WHAT SHOULD I TAKE ON MY DEPLOYMENT?: the beginners guide to having the essentials while deployed.


Knowing what to take with you when you deploy isn`t rocket science. There`s no need to think outside the box. Some gear you will be issued; your chemical or Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Gear. Your “battle rattle” and weapon will be issued, most likely when you're downrange. But what about those smaller items that you will eventually, and inevitably find yourself looking for, and exclaiming, “Damn! I need a...”

This is a list of 8 essential items you can take with you that you will use, time and time again.

1.     Knife: a good pocketknife will come in handy so often that you will probably use it every day. At the very least—to open your mail. :) A good Leatherman tool could suffice for this item, and in many ways, the plier’s attachment on it will serve to help you with adjusting or fixing some pieces of apparatus like a litter or gurney. I personally have a Smith & Wesson knife that I also use at home in my civilian job as a Fire Fighter. It is an expensive knife, you can find cheaper, but I like having a sturdier, more reliable knife.

2.      Gloves: having a good and sturdy pair of gloves will last you for some time—depending on your AFSC or MOS. For my role as an Air Force Medic: 4N071, I recommend Mechanics gloves that can be found at your local Walmart. They will be used almost daily, and as you might see from the photograph, they will be tested. We use them for everything from moving patients too and from planes or helicopters, to moving supplies or handling your weapon.

3.      Reflective belt: yeah... the good ole, ‘you can`t see me unless I`m wearing this snazzy belt,’ belt. You can roll your eyes, it`s ok, I just did. But! You will need it for night operations so don’t forget it. Enough said.

4.      Ear Plugs: from your first plane ride, to the mission on the ground, you will need ear protection. On your way downrange, it will help when it comes to getting a rare nap on a flight. At the very least, it will help drown out the sound of your teammates complaining. Whether taking a patient from a C-17 with engines running or collecting one from a bird with rotors still spinning, you will need to protect those ears. Even now, I sometimes have nights where my ears are ringing despite using the protection.

5.      Flashlight: I recommend a small one that you can keep tucked into a trouser or sleeve pocket. It might sound silly to say, but having a flashlight that you can put in your mouth so that you can use both hands will come in handy at night if you're unlocking a vehicle, opening a storage container, reading a map or changing dressing/O2 tubing on a patient.

6.      Phone Charger: keeping in touch with your friends and family back home is easier than ever when deployed. In most situations, you will now have access to moderately reliable WiFi. Be sure to bring a certified phone charger with you, and not a cheap knock-off. On most bases, the Fire Marshal does not approve electronics that do not have a UL rating sticker as they are known to short out and start fires.

7.      Eye protection: it goes without saying that you need to protect your peepers at all costs. You will most likely be issued something downrange, depending on your job, but you should at least take a pair of sunglasses with you. We were issued a pair of eye-pro that have interchangeable sunglasses and clear filters, which are invaluable when operating from day into night.

8.      Carabiners: these little items will come in handy for your entire deployment. Carrying your eye-pro, gloves, keys or hanging something, you will find many uses for a variety of sizes of carabiner.

A few honorable mentions here for a sewing kit, neck scarf`s to cover your face from the nose down, and a pair of trauma shears. This is a list of items that I recommend for absolutely everyone; however, your specific job may require certain other items such as a personal weapons cleaning kit for Soldiers and or Security Forces.
Comment down below to tell me what you think would be in your essential guide for must-haves when deploying. Maybe a good sleeping bag or Kindle? Let me know, and don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with new posts coming out soon.
Until next time, be well, be merry, and most of all, be good. :)



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