Preparing for a Deployment to Iraq: Tips for the Single Soldier

Given the Army's current operational tempo in Iraq (and Afghanistan), there is a saying "it isn't a matter of if you will deploy, but when you will deploy". Looking around, there are many resources dedicated to help the married soldier and families prepare and cope for deployment but few offering advice to the single soldier. This article is an attempt to bridge that gap, providing tips to the single soldier on what to do prior to his or her deployment to Iraq.

Legal and Administrative Paperwork

First and foremost is to update or make your will. When you deploy to Iraq you must be prepared for the worst. See your unit's legal section regarding how to create or update your will as soon as possible. Once you have a will, make sure it is notarized and keep the original in a safe place. Ensure someone knows where your will is and make a copy to take with you when you deploy. Again, get this done as early as possible as I have noticed many soldiers wait until the last minute to update or create their wills.

Delegate a trusted friend or family member with a power of attorney to represent you while you are deployed. There are two kinds you can obtain, a general or a specific power of attorney. A general power of attorney literally allows this individual to represent you in all your affairs, so think carefully before you grant your delegate a general power of attorney.

In most cases, you may opt for a specific power of attorney. A specific power of attorney states the affairs your delegate can represent on your behalf while you are deployed, and nothing else. This allows you to delegate somebody in the US to act on your behalf for specific issues, such as financial, property, or automobile issues while you are deployed. Again, see your legal section regarding how to obtain a power of attorney. As with your will, get this done as soon as possible as many soldiers seem to wait until the last minute to obtain a power of attorney.

Constantly ask your chain-of-command or your unit's travel section regarding the status of your deployment orders. Once you have your orders, make at least 10 copies for yourself, have a set "sterilized" for classified information by your unit's intelligence section, and make 10 copies of those as well. Copies of orders are essential because they prove you are deploying and may be needed to terminate contracts such as rental leases, cell phone service, or insurance payments. This is also the reason for the "sterile" copies, as you can provide a copy of your orders and proof of deployment without compromising classified or sensitive information.

In addition, review your orders for errors. If you need corrections, submit the request as soon as possible. Chances are your unit's travel section will be overwhelmed as you approach your deployment date and you want your orders to be as accurate as possible.

However, if your unit is slow in producing your orders, ask your chain of command to write a memorandum stating you are about to deploy. The memorandum must include the month you are deploying and the country you are deploying to, in this case, Iraq. Exact date of deployment or length of deployment is not necessary and I assume your deployment date is classified. In most cases, in the absence of orders, this memorandum will suffice.

If you want to, go see your personnel section to update your SGLI beneficiary and emergency contact information. Note this is usually updated at the mandatory SRP site prior to deployment so the decision is up to you. Make sure you carry a copy of both forms for your own records on your deployment.

Cash, Checks, and Cards

Carry at least $200 in cash to Iraq. The cash is for short-term convenience, especially for Iraqi vendors and merchants. There are many of them on bases in and around Iraq and they only accept cash. Carrying cash is even more essential if you are going to be located on a small base in Iraq. The smaller the base, the smaller the facilities, and the greater the probability you will purchase items from Iraqi vendors.

Make sure you also carry a few checks. If you need cash, and have access to a finance office, you can cash a check. Finance offices also allow you to take an advance against your next paycheck (known as casual pay), but I have heard horror stories of finance mix-ups and while finance never intends to mess up a soldier's pay, mistakes can happen and you really don't want to deal with that issue while deployed right?

Checks also allow you to take advantage of the military's Savings Deposit Plan (SDP). This allows you to earn up to 10% interest a year on money you deposit into this account. Checks are the best way to take advantage of this program as you can deposit a lump sum up to your monthly base pay plus entitlements into the account each month you are deployed. You can set up an allotment, but writing checks are better as finance will give you a receipt and thus proof of payment into the program. On the other hand, the paperwork for an allotment may accidentally get lost or misplaced. Keep in mind you cannot deposit money or create an account until you have deployed to Iraq for at least 30 days and the maximum amount you can have accumulate interest is $10,000 (for a maximum interest earnings of $1,000 per year). Any interest accumulated in the SDP account is also subject to federal and (depending on where you live) state taxes.

