DROP reduces deployment preparation time

Published June 11, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Katherine M. Windish
11th Wing Public Affairs

BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- We all know how tedious out-processing can be. We also know that with all of the preparation we have to do in our personal lives before a deployment, the last thing we want to do is spend all of our time at the military personnel flight and finance, sitting at briefing after briefing for weeks. Since March 2008, the installation deployment officer started using a program that makes deployment out-processing much easier.

The Deployment Readiness One-stop Process currently runs once a month but starting in July, it will take place the second and fourth Tuesday of every month due to its increased popularity.

"The DROP provides the deployers an opportunity to get 80-90 percent of the mandatory out-processing checklist done in one place," said the installation deployment officer, Rex S. Boksai, 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "By consolidating the deployers, briefers and trainers into one location, we are saving both time and money for everyone involved. The concept of the mass briefing and training reduces the time spent preparing each member."

The full-day program begins at 7:50 a.m. with a briefing from the chaplain about services available for the families of deployed members.

"We're here not only to care for you but for your family as well," Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas A. Webb, 11th Wing.

That is followed by a self aid and buddy care refresher course.

"We're dealing with people's lives. [The refresher course] is necessary so our guys can come back alive," said Airman 1st Class Joel Miller, an SABC instructor, from the 11th LRS.

Chemical, biological, nuclear explosive refresher training takes place afterwards. The instructor goes over the basics of donning the gas mask and the Chemical Protective Overgarment along with Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels and how to conduct gas mask inspections and post attack reconnaissance.

"We're at this time right now where anything is possible," said Staff Sgt. Dominique Needom, a CBRNE instructor from the 11th Civil Engineering Squadron. "If something happens, we need to know our people are prepared."

The rest of the day consists of equipment issue, gas mask fitting, intelligence briefings specific to your location, followed by briefings from the sexual assault response coordinator, the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the Travel Management Office, and the legal office. You will also get information about voting and your landing gear. The process ends with an optional question and answer session with the IDO.

Many of these offices not only help with preparing for deployment, but also help take care of the families of servicemembers during the deployment.

"The Airman and Family Readiness Center especially has numerous programs available to assist the members in predeployment preparation and programs that support family members," said Mr. Boksai. "Knowing there is an organization at the home station looking out for and supporting your family helps bring peace of mind and less stress to the deployed member, allowing them to focus on the task they face each day."

For more information regarding the DROP contact your unit deployment manager or Mr. Boksai at 767-0226.