Going to Houston for Processing...

my husband is in houston now. we talked to a friend that just got back from over there and he says the winters are brutal.pack warm clothes!!

alcoa in greenville, South Carolina said: 280 pep in dpc to day it going good so far

hey Walter! you made it!
Best of luck to ya!
Hugs.....
Kathy Mixon

Funny Lunny86 in Sabattus, Maine said: Just got my scheduled date for processing, will be in Houston the 25th, tentatively scheduled to head to Afghanistan; Currently going as a general laborer...can anybody please provide more information on this job title, as well as the current living conditions in this location. Would like to know the basics of what I should and shouldn't pack, as far as the best and worst clothing to bring, how much of what, just your basic questions for a newbie. Any help you guys can provide would be awesome. Thanks

You could do just about anything.....My old man is over in Afghanistan, and is a laborer as well. He has done everything from cleaning the johns to burning medical waste and handing out towels and weight belts in the gym.
Get you some good light tactical/desert boots! You'll probably be on your feet alot. Have somebody stateside that can send you stuff as you figure out what you are really in need of that you can't purchase over there. Jimmy had a hard time finding a pillow that he could sleep on. I send mostly snacks and additional clothes as he either loses them or wears something out.
Best of luck to you!
Kathy

alcoa in greenville, South Carolina said: hey mona gab

walter! Are you okay?

tonys girl in California said: yes, he is in houston for processing. we will probably hear from him tonight on the forum.

Hey Marilyn. How are you holding up? Give him our thoughts and prayers.

monita in South Carolina said: Hey Marilyn. How are you holding up? Give him our thoughts and prayers.

Hey Kathy, I am not going. I was supposed to but circumstances prevented me from going for a while.

Goodnight all. Walter if you haven't gone to bed yet you better get to it! Long hard day tomorrow for you all. Good luck to you and Randall.

monita in South Carolina said: Hey Kathy, I am not going. I was supposed to but circumstances prevented me from going for a while.

oh, goodness......I hope circumstances will turn around and you'll get to go soon.
Kathy

Man that p85 forms a "fn joke" to get done, comp lab 3 hrs waiting for somebody to look at my forms!!!

monita in South Carolina said: Goodnight all. Walter if you haven't gone to bed yet you better get to it! Long hard day tomorrow for you all. Good luck to you and Randall.

we are all good and thank you all for help

Nashville Kat in Tennessee said: hey Walter! you made it!
Best of luck to ya!
Hugs.....
Kathy Mixon

thank you kat we all good

hey tony it walter am at the marott

i was out dpc at 1pm to day all done :) for the 1st day

alcoa in greenville, South Carolina said: hey tony it walter am at the marott

Hope you guys get to see each other.

socalna in west coast, California said: Man that p85 forms a "fn joke" to get done, comp lab 3 hrs waiting for somebody to look at my forms!!!

Go for it Tony........ yea bro.

monita in South Carolina said: Hey Marilyn. How are you holding up? Give him our thoughts and prayers.

Holding up really good , I am so busy, the days just fly by. He is still in processing. I will get emotional when he gets on the plane to Iraq. For now its just a day at a time for the two of us. Thanks for all the support and help you are always willing to give.

tonys girl in California said: Holding up really good , I am so busy, the days just fly by. He is still in processing. I will get emotional when he gets on the plane to Iraq. For now its just a day at a time for the two of us. Thanks for all the support and help you are always willing to give.

You are very welcome. We are here for you. I am going to friend you on facebook because I need to send you something privately.
.

tonys girl in California said: Holding up really good , I am so busy, the days just fly by. He is still in processing. I will get emotional when he gets on the plane to Iraq. For now its just a day at a time for the two of us. Thanks for all the support and help you are always willing to give.

Marylin .. hope all is well.. It was really hard for me when my hubby called from Dubai.. when he first left.. It made it very very real.. But you know what..Yes we have our moments when we totally lose it.. Well I do sometimes.. but the forum helps alot.. Like I mentioned before.. journal..journal.. Now its 10 months later for me... just counting down til December..I was 5 months pregnant when he left .. now our little boy will be 6 months soon.... To cheer me up my husband just says... 'Dont worry baby.. we have forever"... Stay positive.. Hang in there.. keep yourself busy.. We are here for you..

Im just right up the 15 if I can help in anyway.. or you just want to talk...

Hey, everyone I am just getting started with the processing have a Nov 1st date going to Iraq, what should i bring?...is processing like the meps? sticking and prouding?

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: Hey, everyone I am just getting started with the processing have a Nov 1st date going to Iraq, what should i bring?...is processing like the meps? sticking and prouding?

A TON of presentations on security, safety, etc. depending on your job title, and yes you have one full day of medical, if I recall. I am also scheduled on 11/1, and in the process of packing and tying up loose ends.

As for what to bring, read through the paperwork, it is all there. It has total weight for clothes, how to your meds if you have any, etc.

I was in Iraq in 06-07 and it gets pretty chilly at night. I know that it's not as chilly as some parts of Afghanistan, but still cool.

