation, provide them your RFO, and get a point
of contact that you can follow up with to ensure the ball is rolling
along. The most important thing is figuring out who specifically will be
responsible for cutting your orders, or, if it turns out your RFO has an
error, figuring out who will correct your orders. Correcting an RFO can
be extremely onerous and can take weeks, so tarry not!
Another office with which you should be talking to help convert your RFO
into orders is your installation’s unit deployment manager (UDM). This
individual might be located under a “Deployment and Mobilization Office”
or “Deployment Readiness Office”; the best bet may simply be to search
online for your base’s directory. Talk to the UDM early and bring your
RFO. They might ask you to go through your staff sections first, but
they can review your RFO to ensure it is correct. The more time you
allocate to square yourself away, the easier it will be.
The CRC Barracks at Fort Bliss, TX. During CRC, deployers stay in a
barracks room about the same size as those at DCC in Fort Moore, GA.
Deployers should bring their own sheets, pillows, and personal hygiene
supplies, as CRC will not provide them. (Photo courtesy of author)
Pre-Deployment Tasks to Complete
Once you receive your RFO and identify the personnel who will help you
get your orders, you should start completing as many pre-deployment
readiness tasks as you can. Do not wait for your official orders before
starting. The biggest category to address is medical issues. Check out
the Medical Protection System (MEDPROS)7
and schedule appointments for anything that is listed as a
deployment-limiting deficiency.8 Schedule pre-deployment concussion testing (Automated Neurocognitive Assessment Metrics, or ANAM).9 If you are at an installation that offers a Soldier Readiness Program (SRP),10 schedule an appointment. If not, do not worry; you will be able to complete it during pre-deployment training at Fort Bliss.
Beyond medical issues, there are many other tasks to complete. If you wear glasses, get two sets of them and gasmask inserts. Ensure you have two sets of dog tags. Talk to your forward unit about getting network access request packets to help you get on their computer systems and determine if you need a Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) token to access classified systems. They can also help you put in exception-to-policy requests if needed. Most of the tasks will require coordinating with the S shops—all the more reason to establish contacts with each of them early. For example, the S1 shop can help validate your DD Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data)11
and Servicemembers’ [sic] Group Life Insurance allotments,12
renew your (and your dependents’) ID cards if they are set to expire
while you are away, and start the process on finance issues (if you have
dependents, you should receive family separation pay).13
If you need to request a higher clearance for your deployment, S2 can
start the investigation process.14 The S4 can sort through Government travel card issues and may be able to let you draw equipment for your deployment, and so on.15
Teammates at Special Operations Joint Task Force–Central. From left to right: Ms. Charlotte Garrett, USAF; LT Lauren Sides, USAF; and CPT Nino Monea, Army JAG Corps. (Photo courtesy of author)
Scheduling and Packing for Travel
Once you have your formal orders, you can start booking flights. Flights will normally be handled by your S4 shop,16
your installation port call office,17
or the CWT Sato (SATO) travel office.18
Regardless of what you use, it is prudent to get the number for SATO in
case you need to change your flights mid-travel due to cancellations or
other hiccups. At installations without a UDM or port call office, the
process is different. Mainly, you will be working with the S shops that
fill this role, most likely the S4, and will use the line of accounting
number on your orders to book the flight. No matter your method, the
flight will likely be to Fort Bliss for pre-deployment training, and
then the team at Fort Bliss will book your flight to your final
destination.
For each leg of your journey, your orders should state how much luggage
you are authorized to bring, normally up to four bags of up to seventy
pounds each (backpacks, duffel bags, rucksacks, or roller bags) on your
flight overseas.19 Unless you are traveling light, you have to pack strategically. Mandatory gear includes a helmet, body armor with plates, and, for U.S. Central Command, chemical gear. That alone will probably fill up about one ubiquitous green duffel bag and weigh close to fifty pounds. If you struggle to pack compactly, consider investing in a large, tri-wheel military roller bag.20 Another strategy is to reach out to your gaining unit for their mailing address and ship yourself a box of civilian clothes and whatever other keepsakes you will need. Just be sure to check mail restrictions for your destination country,21 and allow a couple of weeks for it to arrive.
Your flight overseas will be extremely long; make sure one of your bags is appropriate for a carry-on and bring whatever you need to make the flight bearable (such as earplugs and movies downloaded onto your laptop). In the author’s experience, your flight will be on a chartered commercial airplane (in uniform), rather than a military aircraft, so you will travel in relative comfort but have numerous, lengthy layovers. Worst case scenario, your flight will be delayed multiple days, so account for that when packing your carry-on bag.
