Photo By Sgt. Cassandra Monroe | Kelly Samberg, a nurse practitioner with Logistics Health Incorporated, assists Spc....... read more read more
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CAMP DODGE, JOHNSTON, Iowa -- The Department of Defense announced Oct. 16, approximately 3,000 Iowa Army National Guard, Soldiers are on alert status as part of an upcoming rotation of forces to operate within Afghanistan, making it the largest taskforce alerted in the IA ARNG since World War II.
For Soldiers in 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, part of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, the alert has come at the perfect time. According to the Company B commander, the 1-168th had their Soldier Readiness Processing dates reserved in anticipation of a possible deployment coming up next year.
"It's just one extra step to put the 1-168th ahead of the curve," said Capt. Brandon Gray, the Company B commander, 1-168th Infantry Regiment.
"Soldier Readiness Processing is a series of lanes we run all of our Soldiers through," said Gray.
The process allows Soldiers to take care of any problems they may have with medical needs, such as getting their vision and hearing checked as well as getting blood pressure and immunizations updated, said Gray.
Although the SRP primarily deals with medical readiness, the process also addresses legal, financial and administrative readiness.
"Another part of the SRP includes filling out a document called a Periodic Health Assessment where the Soldiers answer a series of health questions, which the staff reviews and makes sure the Soldiers are fit for duty," said Brian Zimmeran, a physician's assistant and retired Army captain.
To Zimmeran, helping the Soldiers through the SRP is a great experience.
"It's a wonderful thing to assist in getting issues resolved," said Zimmeran. "It's a blessing to see the Soldiers and be working near them again."
Besides medical needs, the SRP also takes care of any legal problems the Soldier might have, such as ensuring their wills are up to date, and arranging power of attorney.
"The intent is to have the ability for our soldiers to support our friends and families while they are gone," said Gray.
If deployed, the Soldiers will need to focus on their mission and won't have the time to worry about legal and medical issues at home, said Gray. The SRP helps alleviate that and will help the families at home to have everything taken care of here and now, so it won't become a problem later.
"It's a painless process and if properly planned it gets executed very quickly," said Gray.
As for the possibility of deployment, the 1-168th is keeping their spirits high, keeping up with their warrior tasks and training, and making sure Soldiers follow up on legal and medical issues.
"That's our highest priority, to fill our ranks with qualified Soldiers who are able to deploy, " said Gray.
If this alert leads to an actual deployment, the 1-168th will once again be a part of a historic activation. Last year, the 1-168th supported Washington, D.C., law enforcement officials during the 56th Presidential Inauguration.
According to Gray, the 1-168th, who is primarily located in southwest Iowa, has also been part of other major deployments such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom tours.
"I personally feel very proud," said Gray. "I think it's a great thing for our unit to be part of history again, and it's been a long time since we've mobilized everybody. It's going to be great to have all the units together. "
For those in the 1-168th, morale is high and positive.
"We're all excited about deploying and looking forward to it," said Pfc. Evan Pilch, an infantryman with 1-168th.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2009 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 40657 |
| Location: | CAMP DODGE, US |
| Web Views: | 415 |
| Downloads: | 354 |
This work, Perfect Timing: Soldier Readiness Processing Just In Time For Possible Deployment, by SGT Cassandra Monroe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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