Life in Kuwait

Life in Kuwait is very interesting. The homes are all stucco, and mortor, with a boxy look, and a flat roof. They are all some form of sand color. I'll try to take some pictures and up-load them.

I was without air conditioning the first night here. The air conditioner in my room was broken. I couldn't sleep so I went out and slept on the couch in the living room. The apartment has three bedrooms with two guys in each apartment -- so we have one room open for transients. It gets about 85-87 degrees here at night down from 115-122 (50 degrees celcius) they say it isn't warm here yet -- not until it's triple digits temperature at night. The humidity here is about 4-5%. The apartment is on a scale somewhere between a motel 6 and holiday inn.

There is very little grass here -- mostly sand and trash. A few trees that they plant along the highways etc.

When I went to the Airbase Ali Al Salem (1 hr away) this morning it was blowing and drifting sand across the road. We took a guy (my roommate) up there that was flying to Iraq.

I eat lunch on base with the troops/other employees. I guess I could eat breakfast and dinner there if I wanted. They pay me $71 a day for per diem (food/etc). I went shopping the other day for groceries -- most of the shopping etc is in two languages (arabic and english).

I've been out to eat at night quite a bit. Tried some Indian food last night. Little too much curry for my taste.

My roommate is kind of quiet. He is from Maryland. He doesn't like AC that much so he wears a coat a lot. So he wears his coat out in 100 degree weather -- kind of nutty. My boss and his roomate are from VA, so I have a lot in common with them.

I was without internet in my home till last night -- wasn't working. I also couldn't log on my computer at work until I got all my clearances/badges etc. Took till Friday. So basically incognito -- Everyone probably thought I had dropped off the edge of the earth. I am going to try to get a cell phone today so I can call. Requies a cell phone with a sim card here not just a serial number.

We are building up a group of contractors to do cost analyst work for the Army. Basically justifying costs/budgets etc.

Both the Prime and Sub-Contractor that I work for said they may have work for me when I get back from Kuwait. Hope so, the pay is sweet.

Where I work on Camp Arifjan is bascially a converted warehouse. But they have fixed it up. At least there is AC. It is in a secure area behind a fence with barbed wire. Takes about 30 minutes to get on post and into my office because of all the security.

The maid service is great. They wash and iron your clothes daily and put them in your drawer. They even iron my jeans -- unbelieveable. It is so dusty here they have the security guys wash the cars daily for about $10 Dinar monthly ($34.50), basically a little over a $1 a day.

I've Arrived in Kuwait

Arrived in Kuwait at 5 pm local time (10 hrs ahead of Pacific Time), Monday, 25 May 2009. It was a 12 and 1/2 hr flight. Had to go through medical screening for swine flu (H1N1). Then get a Visa. That was an experience -- Organized Chaos. Then went through customs. One and 1/2 hours later went to the other side of security and my boss was waiting for me. He took me to my apartment where I settled in. I live in a high rise apartment overlooking the Persian Gulf. The company I work for rents the apartment and it has maid service and a car. They wash our clothes and iron them daily and wash the car daily.

I work about 30 minutes south at Camp Arifjan. It is very interesting getting through all the security -- takes about 30 minutes to get on post. Work from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (10 hrs). Get home around 6/6:30 pm.

The only thing dangerous around here is the Kuwaitee drivers. They drive anyway they want. On the freeway -- miss an exit -- no problem. Stop and back up. Needless to say there are a lot of accidents around here.

I am driving up north to take my room mate to catch a helecopter to Iraq. So I will be without a roommate for 3 days.

I understand there are LDS services at 4:30 pm at the Zone 1 Chapel. Will try to get there if I can today. Have tried to get in touch with the Branch President/Bishop. Haven't connected yet.

The currency here in Kuwait is the Dinar (3.45 US Dolars). More later got to go.

Weather in Kuwait

Just checked the weather in Kuwait City, Kuwait. The average high for the next 10 days in 109-113 degrees and the average low is 87 degrees. Its a dry heat I ubderstand -- hopefully!

Meeting with Boss/Renters

Had a meeting with my new boss from LSI (Logistic Systems Inc). He indicated there may be more work after the year in Kuwait. I asked if it was all in Washington DC area and he said most is but there is work in other areas of the country -- so may have continued employmnet after I finish this year.

