Hello Everyone,

I am currently a mobilized Navy Reservist on an 12 month IA in Afghanistan. If you have questions about pre-deployment training, life here, etc., please feel free to shoot me a message.

Cheers,
IS1(SCW)

Thank you for all you do!

My wife is currently there as well. She doesn't get the chance to get in here too often. I am glad you are here to answer questions.

Be sure to check out the Unit Page I created.

CSTC-A

Thanks for stopping in IS1. I dont know if you have seen my other post, but Im thinking about going IA as well. Im a Reservist, college student, and missing active duty. I'm a PS3 with just over 2 years total service. I enlisted under the NCS program.
One of my biggest questions comes from did you volunteer for IA, and if so why?
I've heard a little bit about the pre deployment training held at Ft Jackson. One thing I've heard is that they've changed it from 2 weeks to 3, I cannot find any info to corroborate that story, can you?
On the ship I liked the deployment with people that I had already formed a relationship with. As an IA and going by yourself how did that effect your mentality and ability. Im thinking about the difference in the first few weeks of trying to work in such a difficult enviorment with absolute strangers.

i think thats it for now. Thanks for all of your input and service.

elemanski,

About a year ago, I saw the writing on the wall...it was a matter of WHEN, not if I'd get mobilized. My reserve unit checked with everyone to see what commitments, family situation, etc. were like. I teach as a civilian, so the big thing for me was that I had as much notice as possible.

In late July/early August of last year, I got the call from at CDR at my unit indicating that I was being mob'ed and had 8 weeks to sort out my affairs at home. As part of my mob, I was scheduled for an intel school, combat-related training and then 12 months here.


There were a total of 5 IS's mobilized as part of the Request for Forces (RFF) I was mob'ed under. The only difference was that I was a class ahead of them for our intel. school.

I did not go through NIACT at Fort Jackson - and I have also heard that it was extended to 3 weeks, which is still not a lot of time to learn the things you need to know in my opinion. I used to be a Seabee, so a lot of this stuff is not foreign to me.

I am in Afghanistan as an Embedded Training Team (ETT) member. So, rather than 3 fun weeks in South Carolina, I got to spend 2 1/2 very cold months at Fort Riley, Kansas this past winter. We had a ton of training in that time...it was pretty crazy.

I cannot really compare how things in Afghanistan, a land locked country, compare to a ship deployment, as all my active duty deployments were with the 'Bees. However, sailors being sailors, you make friends - I work with Marines, Army (active and National Guard), and Air Force. Navy folks are all over the place in this country!

With regard to mental preparation - it is hard being away from home and my civilian life. However, for the most part, there is pretty good DSN and Internet access in most places. This is a huge bonus - I can easily communicate with the rest of the world!

I am not sure what the mobilization rate is for PS3's, but I'd imagine you can volunteer for and IA if you're interested. Financially, it can be a big boon...I've paid of a lot of debt, which is nice. I also enjoy the opportunity to work with Afghans (we advise them) and to live in a foreign country. It can also be beneficial to advancement, which can be challenging in your rate.

You said that you're in college - I know there are a number of people who use their free time to do distance classes, or at some bases, take actual classes. You would be eligible to use tuition assistance in such case.

You can also find a lot of information about IA's on NKO - click on the "If You Are an IA.." link that shows up on the main page. There is alot of information posted there.

If you've got any other questions, my email is califchick1175@yahoo.com.

Good luck!
IS1(SCW)

Nice input. Thanks! Ill keep ahold of that email just in case.

Hello! I happened to have noticed your message regarding Individual Augmentees. A very good friend of mine is a Naval Officer/Pilot. He got Deployment Orders. He reported yesterday to Ft. Jackson,SC for training. In the past when he has been over in the Middle East,he has actually flying. This time he will be on the group supervising either Army or Marines. He reports to Kuwait on XXX and XXX he will be in Baghdad. He is the only one from his unit at Norfolk that is going. I am unfamiliar with this. How does it work? How long could he be there for? How does one get chosen for IA? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Mary Ann

As a matter of security please do not post dates, names, etc.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sgtmom,

Mary Ann,

Basically, DoD is using IA's to plug people into areas in need of more people - be it security forces, base management, running prisons (I've met enlisted people from the a variety of communities working in them), or whatever. I know a helo pilot where I am that helps advise on garrison operations.

Most IA deployments are for 1 year, but 6 month deployments sometimes happen.

IA Orders - some people volunteer for them while others are just given them.

IS1(SCW)

Hey IS1, thanks for stopping by. I am 5 days from shipping to boot camp as an IS and am considering volunteering for IA. I have a few of questions for you if you don't mind.

