Serving in Kuwait (Part I)

The December 2005 edition of this magazine featured me with the lead title: “A Deployable Asset.” Little did I know that in nine short months I would find myself serving in Kuwait. It all unfolded when I got the call. I receive notice of selection to deploy with the 730th Quartermaster Battalion to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My initial reaction was joy and excitement. Since 9/11, I had assisted over 9,000 soldiers and families as they met the challenges of deployment while serving as the Family Director for the North Carolina National Guard. I now welcomed the opportunity to serve myself. I equate the excitement to that of a team player who after sitting on the bench for much of the game was finally able to play. No true teammate wants to sit out the whole game. Many soldiers experience this reaction about serving.

Once I was alerted (called for deployment), my life came to a screeching halt. All my plans at work and in my personal life immediately vanished. My personal plans took the greatest hit. After spending 6 months developing my first business that officially opened on May 1, I closed it on May 2, the day I got “the call” (It is an online business devoted to promoting literacy: www.P-Wiz.com). I also had to delay my plans of attending graduate school in the fall at NC State. The call to duty takes precedence over everything. It reminds me of the Old Proverb:

“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

I know that as this deployment unfolds, it is God’s plan.

CPT Murray on the right with her Battle Buddy CPT Ruth Anne Cresenzo. CPT Cresenzo is a Contract Officer Representative with the unit. She is a native of Saxapahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina.

So in keeping with His plan, my entire focus became preparing for the deployment. I spent about 3 weeks packing and moving out of my townhouse and finding a suitable tenant. The time was hectic as I completed a long list of things to do from storing my car, filling prescriptions, terminating utilities, and packing my duffle bags. I also used this time to spend quality time with family and friends.

After completing my vast home-front tasks, I reported to our mobilization station at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Here, I linked up with my unit who had left a month prior. Upon my arrival, I instantly joined my unit as we processed through a schedule of intense training to prepare for the deployment. Some of our training included Arabic language and customs classes, land navigation, weapon qualification, heat injury prevention, combat first aid, and antiterrorism. We also received an abundance of individual equipment and uniforms for our every need: canteens, sleeping bags, goggles, hearing protection, an armored vest, and much more. Our training days were long, yet productive. In the end, we were equipped with our full “battle rattle”—a term we fondly use to refer to all the safety gear we carry on our bodies daily.

Upon completing our training at Fort Dix, we safely deployed to Kuwait. Please join me as I share my accounts of this experience in future articles. sherrell.murray@us.army.mil