I also talked to a guy that was there in Afghanistan and he said they send you on some R&R every 90 days so you don't burn out or go postal!

The meeting with the renters went well. They are taking good care of the house and yard. The dog was there but was in the basement. No damage was seen to the home. He seemed to have it decorated nicely and in good repair. He said he would rent for another year -- then we can see what the economy/home prices are and see if we want to sell to him then.

Take Me Back to Old Virginnie

Arrived in VA at 9:30 pm Friday, 22 May 2009. On Saturday, 23 May 2009, woke the Deckers up at 8:30 am and visited with them for a while. Then had a meeting with our renters at 10 am. Met with my new boss with LSI (Logistics Systems Inc) for lunch. Then visited with Sister Costello a lady I used to Home teach. Met with Bruce Pearce, the Chamberlins and a guy Warren Cordes (couple) from Ashburn stake that went to Afghanistan. Got a lot of good information about what to expect in theater.

Leave tomorrow for Kuwait at 9:48 pm from Dulles airport. Arrive in Kuwait at 5:15 pm Monday 25 May 2009.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp -- Part VI

Thursday was a day from hell. Everything that could go wrong did. I arrived at camp at 9:30 am and found out I couldn't check out -- I was a medical no-go. I needed a physical and blood type. Both of which I did before I left, but the physical wasn't on the form they wanted even though it was provided on the website, and the blood type didn't have the RH factor. It only showed A type blood not A+. So off to a local doctors office to wait for 3 hours to get a physical and blood work. I was stressed so my blood pressure was up and they had to walk the blood work through the system. Got back to camp and waited. The medical people showed up at 4 pm and hadn't received the physical and blood work yet so I called the Doctors office and they said they had faxed it to the medical office but they had already left so I had them Fax it to the B co office. Finally got signed out at 4:30 pm. Didn't mention I also was stuck in two traffic jams going to and from the camp. Plus the internet didn't work at the hotel.

I tried MREs one day -- nothing to write home about. I should have looked at everything in the bag before I ate the beef enchilada. The Picate sauce and cheese would have gone great on the enchilada.

I am now in Sterling, VA (Friday, 22 May 2009) waiting to deploy on Sunday night. I flew from Columbus, GA today. I got in at 9:30 pm and got the rental car and settled into the hotel -- now 11 pm. I will arrive in Kuwait on 25 May 2009 at 5:15 pm.

I'll try to take some pictures now that I am off post.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp -- Part V

Yesterday was a long day (13 hrs). We learned a lot about field first aid and IEDs. For the field first aid we learned how to treat sucking chest wounds and gun shot and head wounds (including brain surgery -- just kidding). We also learned how to spot IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). All in all a very informative day.

Today I need to finish up any left over issues. I am on the medical issue list, because I forgot to pick up my blood work/blood type information. I called the Deer Park Clinic on Tuesday and they faxed the informaton, but they haven't posted the info yet.

Today should be a shorter day. Some have to meet at 5:30 am to go through CIF (equipment) that I did the other day. I have to meet today at 9:30 am.

I have been in contact with my supervisor in Kuwait and he will pick me up at the airport on Sunday. I have also been told I will live off post in a high rise apartment over looking the Persian Gulf. Will also have maid/laundry service included.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp -- Part IV

Today spent 4 hours in medical clearance -- probed, prodded, blood drawn, examined. Then went and picked up personal equipment -- a Duffel bag full of boby armor, and helmet, duffel bags etc. About 60 pounds worth -- ugh it is heavy. Then went to UCMJ training. Missed lunch -- was there 13 hours. Made up for the day before.

Goods news I will be living in a high rise apartment off post over-looking the Persian Gulf. Will have maid/laundry service daily. Oh well, it will be a tough life.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp -- Part III

Today we have our medical screening and receive our government issued equipment. I arrive at 9 am. Met at 4:45 pm yesterday -- to tell us to meet at 9 am today. What a waste of time. Only about an hour of useful time yesterday. Oh well getting paid to do this.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp -- Part II

We'll yesterday I got fitted for Body Armor. We will also get a helmet, but no uniform. A uniform would make us more of a target.