Hello Everyone! good luck to those in Houston. Walter, Tony, Amy...have fun!

Well, hubby left yesterday to return to the middle east. It was his second r&r so we should only have a few short months left. But he's talking about staying for four more months. We will see how the economy is then. This was his first r&r home and the time flew by. We were so busy the whole time. The r&r to Spain was much better...just the two of us and no "regular" life stuff going on so it seemed to last a lot longer.

Hope everyone is good!

Okay, Dental done, background done, WABI done, I promise to behave letter done.
Processing in Houston 11-1.
The WABI was way easier than I thought and didn't take very long. I was very happy to see that PASS on the screen. I don't forsee any problems with medical.
Now it's starting to get real.
Anybody know any females in Iraq and what I can expect as far as quarters? I know it's base/camp specific but generalities will help.
Linda

Linco in Norcross, Georgia said: Okay, Dental done, background done, WABI done, I promise to behave letter done.
Processing in Houston 11-1.
The WABI was way easier than I thought and didn't take very long. I was very happy to see that PASS on the screen. I don't forsee any problems with medical.
Now it's starting to get real.
Anybody know any females in Iraq and what I can expect as far as quarters? I know it's base/camp specific but generalities will help.
Linda

depends on the camp, some camps have dry hooches which means you have to hike to the shower or porta potty or you will be at a camp with hooches that have a bath room and a shower. Some camps have just tents in which you have to again hike to the showers or porta john some have abulation units. that it is it all in a nutshell expect the worst a tent and hope for a wet hooch which contains both a shower and bathroon. Good luck. This information is straight from Iraq, no need for miscommunications. Now Afghanistan well straight tents. Note don't bank on Iraq i have seen folks get there orders changed in dubai. So don't set your mind just on Iraq.

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: depends on the camp, some camps have dry hooches which means you have to hike to the shower or porta potty or you will be at a camp with hooches that have a bath room and a shower. Some camps have just tents in which you have to again hike to the showers or porta john some have abulation units. that it is it all in a nutshell expect the worst a tent and hope for a wet hooch which contains both a shower and bathroon. Good luck. This information is straight from Iraq, no need for miscommunications. Now Afghanistan well straight tents. Note don't bank on Iraq i have seen folks get there orders changed in dubai. So don't set your mind just on Iraq.

Would Afghanistan have a larger uplift on pay?
Don't mind going ugly as long I gets paid pretty.

Linco in Norcross, Georgia said: Would Afghanistan have a larger uplift on pay?
Don't mind going ugly as long I gets paid pretty.

Same pay, Iraq or Afghanistan :(

Linco in Norcross, Georgia said: Would Afghanistan have a larger uplift on pay?
Don't mind going ugly as long I gets paid pretty.

Pay depends on the job but the uplift is the same both Iraq and Afghanistan

Linco, female also, how much privacy do you get in a tent?...

what is "dcp"?

Hi everyone- I've have applied for positions with no response yet. How long does it take for a recruiter to call you?

hey schiffy, it takes about 2-3 weeks, i was contacted in, i think we are the only ones here

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: Linco, female also, how much privacy do you get in a tent?...

I'm guessing none. Doesn't bother me. When I went into the Army the first latrines I used had no stalls or doors. After "sharing" that, I found privacy is really in your mind in those situations. You just have to respect the personal zone of your nieghbor and drive on.
Linda

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: Pay depends on the job but the uplift is the same both Iraq and Afghanistan

Rumor has KBR phasing out of Afghanistan. Is this true?

Linco in Norcross, Georgia said: I'm guessing none. Doesn't bother me. When I went into the Army the first latrines I used had no stalls or doors. After "sharing" that, I found privacy is really in your mind in those situations. You just have to respect the personal zone of your nieghbor and drive on.
Linda

I think you will do just fine Linco, expect the worst and hope for the best. I wish everyone had the atitude you currently have, alot of people come to either iraq or afghanistan expecting club med and they get tents from MASH. Good luck.

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: hey schiffy, it takes about 2-3 weeks, i was contacted in, i think we are the only ones here

Depends.. on what and who they need.. My husband posted his resume one day and got a call from a recruiter the next.. that was when they had a mad rush for electricians last year...

It just depends.. some people apply and dont hear anything til months later.. just be patient..

Good luck

Wow, I am female would have a problem with no privacy in the restrooms, what keeps the guys from hanging out?...I was in Iraq during the invasion, I know the conditions, in the military, i would expect this as minimum.

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: Wow, I am female would have a problem with no privacy in the restrooms, what keeps the guys from hanging out?...I was in Iraq during the invasion, I know the conditions, in the military, i would expect this as minimum.

I'm sorry...for clarity; boys go to the boy's room and girls go to the girl's room. Men and women have seperate quarters be it tent, hooch, or dormitory.

