Equipment Supply for the Deploying Unit Ministry Team (UMT) // May 23, 2007

Here's another caveat: if the Army wants you to do it, the Army will pay for it.... you just might have to wait a little before it catches up with you.

I've attached the actual powerpoint so that you can download it, and what follows is that same document (with some extra notes) embedded in the blog.

If you deployed and have any additions - please share! Also, post any questions and hopefully we'll be able to answer them. Its all about ministry!!

Download file: Equipping for Ministry

Equipping for Ministry

188th INF BDE RST
CH Jonathan Fisher
CH David Clark
SFC Robert Taylor

Personal Hygiene
• As we are entering the 5th year of deployments to Iraq/Afghanistan, most of the FOBs are built up
- The PX will have most of your personal items for purchase - have a months supply of personal toiletries on hand (you never know where you'll end up...)
- Housing has made leaps and bounds, take with you whatever makes you comfortable on your bed - you will probably have one there.

If a company will ship to an APO - you can get most anything online. This is important, some websites will not ship to APO (I don't really understand why this is, but they don't) AND they don't always tell you till after you've ordered and it never comes... and you email the company to find out why... and then they tell you that they don't so you have to have them ship it to your wife... who ships it back to you at triple what it was supposed to cost...

Electronics
• Dust protection - it's a must!
• 220 Voltage converters
• Personal PC
• Power Strips
• Clock radio/alarm
• Coffee maker (you will probably be able to get a 220 one in country)
• TV/DVD player etc can be purchased in country (220)
• Fridge (some places have them some don't)
• Fan
• Crock pot/microwave/hot plate

Most of this can be bought in country. Anything you buy in country will be 220. Another key point, I also learned this the hard way... ok, most of this I learned the hard way... if its not 220 compatible, don't even bother bringing it... remember this, if you think you want it, someone else already bought it and will sell it to you used because they don't want to ship it home! Talk to the unit you fall in on. Chances are, they will want to sell you their tv, dvd player etc.

A crock pot is a fun thing to have if you can have canned supplies shipped to you. Be as creative as you want to be, any time you can give a soldier a taste of home is always appreciated.

Living Area
• You will probably have a container room to live in. These rooms usually come with a bed, mattress, side table and closet.
• Much of what you need can be bought at the PX however, if you want any kind of specialty pillow or something you will have to bring it or have it sent! Depending on your PX, what they have to offer may be very limited.
• When you get on the ground, everyone will be selling their living space gear:
- TVs, radios, tables, chairs etc...
- Bring some cash to make these purchases

Personal Internet
• You can send emails and chat with AKO - but if you want more than that your only options are personal internet and the MWR.
• Bandwidth is the issue - its nice to get a lot of guys together to share and bring the price down but in the end, I found it was better to chalk up the price a good connection to - good relationship...
• All the equipment is usually on the ground when you get there.

Cell Phones
• The cell phones are sim card operated so buying a used one is doable. Any phone that takes a sim card will work.
- You have to buy minutes and a sim card
- On mine, incoming calls were free
- There are websites that offer cheap international minutes
- Reception is sketchy - but its really nice to have the phone

Chapel PA
• Fender Passport (or similar system)
- Emphasis on portability, ruggedness
• Mikes/Stand/Cords
- Good quality mikes that can take a beating
• Dedicated Extension Cords/Surge Protector/Voltage Converter
• Dedicated small cd player for Memorials

This is a unit issue. They need to have one for memorials etc. You may fall in on one... or you may not. I am quite sure you will, your unit will purchase one during the Mob up. The personal CD player is a great thing to have

Music
• Worship Music (digital hymn player if you can get your hands on one)
- MP3s work great
- You can find accompaniment tracks at most Christian Bookstores
- If you use these - rip them to your hard drive and use an MP3 player (CDs will get broken!)
• Instruments
- Some may be in country, but they will be old and used - if you can bring them with you - bring it on!
- Guitars, keyboards, bass, drums - really anything you can get your hands on! If you are going to a FOB with a chapel, you will probably fall in on some. Remember, it can always be ordered. I used Musicians Friend, they ship APO - check around, many sites do.
• Memorial Music - use principle from above - have it ready when you get to country. I'll post a different article about memorials.
• Three songs - Taps, Amazing Grace (played on bagpipes, since 9/11 it has kinda become quasi standard. Every memorial I have been to or performed had it played at some point in the ceremony.) You will also need a rendition of the National Anthem. I have not heard this at every ceremony, but its pretty much standard.

