Possible mobilization to Djibouti - what is it like to spend a year there?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:42:38 -0400

I may be heading over soon and just curious for those that have already made the trip what I have to look forward too. All about resilience and hunting the good stuff.

I replied to this with a update.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 9:46 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:46:26 -0400

It's hot and sticky. STAY AWAY from 11D, do your job, watch higher argue with other higher if other branches. Go to the gym a lot. DONT have a girlfriend while you're there. Keep to yourself and you will be fine.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:54:30 -0400

Also, I would not mind going back. So if ya'll are looking for extra bodies to go I want to go again.

Response by SGT(P) Gregory Daniel Collins, Jr. made Sep 9 at 2015 10:58 AM

SGT(P) Gregory Daniel Collins, Jr. — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 10:58:43 -0400

Outside of the heat, which you will acclimatize to... It's a very easy tour compared to servicemembers in Afganistan or Iraq right now.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 11:56 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 11:56:36 -0400

MWR does swimming with whalesharks trips during winter when the whalesharks migrate there. Also, you can take college classes to fill up your down time and stay out of trouble.

Response by MGySgt Douglas C. made Sep 9 at 2015 1:16 PM

MGySgt Douglas C. — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:16:15 -0400

You are heading to one area of the world which is always hot and humid. I suggest you order a dehumidifier to be shipped to you not long after you get there. Also, you might want to invest in the NETFLIX CD program. It will be a lifesaver if you watch TV or Movies often. In 2008, the Wifi system was good, only limited interruptions.
Lots of opportunities to do civil affairs around the Camp working with wildlife refuges and with civilian schools/orphanages. The Chaplain is usually your point of contact for those opportunities.
The gym had any machine you could want and also had lots of free weights.
I know that we were allowed 3 beverages a night at 11 Degrees North. As long as you don't get stupid, you can have lots of fun on this deployment. Enjoy yourself and make a few friends.

Response by SGT Bradley L. made Sep 9 at 2015 2:22 PM

SGT Bradley L. — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 14:22:18 -0400

When I was there in 2008-2009 inverters were the hot commodity. Make sure you get one with a built in fuse, and have extra fuses. Everything is 240v over there, and we had power surges often. Have a good surge protector to plug into your inverter. You needed an external WiFi antenna if you wanted WiFi in your CLU (Containerized Living Unit). This is the latest version of the antenna I had when I was there (http://www.ccrane.com/WiFi/Super-USB-WiFi-Antenna-3-High-Power-Long-Range-80211-B-G-N-Wireless-1). I zip tied mine to a broom handle, and then zip tied it to the AC unit, and ran the long cord onto my half of the CLU. When I was there SFC got their own CLU, and didn't have to share with a roommate. I don't know if it's still the same. The MWR trips are great. The whaleshark trip was amazing. If you get an opportunity to travel while you're there do it. They ran trips to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro as well (I didn't get to do it, but others did). They also offered PADI diving certs, and many of our guys got dive certified, and went on the MWR dive trips. Uganda is awesome, great whitewater rafting in Jinja. You could wear civilian clothes when not on duty when I was there, so bring stuff for the pool, gym, and going into town (which at the time required a polo and khaki's). TDY was great and made some good money on a couple of missions off camp. The heat is oppressive in the summer time. I spent 15 months there which seemed like forever. If you take R&R you'll fly commercial from Djibouti to Ethiopia to Europe to stateside. I traveled for over 48 hours when returning from R&R stateside. There are limited connections in and out of Djibouti. We did everything from Mil to Mil Training, Civil Projects Security (Well Drilling, school building, and etc), Embassy QRF, and Camp Security.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 12:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:43:41 -0400

Will you be on the HOA side or SOCFWD East
I was on SOCFWD and I networked so much, the gym is nice, while I was there we were restricted but you will enjoy it..its hot I got sun burnt really bad lol
so stay in the shade

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 3:52 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:52:52 -0400

