Deployment

[PatsGirl]

DS just found out he will be deploying this spring to Northern Iraq as part of a joint team with the Army (he is USAF). His job with the Air Force is one in which they rarely deploy but he has been volunteering at every chance because, well, he's 20 and doesn't know any better He loves Japan and has been told he'll do a 6-month tour and head back to his base, God-willing.

He doesn't know how things work yet and even when he gets closer, it doesn't seem that he gets all the info I'd like Can someone enlighten me a bit? He'll be coming to Fort Dix for 35 days of training and deploying from there. Is there some type of ceremony/send-off for family? What does it involve? Is there anything they can take with them? I'm thinking about Xmas ~ is there a particular item that might be useful to him in Iraq?

How does his leave work? He hasn't had leave for six months now (and only once in his 28 months in the military), he doesn't think they'll give it to him until he gets back November 2011 so that'll be 18 months without leave? Will he lose accrued time?

How does he pay his bills while he is gone? Or complete his 2010 tax return? Lots of questions I know and I can do whatever he needs for me to help him with but like most his age (I think) these things don't concern him much, he is excited and looking forward to going but doesn't really give a hoot about the logistics of being away from "civilization as we know it" for so long.

 

[cm8]

DS just found out he will be deploying this spring to Northern Iraq as part of a joint team with the Army (he is USAF). His job with the Air Force is one in which they rarely deploy but he has been volunteering at every chance because, well, he's 20 and doesn't know any better He loves Japan and has been told he'll do a 6-month tour and head back to his base, God-willing.

He doesn't know how things work yet and even when he gets closer, it doesn't seem that he gets all the info I'd like Can someone enlighten me a bit? He'll be coming to Fort Dix for 35 days of training and deploying from there. Is there some type of ceremony/send-off for family? What does it involve? Is there anything they can take with them? I'm thinking about Xmas ~ is there a particular item that might be useful to him in Iraq?

How does his leave work? He hasn't had leave for six months now (and only once in his 28 months in the military), he doesn't think they'll give it to him until he gets back November 2011 so that'll be 18 months without leave? Will he lose accrued time?

How does he pay his bills while he is gone? Or complete his 2010 tax return? Lots of questions I know and I can do whatever he needs for me to help him with but like most his age (I think) these things don't concern him much, he is excited and looking forward to going but doesn't really give a hoot about the logistics of being away from "civilization as we know it" for so long.

, So you have a traveler on your hands huh? He will continue to accrue his leave while he is deployed. It can be rolled over for later usage. He will need to go to base legal and get a POA drawn up for you to act on his behalf that includes accessing his bank account and other accounts that he has authorized you on. Make sure that you also get a copy of his Military card (CAC)too! Make sure your son calls and add you to his account as far as being allowed to access his billing info and such. Good luck, and As far as a send-off, they usualy put together a little something something for the family to send them off (sometimes) it is so small you might miss it, and some of so big that it amazes me that we don't all wear life vest to save us from the river of tears we cry when they leave

 

[Anne MN]

sent you a PM

 

[LuLuO]

In our experience, at least with the reserves, the info we receive is clear as mud. When my husband was deployed to Iraq for 13 months, I found out after he left that the IRS would not accept our Power Of Attorney we had to get a special IRS POA for tax purposes. This should have been something that his Reserve Center informed him of or at the very least it should have been in the paperwork we received, but it wasn't. The Reserve Center told us all we needed was the regular POA. Wrong. It was a big hassle mailing these forms back and forth from Iraq and took forever.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/power_of_attorney_and_other_third_party_authorizations.pdf

http://www.militaryonesource.com/MO...ry/Topic/Issue/Material.aspx?MaterialID=13175

 

[GJM]

My DH was deployed for a year - he gave me full POA - when he was doing this before his deployment, they really try to discourage him from giving full POA, since there have been problems before.

I had no problems with the IRS, while he was gone I did our taxes.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure about your questions, Brenda, but God speed for your Jacob. Best wishes and many thanks to him, you and your family. 's

 

[Anjelica]

My DH was deployed for a year - he gave me full POA - when he was doing this before his deployment, they really try to discourage him from giving full POA, since there have been problems before.

