Understanding the Situation Embarking on an international mission requires thorough preparation to ensure you’re equipped to handle the challenges ahead. From understanding the mission’s context to making personal arrangements, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of what you need to do before deployment. Where Are You Going? Preparing for deployment starts with understanding your destination. Familiarise yourself with the country’s environment, history, culture, and living conditions. Key areas to research include: Climate and terrain Food and living conditions Languages and cultural traditions Political landscape and security infrastructure History and geography Internal influences (e.g., religion, militias) External or geopolitical influences Economy and health concerns Utilise various sources for information, such as: Contacts in the deployment country Employer’s induction pack Government travel advisories – e.g., Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Think tanks, UN, EU, ReliefWeb, and Reuters websites Situation reports and briefing papers University publications Weather forecasts and WHO websites on vaccinations Updated maps of the region Why Are You Going? Understand your mission’s mandate and objectives. Familiarise yourself with your employer’s background, the mission’s purpose, and your specific duties. Study the employment contract and Terms of Reference (ToR). Review essential documents like government policies, mission operation plans, safety protocols, and training manuals. What Should You Do Before Departure? Domestic Arrangements Preparing the Family: It’s crucial to prepare your family for your absence by ensuring they have the necessary support and resources. Arrange for regular check-ins and establish a communication plan. Ensure they know emergency contacts and have access to necessary resources. Household Affairs: Organise your household affairs to ensure everything runs smoothly in your absence. This includes setting up automatic payments for bills, arranging for someone to handle maintenance tasks, and ensuring pets are cared for. Consider appointing a trusted friend or family member to manage any unforeseen issues that may arise. Legal Documents: Power of Attorney: Allows someone to act on your behalf in legal or economic matters. Living Will: Specifies medical treatment preferences if you are seriously injured or ill. Last Will and Testament: States how your estate should be handled after your death. Medical Arrangements Immunisation and Vaccination: Ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date and recorded in an international certificate. Common vaccinations include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. Depending on your destination, you may need additional vaccines for diseases like yellow fever, meningitis, and Japanese encephalitis. Take preventative measures against diseases such as malaria by consulting a healthcare professional for appropriate prophylactics, including antimalarial medications and insect repellent treatments. General Screenings/Checkups: Regular health screenings are essential to ensure you are fit for your mission. Include general medical exams, blood and urine tests, dental checkups, and any necessary X-rays or electrocardiograms (ECGs), which assess heart health. Insurance: Verify that your insurance covers all potential health risks. Consider enrolling with Global Rescue for comprehensive travel protection. Global Rescue offers medical, security, travel risk, and crisis response services, including field rescue and medical evacuation. Professional Arrangements Understanding the Job: Clearly define your responsibilities and tasks for the mission. Connect with your predecessor, if applicable, to gain insights and firsthand information about the role. If you are entering a new position or location, seek advice from available contacts or colleagues with experience in the region. Review essential mission planning documents, such as the concept of operations (CONOPS), which outlines the overall strategy and objectives, and the mission implementation plan (MIP), which details the specific steps and actions needed to achieve those objectives. Licences, Training, and Qualifications: Ensure you have all the correct licences, training, and qualifications needed for your role. This may include driving licences, security clearances, and specific professional certifications. Equipment: Check the regulations regarding equipment and ensure you have everything needed for the mission. Examples include protective gear, communication devices, and mission-specific tools. For example, if you are a humanitarian worker, you might need personal protective equipment (PPE), reliable communication devices, and specialised tools for aid distribution or field assessments. Preparatory Training: Attend any pre-deployment training courses offered by your employer. Ensure you have up-to-date first aid certification and complete any required hostile environment awareness training (HEAT). What Should You Pack? Packing depends on the mission’s location, climate, culture, season, and specific work requirements. The following suggested items are not exhaustive, and you may need to add additional items based on your specific needs and circumstances: Documents and Related Items International travel ticket Valid passport, visa and other identification documents Work contract and travel authorisation International certificate of vaccinations International driving licence / permit Insurance information Contact information for head office and embassy Personal Items Appropriate clothing for the location Culturally appropriate clothing Elegant clothing for official meetings Sturdy walking shoes or boots Rain gear and sleeping bag Extra glasses and sunglasses Tactical flashlight / headlamp Multi-tool Universal adapters Water bottle with built-in filter Water purification tablets Communication device Spare batteries & charging kit Scarf or Sarong Duct tape Other useful items Personal Protection Equipment Eye protection Durable gloves Face mask Environment-specific PPE (i.e., ballistic protection) Specialised Medical Kits and Items First Aid Kit: Over-the-counter and prescription medications, painkillers, antihistamines, alcohol wipes, medical tape, and antacids. Comprehensive medical treatment items such as bandages, protective gloves, tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, and chest seals. Be aware of medication regulations in your destination country, as some common medications may be illegal. Malaria Prevention Kit: Insecticide-treated mosquito net, DEET-based repellent, malaria tablets. Sterile Needle Kit: Basic kit with sterile needles and syringes for emergency treatment, particularly in areas where medical supplies may be unreliable. Comprehensive kit including IV cannulas, assorted syringes, hypodermic needles, dressings, and other first aid essentials. Diarrhoea Treatment Kit: Oral rehydration salts, loperamide, probiotics. Skin Protection Kit: Sunblock, anti-fungal powder, hydrocortisone cream. Medical Records: Details of medical conditions, allergies, vaccinations, prescriptions, and health insurance information. Consider having a digital health insurance card / app for easy access to your medical information during your trip. Conclusion Thorough preparation is crucial for a successful mission. By understanding your deployment context, making necessary arrangements, and packing wisely, you can ensure that you are ready to face the challenges ahead with confidence. For more information, contact Hawkeye Dynamics to learn more about our comprehensive training services designed to prepare you for your mission. Our expert-led courses cover a wide range of topics, ensuring you have the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe and effective in high-risk environments. Reach out to us directly to find the right training program for your needs.
