My Kuwait Deployment
June 1st, 2008 by squall-ajli know this was last year, but since i was made to write about it, i might as well share it. so read on if you would like to..
My Kuwait Deployment
HM2 Alvin John M. Lleva
Last year, I was chosen to deploy to Kuwait in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom. To be honest, it was really nerve wrecking to get deployed for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect. There was that feeling of fear and anxiety, because I had to give up my plans for the year and be in an environment that’s completely alien to me. But at the same time, it thought it was okay because I would still be doing the things that I do everyday anyway, as a Cardiovascular Technologist. Additionally, I knew it was my turn to pay such contribution to the country.
We started out with training before flying to Kuwait. It was two weeks training with the Army. They taught us how to use our firearms properly, what to do when in convoy, how to find our way back to camp if we get lost, and a lot more essential combat and survival skills. Although during my whole time in Kuwait, I have never even held a gun for even just one second, but it always feels good to know that when the situation calls for it, we will know what to do and not fumble with those weapons. And honestly, I was glad that I didn’t have to use a weapon during my time over there.
I really thought that my whole time in Kuwait would be such a bore, and I told myself, what fun could I possibly have in the middle of the desert? It would be a painful seven months of monotonous routine. At least that’s what I thought it would be. But I was wrong. All those books that I had brought with me to read to kill time since reading was my favorite hobby were left untouched until it was time for me to come home. I had the opportunity to do a lot of things in Kuwait and at the same time learn a lot of stuff. When we got there, I told myself that I would just make the best out of the deployment and keep myself busy. And that meant taking on a lot of command collateral duties, in addition to my responsibilities for my department. I was the only technician for my department for the first couple of months until my peer came onboard, and I’m proud to say that I had kept my clinic running smoothly even with just myself to run it. It wasn’t really boring after all, especially the first couple of months when mass casualties were brought to us for almost every other day. We had the privilege to serve our wounded troops, as well as the local casualties that were brought to us from vehicular accidents and job related mishaps. And the feeling to serve people that way was rewarding. We played a huge part for them being able to go back home or their posts safe and well.
The camp itself and the leadership from my command really tried to boost our morale with all the fun activities they had launched. I have made lots of friends too while on deployment, and that helped take the boredom away because we got to do things together and I knew that someone will always be there for me if I need help. I also had the chance to make friends with the civilian employees in the camp. There were a great number of Filipino civilian employees over there that I made friends with so I was able to enjoy those Filipino dishes that I thought I would miss during my deployment. And with their hospitality I really felt at home while away from home. As if my duties at work were not enough to keep me busy, I volunteered to be a part of our camp’s church choir. That I must say really helped me a lot to get by every week. It gave me something to look forward to every week from rehearsals to the mass every Sundays. It also gave me an opportunity to make new friends, go off base from time to time, but most of all, it had brought me much closer to God.
With all those activities my seven months over there really went by quicker that I’ve expected. I must also say that all the stuff that I did to keep me occupied really paid off. Especially career wise. That deployment helped me a lot towards my advancement from the awards I earned to the good evaluations I received that this past cycle, I advanced in rank after numerous tries in the past. And of course nothing could take away the friendships that I will treasure for years to come and the experiences that I can share to other people.