I had no problems with the IRS, while he was gone I did our taxes.

This - see if he will agree to POA - it is VERY helpful when he is thousands of miles away and limited communication. Yes they may push back a bit on it but its WELL worth it.

If it helps my brothers unit just got back from their deployment (early) to Northern Iraq (Mosul area) and its soooo different then what it was just a few short years ago. Folks barely leave the FOBs, etc. and the violence that was there had died down to very minimal.

 

[jsmith]

ive been there and done that a few times-so lemme see
1) is there a send off-ceremony for the families? The answer to that is an unqualified yes-im not sure how ft dix handles it-but there should be some kind of depature ceremony that the families are encouraged to attend
2) leave-generally servicemembers who are in theater for 6 months or less do not get a mid tour leave-he will accrue leave as normal while he is deployed-but if he hasnt taken any in 28 months he may be over the use or loose cap by the time that happens-currently that cap is 75 days of accrued leave-his command should let him request leave on his return to japan.
3) paying his bills-most of them he should be able to pay over the internet just like he probably does now-if not-you should be able to do them electronically for him-has others have said having a general POA is useful but JAG tries to get soldiers not to leave POA for reason of the fact that so manythings can be done electronically and so many have been cleaned out by POA holders-my husband and i have been married 28 years and a National Gaurd JAg officer who has known me most of my life outright refused me one.

for those of you who had issues with taxes-file electronically using one of the common software programs-you dont need a POA.

 

[Planogirl]

I have seen that many service personnel take care of bills by phone and internet. We get calls at our office from them all the time and it boggles my mind when they say they are calling from Iraq or Afghanistan.

My best to your son.

 

[GeorgeG]

My grandson has done two tours in Iraq and will deploy to Afghanistan around March. I believe the military will provide assistance in how to deal with most of those things and my grandson did get two weeks R&R during his last tour where he was able to come home. There's a good chance your son will be going to an air base that the Marines call "cupcake" because it has a lot of ammenities not usually found at Marine camps, so that's a good thing. His biggest complaint about Iraq was the sandstorms. What he liked the most was being in a income tax-free combat zone. You should be able to send regular "care" packages as long as they don't contain any excluded items (he should be able to tell you).

 

[TheGottis]

DS will get pre-leave briefings and should be getting a DEPLOYMENT BOOK/BATTLE BOOK (it's usually for spouses, but he can request one for whom ever he chooses). It will list answers to everything you have asked about and more! It starts with finances (worksheets on what you owe and when, acct numbers, isurance policies, etc..), covers wills (a necessary evil), POAs, child care, emergency contact, family support, etc... Have him to be sure to get one or at least ask about it. EVERY unit should have some variation of it.

Another thing, be sure that he puts you down as his contact for the family support group/family readiness group. You will get monthly updates and newsletters, etc..

Leave questions have been answered - 6 months, generally no leave.

Have him start setting up bill pays with his creditors now... or just go thru his banking institution and use their BILL-PAY system (USAA is great for this).

I cannot stress enough - POA POA POA! General is all fine and dandy, but I strongly suggest you have him get you specific/special ones - especially if he has any assets (car?). If he has USAA, there is a special one that specifically covers all their services - get it!

If he has a car, have him get storage rates for the months gone.

Care packages are a great moral booster! Send when you can and be sure you ask what they would like! I would do a NEED package one month and a FUN package the next. As for the holidays, as much as it hurts, the guys are usually very limited in space - if what you are sending is not disposable or on the small side, they are going to have to figure how to store it while there and then how to get it home. There is a list of prohibited items, the USPS has them and also the unit should give you info. Oh and use the ONE RATE Priority boxes, print the labels and pay from home - you get a break on price. And insurance on the boxes is worthless, don't waste your money.

There is a great program that sends miniature potted decorated Christmas trees to the soldiers - you can specify who it goes to or send to a random soldier. Check here Operation Christmas Tree. These were a big hit with our guys over the years!

