I thought I was moving to Oklahoma....

[AregularGuy]

But I'm headed to Iraq! I got word of a unit with an opening that was going that way. Hopped on with short notice. A couple of months to prep then I'm out. Strange the unexpected twists and turns life can present. I was glad to be getting out of CA and off to OKC. I'm not sure the employer will hold my position for me but they are looking into it. If nothing else, I'll have a few more Army stories. You folks helped keep me sane and connected during my last deployment and injury/recovery from injury/dissolution of my 20 year relationship. I appreciated that tremendously. Thanks to all!

[Spanky8601]

Stay safe/

[M76]

God Speed!

[Tractionavant]

Be safe my friend!!

[PyroFox79]

I thought that employers had to keep your position if you're a reservist and deploy?

[Garand Hunter]

Be safe and come back in a complete condition.

Psalm 1

[HKAllTheThings]

Enjoy. Not much going on there anymore.

[stormvet]

Originally Posted by PyroFox79

I thought that employers had to keep your position if you're a reservist and deploy?

It sounds that way but it is often not the case in the real world.

While working as a state LEO, I got hired for a lateral position in a different department. I got my assignment location and reporting date, then I got activated and sent to Iraq. Informed them of this and was told, be safe your job will be waiting for you when you get back.

A year later I get back call them and I’m told, really sorry but do to budget cuts we are not hiring any more officers. I told them but I was already hired, yeah but your position is no longer available so sorry. Luckily I was able to keep my job with my original department.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by PyroFox79

I thought that employers had to keep your position if you're a reservist and deploy?

I am in the midst of the hiring process for a job in OKC. I have a "preliminary offer" but nothing finalized. They really wanted me on board and created a position for me. They're looking for options on whether or not they can hold the spot for me. I don't think it will happen, but maybe it will be there when I get back.

Originally Posted by HKAllTheThings

Enjoy. Not much going on there anymore.

Yeah, this is what I've heard. As of Jan 1 OIR moved from "combat operations" to "advise and assist". Although apparently everyone is still doing the same stuff. Either way, sounds like I'll be busy as the lone PT in the MTF. Still not sure exactly where we are going in the country. I've got my first drill with the unit in 2 weeks.

Funny thing is I declined the COVID booster, now going to get a slew of questionable but Gov certified vaccines at SRP next month!

[Snoopy47]

Originally Posted by stormvet

It sounds that way but it is often not the case in the real world..............

A year later I get back call them and I’m told, really sorry but do to budget cuts we are not hiring any more officers.

Yea, it doesn't protect one from losing a job that would have otherwise been lost during the normal course of business anyway.

Bottom line as you point out, a clever employer can get rid of reserve service members easy enough if they are careful with how they do it.

[sealocan]

Congratulations on your new adventure and stay safe.


If you look hard enough there's probably a joke hidden somewhere like...

"How Iraq is like Oklahoma?"















(Although I've got nothing except...

"The 7-Elevens seem oddly similar.")

[rsrocket1]

Originally Posted by sealocan

Congratulations on your new adventure and stay safe.


If you look hard enough there's probably a joke hidden somewhere like...

"How Iraq is like Oklahoma?"

Neither pay taxes to California

"The 7-Elevens seem oddly similar."

I was on travel to Australia once and we stopped at a 7-Eleven south of Sydney to get gas. I walked in and asked if I could use the restroom. The guy behind the counter said "No restrooms here, mate"

Yup, he was Indian.

[Coolguy101]

Originally Posted by PyroFox79

I thought that employers had to keep your position if you're a reservist and deploy?

My brother went through a USERRA claim against a major retailer. It had to do with a promotion that happened while he was deployed. Bottom line is he lost, as the company has the right to fill a position while he is gone, and they didn't have another position open for him when he came back.

