Sean's Deployment
Well, we officially know that Sean will leave for Iraq in June, although we don't have the specific date. The typical length of deployment for officers in the Air Force Nurse Corp is 6 months, so we expect Sean will be back by Christmas (hopefully). We're pretty sure he will be sent to the Balad Air Force Base in Baghdad, although that has not yet been confirmed. The Balad AFB has it's own hospital (where he will work) and air port (which he will fly directly in to via Air Force plane). He will not have any cause or need to leave the base and go into the city and will be very well protected. There will also be bunkers nearby, as well as helmets and vests if needed. He will not have any part in the fighting, although he will receive some firearms training before he goes. His duty will be to take care of those who are severely injured in the fighting etc and are brought to the Critical Care Unit of the base hospital. His work week will be 6 days on, with 12 hour shifts, and 1 day off, for rest. It will be pretty strenuous, but will keep him occupied and tired enough not to miss home too much.
Sean will be very busy over the next 5 months with preparations for his departure. He will need to do the necessary training, paper work etc to prepare for deployment. He also needs to finish his CRNA (Nurse Anesthesist) application packet, which includes taking the GRE (Master's program entrance test). In addition, he is currently taking a chemisty class which will finish up a few weeks before June. Our 10 year wedding anniversary is also in June, so we're hoping to maybe take a weekend trip to celebrate that before he has to leave. With all this going on, please keep him (both of us actually) in your thoughts, and please send Sean the occasional encouraging word if you think of it.
Sean will be very busy over the next 5 months with preparations for his departure. He will need to do the necessary training, paper work etc to prepare for deployment. He also needs to finish his CRNA (Nurse Anesthesist) application packet, which includes taking the GRE (Master's program entrance test). In addition, he is currently taking a chemisty class which will finish up a few weeks before June. Our 10 year wedding anniversary is also in June, so we're hoping to maybe take a weekend trip to celebrate that before he has to leave. With all this going on, please keep him (both of us actually) in your thoughts, and please send Sean the occasional encouraging word if you think of it.
posted by Danielle | 12:49 PM
6 Comments:
Knowing is certainly better than the uncertainty you have been living with! Sounds like you will be a busy man, Sean, getting all of that done before you go! It will also be good to be so busy when you are there. The time will fly faster then!!
Dad (Dan) and I are very proud of you, and proud of your little wife for the "stiff upper lip" and the support she is giving you!
Sean & Danielle you both will be in my prayers. We'll try to keep Danielle busy while you are gone. Make sure you keep us in the loop as to what you would like us to send to you while you are over there. We want you to have a taste of home while you are there.
Thanks, Barrie! You guys are so sweet. We're so glad you're part of our lives. :)
Hi, My name is Virginia. I was given your website as a reference on the Air Force OTS portal by someone. I recently joined the Airforce as a critical care nurse and have been told that my first assignment will be Wilford Hall in San Antonio. I attend COT August 07 and report to Lackland afterward. This will my first military experience as we (my husband, 1 year old and I will be making the long drive from Northern VA/ Washington DC area to Lackland.) We are really excited and I can’t wait to start my AF nursing career! I was hoping I could give you my email address and see if I could ask you a few questions on housing, moving and such. Fyremnsgrl@yahoo.com I wish you a safe deployment and I hope to meet you on the unit when you return.
1st Lieutenant Krause USAF
Lackland, AFB bound
We're all very proud of both of you. The Nurse Anesthetist training which you've wanted to do for so long sounds very promising, Sean. It will definitely give you something to look forward to as a next step. Sounds like a grueling schedule in Iraq once you are there. We'll be praying for you. Hopefully you'll find a way to eat some delicious Middle Eastern food while you're there, instead of just Air Force food. You can never get enough falafel, fatoosh, schwarma, or kahfta as far as we're concerned.
Danielle, what are your plans while Sean is deployed?
Thanks for posting, Melinda!
In answer to your question. . .I will stay here in San Antonio keeping up my normal schedule. I will also continue to volunteer at the assisted living center, and have already talked to them about coming in to help more often once Sean leaves. No drastic changes to my schedule other than a trip or two to Colorado for a week or so each visit.
We have quite a few friends here who have offered their support, so I feel like I'll have a good group of people close at hand.
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