Chapel Equipment
• Take a 90 day re-supply
• The chapel will probably have everything you need but be prepared anyway.
• Bring tools if you can. They are in short supply and if you have some with you, you can always improve your chapel/living space!
• Anything with color is appreciated! Bring banners, alter cloths etc.
• Build a weapons/kevlar rack
• Much of this can be gotten through supply

People send so much stuff that most chapels are way over stocked. But then, you never know...

Tools are a great thing. Nothing fancy, but a hammer, some nails, power drill and saw are great things to have. Every Chaplain Assistant I have talked to has stressed that to me. I know that SGT Franklin, my Assistant, was able to do great things with them. Its all about leaving the space better than when you came! Don't spend a lot of money on tools, but if you can pick some up at Goodwill or something, it might be worth it.

Supply Issues
• Digital Recorder
• Bible/Religious Software
• Digital Camera/Video Recorder
• Nice Communion Set
• Candles/Alter Cloths/Banners
• Video Projector/Screen
• Extension Cords/power strips

Develop Wish List now!! The thing about funding is that its kinda sketchy... sometimes there is a political battle in DC and suddenly, you can't get a re-supply... gotta love politics! Then, without warning, the funds open up and your S4 is asking if you need anything, at that moment, you should be able to grab your wishlist and give him/her all kinds of things to spend money on!

Have a back up re-supply plan to get what you need. Mine was a great wife that could send me what I needed. Shipping took about two weeks.

Some of the candles that you get on the local economy are inadequate. I think they are made from animal fat or something. They burned really black. Have a regular supply from the US.

Ideas to make your Chapel a Better Place!!

• Create a religious library! Bring some bible study references with you.
• Make your chapel a place of quiet reflection, meditation and rest!
• Have a desk for Bible study, letter writing etc...
• Have classes, Bible studies, seminars - whatever you can to fill time.
• Movie night - show movies that have meaning!
• Make friends with the mess hall - refreshments are always welcome.

Good spiritual books are a great project for those churches and individuals that desire to help. I know that my church was extremely supportive when I started a library of Christen books in my chapel. My chapel folks loved it!

This can be accomplished by (using force protection) a small courtyard or relaxing room. This is important because if there is a lack of anything, it is a place for quiet reflection. The MWR is loud and profoundly not spiritual. Most soldiers have to share a living space so the chapel becomes a great place to relax and talk to God. Fight to protect that. Don't allow the chapel to become a place for meetings etc if possible. It's a sanctuary, keep it that way. Sometimes, joes would come in to pray and would fall asleep on the back row. I never woke them. The would write letters, read, play my guitar...

I set up some college type classes and they were well received - hermeneutics, eschatology, theology, literature, world religions, marriage seminars, money management (a friend of mine set up a investing club that met in a classroom), be creative - soldiers are bored!

The MWR has movie night - be careful that you don't become some kind of MWR officer - everything you do has a greater purpose!

Office
• Pack some essential office supplies in your tuff box. I know that I had to go without for a couple months till the supply train caught up with us. Your unit may have it already, but if you need it now, you'll want to have it with you when you go.

Gear
• Headlamp/flashlight
• Multi-tool (leatherman/gerber)
• Good knife
• Some kind of face scarf
• Power inverter for vehicle
• Anything that helps keep you cool
• Small radio for communication with your assistant
• You will be able to get a power converter (220 to 110) in country.

I am just about done redesigning my Chaplain's Kit, I'll post that when my new field stole is finished!