Going Home: The Handout

[raketenjagdpanzer]

(Or not; feel free to use, abuse, criticize, ignore, etc. this post):


***UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS***
USAREUR DOCUMENT #2000-1097 - OFFICIAL USE ONLY
***UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS******UNCLAS***

FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION TO ALL PERSONNEL ONCE EMBARKED ON CONVEYANCE SHIPS OF TF34 NOS. 1-15 OR USS JOHN HANCOCK

THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST IN SPANISH, FRENCH, POLISH AND GERMAN

Introduction:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States Armed Forces, Europe. Fifty six years and six months ago, General Dwight David Eisenhower addressed, via Order of the Day, the men who were girding themselves to battle the forces of the Third Reich on European soil. General Eisenhower admonished each man to fight with bravery and prayed to almighty God for His guidance in the accomplishment of this daunting task.

As the ranking officer in charge of Operational Order: OMEGA, I wish that I too had such inspirational words as the General had for his troops that day. I don't, but I will say this: The war - irrespective of what Historians will call it - is effectively over for the armed forces of the United States in Europe. In the name of Democracy, in the name of freedom, in the name of protecting the best interests of our allies and adhering to the principals and treaties of international agreements we engaged the Soviet Union and her allies on the European front and elsewhere for the better part of four difficult years. Our enemy fought savagely, and without quarter, wantonly using weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations.

Even so, all of you committed yourselves to the battle without flinching, without reservation and fought as well as, if not better than, your training prepared you to. Even when faced with the loss of our previously un-challenged air supremacy, even after the wicked and horrific criminal use of nuclear weapons against our homes and loved ones in the United States, you fought on with unflagging valor, with unremitting vigor, and with unparalleled tenacity.

The history books tell us of Thermopylae, of Agincourt, of Bunker Hill, Bellau Wood, Iwo Jima, Bastogne, the Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sahn...new names are to be spoken with solemnity alongside those now; the names of places like Kalisz, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Cologne and many, many more.

One of the clarion calls of this war was "Good luck, you're on your own." Even as my own position came under enemy fire time and again, I prayed to God that He would watch over each of you. As horrible as a price we have paid, in blood and indeed as it seemed at times with our very souls, know that for my part you were never on your own.

I'm proud of each and every one of you. Damn proud. In the course of operations in Europe, we repelled every major offensive the Soviets could mount. We reunited Germany. We destroyed the Soviet's ability to fight and all things considered left the German and majority of our Western European allies in as good a shape as could be hoped for in these desperate times. Some of you will return home where, God willing, you will be able to reunite with your loved ones and engage in an even greater task, that of picking up the pieces and rebuilding our Nation. A few of you have chosen or been selected to redeploy to Southwest Asia, to help secure the vital petroleum, oil, and lubricants so desperately needed throughout the world not just by the United States but her allies as well. To you I say: Godspeed, and may God bless you, your comrades, and the United States of America.

GEN Thomas M. Smith, Commander, USAEUR

1 OCT 2000

*****BREAK*****

If you are reading this then you have received this handout upon boarding one of the vessels of TF34. If you have been dispatched to remain in continental Europe, please refer to section I-c, if you are to be deployed to the RDF operational area in the Southwest Asian theater, please refer to section II-c. Otherwise, please read on.

The operation now underway that is transporting you (and possibly your dependents) home should take approximately one week to ten days, weather depending. TF34s departure from Bremen will occur when the final responding units have all boarded and perimeter security personnel are embarked on the USS John Hancock. On board you are responsible for any and all personal effects. Food (two meals daily), water, adequate medical care, berth space and stowage will all be provided for you. Additionally, passengers on each transport will have access to out-processing and disposition adjustment personnel to assist with necessary paperwork and settlement information upon return to Norfolk, VA. Be aware that equal services will be provided in Norfolk; the onboard resources will help assist in quicker outprocessing but are not mandatory.

Due to prevailing conditions on board, female service personnel and female dependents cannot be provided separate berthing excepting during medical examination or medical emergency.