Today we did the admin. processing. Had to be there at 6:45 am. Finished by 9 am. Had to wait for the bus -- arrived at 10 am. Back to the pick up point by 10:30 am. Released till 4:45 pm. Such is my life hurry up and wait. More briefings tonight. Yesterday got briefings on what to do if we are held hostage. Certainly not something you normally would get as a preliminary job in-processing.

Have medical processing tomorrow. Already on my malaria pills. Makes me nauseated. Will take at night so I will be nausteated at night.

It is 103-108 degrees in Kuwait City now. From what I ubderstand I may live off post in an apartment. I am not looking forward to living in an 8 man tent. More to follow.

Papa Smurf Goes to Boot Camp (Ft Benning GA)

Took a flight to Columbus, GA (Ft Benning) at 5:15 am (2:15 am wake up call)on 15 May 2009. Got to Columbus, GA at 4:45 pm. The flight to Columbus, GA was full of military (lean, mean fighting machines), and I thought -- what am I doing here!!!

Got the rental car, checked in to the hotel, and registered my rental car at Ft Benning. Tried to find the CRC (CONUS Redeployment Center), and got lost. An hour later found the CRC and then got lost going back to the hotel. Bought a map the next day.

Ran into several other Calibre employees at training on Saturday. They have been a wealth of information. They flew into CRC from Kuwait where they have been for the past two weeks. Also, one of the Calibre employees is a local from Columbus. He took us to a Bar-B-Que place for lunch.

I felt a lot better when I showed up for training -- there were a lot of other senior citizens (contractors) at the CRC. As a matter of fact there are a lot more contractors here than military or government civilian employees.

The CRC Training process is typicall government -- hurry up and wait. Show up, stand in line and then go stand in another line. I brought a book to read the second day.

Today (Sunday) got there at 8 am to be fitted for my body armor. Then they released us till 11:15 am. We will go back today and finish some training and then do some medical processing.

The weather is typical south -- hot and muggy (Reminds me why I moved to the Pacific NW). Been in the high 80s and low 90s. It is so humid it is hazzy. Every afternoon we have thunder showers -- some severe (nickel sized hail). They had to move the training site because a few weeks ago a tornado blew through and destroyed the site.

I understand it is between 98 and 104 degrees in Kuwait. But it is a dry heat!!!!

Spring Time on Saddle Mountain

It is now Spring time on Saddle Mountain. Attached are a few pictures of the sites.

Pictures of Camp Arifjan Kuwait

News Flash - Kuwait not Afghanistan

I just found out I will be stationed in Kuwait not Afghanistan. I will be at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Camp Arifjan is a United States Army installation located in the State of Kuwait which accommodates elements of the US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard. As well as a number of United States Army National Guard units. Military personnel from the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania and Poland are also forward deployed there. Camp Arifjan is located south of Kuwait City, and west of the Shuaiba Port (Military Sea Port of Debarkation/Embarkation, or SPOD) and Kuwait Naval Base (KNB). It is divided into 7 zones.

Camp Arifjan is a US military installation utilized as a forward logistics base, Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot (Task Force AVCRAD) for the entire Southwest Asian Theater (through Patton Army Air Field), helicopter ground support base, and as a motor pool for armored and unarmored vehicles. U.S. military vehicles that did not receive new additional armor plating in the United States prior to deployment to U.S. Central Command -- tens of thousands -- received their "up-armoring" at Camp Arifjan. Additionally, many thousands of soldiers pass through Camp Arifjan either on their way to Iraq or returning from Iraq. Most permanent party stationed on Camp Arifjan are Reserves or National Guard.

Deployment Itinerary for Afghanistan

Looks like things are coming together for my one year deployment. I travel to Columbus, GA on 15 May 2009 (Friday). It will be an all day affair. I check into Ft Benning, GA, on 16 May 2008 (Saturday) for Training (and Boot Camp). I graduate from Ft Benning on Friday, 22 May 2009. I fly to Washington, DC for a two day stay. I fly out of Washington Dulles on 24 May 2009 at 8:54 pm. I arrive in Kuwait City on 25 May 2009 at 5:15 pm (12 Hr flight).

Caitlyn Merrill's Blessing 3 May 2009 Part III

Caitlyn's Blessing 3 May 2009 Part II

Caitlyn Merrill's Blessing 3 May 2009 Part I