The CRSP

Tuesday 17 June
1000

Well, I am one step closer to coming home. Today I had my appointment at the CRSP (“crisp”), or Centralized Receiving and Shipping Point. This is the place where you send back your military equipment upon demobilization so you don’t have to drag it all back on the plane with you.

I was up late the night before inventorying it all and listing it on the proper form. I had to go over the record of what I was issued when mobilized so I could be sure to have it all. Some of it I left behind in a duffel bag at Ft. McPherson, so I’ll have to retrieve that when I get back.

Once my duffel bag and footlocker were packed and the inventory sheets filled out, I went to the CRSP. Our unit had an appointment, so I was there with the other people who are getting close to leaving. We had to wait around while the supply section got the paperwork straight, and then our shipments were inspected by MP Customs.

That is a very rigorous procedure – they basically dump everything out and look through every nook and cranny. So my neatly-packed bag is not quite as neatly packed as it had been. More of a problem is that since there have been almost constant dust storms since my return, there was dust everywhere in the CRSP tent. So now my gear is all covered in dust. Naturally they will not accept it for return that way, so I will have to wash it again somehow before I can turn it in at Ft. Benning. What a pain.

Once the inspection was done and my bags repacked and locked, they were stacked on a pallet, strapped down with cargo netting, and will be loaded on a plane to return to the USA. When I get back, I will go to the CRSP there and retrieve them.

So my room is a little emptier and I am a step closer to being done. I wish it was as easy with my personal things. I will have to pay to ship them back, but it will be worth it. My goal is to come back on the plane with only a carry-on, my laptop, and one checked duffel bag. That will sure be different than the trip over here, when I had to lug four duffel bags full of stuff!

Mood: Tired
Music: Silence