Voting While Deployed in a Combat Zone

It occurred to me during the presidential campaign of 2008 that I am witnessing history in the making. For the first time in American presidential politics all the major candidates are Senators. For the first time in the history of American politics a woman, an African American and a former prisoner of war (POW) all have a real and viable chance of being elected President of the most power country in the world, The United States of America.

Yes-siry this is a very exciting time for me indeed! After all, I have always been a political conesore. In December of 2007, I completed an extensive certification training program and was certified by the Department of Defense Federal Voting Assistance Program as a Voting Assistance Officer (VAO). As the VAO, I am responsible for providing accurate, non-partisan voting information and assistance to service members and others attempting to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.

Voting is more then just a constitutional right but it is also a privilege that should not be taken for granted. Many have fought and died to give individuals around the world the opportunity to take part in democracy. Voting is the great equalizer. Your vote matters and your vote counts! It matters not how much money you have, your position in society or your birth lineage, all votes count the same.

For example, the President’s vote carries the same weight as the homeless town bum living on the street. Bill Gates’ vote carries the same weight as the single mother on welfare with 5 children to feed. That is the beauty of our electoral system in America. While you are deployed, you should not give up your right, your duty to vote. You should and must vote!

You may be asking yourself how I can vote when I am deployed and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait or anywhere outside of the United States for that matter? The answer is simple. Obtain an absentee ballot. With an absentee ballot you will be able to write in your candidate of choice and have your vote counted as though you never left the comforts of home. It is important to contact your individual state for greater details on the voting process as every state has their own election roles. A good starting point to get information may be found at http://www.fvap.gov/index.html

The Mobilization Station (Where the train up begins)

Once the service member completes their initial in processing with the unit that they will be deploying with, it will be time for their onward travel to their Mobilization Station. After completing my initial in processing and deployment ceremony at Fort Jackson located in Columbia, South Carolina, I departed South Carolina and was flown to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin to start my training with my unit. I was assigned to the 3rd Personnel Command (Forward) for deployment to the Iraq war theater.

Being sent to a mobilization station is not generic to the Army alone. All service members in some form or another will be sent to a mobilization station for processing prior to being sent into the war zone. You may be wondering what a mobilization station is. Service members who are deployed are sent to what is referred to as a mobilization station. The Department of Defense (DOD) defines a Mobilization Station as "the designated military installation to which a Reserve Component unit or individual is moved for further processing, organizing, equipping, training, and employment and from which the unit or individual may move to an aerial port of embarkation or seaport of embarkation."

Despite all the very good training I received during the two months that I was at my mobilization station, I found that I had a great deal of "down time". I have spoken to hundreds of deployed service members and the consensus is that the time spent at the mobilization station can and should be shortened. Many service members have told me that they are bored and restless. While I strongly believe in being prepared to go to war, there comes a point of diminishing returns and you just end up wasting time and resources that could better be used for something else.

If you are a Commander and want to use the time spent at your mobilization station wisely, I would suggest to the extent possible, you identify to a degree of certainty what specific jobs your service members will do once they arrive in theater and train them as they would fight. The "kitchen sink" approach to training is not only a waste of time but a poor use of valuable resources during the time of war. It was during my mobilization station time that I learned what my first assignment for the first half of what would turn into a 2 year combat deployment would be. I was appointed as the Deputy Chief for Theater Rest and Recuperation or R&R. With this knowledge, I was able to communicate with the outgoing Deputy and learned a great deal of what I would be doing prior to even arriving in Kuwait.

One the biggest pieces of advice I would like to share with a deploying service member is to use the time you spend at the Mobilization Station to get your "head in the game"! You will be gone from home for a year or more and now is the time to get ready for what in all likelihood will be the first long absence away from your family that you will have experienced in your life and certainly in the life of young children if you have any.

It was also during the time I was at my mobilization station that I made certain covenants with myself. The first half of 2006 was a very stressful time in my life both personally and professionally. In addition to those conditions, my health was getting worse. At the time I reported to my unit for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I weighed 316lbs and had a waist size of 54 inches. I made a commitment that during the time I was at my mobilization station I would get into shape as well as develop a healthy life style. I also endeavored to get spiritually stronger. One way I would accomplish this was by reading the book by Rick Warren entitled "Purpose Driven Life". By the way "Purpose Driven Life" has been one of the best books I have read to date. The book has helped me in all areas of my life.

In my book The Service Member’s Guide to Deployment; What every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed. I outline the steps I took to lose 100lbs of fat in a healthy way. I also discuss in great detail other positive life changing activities that everyone should follow while they are deployed.

Securing a Power of Attorney for Deployment Purposes

When considering securing a power of attorney, know that there are two types. A Special power of attorney and a General power of attorney. A general power of attorney gives another person broad and far reaching authority to handle your affairs. A special power of attorney only provides for specifically limited handling of your affairs such as selling your vehicle or preparing your taxes. Regardless of the type of power of attorney you give, there should be a specific termination date. As an attorney, I recommend powers of attorney terminate after one year has passed.

Case Scenario 1:
“Service Member” was ordered to active duty to be deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Service Member” has been married for 18 years to a wonderful person, “Spouse”.

“Service Member” loved “Spouse” very much and wanted to ensure “Spouse”was able to take care of things in “Service Member’s” absence. Prior to “Service Member” departing for duty "Spouse" was given a Power of Attorney.

Do to the stress and temptations of “Service Member's” absence, “Spouse” files for divorce. However, due to the “Service Member” not fully understanding the difference between a general power of attorney and a special power of attorney, “Service Member” gave "Spouse" a general power of attorney.

What do you think happened?


Case Scenario 2:
“Service Member” was order to active duty to be deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “Service Member” has been married for 5 years to a wonderful person, “Spouse”.

“Service Member” loved “Spouse” very much and wanted to ensure “Spouse” was able to take care of things in “Service Member’s” absence. Prior to “Service Member” departing for duty "Spouse" was given a Power of Attorney.

Do to the stress and temptations of “Service Member's” absence, “Spouse” files for divorce. However, prior to deploying to Afghanistan, “Service Member” reads the book The Service Member’s Guide to Deployment; what every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed. Copyright 2008 “Service Member” gave "Spouse" a special power of attorney.

What do you think happened?

To find the answers to these “Case Scenarios” and other fascinating questions, read the book, The Service Member’s Guide to Deployment; What every Soldier, Sailor, Airmen and Marine should know prior to being deployed. Copyright 2009