Humanitarian aid mission to Kyrgyzstan, done in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek. From left to right: CPT Jack Leeton, USA; a Kyrgyz officer; and CPT Nino Monea, Army JAG Corps. (Photo courtesy of author)
The Continental U.S. Replacement Center at Fort Bliss
Individual deployers must ordinarily complete a ten-day training at the Continental U.S. Replacement Center (CRC) at Fort Bliss, Texas, immediately before deploying.22 Military deployers fall under Alpha Company.23 Think of it like a condensed version of basic entry training: you will be staying in a barracks room, following a fairly rigid schedule, and checking off completion requirements in a group. Completion requirements vary by the region and country of deployment, but the main components include PowerPoint trainings, computer-based trainings, an SRP,24 weapons draw and qualification, and an equipment draw.
As soon as you get your RFO, go to the CRC website and request a welcome packet.25 It will tell you what you need to bring and what kind of online trainings to complete. It would behoove you to start chopping away at the online trainings while still at your home station as some require a Government computer to access (be sure to save digital and physical copies of your training certificates and bring them). You should also fill out a CRC reservation form about forty-five days out, but no less than two weeks out, even if you do not have your orders yet.26 The more you complete beforehand, the smoother it will go at CRC. It is important to avoid failing to complete all of the requirements within the ten-day timeline and being forced to re-cycle. However, you should hold off on your pre-deployment health assessment, and periodic health assessment.27 These must be completed no more than twenty-five days before the SRP at Bliss,28 which will probably be about halfway through. Doing your pre-deployment health assessment and periodic health assessment two weeks before arriving at CRC is a good rule of thumb.
In terms of living arrangements at CRC, linens are not provided,29 so bring things to furnish a spartan barracks room: bedsheets, a pillow, shower shoes, bath and hand towel(s), soap, and any other personal hygiene products you cannot live without. You can only wear your combat uniform or physical training uniforms, so do not bother bringing a lot of civilian clothes to CRC.
While at CRC, you will also complete two equipment draws: Central Issue Facility (CIF) and Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI). Upon redeployment you will mostly get to keep the RFI-issued equipment (generally anything that directly touches your skin), including combat jackets and pants, gloves, and eye protection. Most of it is optional to draw, but you will probably be required to take a helmet and body armor. You will have to return most of the CIF-issued equipment upon redeployment. The timing of your equipment draw must be separately considered. If you have your home station issue any of this required gear, you can bring that with you to CRC to avoid drawing more, but the downside is that you will have to lug it around for longer. Alternatively, your forward unit may be able to request a waiver for CRC or for drawing certain equipment. If you do not think you will need any of the equipment or preparedness tests that CRC offers, inquire with your forward unit about waiving it. Be forewarned: waiving CRC altogether requires very high approval, so give lots of lead time.30
Final Considerations
Finally, here is a little bit of practical advice that should hold up for just about any deployment. Some mobile device plans are better than others when it comes to international data and messaging, so it pays to research your options prior to deploying. No matter your data plan, you can utilize third-party apps for encrypted communications. It is recommended that you download a virtual private network prior to getting to your deployment location because many local wi-fi connections block this type of activity. For additional connectivity, you can purchase a wi-fi puck if your deployed station does not offer reliable internet.
Additional military and non-military benefits may become available during your deployment. If you have student loans, contact your providers and tell them that you are deploying, as you may be entitled to special benefits. Various organizations provide care packages and letters to deployed Soldiers or Family members who are staying behind.31 The DoD Savings Deposit Program (SDP) allows you to earn 10 percent interest on up to $10,000 while deployed, and for three months after redeployment.32 Once you have arrived in theater, contact your local S4 section about whether your unit is enrolled in the Army Direct Ordering Program, which allows deployed Soldiers to request replacement uniform components.33 If you are deployed to an area qualifying for combat zone tax exclusion, you may be able to contribute more than normal to your TSP account.34
As you approach the date of deployment, stay calm even if things appear to be going haywire. Odds are something will not go as planned. Two weeks out from my deployment, my Government travel card was suspended for suspicious charges, my orders were not yet finished, and my company commander told me I likely would not deploy on time. But I managed to surmount these obstacles, get orders with three days to spare, and board the plane on time. Best of luck!35 TAL
CPT Monea is the National Security Law Attorney for Special Operations Joint Task Force – Central, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Notes
1. Individual deployment opportunities are catalogued on a platform called “Tour of Duty.” More information can be found at HQDA G-3-5-7 Mobilization Division Tour Of Duty,
U.S. Army Human Res. Command (June 27, 2022), https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/HQDA%20G-3-5-7%20Mobilization%20Division%20Tour%20Of%20Duty.
2. U.S. Army Judge Advoc. Gen.’s Corps, JAGC Personnel Directory (1 Dec. 2022). The directory is published annually each December and is
available on JAGCNet: https://www.jagcnet2.army.mil.