Do you do basically the same duties that you did in the fleet as you are doing on IA? I suppose you have an internet connection, how is it in terms of availability, reliability, and speed? Finally, do you enjoy the IA billet compared to being stationed stateside?

Thanks.

Hey Bove,

I can answer some of that for Kabul.

Do you do basically the same duties that you did in the fleet as you are doing on IA?
Not usually. Most of the IA's I have encountered through my wife's deployment are deployed as an Embedded Training Team (ETT). While you may be doing something similar, it may not always be like that. Remember, it's a war and you are there to augment the teams already in place.

I suppose you have an internet connection,Not always true. Depends on your location. how is it in terms of availability,Available in limited locations but usualy on all the bases there is a computer center with internet readily available. reliability, and speed?Reliability and speed is not what you get here at home. I can promise you that. My wife had internet at her safe house. It was very unreliable and VERY slow. It did allow for video chats through Yahoo. Camera had about a 2 second delay and audio sometimes was delayed about one second. Again, this was only when it WAS working at the house. It seams there are a lot of thefts of the cables they use to run the internet from location to location.

Just my experiences from having a deployed wife. IS1 may have some different experiences.

quote:

Do you do basically the same duties that you did in the fleet as you are doing on IA? I suppose you have an internet connection, how is it in terms of availability, reliability, and speed? Finally, do you enjoy the IA billet compared to being stationed stateside?

Sorry for the tardy reply - I've been out a lot lately.

quote:

Do you do basically the same duties that you did in the fleet as you are doing on IA?

CivSAR was pretty accurate in his description of working an IA. In my case, I do work in Intel, but also teach English, help with humanitarian projects and mentor the family support officers.

quote:

I suppose you have an internet connection, how is it in terms of availability, reliability, and speed?

Yes, I have Internet. Fortunately for me, I have one of the best connections in country, it's in my room and it's free. This is rare - connections are usually for a fee and/or slow in most places.

quote:

Finally, do you enjoy the IA billet compared to being stationed stateside?

I enjoy it, but I am a reservist, so my perspective state-side is a little different than the average sailor.

As a junior IS, be sure to learn your job, etc. before doing an IA.

Good luck!

IS1(SCW)

IS1, good to see you. Hang in there! We want you home! Thanks for all you do!

Grant

Hey IS1,
I am on my there. I leave in Sept 30 will be there in DEC. So what advice do have for me? What do you do in your off time are there internet access?

EN1,

Are you going to Fort Riley for training?

Advice? Make sure you bring copies of any paperwork you may need - especially think about anything you'd need for your CPO Selection Board Package if you're eligible. Other items:

- Portable DVD Player or a laptop.
- Just basic toiletries - there are PX's at the bigger FOB's/Bases.
- PT Gear - While our official PT Uniform will not be out until next spring, we generally wear the white t-shirt, sweats and navy blue shorts. It will be cold when you arrive, so get a couple of sets of sweats.
- Single bed-sized sheets. I used mine at Riley, in Kuwait on my way here, and now that I am here. I have 2 sets so I have 'em when the other set is in the wash.
- Be prepared for various power source types - some places are US 110 while a lot are 220 with UK or EU style plugs.

Other than that, I'll have to think about it.

Time off - I go to the gym, read, watch movies, use the 'Net, etc. Internet access really varies based on which FOB you're at. Most places you have to pay and speed really can vary.

Good luck!
IS1(SCW)

To alot of people this sound weird but, i have grown up navy and thats what i am joining my contract is for Dry AIRcrew but i want to go and serve my country in iraq along side the marines and Army so if i request to go IA does that mean i would lose my Aircrew status?

The Marines and Army have their own Air people - they dont need Navy people.

that wasn't my question at all

The answer to your question is best answered by your recruiter..we are mere spouses here.

However comma..IF you were to go IA(and not everyone does, I believe only 11% of the big Navy is IA) it wouldnt be in an Air capacity.

IA is an added duty on top of that of what you are already doing it's not a rating in itself is what i have found out

quote:

Originally posted by Mustang00:
The Marines and Army have their own Air people - they dont need Navy people.

Actually that may not be necessarily true. We have a friend who is an AC with the Navy and got sent to Afghanistan for over 6 months on IA. We even know of people taken from the Submarine community that have gone as well. It is going to depend on their needs at the time and they are taking just about everyone now.

That may be true..but if he is referring to working alongside a Marine..it wont happen. As in a Corpsman or a Chaplain.

Sure, he can go to OIF or OEF and serve as Aircrew w/ the Navy..but I took his question as something different.