Waiting

(Above, waiting for a customs inspection before leaving Bagram)

Over the past few days, there's been a lot of it. When you have several hundred troops going through briefings and signing off on paperwork, it takes time. We've had briefings on readjustment to civilian environments, being around family, benefits, emotional states, and motorcycle safety, as well as several others that have blurred into one long memory of sitting a room for hours trying to stay awake thanks to subject matter and jet lag. The high-speed OCP camouflage gear has been turned in, with the hated body armor being the least missed. Now, all that remains is signing of the DD214s, and a bus ride to the final formation.

This is the third time I've demobilized the Ft McCoy, WI. I can say that the staff of civilian employees handling the process here has consistently gotten more efficient each time, and managed to be friendly and helpful every time. Sadly, the demob process will be shifting to Camp Shelby, MS in the near future. I can't say I know anything about how friendly and efficient their staff will be, but I do know what it's like to be there in August, and I don't envy anyone that.