While not essential, carrying a credit card or ATM card can be convenient while you are deployed to Iraq. Why? On large bases, AAFES has a large presence and you can use credit or ATM cards at the AAFES PX and shopettes. But if you use a credit card, make sure you have already set up automatic payments or have the capability to pay your credit card bill online. Check with your credit card company to see how forgiving they are with bill payments while you are deployed. Some credit card companies may allow you to pay late and forgo late fees while others expect you to wire them money from Iraq.

Also, ask your credit card company about foreign transaction fees, just in case you become stuck in another country en route to Iraq and have to use your credit card off post or outside an AAFES established business.

Moving Out and Suspending Services

If you rent a house or apartment and have a military clause written into your lease, go see your landlord at least 30 days prior to your deployment to let him or her know you are deploying. The earlier the better, most landlords are understanding and appreciate the early notice.

If you own a house, have a loan, and have not done so already, I recommend setting up automatic payments from your checking or savings account to pay your mortgage. Also, find a trustworthy individual (neighbor, friend, homeowners association, etc.) who can periodically go through your house to ensure everything is okay. This way if your pipes burst and your home becomes flooded there is somebody who can help take care of home repairs and notify you about any property problems while you are in Iraq.

Do not forget to submit a change of address form to re-route your mail. If you want to put your mail on hold, you have to talk to your local post office. You cannot use the change of address form as the form only allows the post office to hold your mail for up to 30 days.

For soldiers moving out, make sure your orders state you are authorized to store your household goods at government expense. Note you do not lose your BAH allotment if you put your household goods in government storage. Once you have your orders, make an appointment with your post's JPSO office to coordinate a time for the government contractor to pack and store your household goods. Keep in mind you need at least a week's notice, possibly two, in order for JPSO to coordinate a pickup of your household goods.

Contact your utility company to stop service. Depending on how your utility company bills their customers, you may have to estimate your final payment. Some companies have online payments, so as long as you have access to the internet in Iraq, you can pay your bill. If your company does not offer online payments, ask them if you can pay a little extra upfront and have the remainder credited to your name. Chances are when you return you're going back to the same company for service and the credit can then be applied to your future bill.

Do not forget to suspend your cell phone account. I recommend suspending cell phone service the month after you leave. For example, if your deployment date is February 10^th, suspend your service starting in March. In a perfect world, you will deploy to Iraq on the date you are scheduled. In reality, this never, ever occurs. And the worst thing you want to do is to suspend your service and be left with no means of communication and no way for anybody to contact you.

Taking Care of your Vehicle

Talk to your insurance company to suspend insurance payments and see if they offer a non-operational insurance policy to insure your vehicle while you are deployed. These policies ensure any damage to your vehicle is covered while you are deployed and are a lot lower than your current insurance payment. I recommend starting this policy the month after you deploy, similar to my recommendations for suspending your cell phone service. This way any last minute deployment delays won't leave you driving without insurance.

Likewise, check with your state's DMV regarding registration procedures for deployed soldiers. Chances are you will need to renew your vehicle's registration while you are deployed.

Ask your unit about its vehicle storage plan. An example of a good plan would have the vehicles secured in a gated lot, access limited to one soldier, and constantly patrolled. An example of a bad plan would simply have everybody park their vehicles unsecured in your unit's parking lot. This becomes an open invitation for carjackers and thieves especially when word spreads that your unit has deployed to Iraq.

Remember to disconnect the battery before you deploy to minimize the chance you have to jump start your vehicle, or find a new battery (possibly at an inopportune time) when you return from Iraq.

If you are uncomfortable with your unit's vehicle storage plan, I recommend leaving your vehicle with a person you trust. Remember to ask him or her to periodically start your vehicle while you are deployed. Just make sure he or she will not be moving while you are deployed to Iraq.

And like mortgage payments, if you have an auto loan and have not done so already, I highly recommend setting up automatic payments from your savings or checking account to your bank.

Final Notes

If you have any additional questions, ask your unit, especially if this is your first deployment. I am sure there are soldiers, NCO's, and officers around who are able to offer you better help and advice than I.

Make sure you also carry a passport, either the civilian (blue) or the military (red) passport. You never know when you will need it.

I hope this article has been helpful, informative, and gives you a general idea about what you need to do to prepare for deployment to Iraq. Deployments are always stressful but if you prepare and plan accordingly, you can minimize the stress involved and better enjoy the time you have left before you deploy to Iraq.