If anyone has a Sailor that says they signed up for IA this group is for you!
Description of IA
In contrast to a Sailor that deploys with a ship, squadron or unit, a Sailor who leaves their assigned unit or command to deploy individually or with a small group is known as an Individual Augmentee (IA). Half of the deployed IAs are active duty and half are reservists. Most IAs are concentrated in the 20-nation U.S. Central Command region, which includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Many are also serving in the 53-nation U.S. Africa Command, particularly in the Horn of Africa…
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My Spartan Brothers
SURFPAC Sailor Returns from IA
IA, Individual Augmentee, MCM Crew Spartan, USS Sentry
By EN2(SW) James Howes, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
It’s been a year since I left for an Individual Augmentee (IA) deployment with MCM Crew Spartan. I was proud to relieve the Sailors who were waiting to come home after being deployed for eleven months. I had the jitters that Sailors normally get when reporting to a new command. Once we checked in with our prospective crews, we were addressed by LCDR Edward Pledger, a seasoned MCM sailor who would be our new CO for the year. The first thing he did was warn us that it would be hard at first; we’d work long hours, and were in for a long training cycle. But he also had hopes that someday while reminiscing with our grandkids, we’d look back and remember this year as the best of our lives and Navy career. Most of us laughed, but as time went on, it all became true.
Our training cycle became one of the shortest in Navy history. In just four months we were certified and ready for the next part of our tour. We took some leave, said our goodbyes, and were on our flights heading to the sunny Kingdom of Bahrain and USS Sentry (MCM 3). Most of us knew what we were getting ourselves into. We had plankowners from other minesweeps, ATG inspectors, instructors, and even a couple of aviation-types that by the end of deployment became “snipes” in every aspect of the word. We were Crew Spartan, the originals.
All of us have been asked during our career why we joined the Navy. Like most, I was trying to pay for college, wanted to see the world— but most of all—I was looking for camaraderie, that family feeling, and the brotherhood you can only get by serving your country. And for the first time in my 11 years of service in this great Navy, I found what I was looking for. MCM Crew Spartan became my family. If there was a new addition to a Sailor’s family, or an unfortunate loss, the entire crew felt the joy and sorrow of our fellow shipmates.
There was not a single goal that the crew set out to accomplish that we didn’t achieve—from 100% for ESWS and SWO qualifications, to over 95% in every area of our warfare certifications. I truly feel we lived up to the motto, “the best damn crew.” We made every call to sea that we were ordered, and even sent our Sailors to assist other crews with INSURV.
Now that I’ve returned to shore duty, I find myself missing my old crew. It’s almost like leaving a close friend behind. Looking back on deployment, I know there are a lot of things I’ve learned about myself, my rate and what I’d like to continue in the future.
In the words of DC1(SW/AW) Crouch, “HOOOOOO-YAH CREW SPARTAN!!!!!!!!”… you will be missed.
source: http://idrivewarships.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/my-spartan-brothers/
Not much activity here. My daughter has been GSA to Djibouti since May & really seems to like it. She wasn't there 3 weeks & requested a 6 month extension which was approved so she's there for a few more months. Good thing with the extension is that they get 2 weeks leave so she'll be coming home for Christmas (first time in 4 yrs). She'd forward deployed from San Diego, but the IA coordinator from her previous command in Hawaii keeps me updated pretty regularly & I'm fortunate that my daughter calls every week & we communicate via facebook. One of the Officers at her command sent me a very nice letter last week regarding her earning the expeditionary warfare specialist pin.
Dan, did your son go to Afghanistan? My daughter is also working in her rate, IT, over in Africa.
My son, HM3 Daniel T. Melia, is now somewhere (op. sec.) along the western Euphrates with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine regiment, Headquarters and Services Co. He spent 2 hectic weeks at Pendleton and shipped out at the end of Jan. The 2/1 now has some pictures up on their website, but not of his Co. I have urged him to take some and have them posted [they seem to be checked for info potentially useful to bad guys.] He had wanted to be posted to one of the patrol infantry Cos. but seems to be settling into the BAS (battalion aid station--the 4077 MASH in my imagination). They spent about 3 weeks in the desert before their present posting and he now appreciates showers and floors. They also have pretty good communications, for the present, anyway, and Daniel has been able to phone a few times. He mainly communicates via facebook which allows him to send messages almost daily to his parents and friends simultaneously. ["Doc Melia" if you are on F-book.] I have found Motomail and the Marineparents.org website useful. A little while ago he changed his facebook "handle" from "Dan Melia" to "Doc Melia" which I took as a milestone in his relationship with his Marines. A few weeks ago he posted (excitedly, I think) that he had had his first "No shit, Medic-up! emergency call," which I guess he handled well (details are lacking--op.sec.) For those early in this path, I think that Daniel has been challenged and gratified by going HM, "greenside" and IA. We keep in touch and pray that he stays safe.
EG
best,
Dan Melia
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