CHU (pronounced "choo") - Containerized Housing Units

Greetings,

The day for our departure to Kuwait is quickly approaching. Our Employment Resource Team (ERT) found out some FANTASTIC news yesterday. None of our team members will be sleeping in tents as we were originally told. YAY! We will be staying in CHUs (Containerized Housing Units). See the picture below - it's a general idea of what a CHU looks like. Latrines (bathrooms) and showers will be located separately from the sleeping structures. We were told that linens will be provided (includes sheets, pillow, pillow cases, and army wool blanket). The CHUs have climate-controlled A/C-Heat units.

I am about 98% finished packing. I weighed my checked bag earlier and it is only 34 pounds. The team was issued Army backpacks for our carry-on bag. Although I'm having some issues with what to put in my carry-on. Just check out the picture below. Two important items for me are my dark chocolate and the Go Places handouts.

As before, I am SO honored to represent MnSCU on this team and to serve those that serve us and protect our freedoms. Thank you. Take care.

Peace,

Gina

Packing for sand fleas and dust

Greetings,

This week I will begin an exciting adventure, which will be a once in a lifetime experience. I am traveling to Kuwait to work with the 2,700 + Minnesota National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers who will return in May from their deployment to Iraq and Kuwait. I will be briefing on MyMilitary GPS LifePlan (http://www.gpslifeplan.org/mnscumilitary/) which includes a goal setting workshop. The goal setting portion will help them with finding a job and to begin/continue their education. By the end of our time there, my colleague and I will have done 30, 40-minute workshops. Goodness!

I am the only female on a team of 11, but I have ensured the guys that I will be able to put up with them for our time in Kuwait. :-) They also know that I will be packing significantly more because I have to do my hair and wear make-up.

You can follow our exciting adventure through the Star Tribune at http://www.startribune.com/bios/80657717.html. The first article can be found at http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/140376053.html.

I’m SO excited and honored to serve those that serve us and protect our freedoms every day. Take care.

Peace,
Gina