Going downrange in 90 days

[TonyKat]

Keeping opsec in mind i'll make a pit stop in kuwait then go where ever. I've been in the reserves for a couple years and this is my first deployment. Keep in mind I'm a web programmer computer geek type. Anyways, like most newbies I'm probably planning on bringing way too much stuff but keeping in mind that I don't want to live a barebones existence for the next 12 months. This is the list of wants and conveniences I've thrown together. Please add to, take away, and criticize the following.

MacBook Air
iPad 2
Kindle
iPhone
Projector
Speakers
Zebra pens
KA-BAR
Camera
Camcorder
Solar Charger
Extension cord
Battery power supply
Power strip
Flash drive
Portable hard drive
Mouse
Multimeter
SD card reader
CAC card reader
Headphones
Headphone cables
Headphone splitter
Kettle
Tea
French press
Coffee
iPod nano
Gorilla pod
World adapter kit
AC/DC inverter
Multi-tool
Alarm clock
Watch
Ham radio
Shortwave radio
Airport express
Proton Photon
Projector screen
100mph tape
Electrical tape
Packing tape
550 cord
Micro pur
Journal
USB hub
USB ethernet
Apple remote
Superdrive
Lens/Screen cleaner
Vitamins
Baseball & Mitt
Fan
Cigarettes
Lighters
Flea collars
Hickory's best jerky
Pictures
GPS
Smart cards
Maps of the area
Protractor
Bungee cords
eBooks
2 dress shirts
Slacks
Jeans
Doc Martins
Hoodie
Blazer
Backpack
Sunglasses
Bug spray
Burt bees

[Comcam]

2 dress shirts
Slacks
Jeans
Doc Martins
Hoodie
Blazer


Makes it look like your not going to too bad of a spot and not bare bones. One thing I don't see on your list is a plug adapter.

You can prob ditch the projector and screen and just watch TV/movies on your laptop and save some room. Most places I have been have TV's for people to watch with AFN.

That list just looks long as $%^& every time I scroll up to read it lol.

[SoCal_Sapper]

Don't be one of those guys who get fat on their deployment.

[TonyKat]

I'm lower enlisted Army.

[chris]

dude you are taking way too much stuff. go through it several times to see if you really need it and can take it. also if you can't carry it with you. have someone here send it to you when you get there.

[Soldier415]

FleshLight.

Must have piece of kit.

[Roots]

Pieces that have multiple uses are usually the most valuable.

Good luck and thanks for serving!

[BajaJames83]

Is there a actual reason for deployment?
When I went to afghan someone high up told us it costs to govt 250k per person for a deployment. When I got to afghan I was wondering why there were sooooo many people that just sat at the FOB. I know there are people required for support......
If your planning on having that much down time and need all those creature comforts.......

Good luck and have a great deployment

[automatikdonn]

Keep your head on a swivel. Whats your MOS

[45DAVID1]

Take your issued gear and bring a pillow. The rest of that crap can be sent to you. But, if you do decide to take all that bring a hairdryer so you can look pretty for the rest of the guys in your room that is smaller than a jailcell.

[roll2li]

Wouldn't take the ham radio - your N6/commo whatever the army calls it, will likely have a fit if you operate it from a FOB or a COP, and especially if you operate one after they've called OP Minimize/EMCON etc because of casualties.

Backups for your electronics would be important, especially on your AC/DC inverter, you need to make sure you have the world plug adaptors with spare fuses (and not just a physical adaptor, but the 120 to 220 inverter), especially if you are hopping between mutlinational bases.

More grunt stuff would be like baby wipes for when you're using wag bags, I see you're placing a premium on snivel gear that will keep you preoccupied (e.g. electronics) instead of comfortable (good fleeces, gloves, long underwear, facemasks, lots of cocoa butter etc).

I would suggest taking a lot of your lose gear/bric-a-brac and putting them into a tackle box for organization and transport.

[turbomkt]

I would go the other way on world plug adapters. Most electronics are autoswitching between 110 and 220. This can actually help him reduce what he takes. One adapter and multiple USB cables is easier. I'd also consider using the iPad as the book reader or ask what the iPad does that the Macbook and iPhone don't.

Projector and screen? Really? Try a cable that hooks up to the HDMI port of an LCD TV.

Camcorder? Use the iPhone or your camera for videos.

Multimeter?

[roll2li]

The only reason I'd suggest a seperate step inverter is for limited/possible surge protection from crappy wiring. Instead of having your expensive and hard to replace power cord to a specific appliance burn out the inverter should go first, but I'm not a electrician. However, your point is absolutely valid that most electronics do ship with power adaptors that automatically adjust. During my last deployment, there are huge gaps in construction quality between NATO forces and contractors so I was always happier to pop fuses than lose my laptop.

Tea-Kettle and French Press? Like many of the guys have already mentioned, you're better off getting something high quality that can handle all of those things. Also - I don't know your ultimate location, but usually high amp appliances like that aren't permitted in your hooch and will be in the TOC/COC whatever. If you're planning on using it in the field, you'll need something like an esbit stove, but I think it is safer, faster and more concealable instead to rig some MRE heaters to get you hot coffee instead of setting something on fire.

[epilepticninja]

A word to the wise, if you are taking flak, shrapnel, etc., you are standing too close to the target. Other than that, duct tape is your friend.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

You probably won't even be allowed to take that much stuff. We were allowed 2 sea bags and one backpack or small carryon. One seabag was filled with issue and the other was 1/2 full of uniforms, PT gear etc.

Take the essentials and figure out what u can have/use when you get settled in. Stuff like xboxes, bicycles etc you can buy used from dudes redeploying.