Lots of companies wave the flag and say they support the military. The reality is they only do so when its beneficial to the company. When its not, they don't.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by Coolguy101

My brother went through a USERRA claim against a major retailer. It had to do with a promotion that happened while he was deployed. Bottom line is he lost, as the company has the right to fill a position while he is gone, and they didn't have another position open for him when he came back.

Lots of companies wave the flag and say they support the military. The reality is they only do so when its beneficial to the company. When its not, they don't.

Kaiser was pretty good to me during my last deployment. Technically they could fill my position as long as they offer me a position when I got back. It didn't have to be in the same department or even facility. It could be in a different city, etc. Luckily they kept my spot for me for over 2 years!

[Snoopy47]

Originally Posted by AregularGuy

Kaiser was pretty good to me during my last deployment.....!

Make no mistake, that wasn't a function of their generosity as much as it was a shortage of labor in the market.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by Snoopy47

Make no mistake, that wasn't a function of their generosity as much as it was a shortage of labor in the market.

That could certainly be the case. They can circle the wagons and get viscious. I saw a doc get escorted out of our department by security on their last day, all because she didn't get along with the department chief. Pretty insulting.

[dC0m]

Thank you for your service and stay safe out there!

[therealnickb]

Take care ArG!

[SilveradoColt21]

Originally Posted by stormvet

It sounds that way but it is often not the case in the real world.

While working as a state LEO, I got hired for a lateral position in a different department. I got my assignment location and reporting date, then I got activated and sent to Iraq. Informed them of this and was told, be safe your job will be waiting for you when you get back.

A year later I get back call them and I’m told, really sorry but do to budget cuts we are not hiring any more officers. I told them but I was already hired, yeah but your position is no longer available so sorry. Luckily I was able to keep my job with my original department.

Good thing you told me this, I am not a LEO by any means but I was so close to joining the national guard then always wondered what would happen to my regular job

[BlueOvalBandit]

Originally Posted by stormvet

It sounds that way but it is often not the case in the real world.

While working as a state LEO, I got hired for a lateral position in a different department. I got my assignment location and reporting date, then I got activated and sent to Iraq. Informed them of this and was told, be safe your job will be waiting for you when you get back.

A year later I get back call them and I’m told, really sorry but do to budget cuts we are not hiring any more officers. I told them but I was already hired, yeah but your position is no longer available so sorry. Luckily I was able to keep my job with my original department.

Same thing happened to me, except the budget cut excuse cause they were literally hiring my position (Forensic Lab role). I eventually got my job back 6 months later... less 6 months pay and unemployment wasn't that sweet $1100/week during the pandemic.

USERRA is literally useless unless you have a slam dunk case, it just turns into he said she said.

Originally Posted by SilveradoColt21

Good thing you told me this, I am not a LEO by any means but I was so close to joining the national guard then always wondered what would happen to my regular job

YMMV, I just got out because it absolutely destroyed my primary career (mechanical engineer) among other things. It's mind blowing how many interviews you can go through and be asked "How much time are you going to take off for the Guard" Or "When are you deploying?" I wish I made this up. Sad part is most were State Gov jobs.

[Snoopy47]

Originally Posted by BlueOvalBandit

.....

USERRA is literally useless unless you have a slam dunk case, it just turns into he said she said........

Yeah......... a Navy LT (O3) I served with while deployed literally was let go the day of his going away party at work for said deployment. How's that for a stressful situation. Going down range you then go into a situation where you know you have NOTHING back home.

He even ended up speaking before congress regarding strengthen USERRA..

Nothing has changed.

It is not a coincidence of the CSM's and COL's I see have successful careers in the reserves that they tend to have government related jobs that are much harder to wiggle out of USERRA guidelines.

Even the ones without government jobs tend to have a civilian career track that allows them to work things around a lot.

********
Before I put myself into new positions I research the hell out of it to get an idea of what the maneuverability is to work into my civilian obligations. Travel alone is a key driver. If the unit is too far away I automatically add a travel day TO and an travel day FROM for every single Battel Assembly.

