5 Things You Didn't Know About Military Deployments

With just one week to go in Operation Soldier Care, and all the buzz on the internet about it, I thought some quick education on what it is like for the average soldier in Iraq or Afghanastan was in order. My husband Alex is a retired US Army officer so I have first hand information on "a day in the life" of our troops. Here are the top five things that most people don't know-
1. Mail call is the highlight of the day for every soldier in the field.
The importance of that connection at home can not be understated. Sending cards, letters, care packages means more than you will ever know to our heros overseas. (not all soldiers have access to email)
2.The climate is harsh and unpleasant.
The average temperatures in Iraq range from higher than 48 degree C (120 degrees Fahrenheit!) in July and August to below freezing in January. A majority of the rainfall occurs from December through April and is more abundant in the mountainous region and may reach 100 centimeters a year in some places
The summer months are marked by two kinds of wind phenomena: The southern and southeasterly sharqi, a dry, dusty wind with occasional gusts to eighty kilometers and hour, occurs from April to early June and again from late September through November. The shamal, a steady wind from the north and northwest, prevails from mid-June to mid-September. Very dry air which accompanies the shamal permits intensive sun heating of the land surface but also provides some cooling effect. Dust storms accompany these winds and may rise to heights of several thousand meters, causing hazardous flying conditions and closing airports for brief periods of time.
Extremes of temperatures and humidity, coupled with the scarcity of water, will effect both men and equipment. During dry season, clouds of dust caused by vehicle movement will increase detection capabilities in desert regions. Flash flooding in wadis and across roads will hinder traffic ability and supply efforts during the rainy season. Clear, cloudless skies make air superiority a prerequisite to successful offensive operations throughout Iraq. Air operations may be reduced during windy season. The Iraqi climate is similar to that of the extreme southwestern United States with hot, dry summers, cold winters, and a pleasant spring and fall. Roughly 90% of the annual rainfall occurs between November and April, most of it in the winter months from December through March. The remaining six months, particularly the hottest ones of June, July, and August, at approximately 102 degrees F are dry. The influence of the Persian Gulf on the climate of Iraq is very limited. Near the gulf the relative humidity is higher than in other parts of the country.
3. Personal hygene and comfort items are in limited supply and not affordable for many soldiers. Imagine that you are camping in the desert. What would you take with you? Those items that you use every day are not in the backpack of the average soldier overseas.
4.Many soldiers are having back to back deployments. Even reservists are frequently called up for several tours in a row, taking them away from their civilian jobs and families. (although employers are required to keep a position open while a soldier is deployed, career advancement is often jeopardized by time away from the job.
5. Every day is like "Groundhog Day". If you have ever seen that movie where the main charactor keeps waking up to the same day, that is what it is like for many soldiers. The only difference is that each day is one day closer to their trip home.

I teamed up with Email Our Military for the Operation Soldier Care campaign to provide comfort items to our troops. I am matching dollar for dollar each donation to have maximum impact on the number of care packages that we send for the troops. You can make a difference. Either pitch in any dollar amount or order directly on my web page and put Operation Soldier Care in the comments section. Your gift will then be sent directly to the soldiers in the field.