3. See, e.g., U.S. Dep’t of Army, Pam. 600-8-105, Military Orders fig.2-8 (20 Dec. 2022) [hereinafter DA PAM. 600-8-105] (depicting a sample of a completed DA Form 2446).
4. See id.
5. See What is IPPS-A?, IPPS-A, https://ipps-a.army.mil/what-is-ipps-a (last visited June 6, 2023).
6. U.S. Dep’t of Army, Field Manual 6-0, Commander and Staff
Organization and operations para. 2-46 (16 May 2022) [hereinafter FM 6-0].
7. MedPros, U.S. Army, https://medpros.mods.army.mil/portal (last visited Apr. 18, 2023)
(requiring a Common Access Card to visit).
8. See U.S. Dep’t of Army, Reg. 40-502, Medical Readiness 10 tbl.2-2 (27 June 2019).
9.
See Neurocognitive Assessment Branch (ANAM), U.S. Army Med., https://armymedicine.health.mil/Regional-Health-Commands/Office-of-the-Surgeon-General/R2D/ANAM (last visited Apr. 18, 2023).
10. U.S. Dep’t of Army, Reg. 600-8-101, Personnel Readiness Processing ch. 4 (6 Mar. 2018).
11. U.S. Dep’t of Def., DD Form 93, Record of Emergency Data (Feb. 2023).
12. Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI),
U.S. Dep’t of Veterans Affs., https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/sgli (last
visited May 13, 2023).
13. See U.S. Dep’t of Def., DD Form 1561, Statement to Substantiate Payment of Family Separation Allowance (FSA) (1 Dec. 2017); FM 6-0, supra note 6, paras. 2-47 to 2-48.
14. See FM 6-0, supra note 6, paras. 2-51.
15. See id. paras. 2-58, 2-62.
16. See id.
17. If you have not heard of port call, this is a good time to search online for your base directory again. It may also be called some variation of “overseas travel office” or “OCONUS travel office.”
18. CWTSATO Travel, https://www.cwtsatotravel.com (last visited May 13, 2023).
19. See generally DA PAM. 600-8-105, supra note 3, ch. 2 (discussing the type of information contained in an order).
20. For examples, see
Mercury Luggage Deployment Bag with Wheels Military Trolley Bag, Jinfa Outdoor, http://www.jinfaoutdoor.com/p/3-359.html (last visited Apr. 18, 2023). No endorsement intended; this merely demonstrates the product.
21. International Shipping Prohibitions & Restrictions, U.S. Postal Serv., https://www.usps.com/international/shipping-restrictions.htm (last visited Apr. 18, 2023).
22. Memorandum from Alpha Co. Deployment Commander, CONUS Replacement Ctr., subject: Fort Bliss CONUS Replacement Center (CRC) A Co. Mobilization Welcome Letter, para. 11(i)(1) (12 Oct. 2022) [hereinafter CRC Welcome Letter].
23. See id.
24. Even if you completed a Soldier Readiness Program at your home station, you will have to do it again at the Continental U.S. Replacement Center. But it is still smart to complete one at your home station, as it is easier to fix deficiencies there.
25. See Military Deployers, U.S. Army Fort Bliss, https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/units-tenants/crc/military-dod-civilian-deployers
(last visited Apr. 18, 2023).
26. Id.
27. See CRC Welcome Letter, supra note 22, para. 6(b). To complete your health assessments online, visit https://medpros.mods.army.mil/portal (common access card required), and follow the link under “Self Service” for health assessments. From there, select the tabs for each assessment.
28. CRC Welcome Letter, supra note 22, para. 6(b).
29. CONUS Replacement Center, U.S. Army Fort Bliss, https://home.army.mil/bliss/index.php/units-tenants/crc (last visited Apr. 18, 2023).
30. CRC waiver requests should be submitted to Headquarters Department of the Amy, G-3/5/7, ATTN: Current Operations Contingency Plans Division (DAMO-O0), 3200 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-3200, and be routed through your deployed unit.
31. E.g., Deployed Support, Soldiers’ Angels, https://soldiersangels.org/get-support/deployed-support (last visited Apr. 18, 2023).
32. Savings Deposit Program, Dep’t of Def.: Mil. Compensation, https://militarypay.defense.gov/Benefits/Savings-Deposit-Program (last visited June 6, 2023).
33. E.g., Army Direct Ordering Sustains Deployed Soldiers,
Def. Visual Info. Dist. Serv. (Mar. 14, 2009), https://www.dvidshub.net/news/31112/army-direct-ordering-sustains-deployed-soldiers.
34. See Combat Zone Tax Exclusion, Touchpoint Curriculum (2020).
35. Captain Monea is happy to answer questions and can be reached at antonino.c.monea.mil@army.mil.