I know there are other threads on PATFOR SWA, but I thought it would be good to have one for information only. Anyone who has gone, or is going that has any job specific (NON-OPSEC of course) questions/answers/info on anything to do with "over there" would be appreciated. Please, let's leave the personal comments and attacks on another thread! Thanks, and have a wonderful Coast Guard day!

GOOD CALL,

I have heard that you can get a VONAGE phone set up before you go over and speak to family on a local phone #...anyone want to shed some light on this and let me know how it works or if there is a better way to go?

does anyone know if they have internet available in the houses that we stay at or we have to pay for it?

what kind of essentials are needed i know the basics like spit kit ext are their things that make life easyer. should i bring extra coveralls and things like that

thanks for the info, if you find out any more info let me know. When are you going to the PDT?

quote:

Originally posted by josemk:
thanks for the info, if you find out any more info let me know. When are you going to the PDT?

My orders say April 20th....shorside, with deployment date of July 1st....

I guess I'll see you there!!! at least its not going to be that cold in VA!!!! lol. Where are you stationed at right now?

Hey guys, good luck over there and try have fun and safe! I heard that during your pre deployment for shore and u/w training you go through some pretty crazy tactical training? Have you guys heard of this?

How bout a show of hands, who is going shoreside/cutter and fall/spring deployment? I'm shoreside in the fall.
MK1

I'm fall deployment...but my e-mail says PATFORSWA and the detailer said we won't know weather it is land or sea untill orders??? anyone else hear that?

MKC

quote:

Originally posted by josemk:
I guess I'll see you there!!! at least its not going to be that cold in VA!!!! lol. Where are you stationed at right now?

Right now I am stationed in tropical Sault Ste Marie, MI. If your wondering where that is....just find Michigan and go north untill you hit Canada! haha, we went to the range outside yesterday and it was 20 degrees and snowing lol.....so yea, I can't wait to go to VA!!!

quote:

Originally posted by KAGEUSCG:
I'm fall deployment...but my e-mail says PATFORSWA and the detailer said we won't know weather it is land or sea untill orders??? anyone else hear that?

MKC

MKC,
When I got my orders, they showed up specific to the cutter. I'm guessing, but I'd assume if it says P4 on the e-mail, it's probably shoreside.


Fuzzynuts1 (or anyone else going),
To answer the other question about what to bring, send me an e-mail and I'll fill you in.
In global under Phillip Waldron, MK2

-Wally

I was told that if your e-mail said, PATFOR SWA, we are going to the shoreside,and then for the people going to the cutters its supposed to say it on the orders.

Land it is then...I'll miss that extra sea pay, but the sand box is the sand box!

I guess I'll see all of you in April. We're gonna have fun in the sand box. Any word on the Vonage deal?

your best bet would be a lap top with web cam...

thanks for the info. Are you going also?

quote:

Originally posted by josemk:
I was told that if your e-mail said, PATFOR SWA, we are going to the shoreside,and then for the people going to the cutters its supposed to say it on the orders.

I sent a E-Mail to the poc MCPO on my order and i was told what i was doing my orders said force protection in the position area and MCPO said that translated to cutter support

quote:

Originally posted by fuzzynuts1:

quote:

Originally posted by josemk:
I was told that if your e-mail said, PATFOR SWA, we are going to the shoreside,and then for the people going to the cutters its supposed to say it on the orders.

I sent a E-Mail to the poc MCPO on my order and i was told what i was doing my orders said force protection in the position area and MCPO said that translated to cutter support

Sounds like shoreside. Mine just says Duty in the position area. My understanding of that is MAT team and force protection watches.

I am going to the Baranof. I got my orders for Pre-deployment training a couple days ago, and I also recieved Paxman school and 3300 CAT school. I leave for P.D.T on Feb 2. I dont know when I leave for Bahrain but my orders say April 1 - May 1. As for other info: My CO (Bosn Mullinax) was on the Baranof last year, he said you can get Vonage, bring a laptop, digital camera, 30 pairs each of socks, underwear, and shirts for the cutter guys, gets pretty stinky with no laundry. The apartments have WIFI for the laptops so when your inport you can chat with family and friends. I guess I will see some of you in VA Feb 3rd.
MK2 Joe Hart