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If anyone sends a package, make sure they send it through USPS, FedEx or UPS will cost much more, and take forever to get there. It should only cost senders as much as it would to send anywhere in the US. The being able to send letters for free is a great service, and you can ship an entire trunk filled with stuff (under 70 lbs of course) for $45-90 depending on how fast of a service you request.
At a main base I found it took about 2 weeks for letter to get to the base or back home from the U.S. At an FOB it generally took 3-4 weeks for letters. My Amazon shipments usually arrived within 2-3 weeks, and others took at least a month. I had a few boxes take 3 months to get to me.
You may have Ugandans working Security on base. They are the nicest people in the world. Buy a soccer ball at a PX, kick it around and you'll have an instant startup game (sometimes the Iraqi Army trainees will come out and play too). The fields will more than likely be just a hard dirt field with poorly built posts for goals. Bring some comfortable shoes if you plan to do that, my indoor adidas did alright.
The first few times a mortar or rocket hits nearby you it will freak you out, but you will quickly learn what you need to worry about and what you do not.
Sounds like you will have 12-14 months in country. I really wish they would cut back on tour lengths. Twelve+ months is extremely rough. Hopefully they will offer some decent vacation time. If you're single and do not have a family to go back and see I would certainly take that opportunity to go somewhere you have always wanted to go.
If you have any more questions keep firing them away.
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