This year I'm now looking at a 27 day AT, and that was BEFORE Russia got all frisky.

[AregularGuy]

Thanks for the well-wishes folks! I've got SRP next weekend. Reminds me of herding cattle the way they run you through the stations.

LHI rep: "Anthrax vaccine?"
Me: "Oh, I've had that before."
LHI rep: "Hmm, you're on the list"
Me: "But it's in Medpros I'm sure of it"
LHI rep: "Yeah, you're going to need this again"

[Coolguy101]

Originally Posted by Snoopy47

Yeah......... a Navy LT (O3) I served with while deployed literally was let go the day of his going away party at work for said deployment. How's that for a stressful situation. Going down range you then go into a situation where you know you have NOTHING back home.

He even ended up speaking before congress regarding strengthen USERRA..

Nothing has changed.

It is not a coincidence of the CSM's and COL's I see have successful careers in the reserves that they tend to have government related jobs that are much harder to wiggle out of USERRA guidelines.

Even the ones without government jobs tend to have a civilian career track that allows them to work things around a lot.

********
Before I put myself into new positions I research the hell out of it to get an idea of what the maneuverability is to work into my civilian obligations. Travel alone is a key driver. If the unit is too far away I automatically add a travel day TO and an travel day FROM for every single Battel Assembly.

This year I'm now looking at a 27 day AT, and that was BEFORE Russia got all frisky.

My brother, whom I mentioned in my previous post, now works for the Federal Government, so doesn't have problems with deployments anymore.

[Mars637]

Originally Posted by HKAllTheThings

Enjoy. Not much going on there anymore.

True. I was at AAAB this past summer. It was very chill, aside from the random incoming once in a while. They were using drones now more than rockets though so that will keep you alert. There was a good rocket attack in early July though. You will hear "Live Fire Exercise" all day long.

Good luck out there.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by Mars637

True. I was at AAAB this past summer. It was very chill, aside from the random incoming once in a while. They were using drones now more than rockets though so that will keep you alert. There was a good rocket attack in early July though. You will hear "Live Fire Exercise" all day long.

Good luck out there.

Thanks! I will be at BDSC with outings to various other areas.

[tomk556]

BDSC is a nice existence, for sure.

[AregularGuy]

Touched down in Baghdad a couple of days ago. Flew in on a C130, knees to nuts. Hot as a bastard! The day before heading to Iraq, i Got "arrested" in Kuwait in zone 6 at the PX a few hours after arriving at Arifjan

That's a funny story. Me and a SGT traveled by bus from zone 1 to 6. We were carrying our weapons as no one told us otherwise. Had welcome brief and weapons safety check that morning.

MP stops us on the street and asks about the weapons. We explain we are headed to the PX. He said weapons needed to be in the barracks with a guard and to leave immediately. We then proceeded to walk toward the bus stop. Three things then influenced my decision to head smartly back to the barracks. One, I was thirsty as heck. It was 111 degrees an no water point for 4 blocks. Two, the bus stop was just after the PX. Three, walking by the PX I saw about 8 Soldiers come out with weapons.

So in We went. I actually bought a huge bottle of water and 2 other drinks. On the way out the MP was standing there and already called his supervisor. I explained my story to her, showed the water and drinks, no Bueno. We were cuffed and disarmed for transport to the station. My SGT somehow texted my NCOIC. After sitting in a room for about an hour an SFC came in and said he spoke with the Garrison Commander and they were not going to press charges, apparently an article 92. They were actually midway through reading my SGT his rights when they got the news.

Through the whole thing g I was polite and respectful. I was wrong but it was obvious what we were doing. Anyway, none of tge inprocessing folks were tracking the weapons policy and added a slide immediately. Lol. At least something good came of it.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by tomk556

BDSC is a nice existence, for sure.

