Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

kurty[B] · 11-15-2006, 10:45 AM

Thanks for the service. I was in Iraq, but from my friends in Afghanistan conditions are about the same, but the bases in Afghani get less funding for MWR facilities. My advice... Travel light. It's a pain lugging two or three C-bags, and luggage around from plane to helicopter, then your flight gets cancelled and you lug it off the plane back to the hangar, then back to temp billeting. It is just a pain. Most things you need you can snag at a PX/BX along the way, or will receive in care packages (or someone else's care package who already has two years supply of shampoo).

Depending on where you end up in Afghan, winters are bitter cold, summers are hot. Make friends with people in Supply, they have the good gloves, and such (rather than wasting money at the PX/BX). My main advice. Phone cards, if you see a deal on phone cards, grab as many minutes as you can, that is what you will spend most of your money on. If you have a laptop, bring that if you're comfortable with it being in not the greatest of conditions. Otherwise, bring something to entertain yourself during those down times (Gameboy, DVD Player, books). At the hangars they usually have a pile of books you can go through and grab whatever you like.

Bring photos of friends and family, I had my little photo album with me, and on shitty days that brought a huge smile to my face. Once you're in Kuwait (where you'll probably be sent first), shipping to your base should be free, so, get what you need at the PX, get a trunk, and ship it instead of lugging it with you.

Good luck, be safe, and if you can stay in touch. It's a royal pain in the ass at the FOB's to get a consistent internet connection, and even then most websites are blocked. Oh, and unless they've pinned it down, Google Chat would occassionally work (was always nice to be able to IM somebody).

My advice, go light, oh and if you have a multi-tool, or knive you particularly like, bring it with you. I ordered two sets of either (didn't like the selection at the PX), and my packages of books always made it, but those packages "disappeared" in the military postal system.

If you like alcohol, poor out some bottles of Listerine, poor in vodka, and dye it to match the Listerine, and ship it to yourself.

How long is your tour over there?

11-15-2006, 10:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	Thanks for the service. I was in Iraq, but from my friends in Afghanistan conditions are about the same, but the bases in Afghani get less funding for MWR facilities. My advice... Travel light. It's a pain lugging two or three C-bags, and luggage around from plane to helicopter, then your flight gets cancelled and you lug it off the plane back to the hangar, then back to temp billeting. It is just a pain. Most things you need you can snag at a PX/BX along the way, or will receive in care packages (or someone else's care package who already has two years supply of shampoo). Depending on where you end up in Afghan, winters are bitter cold, summers are hot. Make friends with people in Supply, they have the good gloves, and such (rather than wasting money at the PX/BX). My main advice. Phone cards, if you see a deal on phone cards, grab as many minutes as you can, that is what you will spend most of your money on. If you have a laptop, bring that if you're comfortable with it being in not the greatest of conditions. Otherwise, bring something to entertain yourself during those down times (Gameboy, DVD Player, books). At the hangars they usually have a pile of books you can go through and grab whatever you like. Bring photos of friends and family, I had my little photo album with me, and on shitty days that brought a huge smile to my face. Once you're in Kuwait (where you'll probably be sent first), shipping to your base should be free, so, get what you need at the PX, get a trunk, and ship it instead of lugging it with you. Good luck, be safe, and if you can stay in touch. It's a royal pain in the ass at the FOB's to get a consistent internet connection, and even then most websites are blocked. Oh, and unless they've pinned it down, Google Chat would occassionally work (was always nice to be able to IM somebody). My advice, go light, oh and if you have a multi-tool, or knive you particularly like, bring it with you. I ordered two sets of either (didn't like the selection at the PX), and my packages of books always made it, but those packages "disappeared" in the military postal system. If you like alcohol, poor out some bottles of Listerine, poor in vodka, and dye it to match the Listerine, and ship it to yourself. How long is your tour over there?