ONBOARD FACILITIES:

FOOD:
As mentioned food will be served twice daily, at 09:30 and 17:00 ship's time. An announcement will be made prior to each meal. Meals will consist of one (1) MRE per person. No provision has been made for special dietary or religious considerations! Additionally, at request dried milk "formula" is available for children of dependents who require it. "Missed" meals may be made up by presenting an unpunched ration card (included in this packet) and ID or dependent ID. Loss of this card does not mean you will not be fed; a new card will be issued as needed. Please retain your card as it will assist ship's crew in accurately tallying what if any replenishment might be needed should the voyage take longer.

MEDICAL FACILITIES
DUE TO EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES DENTAL CARE WILL BE EXTREMELY LIMITED.

ANY PERSONNEL WITH FIELD MEDIC (OR GREATER) EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ASSIST SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.

Seasickness pills are available through the sickbay/dispensary. Aspirin is the only available analgesic. Some antibiotics are available: PLEASE NOTIFY SHIPBOARD MEDICAL PERSONNEL OF ANY ANTIBIOTIC ALLERGIES IMMEDIATELY WHEN REPORTING FOR TREATMENT.

As needed, basic OB/GYN care is available; don't be afraid to ask!

SANITARY FACILITIES
Buckets and basic soap and clean water are available at distribution points on all decks. If you or your dependents have or suspect you have lice, you must be shaved to the scalp. Your clothes must be disposed of - new ones will be provided.

Each vessel has onboard toilet facilities which should be adequate for the number of personnel; each MRE kit will contain toilet paper and "wet naps", both of which are flushable. Please note some ships are converted vehicle carriers; toilet facilities on these consist of chemical toilets which will be emptied on a regular basis.

*****BREAK*****

A note on "The Law of the Sea":

As mentioned in your embarkation orders, personal weapons must be secured. ANY PERSON FOUND WITH AN UNSECURED WEAPON OF ANY KIND WILL FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND CONFINEMENT TO LAST NO LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF TRANSPORTATION. ANY PERSONNEL WHO VIOLATE UCMJ STATUTES WILL BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE PUNITIVE ACTION BY CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE VESSEL THEY ARE ON SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY COMMAND STAFF LOCATED ON TF34 AS CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT.

*****BREAK*****

...

(Anyone interested in a "Part 2"?)

[James Langham]

Please post part 2. It's an inspired bit of background material.

It's a coincidence but the draft notice had me thinking maybe there is mileage in creating "historical" documents/posters/newspaper articles, etc. What do others think?

[Adm.Lee]

I'd slip in a bit about "Now that we've fought the good fight, let us go back to America. She needs our help to recover from the war. We are going home."

And maybe, "Germany has been united. The Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact no longer threaten our NATO allies. Our mission has been fulfilled. The cost has been terrible, but we have accomplished that mission."


A little more to give them some closure (much as I hate that word), you see? They know what the grunt's eye view is, give them a little from the top.

[James Langham]

I think you might want to look at the languages it is available in, not sure French would be needed.

Great work though.

[Tegyrius]

Originally Posted by James Langham

Please post part 2. It's an inspired bit of background material.

It's a coincidence but the draft notice had me thinking maybe there is mileage in creating "historical" documents/posters/newspaper articles, etc. What do others think?

As the kids these days are saying, +1. I've always dug on in-game artifacts like this.

- C.

[agrikk]

I'd like to see part two as well. I think I may be starting a US campaign sometime soon as soon as my friend's Cyberpunk campaign fizzles.

Any material I can hand out would be awesome.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

I'll get to part two probably later this weekend. Glad you all like it.

[LVI]

Well written. And yes im very interested.

[Rainbow Six]

Nice job - would definitely be interested in seeing a part 2.

Originally Posted by James Langham

It's a coincidence but the draft notice had me thinking maybe there is mileage in creating "historical" documents/posters/newspaper articles, etc. What do others think?

Agreed...

[WallShadow]

Of course, one of the PCs can get a copy that has a sticky-note stuck on the back with some unsettling background info on the operation--Soviet subs spotted on return route, possible Speznatz infiltration onto the transports, search for tac nuke aboard, or something like "might have missed one from the New Am cell--God help us if he's shipboard security!".

Or have a flurry of activity by shipboard security doing sweeps with a hair-trigger/heightened tension ambiance.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

(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.

*****BREAK*****

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.

*****BREAK*****

(part 3 is coming guys)

[kota1342000]

Outstanding and thanks much! Cant wait for part 3!