Sure is so far! The DFAC is pretty freaking good. Gym is well equipped. The most challenging thing is good internet data. I've got 2 phones and wifi costing me over $250/month just to stay connected. It's the one luxury I find it hard to compromise on.

ETA: the guy at the Popeye's chicken shack told me they will deliver chicken and subway sandwiches to your chu! Somehow I find this hilarious.

[tomk556]

Originally Posted by AregularGuy

Sure is so far! The DFAC is pretty freaking good. Gym is well equipped. The most challenging thing is good internet data. I've got 2 phones and wifi costing me over $250/month just to stay connected. It's the one luxury I find it hard to compromise on.

ETA: the guy at the Popeye's chicken shack told me they will deliver chicken and subway sandwiches to your chu! Somehow I find this hilarious.

I don't remember what I used there, probably a sapphire plan? Remember to use a VPN and be cautious about what you send over the dirty internet... Funny about AJ. That's probably new. I feel like I had a weapon there, definitely in Beuhring. Stay safe.

[coryhenry]

AJ has always been a problem because you have all the head sheds there that have never been anywhere outside the wire. I have almost always gone directly to the armory to turn in weapons because they just don't like the idea of a soldier carrying, even though we always came out of a combat zone.

[AregularGuy]

We're in the 90 day window for redeployment! Iraq is lovely this time of year, but I'll take 120 degrees over these GD flies! They are absolutely relentless and aggressive. Its been interesting with the government shenanigans, protests, drones of all kinds, and those mischievous anti-US/coalition types.

[chris]

Originally Posted by coryhenry

AJ has always been a problem because you have all the head sheds there that have never been anywhere outside the wire. I have almost always gone directly to the armory to turn in weapons because they just don't like the idea of a soldier carrying, even though we always came out of a combat zone.

AJ just sucks. I was there 2 years ago and right when Wuhan broke out. The level of stupidity was lets say almost criminal. Toxic base is what I call it. I hope I don't go back there. Iraq would have been better.

[AregularGuy]

Getting close to de-mob, a couple more months. Just enough time to send me to Erbil (EAB) for an undetermined length of time. No return trip planned yet. Erbil, and specifically transient housing in a tent with 15 other dudes, is a far cry from my comfy BDSC bungalo, lol.

[AregularGuy]

Originally Posted by chris

AJ just sucks. I was there 2 years ago and right when Wuhan broke out. The level of stupidity was lets say almost criminal. Toxic base is what I call it. I hope I don't go back there. Iraq would have been better.

AJ does suck. Talking about toxic, (I think i understand you meant the leadership or admin environment) the air in BDSC is awful. They don't use burn pits on the compound but surrounding they do. The air is so bad you can see and taste it. DOS won't release air quality numbers or what exactly gets burned in the incinerator. Air particulate has been over 500 on several occasions and tastes tangy.

[tomk556]

Originally Posted by AregularGuy

Getting close to de-mob, a couple more months. Just enough time to send me to Erbil (EAB) for an undetermined length of time. No return trip planned yet. Erbil, and specifically transient housing in a tent with 15 other dudes, is a far cry from my comfy BDSC bungalo, lol.

Hope you enjoy EAB. I shared a CHU with one other. Good dfac but not as good as BDSC of course. True though, some of the best sleep I had was in a solo bungalo at BDSC lol. Stay safe there.

[bexast1]

I do miss AAAB, some of the best cold grilled cheese. Always wanted to go to BDSC and I heard dfac there is best of the best. God forbid state department employees eat god awful military chow. lol

[AregularGuy]

Well RIP/TOA is underway. Ive gone BDSC -> EAB -> AAAB -> BDSC. Hopefully I don't get caught up in Kuwait for too long. Yes, BDSC DFAC was the best of the 3 in my opinion, if the employees wash hands regularly to avoid e.coli. The food isn't "great" but there's variety and over easy eggs if you want them. Prime rib carving station over the holidays was welcome.