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Spc. Stanley Rocque of the 319th rolls up his sleeping bag while inspecting his equipment at the reserve center. The soldiers will receive their mobilization orders Thursday.
ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF |
They arrived in their camouflage fatigues and black berets, lined up in formation in a parking lot in the cold morning air, and with a cry of "Rolling Thunder!" began a busy day of transforming from civilians to full-time soldiers.
Eighty-eight members of the Army Reserve's 319th Transportation Company reported to the reserve center on Wrightsboro Road on Tuesday. Orders to mobilize will come Thursday. The unit will leave for Fort Stewart this weekend and will likely be deployed to Kuwait as part of the massive buildup of troops preparing for a confrontation with Iraq.
Capt. Mohandas Martin, the unit's commander, wanted the men and women to report early this week to get military matters taken care of so the latter part of the week can be spent tying up loose ends at home. They spent the morning going through gear and equipment, making sure they had everything they needed in their bags, checking their uniforms and brushing up on survival skills.
"You don't want to get over there and be worried about if your lights are on or if your baby has enough diapers," said Staff Sgt. Lance Philpot, 35.
In the gymnasium-size drill area of the reserve center's basement, Spc. Albert Harp, 25, went through the contents of his green duffel bag, which included a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, a helmet, a shovel, tent pegs and half a tent that can be snapped onto another soldier's half.
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Capt. Mohandas Martin addresses members of the 319th Transportation Company for the first time outside the Army Reserve center.
ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF |
In another bag, he packed three extra uniforms, 12 pairs of socks, 20 shirts, 20 pairs of underwear, deodorant, mouthwash, a toothbrush, toothpaste, civilian clothes and sports shoes for playing basketball.
Spc. Harp will deploy with his brother, Spc. Marcus Harp, 32. They are the only children of their parents, who live in Saluda, S.C.
"Within the past few months, we've known something was going down," Spc. Albert Harp said.
Spc. Marcus Harp said their parents told them to "be careful, and keep your head level."
Capt. Martin said about 20 people did not show up Tuesday. They won't be considered AWOL until Friday, he said.
"We've got to make some calls," Capt. Martin said.
In a classroom at the reserve center, Sgt. 1st Class David Uthe, 44, went over items to bring and advised the members to bring a pot or a bowl in case they don't have showers and have to take sponge baths.
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Sgt. Patrick Hawkins of the 319th holds dog tags he received Tuesday morning.
ANDREW DAVIS TUCKER/STAFF |
"When you pack up, you are not going to a hotel," he said. "Bring hand soap, a towel, deodorant, wash cloth, toothpaste - whatever you feel is appropriate."
He also told them that while they may be headed to the desert, it's January, so they should be prepared for January weather.
"It's going to be cold. If you lose anything over there, there are no clothing sales," Sgt. 1st Class Uthe said.
The 319th is trained to haul fuel in support of ground and air forces. Twenty members of the unit are already in Kuwait.
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
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