Interesting… Here I thought I knew what I was getting into when I went back to Iraq this summer, and it turns out I didn’t…
Typically, it’s been like pulling teeth to get any information at all about my upcoming deployment. I pretty much expected this, because I ended up having to do all the management of getting myself over there, last time. And the people I’ve watched deploy after me have had the same kind of problems. Apparently a military that is set up to send groups of people is completely boggled by the idea that individuals have separate taskings but some of the same needs…
However, it reminds you that you’re a functioning adult who can do things for herself when you take things in hand and force your own deployment through the system. Actually, since I’ve done this fairly recently, I’ve only got a short list of things I need to do before heading over there… an annual physical, some training (sore topic–the AF is being myopic as usual on that topic), and getting the movers out to pack up my stuff and store it while I’m gone.
My only real concern is scheduling everything in a way that will work… I need to drop off my car and my cats with family again, and all the family lives in Washington State these days, so it’s going to be a pretty decent road trip. Besides, once I’ve ditched my car, I have to rent one–so I’d rather have the visit home be as close as possible to the time when I need to head out…
But, such piddly details aside, I’m excited because today I finally got some answers about the job that I hadn’t been expecting! I had to ask around a little bit (only one false start, though, so that’s good!) but I figured out that my job that I’m going to be doing for a year in Iraq is actually a new one. I’ll be the first year-long fill for this position that they’ve had… And it’ll be on the other side of Baghdad from the IZ (aka the Green Zone), so it’ll be a new experience in that right, as well. I’m not certain I’m thrilled about that… notoriously, all the trailers there are “dry”, meaning you have to walk outside to a shared bathroom facility, which can be unpleasant in the depths of night and/or the middle of the (muddy) rainy season. But I’m already getting used to the idea… as far as hardship goes, that really doesn’t even register!
I’m definitely curious about what my job will be… the few tantalizing hints I see aren’t enough to piece something together. However, it does require my clearance (this is the first time a job will actually require my clearance!), and judging from things I’ve talked about with friends who’re in the know, I have a couple ideas about what I might be doing… We’ll see. It has the potential to be a VERY interesting year.
Now if I can only get there by the time I’m supposed to be there, and not pull out all my hair from sheer frustration in the process… I’ll count it a victory!
