Advice on what to bring/ TIPS

Have been offered a job, but don’t know where just yet.

Any advice on stuff to bring? I have the recruiter list but what about some advice from guys who were over there?

Is the stuff dear to buy in the camp shops? What about working boots? Razor blades?

Working cloths? Rain gear, any links to good websites would be great.

Did you buy form army supply stores?

www.lapolicegear.com/comefo.html

Try here for boots–if you can get them to you soon enough. Go for tan much cooler on the feet–black is hot in the desert–and the converse boots are said to be very comfortable and of the sort that once you try em you or unlikely to go back to wearing any others. Yes you can buy items over there at the PX/ military shops–but problem is–the PX military shops vary with the FOB/ Camps–and when they get supplies in the supplies get picked over fast. Cost wise–at least in USD it seems to be about 1/3 or more higher priced than if you purchased same item state side here.

Do take some hygiene items with you. You may run into issues where say they–the PX/ military shops have shampoo but no conditioner on shelves that day. And if it is a out laying camp sometimes it can take a week or two to get more supplies in so stock up when it is there–have an extra bottle or such to fall back on. ( my dh is a big fan of diet pepsi and they once ran out–he threatened to demob–=)

You can try the surplus stores but your suppose to avoid all things military–in the color schemes of.

Some of the camps also have Haji shops/ local venders selling wears as well. Lots of knock offs. Also pack light colored clothing. Khaki are better/ cooler than jeans. Good luck on your adventure.

Floridashort the questioned posed has nothing to do with foreclosures–please peddle your “stuff” elsewhere! Your obviously trying to meet some quota. I have reported you as abuse and you can be banned for such abuses.

Cheers Guys for the advice so far. Keep it coming, Thanks.

"Floridashort" , get a life ya muppet.........................

Congrats on the job offer Eric, just wondering if you could share some info on getting a JIB card and maybe an email address of some KBR recuiters...

Sparking here for the last 14years but as you know not to many jobs here now!!

Any help or advice would be appreciated.. dermot.d@hotmail.com

Cheers..

Hello.
Packing`s quite easy, dont spend alot of money on quality clothes, most electricians bought alot of work clothes from primark and other cheap shops, you`ll only ruin them over here, i brought about four pairs or trousers and 7 t-shirts, i change shirts every day with the heat, i brought more pairs of socks so i can change them twice a day.
you can but alot of stuff over here, what you can buy depends on what camp, i`m based in liberty, which has a big px, you can buy everything from pringles to tv`s.
I brought safety boots, but i bought a pair from the px, but they only stock a few sizes, they are pretty light, but in this heat they dont make much difference.
one last tip dont buy loads of shorts, i was told to bring six pair for work, you cant wear them for work, so unless you go to the gym, i wouldn`t bother with shorts

A) Look at the recommended list KBR supplies you for starters.

B) Ask yourself "What can I absolutely NOT do without for 30 days".

Everything else can be aquired via PX, Haji shop, or having someone send you via mail once your there.

Your biggest limitation will be the weight/piece restriction at the airport when you fly for indoc & to your first assignment.

Secondly, Keep in mind that you are flying into Iraq & "airport security" is like Ali-baba and the 40-theives ....they will take what they want from your luggage, and they have automatic weapons....you wont.

Thirdly, you may end up in BTC or open barracks/tent when you first arrive, and receive little/no assistance in moving your personal gear.

Worst case scenario, you pack too much crap, you either have to leave it behind at airport or pay huge upcharges. Some of what you do decide to take gets pilfered by Baghdad airport security. You finally arrive in BTC at 3am, they have a hooch assignment for you and you have to lug all your personal belongings across the sand/gravel in the dark, completely across the compound (after 40 hours of traveling)....only to find that your in an open hooch or tent with no place to secure your "treasures".

Personally, it was always easier to take the bare minimum & aquired the "niceties" once I was there.

As far as clothing .... functional, durable, lightweight ...and it should be light brown or gray. Laundry services are provided, but it's done in bulk, so if its not brown or grey ...it will be by the first or second time it comes back from laundry .... :-)