Well, like everyone else said, it is HOT and humid. Overall, it can be interesting. I would recommend getting in contact with the Civil Affairs unit that is there. I am not sure about the ones there now, but I know our unit was always trying to work in ways to take people off base with us. The wifi works pretty well, but the cost is outrageous. As a SFC, you will most likely get a two-man CLU, after a long wait period of course. When I was there 11D was a "two drink limit" in quotes because even the MPs on base said the rule was to have something to fall back on "if someone got stupid" and so the rule was more like "don't get stupid, and keep it within reasonable moderation". MWR trips were fun, when they were available, but while we were there it got locked down for most of our deployment. I highly recommend swimming with the whale sharks if you do get an opportunity, or diving, the reef is beautiful. Don't eat any subway leading up to your deployment... after the deployment you will probably never want to eat there again because it is the only on-base alternative to the DFAC which while we were there was run by KBR and the food was terrible. Overall, I would say just be prepared to pretend you never left home and are in-garrison, because there are a lot of people with nothing to do, and so things like NCODP, HOA PT, and random events can get out-of-control and take up a disproportionate amount of your time as though you have nothing else to be doing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 12:18 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:18:24 -0400

Now that you are there tell us what you think.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2015 2:28 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:28:37 -0400

While I was in assigned to NAMRU-3 Cairo in Egypt, I visited Camp once a month for almost all three years I was in Cairo. Sometimes for a few days, sometime for weeks. I watched it change dramatically from Aug 11'= June 14'. There are barracks there now, as well as the CLUs. The galley is a nice building, but the food was better in the old galley (better selection and killer salad bar). As everyone else said it is hot year around, although May to Sept is the worst. Constant Mosquitos year around, but in the last few years the only notable concerns have been during the rainy season(Malaria and Dengue have both been present in resent years.) Insofar as the dehumidifier, most CLUs have them, however, how well they work is questionable, so you may still want it. June of 2014 was my last trip, and as of then, there was free wifi in several locations, and you could buy unlimited wired internet from Multivision (varying cost depending on how fast you want it). Gym was nice, to include outdoor beach V-ball court and B-ball courts. I would also assume Subway is still open. As a SFC you will likely not be getting in too much trouble yourself, rather receiving the bad news of you folks poor behaviors. Although with 11D out of the picture, as well as no booze (very saddened by this), I suspect even that will be lessened. I always enjoyed my time there, and even enjoyed the city, despite the trash and aged facade. Hope you enjoy your trip to the second nicest deployed location I have ever been too (Al Udeid is still #1).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2016 11:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 11:29:29 -0500

Made it. Weather is hot. Days are long. Air France lost my checked bags so I'm down to 1 uniform, 1 pair of sweat pants and jacket (it was cold during travel). Get with your unit and mail things over. Keep your items in American/military hands.

I'm rooming with another E-7 and will be waiting about 1-2 months for my own CLU. Internet is about 115 a month; however there are a lot of areas to get free Wifi if needed. Been taking Malaria pills - got eaten alive during the night. 11D is nice and the 2 beers seems to be still on. I work a lot so haven't been able to partake. Showers are normal small tiny sized. Iraq deployment like. The Gallery or Chow hall is decent, and very clean.

I'll try to get a better review/tips and post after my year long tour. If you need information just mail me.

Havoc 7

Response by SSG Jacob Pederson made Jun 20 at 2016 10:47 PM

SSG Jacob Pederson — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 22:47:53 -0400

Any update on this tour? I am deploying there next month to work in the J1 of the CJTF-HOA. Would like to know what to expect, things to bring, etc. Thanks.

Response by SSG Jacob Pederson made Jun 20 at 2016 10:48 PM

SSG Jacob Pederson — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 22:48:33 -0400

Any update on this tour? I am deploying there next month to work in the J1 of the CJTF-HOA. Would like to know what to expect, things to bring, etc. Thanks.