Going Home

And just like that it's all done.  Hopefully this blog will remain a way to learn a thing or two about Djibouti for those of you lucky enough to find yourselves with orders there.  Au revoir!

Demobilization

Demob goes pretty quickly but, in my opinion, not quickly enough.  It's mostly VA and transistion assistance briefs, turn in gear, and do the medical and admin stuff.  The briefs are what get me the most.  They are given by a lot of very nice people doing a very important job... but I really don't want any employment advice or PTSD counseling.  I just want to get on a plane bound to Seattle.

New Things at the DPC

Some new points that need to be mentioned:  1) The DPC now has its own billeting.  Open squad bay for O-5 and below.  (Also, the per diem rate is now 'at government cost' instead of standard M&IE rates.  Enjoy the chow hall.)  2) Only 14 days of terminal leave allowed, the rest is sold back.

Freedom Bird

In a few hours I'm getting on a plane and flying back to the DPC at Camp Lejeune.  It's been an amazing year but it's time to go.

Easy As Pie

The redeployment process is much, much, much easier than the deployment process.  You tell your service component admin shop when your orders are ending (they know this already of course) and then they handle all the travel arrangements.  You end up back where you came from and go through whatever rigamarole they have for you and then you're done.

I have ten days and a wake up.

Redeployment

One year ago today I arrived in Djibouti.  I should be leaving next month but the final date isn't set.  Redeployment is not nearly as complicated as getting over here in the first place. At some point towards the end of your tour you will likely get an email from whoever is supposed to be replacing you.  That begins your turnover, probably very much like you did before you got here.  The rest is Admin Magic.  There will be some kind of service component admin shop that will start the process of booking your flight out of here and most of that is invisible to you.  Over the next month I'll hit the high points and provide tips on what to expect.

Stuttgart Schlossplatz

If you find yourself in Stuttgart with an evening free, you should go downtown to the Schlossplatz.  It's all there; shopping, museums, or just laying down in the park.