Going to Kuwait for Navy IA?

Question

I just found out today that I will be going to Kuwait in March. I will be there for approx 6 months. I don't know anything about Kuwait. Where is the Base? What is the climate like? How do the people of Kuwait view the U.S.? What are some Dangers/Pros/Cons? Any info is great? Thanks

SK2(AW) USN

Answer 1

It's not bad. I'm there now. It gets pretty cold here at night, and it actually rains sometimes. By the time you get here it should be hot again. Its not dangerous, or at least thats what they tell us. I'm not real sure how the Kuwaitis view us, we're not really allowed off base. There are Navy seabees here where I am. There are several different bases in Kuwait, and I'm not sure which bases you sailors go to.

Answer 2

I was in Kuwait for a Year and it is less dangerous than Most US Cities.

Number of Active Duty US Service Members Shot and killed in Kuwait since 2001: Zero

Number f Active Duty US Service Members Shot and killed in Atlanta since 2001: Two (both Carjackings I think)

You will most likely live at Camp Arifjan, the Kuwait Naval Base or at Ali Al Salem Air Base.

It is Hot, Hot, and then it gets Hotter. you will also be freezing when it drops to a low of 65 in the winter.

They AC the buildings A LOT so bring a Blanket.

The Kuwaitis LOVE the US because of the 91 war. They have a big holiday to celebrate their liberation.

You will probably never see a Kuwaiti because everyone is a migrant worker from India or the Philippians and most of them speak English

I liked my year in Iraq Better but that had more to do with my job than the living conditions in Kuwait.

Answer 3

There are several American bases in Kuwait, often located next to Kuwaiti military bases. I was stationed at one in the middle of the desert. The bases can easily be found on Google maps.

Most Navy IAs have been stationed at Camp Arijan, the main headquarters base in Kuwait.

There is no combat in Kuwait, but security is still high. Most Kuwaitis like Americans, but some may not. I has able to talk with some Kuwaitis and they were very nice people, as long as you respect their culture and traditions. Most of the civilian workers there are actually TCNs (third country nations), foreign workers who are Muslims who are hired by Kuwaitis and American contractors.

As for the weather, what rain Kuwait gets will be dropping now. The "rainy" season lasts from late November to January. By March, the temperature will start to rise and by summer, 140 degree days will be normal. Forget about cold nights in summer; it is only slightly less hot when the sun sets. I have heard it is worse on the coast, with the humidity. It is a dry heat in the desert; but at 140 degrees, hot is HOT!!!
The cool nights are only in winter.

Be prepared to drink a lot of water; drink Gatorade from time to time, but the sweat for it stains your T-shirt.

According to CENTCOMs General Order 1A; there is no alcohol or pornography allowed in Kuwait. Don't try to bring any in; you can get court-martialled for it.

Hope this information helps.

Answer 4

Kuwait was wonderful in my view, of course I was there before heading to Iraq so I didn't have to work. Depending on where you're at there, they usually have karaoke, you may see concerts of one type or another (we saw the Raiders cheerleaders) and the food is really good.

I imagine it would get a little boring after a while, but there are areas where you can use the Internet and call home all over the place. It didn't seem dangerous at all. Oh, and it's hot :-) When I got there last July it was 100 degrees at midnight, about 130 during the day. You get used to it very quick though.

Sometimes you have to work a little at finding new and interesting things to do there, but just use your imagination and ideas will come to you.

Answer 5

It's not dangerous, because we're not fighting anyone in Kuwait. You won't see any of the people. It will be hot. Really hot. When I redeployed from Iraq in October, it was 100 degrees on the stop in Kuwait. When I deployed last August, it was 135 degrees every day in Kuwait. There are a few camps you can go to in Kuwait. I have know idea where they actually are, and couldn't tell you anyway, due to OPSEC reasons.

Answer 6

i visited a base there once, they had people living in little trailors just like in iraq. there was all kinds of stuff to do onbase, there was2 or 3 different fast food places, a big px, and lots of army running around. we never went into town so not real sure how the people are. there was a game place with mini golf off base were some locals worked and they were very nice. good luck, it will be different than the ship but you will enjoy it or should.