Overall, communication during deployments now are amazing compared to what they once were. We talk or text just about every day.

Hang in there, Mom, 6 months will FLY BY!


PS (wonder why she rambled so much): We are finishing up our 3rd one - 14 (Iraq), 15 (Iraq) and 12 (A-stan) months (so been there, done it, and probably going back for more). Feel free to shoot me a PM if there is anything specific, even if you think it's a dumb question - believe me - it's been asked and answered.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks everyone for all the responses, they are comforting and helpful I'm making a sort of to-do list, feel free to let me know if I've missed anything:

Copy of military ID, will, and life insurance policies
POA (USAA)
Deployment booklet offered by Army
Look into Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act to minimize interest rates
Check on vehicle storage
Check to see how much leave accrued and what the cap is

I'll pass this information on to DS as we get closer. He is really not interested in the mundane preparations so I'll need to nudge him a bit here and there He emailed me yesterday and was upset with me because I expressed my concerns about his going, pretty much telling me it wasn't a bit deal and to stop making it one Ohhh, testosterone, you gotta love it, NOT

 

[powellrj]

My DS was in Iraq several years ago and I am sure things are much different now than they were then, but I do know that when he was there just take his zip-code to the post office and they will tell you what is restircted. He had several odd items on his list that were all because of his zipcode.

Make sure he calls his credit/debit card issuer about his deployment. DS didn't and we had a heck of a time getting them to let him use it in Iraq because it kept getting flagged for fraud. Lots of phone calls from the bank manager to the main issuer took place.

He filed his own taxes while he was there so that wasn't an issue.

Thats all I can think of right now. Good luck and god bless to him.

 

[jsmith]

[Copy of military ID, will, and life insurance policies
POA (USAA)
Deployment booklet offered by Army
Look into Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act to minimize interest rates
Check on vehicle storage
Check to see how much leave accrued and what the cap is

/QUOTE]


The copies are a great idea
The POA is a specific poa for banking i think-look into that-most JAG officers-active and reserve will at least discourage a soldier from giving a general POA anymore if not refuse to write one for him.
while it is worthwhile to inquire about SSCRA-it will not apply to him-its specifially designed to apply to reservists-or if it should come to that draftees-the relief only applys to debt aquired prior to the effective date of active duty orders-so i dont think there is much it will help with
Leave cap is usally 60 days to carry-after that its use or loose-if the individual is deployed when they hit the cap it becomes 75 days-but that 15 has to be used in certain ammount of time-if they exceed the use or loose cap then the simply loose leave days to take them back to 60.-he should already know this as its something they are briefed on and the balance show on their bi monthly leave and earnings statement.

Relax MOM-i know this is a stressor for you-but-six months will go by quick-and iraq is not so horrible these days. most of the things you are worried about nudging him about the unit will nudge him for you-repeatedly. The previous advice about care packages was great-ive sent literally hundreds-on average two a month or more for the last 8 years-flat rate boxes are the way to go-the cost less and get there quicker.

 

[Longsx3]

Most of your questions have been answered but I wanted to address the leave question, it is unusual in the Air Force to go that long without leave if you have requested it. If you don't mind where in Japan is he, what type of job? Also he should be able to request leave in route and take leave either before or after Ft. Dix, if not he can definitely request leave in route on his return and then would not have to pay for a flight home.

As far as a send off or ceremony from Ft Dix, honestly doubtful. It sounds like he is deploying to fill a slot and not as part of a unit so it is a little different. My husband, also AF, has been to Iraq 2 twice once for 6 mos and then for a yr. No send off, other than me taking him to the Airport. On his return, no big deal other than me there to great him the first time and then this last time his commander was there to welcome him home. Far different than how the other services do things or when it is an entire Squadron in the Air Force.

 

[MattsPrincess]

Dh just got back from N. Iraq at the end of june. He was also there for six months, in Kirkuk. Also AF.

There was NO send-off for his group. He didn't leave alone, but went with about half of his shop. I drove him to the airport, sat there with him, then watched him walk through security. That was it. There was also no homecoming ceremony.

