(here's part II, insert before the last "Break" under "Law of the Sea")
For the safety of your fellow servicemen and -women and their dependents, absolute legal authority and security is given over to the United States Marines and their adjutants and auxiliaries onboard the transports of TF34. Please observe posted regulations. The transports are crewed by men and women who have seen combat and combat support duties - many for equally long periods of time as you have. They are your friends and in some cases may be part of extended units.
Rank structures will still apply on board the transports of TF34! All standard rules and regulations are still in effect for the duration of the trip. Even for personnel who complete Final Disposition paperwork, until such time as debarkation and final muster-out is completed, while in transit you are still an active duty servicemember and you are required to conduct yourselves accordingly.
In the unlikely event of combat action, contingency orders are in place for each ship, crew, and transiting personnel.
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Command has tried to anticipate questions personnel may have. If you have a concern you do not see addressed here, please contact your commanding officer or a senior NCO onboard and they will direct your question to TF34 Command.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD OR HAVE HEARD THAT TRANSPORTATION SPACE IS LIMITED AND ON A FIRST-COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS. IS THIS TRUE?
Absolutely not. TRANSCOM, COMSURFLANT and MILGOV have made every provision to ensure that all respondents will receive a berth. At present, TF34 is equipped to transport all respondents from continental Europe to the United States or the United Kingdom.
WILL I REMAIN WITH MY UNIT ON EMBARKATION
The embarkation process is a lengthy one, and the order in which units board will have to be managed by loadmasters and crew on each ship. As each vessel is unique and not all were designed for large numbers of passengers, passenger loads must be evenly distributed across all vessels. While unit cohesion will be attempted as best as can be kept, understand TRANSCOM cannot guarantee that you'll go home "with your buddy".
The exception to this is dependents: any personnel caring for dependents (small children, the elderly or infirm) will remain with their dependents irrespective of unit or other affiliation.
WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the unlikely event of a shipwide emergency, contingency plans including evacuation and rescue by other vessels of TF34 are in place. TRANSCOM personnel will go over emergency procedures upon embarkation. This isn't the Titanic - each ship will have adequate life-rafts and all ships will maintain visual and radar contact at all times.
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(part 3 is coming guys)
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