Getting ready to deploy involves a lot of paperwork. There’s the normal updates of records, life insurance policy and the like. Yesterday as he was filling out some of this paperwork, Andy called me to get some information. Turns out one of those papers is an emergency contact sheet. Not surprising, even my credit card company asked for that when I applied for a card. But it turns out this one is a little more involved. Oh, there is the normal name, phone number and address slots for your emergency contact. Though that’s not all. This sheet is a little more unique and geared to the deploying servicemember. Some of the things it also asks for are contact’s work address and number and daily routine. And if you can’t figure out why they are asking for that, let me add there is also a section for who you want to accompany the casualty assistance officer in the event of your death and a section for anyone you specifically do not want there. While I understand the need for all that information, I pray to God that there is never a need for that piece of paper. If the reality of this deployment hadn’t hit me yet, it sure has now.