As it's been stated, you don't get leave with a deployment that short, unless there is some sort of major emergency (like a close family member passing) and even that isn't guaranteed. DH did, however, get to take 2 weeks of uncharged leave after he got inprocessed. That was really nice, gave him time to relax and for us to get back to "normal" life.

Bills and taxes I took care of, but if I didn't Dh could have easily handled everything as he had very reliable internet where he was, and all of our stuff like that is online. I highly recommend using Turbo Tax, they're easy and generally free for military.

There weren't many restrictions on what I could send to Dh. Mostly no alcohol, no fruits/veggies, and no liquids.

When he left, he took with him his cell to call home en route, his laptop, snacks, all his gear, photo albums, comfy PJ's, ipod, Nintendo DS, that sort of thing. He also took some disposable cameras so he could show us all what his life was like over there. That is really cool, I love those pictures.

As far as sending things, I tried to send him a themed box once a month. I picked an event for that month and tried to send stuff to match, like Valentine's Day, St. Pattys, etc. Some of his favorite things I sent were home baked cookies, brownies, etc. I put them in ziploc tubs and wrapped them up in that press and seal stuff, they always arrived fresh and soft.

I also sent him a lot of things like easy mac cups, instant oatmeal cups, powdered drink mixes, hot cocoa mix, nesquick powder, single serve cereal cups, coffee, etc etc. He had a fridge and microwave, so anything that was normal "at home" food made him feel better and helped him have a bit more variety in his diet. I also made sure to send lots of candy, lol. Lots of things like suckers and hard candies he could take to work with him.

I'm kind of rambling here, so I think i'll stop, lol. If you have any other questions please feel free to PM me. If I don't know the answer Dh probably will. Just relax and try not to worry, 6 months goes by so fast it's crazy. DH dreaded every moment until got there, and now says he's glad he got to have that experience. It's not the greatest thing in the world, that's for sure...but it's not nearly as bad as it is in our heads! lol. Hang in there.

 

[pixiepower1971]

JAG can discourage the POA but cannot refuse to give your son one. It is his choice who, what and how his personal affairs are handled while he is deployed.

 

[MattsPrincess]

can't believe I forgot this....PHONE CARDS!!! They have phone cards specifically for calling from Iraq or Afghanistan. Even though we got to talk online everyday, DH would still call me every once in a while and it was just so nice to be able to do that.

 

[jsmith]

[JAG can discourage the POA but cannot refuse to give your son one. It is his choice who, what and how his personal affairs are handled while he is deployed. /QUOTE]
ya after 30 years in the army i thought that too-until 2 Field grade JAG offiicers-one National Guard and one working in the SRP site at ft hood told me there was NO reason i needed one and they wouldnt write me one-if i was going to buy a house they could fax me a specific when i needed it-but they would NOT give me a general-and ive been married to this man 28 of the 31 years he has been in the military.

 

[PatsGirl]

Longsx3 ~ thanks for responding. I thought he might be able to come home before reporting to Fort Dix or at least before deploying but he tells me that he can't. It made sense to me since he's coming from Misawa, Japan to NJ (and we live in MA). He said he'd get two weeks once he got back from inprocessing in Japan after his tour but is hoping to take four if allowed. Seems foolish for him to be so close and not be able to use some of his time. He thinks its because of the holidays and he is low man. I believe he reports to NJ late January sometime. His lack of leave in the 28 months is due to two years of tech school, one year in EOD and another year in some type of communications that is "classified", although he did get Xmas Exodus both years for one week. Should I plan to go to NJ to see him off?

MattsPrincess ~ phone cards Another idea for his stocking, ty.

Jsmith ~ I'm really hoping he (read "we" lol) can get everything settled before he leaves so no POA will be necessary. I'll get a copy of his last pay statement so I can do his taxes via TaxTurbo if he doesn't have time before he leaves, try to get him to pay off his sole charge card, have him cancel his cellphone and store his car. He's only 20 so he doesn't have much to worry about "at home" unlike his married peers.