The Ultimate Deployment Guidebook: Insight into the Deployed Soldier and a Guide for the First-Time Deployed

Is your Facebook page a threat to national security? What about your momma’s address? Only while deployed in service to our country can you completely let your appearance go . . . and receive no less than five marriage proposals. Many books have been written about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but few touch on the day-to-day lives of deployed service members, especially in a lighthearted manner that is enjoyable to read and share with others. Paul Smith and Kristina Smith set out to rectify this oversight with The Ultimate Deployment Guidebook.

Smith and Smith (no relation) met in Afghanistan during their deployment in 2010-2011, where they started joking about the various lifestyle changes necessary overseas. Their conversations led to the creation of this book, with two very different military/contracting backgrounds forming a truly unique view of overseas tours.

The authors tossed aside military jargon and acronyms and filled the resulting vacuum with insights into military deployments (most of them with a humorous twist). Smith and Smith relied upon their personal experiences as veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, together with observations from other service members, to create a guidebook rich with funny and helpful stories, useful tips, and accessible content. Get the lowdown on living conditions (shower etiquette 101), chow time (how many ways can chicken be prepared, anyway?), and the locals (is that a riot or a celebration?). Prepare with a pre-deployment checklist and create a financial plan for your time overseas. This unique book also includes a list of organizations that support deployed service members, a list of suggested care package items with mailing tips, and many other helpful suggestions to make life more enjoyable and meaningful while our loved ones serve and defend the country we love.

Lighthearted and accessible, The Ultimate Deployment Guidebook appeals to a broad audience, including family members who have loved ones deployed overseas. It is a “must-read book” for the first-time deployed, civilian contractors, family and friends of service members, and anyone who has ever wondered about everyday life for service members in a theater of conflict.

ergeant First Class Kristina Smith is currently serving as a platoon sergeant stationed at Fort Drum, New York. She joined the U.S. Army in June 1996 in her hometown of Marshalltown, Iowa and has continued to serve on active duty since. Her assignments include Fort Polk, Louisiana; Hanau, Germany; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; Baumholder, Germany; Fort Sill, OK; and now Fort Drum, New York. She has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Kristina has also served in support of Operation Northern Watch. SFC Smith has received numerous awards and accolades over her career. She is a former U.S. Army Drill Sergeant who graduated as a member of the Commandant’s list at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She was selected as the Distinguished Leadership Graduate of her PLDC Class 08-01 and graduated as a member of the Commandant’s list of her SLC Class 002-11. She was selected as the 21st Theater Support Command Soldier of the Year 2001 in U.S. Army Europe. She was also selected as the Division Level II NCO of the 2nd QTR FY 05 by the 17th Aviation Brigade in United States Forces Korea. She is the proud mother of her teenage son Daniel. Her family enjoys traveling to new and exciting places.

Paul Smith joined the army in 2005 and served as a Signal Support Systems Specialist. During his active duty period he was stationed at Ft. Carson Colorado and deployed from there to Iraq in 2008-2009. After Paul got out of the army in 2011, he stayed in Colorado Springs and pursued contracting work overseas which allows him to continue to actively serve US forces in Afghanistan. S