Originally posted by fl_coastie: I am going to the Baranof. I got my orders for Pre-deployment training a couple days ago, and I also recieved Paxman school and 3300 CAT school. I leave for P.D.T on Feb 2. I dont know when I leave for Bahrain but my orders say April 1 - May 1. As for other info: My CO (Bosn Mullinax) was on the Baranof last year, he said you can get Vonage, bring a laptop, digital camera, 30 pairs each of socks, underwear, and shirts for the cutter guys, gets pretty stinky with no laundry. The apartments have WIFI for the laptops so when your inport you can chat with family and friends. I guess I will see some of you in VA Feb 3rd. MK2 Joe Hart
Thanks for the info! Paxman school also...Feb 4-8. Good luck
yes you can send and recieve mail, but you are limited to size and other restriction that I dont know at this time. I was told it does take a while though.
It sounds like you guys are getting some info. I'll see if I can fill you in with some more. 1. Orders - if you are going to a boat, you will get order to that boat unless something gets changed while you are enroute. 2. everything else - Getting stationed here is really not much different than being stationed anywhere else. the biggest difference is that it is not in the US. Remember - you are coming here PCS for one year, so bring what you will need for a year. Bring clothes that are conservative. You are not authorized to wear shorts unless you are on base, or actively engaged in sports, so you I recommend some lightweight pants for summertime. It does get "cool" (50's to 60's) and it does rain in the wintertime here, so keep that in mind also. Those of you going to cutters will have to expect to be underway A LOT. You will double the hours underway of any stateside cutter, but most guys say that it makes the time go by quicker. Those of you going shore-side, it is just like a NESU. Sometimes there is too much work, not enough time, and sometimes there is too much time, not enough work. Everybody will be put into government leased housing out in town (no tent living unless you go to Kuwait). All of the places are very nice. All have free internet, but with varying degrees of connection speeds (this changes day to day). most people use the Vonage/Skype type internet phones. they work great most of the time. I use Skype with the camera and usually only have connection problems on the weekends. Pre-deployment training is fun and gives you a lot of info that you hopefully will never have to use, but don't get freaked out by the tone of the training. Bahrain is a very safe place, and there are not bombs around every corner. Most everyone you meet here is very friendly. Cruise ships pull in here, and a lot of europeans come here for vacation. I personally don't undertand why, but to each his own. The Navy has a large new exchange on base with a post office that can mail out just about anything reasonably sized. if they can't there is DHL and FedEx. It normally takes 1.5 - 2 weeks for packages to get to/from the US. If you shop around out here, you can get really good deals on jewelry and carpets (and many other things).
If you have any specific questions, I'll see if I can answer them.
All the shoreside MK's and EM's will get the opprotunity to visit the beautiful base in Kuwait. We have a rotation of engineers that we send up there to assist in repairs to the boats when they pull in for logistics. Most engineers will end up spending about 2 months there.
How's everything going Jose? I'll be long gone by the time you get here, but I hope you enjoy it.
I just returned a week ago from my second deployment to PATFORSWA, I was in the first group in 03' when it was still TDY and select and direct. Here are the facts. There is internet in all the governmnet leased housing, you do not have to pay for it. I used a program called SKYPE with a a phone I bought at the exchange thst plugged into my laptop's USB port, downloaded off the web and called the states for about 3 cents/min. I was shorside as an MK2/1 the first time and was EPO afloat this last tour. Going afloat will make the time go by so much faster, you'll get level 3 sea pay and won't be in Bahrain spending all your money and trying to stay out of trouble ( there is a lot of "mischief" to get into there)Plus we saw some different ports, and I'm not talking KNB! It can make or break your career. You'll usually be hammered twice as hard there for the same infraction stateside that would get a slap on the wrist. Bahrain has everything there as far as restaurants, malls etc... as we do. The country is barren and devoid ofgreenery and construction is everywhere. People drive worse there than any American city.There are definitely a lot of benefits by going there, but if you are an MK you will know the meaning of the phrase "sweat equity"!
Originally posted by luptonmi: I just returned a week ago from my second deployment to PATFORSWA, I was in the first group in 03' when it was still TDY and select and direct. Here are the facts. There is internet in all the governmnet leased housing, you do not have to pay for it. I used a program called SKYPE with a a phone I bought at the exchange thst plugged into my laptop's USB port, downloaded off the web and called the states for about 3 cents/min. I was shorside as an MK2/1 the first time and was EPO afloat this last tour. Going afloat will make the time go by so much faster, you'll get level 3 sea pay and won't be in Bahrain spending all your money and trying to stay out of trouble ( there is a lot of "mischief" to get into there)Plus we saw some different ports, and I'm not talking KNB! It can make or break your career. You'll usually be hammered twice as hard there for the same infraction stateside that would get a slap on the wrist. Bahrain has everything there as far as restaurants, malls etc... as we do. The country is barren and devoid ofgreenery and construction is everywhere. People drive worse there than any American city.There are definitely a lot of benefits by going there, but if you are an MK you will know the meaning of the phrase "sweat equity"!
I also got orders to go to training in april. can anyone shed light on what a FN would be doing for the most part shoreside? any chances to get underway or at least assist in Kuwait?
Originally posted by cbotello: I want to get a position for PATFORSWA in 2010. Can someone give me some guidance on what steps I need to take to apply.
MK1 Botello
Put it on your e-resume, first choice. That's about it. Elaborate on your desire to go over there in the "resume/comments" section. There aren't any other steps, but if you have BTM/BO training and a security clearance maybe that helps. I put in for it as soon as I made first and then again on my normal transfer season e-resume, so my persistence showed I was serious and not just asking for it on a whim.
