Has anyone here been to Saudi Arabia and mind telling me how it is over there?

2019-10-05T03:00:08-04:00

Just wondering how it is over there

Response by LTC Stephen Franke made Oct 5 at 2019 7:21 PM

2019-10-05T19:21:05-04:00

Greetings. Ref your query posted here in RP.

** Kindly tell me more about your potential situation -- i.e. a pending assignment to which of the now-several US Security Cooperations (SCOs = generic DOD term), such as USMTM OPM-SANG, MOI-MAG et al, where you may be based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and doing what type of job, and would be pleased to advise, sensitize, and inform you.

** If your job might include regular contacts and interactions with Saudi military counterparts and civilians in public, also pleased to provide you with some focused advice and useful open-source references for your "read ahead to get smart soon" self-preparation (do that already on behalf of a USMC organization in VA which trains, certifies and deploys USMC-resourced Security Assistance Teams outbound to KSA and other host countries here in the area).

** BLUF: Depending on one's preparation and receptiveness / flexibility, living and working in KSA and interacting with Saudis can be engaging, interesting and satisfying; conversely, those experiences may otherwise sometimes be confusing, convoluted and frustrating, if lacking some ideas and sense about the (ahem) "Saudi way" of thinking, forming opinions, decision-making dynamics and processes, and their patterns of relating to foreign guests living in their country.

** Have been stationed in SA four times since 1971 as a US Army Foreign Area Officer (FAO) with regional concentration in the Middle East, primarily in KSA and adjacent countries in the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf region (somewhat of a long-time "Army Gulfie"). Tours in KSA included advising, training and otherwise dealing with elements of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF = Saudi "Big Army" and also its separate and elite airborne/SOF community up in Tabuk), Ministry of Defense (MOD), Ministry of National Guard (MNG), and Saudi Royal Guard (SRG) at various locations.

** Currently advise, teach and mentor some adult students for KSA and other GCC countries who attend ESL programs to prepare for TOEFL exams required for acceptance and admission to academic degree programs at a local university.

** Glad to help as I can. Today is Saturday, 5 October 2019. My direct email address is < [login to see] >.

** Regards,
Stephen H. Franke
LTC, US Army Retired
San Pedro (Los Angeles Waterfront Area), California

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2019 4:44 AM

2019-10-06T04:44:38-04:00

You've got to elaborate on that one...

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 6 at 2019 2:41 PM

2019-10-06T14:41:48-04:00

Not enough information in your profile or question to give a good answer. In general, countries in that part of the world require US Service Members to be careful in their everyday activities within and outside of military installations. The social, political, and religious environments are very different from the CONUS. Read State Department web site information on the country. Also check AKO/JKO for information. If you're being assigned there, you should get a Sponsor who may help you sort through many of your concerns. Once you have some understanding of the local culture, exercise care in your dress, language, and behaviors, but enjoy as much of the location as you can.

Response by COL Carolyn Black McCartney made Oct 23 at 2019 7:04 AM

2019-10-23T07:04:45-04:00

Hot. Sandy. Miserable.

Response by SSG Terry Cummings made Oct 23 at 2019 7:17 AM

2019-10-23T07:17:13-04:00

Can be very Hot during the day and very cold at night ,depending on the months your there :-)

Response by SSG Darrell Bullock made Nov 6 at 2019 1:35 AM

2019-11-06T01:35:02-05:00

Hot in spring to fall, then cold at night from fall to spring cold in winter. Don't do anything stupid, I say you could ask a former Airman that was stealing. I haven't been there in a long time, but it is a kingdom.... Kings rules. You should be able to find out a lot of information from S-2