Linda

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: hey schiffy, it takes about 2-3 weeks, i was contacted in, i think we are the only ones here

it could take you a year to be contacted everyone is different. I just don't want you thinking that is the norm

Ksniper777 in San Antonio, Texas said: I think you will do just fine Linco, expect the worst and hope for the best. I wish everyone had the atitude you currently have, alot of people come to either iraq or afghanistan expecting club med and they get tents from MASH. Good luck.

Thats why we have these discussions so that those of us that know a little something can offer it up. It isn't always a cut and dry job comment we can give

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: Wow, I am female would have a problem with no privacy in the restrooms, what keeps the guys from hanging out?...I was in Iraq during the invasion, I know the conditions, in the military, i would expect this as minimum.

Working for KBR there is separation between male and female. Living in tents they are usually separated by some distance but if they are cramped for space then they are right next to each other. Sometimes they have dividers in the tent but that cut down on space as well. Now the military on the other hand i have seen before they bunk together from the same unit and i have seen contractors thrown in together due to space restriction. That was on a outer fob though. You should not have any problems whereever you may be posted.

kris calabrese in fishkill, New York said: what is "dcp"?

dpc is the where you go for processing it is known as the deployment processing center.

Linco in Norcross, Georgia said: Rumor has KBR phasing out of Afghanistan. Is this true?

They are transitioning the contract to dyncorp and fluor. They won't be completely out until next year.

Hello All,
Today a friend of mine was in Houston processing when he was sent home for the BMI… he was 42.3 BMI or 9.4 LBS…this is very real….they say they have no control over this…he was thinking that they would pull out the tape measure and do a measure….OH NO they put his numbers into a website and the numbers came up and it was over….he was told he could lose weight and call again…but until he make the weight he would not be allow to finish. He was told there is NO WAIVERS AT ALL AT THIS TIME….So please be sure that your weight is within the BMI or it’s game over… Looks like I need more time....

Budda in south texas, Texas said: Hello All,
Today a friend of mn dpine was in Houston processing when he was sent home for the BMI… he was 42.3 BMI or 9.4 LBS…this is very real….they say they have no control over this…he was thinking that they would pull out the tape measure and do a measure….OH NO they put his numbers into a website and the numbers came up and it was over….he was told he could lose weight and call again…but until he make the weight he would not be allow to finish. He was told there is NO WAIVERS AT ALL AT THIS TIME….So please be sure that your weight is within the BMI or it’s game over… Looks like I need more time....

Budda if you don't mind i will post this on the other forum i this some important information for potential employees who may have issue with the BMI. Thanks.

My husband was wheels up today. He saw a few people get sent home for BMI as well. There must have been a rumor that if you had already worked overseas you did not have to take the BMI test. This is not true. Also, he said there were people sent home for not being on time for their classes. There seem to be no excuses taken for timeliness.

supermomof4 in Houston, Texas said: My husband was wheels up today. He saw a few people get sent home for BMI as well. There must have been a rumor that if you had already worked overseas you did not have to take the BMI test. This is not true. Also, he said there were people sent home for not being on time for their classes. There seem to be no excuses taken for timeliness.

Congrads on his new adventure and people are not taking the process seriously. The days of begging people to come and work are over and they can choose who they want to work. Time managament is a requirement and if you cannot be on time in Houston how can you be on time in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

Hello ALL,
Here is the website for the BMI...I wished they used a tape but it is what it is....I don't know if they use a tape anywhere....don't go to Houston without looking at this...

www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/

Budda in south texas, Texas said: Hello ALL,
Here is the website for the BMI...I wished they used a tape but it is what it is....I don't know if they use a tape anywhere....don't go to Houston without looking at this...

www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/

so just what numbers do they want? What range can you be in?
Overweight? Obese? Which one do they send you home for?

Northof48 in Anchorage, Alaska said: so just what numbers do they want? What range can you be in?
Overweight? Obese? Which one do they send you home for?

if you exceed 40 percent BMI you will be sent home, make sure you are under this when you go to houston. Anything less than that you are good. Dyncorp BMI limit is 39

Anyone know of a recruiter that I might be able to contact? My husband is supposed to leave on the 25th.This is his third time going and I would like to go with him this time,but his recruiter was only hiring for Laborer jobs. He didn't have anything open for women. I can't take being alone for those long months anymore. If anyone could help please email me at oooawieooo@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Hi all! Been reading as much on here as I can. Thank you all for posting such helpful advice. My husband just got off the phone with his recruiter and she is about to email his packet with the WABI info, dental sign-off, etc; He's going as Labor Foreman, I believe. We checked his BMI this morning (thanks to the link above) and he's golden at 24. ;) Earlier in the year he took a psych test for the county when he was applying for a jailer position and passed that with flying colors. I'm anticipating that the WABI is somewhat similar, ya think?

Anyhow, this is all happening so fast and I'm trying to read and learn all I can. One think he said was mentioned in the group conference call last weekend was that the first 4 (or maybe it was 6) weeks are half pay. I haven't seen that mentioned here. Is that true? Hey, we're grateful either way. Just trying to anticipate the finances for the next 2-3 months.

Thank you all for everything!