These who received the orders were already on 96-hour prepare-to-deploy status, which has now been shortened to 24 hours.
So, how do I imagine this. Does this mean everything already packed up and ready to go, with everyone relieved from any regular duty, ready to put on boots and walk to the planes at any moment?
Without additional details on where those troops are (US or already on board ships in the Mediterranean?), it could mean a few things, but speaking from my own experience it would involve having all required equipment packed up and staged on a military base, personnel would have a bag packed and easily accessible, and any scheduled training exercises would likely be cancelled, especially if they were multi-day exercises. Normal daily routine would be the same. Any leave would be cancelled. 24 hours was how long we had to report to an assembly area for deployment, not necessarily actually leave the country, much less arrive at the destination.
So, how do I imagine this. Does this mean everything already packed up and ready to go, with everyone relieved from any regular duty, ready to put on boots and walk to the planes at any moment?
Without additional details on where those troops are (US or already on board ships in the Mediterranean?), it could mean a few things, but speaking from my own experience it would involve having all required equipment packed up and staged on a military base, personnel would have a bag packed and easily accessible, and any scheduled training exercises would likely be cancelled, especially if they were multi-day exercises. Normal daily routine would be the same. Any leave would be cancelled. 24 hours was how long we had to report to an assembly area for deployment, not necessarily actually leave the country, much less arrive at the destination.