Sailors recently returning from Individual Augmentee (IA) tours in the Middle East shared sand stories of tackling tough drill sergeants as a petty officer, Christmas parties in Saddam Hussein’s former palace, dealing with detainees’ Ramadan fasting and dining at the chow hall with “Chemical Ali” [Ba’athist Iraqi Defense Minister Ali Hassan al-Majid, who was executed for genocide and war crimes in January 2010].

In addition to listening to articulate anecdotes, deploying IA’s asked questions of their boots-on-the-ground experienced shipmates.

“What kind of sleeping quarters did you have?” “Where were you working?” “How is it negotiating orders over there?”

These is just a sampling of the tales told and questions asked at NAS Whidbey Island’s bi-annual IA Appreciation Night, held April 28 at the Convergence Zone.

This discourse is exactly what happens when people with shared experiences are put in the same room, and according to Kelly Gilman, the Fleet and Family Support Center’s Individual Deployment Support Specialist, generating discussion is a key goal of the evening.

“It’s a chance for servicemembers to connect and ask the questions that I’m not going to know the answer to, that no one’s going to know the answer to, really, unless they’ve been there,” she said.

“I’ve talked with a few people tonight, and I’ve learned several helpful things. These guys [AD3 Taylor Proctor, SH2 Calvin Martin and AD2 Robert Dorr] all were doing the same job [detainee operations] that I’ll be doing. They gave me a good idea of the everyday mission and what to expect. They also told me a lot about the personal side of it, like communicating with my family and Returning Warrior Workshops when I get back,” said AT3 Chris Walsh, who is deploying to Afghanistan in just a few weeks.

Sailors also had the opportunity to speak with leadership, in order to gain their unique perspective. “Captain David was really helpful. He knows a lot of the details about working there. He understood my concerns and explained the basics really well, like the barracks, and what my living situation is likely to be,” continued Walsh.

Procter, who returned in January from Iraq, was happy to be able to assist future IA’s. “Being able to help someone else out, and give him some insight, was nice.”

Of course, as the event’s title states, its purpose is also to recognize the work and sacrifices of IA’s. Gilman explained: “We want to welcome home returning IA’s and ensure deploying IA’s and their families are supported. That’s a big part of the reason we held this reception at the Convergence Zone. We’d had it at the Nor’Wester in the past, and with this venue, IA’s children can feel a part of the support, because they’re just as much a part of the experience as their parents.”

NAS Whidbey Island’s Fleet and Family Support Center is currently tracking and making monthly contact with 238 IA’s and families. “Just making sure they know that there’s someone there for them, that’s huge,” said Gilman.