View Full Version : Djibouti, Here I am.
Unwillingly.
I get there tomorrow afternoon. I hope I can extend my stay AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer I'm in South Carolina the less I'm in Africa.
Of course, I suppose they could just push back my expected date of return as well.
Funny. As I was typing this, I got asked to play in a softball tournament. Yeaah, don't think I can make it.
FBPro
06-02-2006, 10:21 PM
Good luck :)
NoMyths
06-02-2006, 10:45 PM
Well, if you get down Charleston way, AE, the first round's on me. :)
BYU 14
06-02-2006, 11:19 PM
Good luck AE, I took basic at Jackson and my two lingering memories are the big Tree conveniently planted 5 feet outside the exit of the Gas chamber that me and probably 40 others ran smack into in our choking, blind rush to get the hell away from the CS Gas and Fire Ants that were so big I swear they had Facial hair!!
Wolfpack
06-03-2006, 09:42 AM
Dude, you're in Columbia, which is just like Djibouti, probably, except for the humidity and the USuCk fans. Come to think of it, Djibouti probably is better because of that.... ;)
duckman
06-03-2006, 10:34 AM
Be safe.
jamesUMD
06-03-2006, 02:09 PM
Good luck AE, I took basic at Jackson and my two lingering memories are the big Tree conveniently planted 5 feet outside the exit of the Gas chamber that me and probably 40 others ran smack into in our choking, blind rush to get the hell away from the CS Gas
Very funny. They did the same thing at Fort Leornardwood where I went to basic.
MizzouRah
06-03-2006, 03:00 PM
Good luck AE, take care of yourself.
Raven Hawk
06-03-2006, 10:45 PM
Sorry I couldn't catch up with you while you were back in town. May your stay in Fort Jackson be of the 6 month variety.
Looks like it'll be 2 weeks long.
The living conditions here are...interesting.
At least I had a good show by the NCOs last night.
Barkeep49
06-04-2006, 11:17 AM
How did 2 weeks relate to how long you had hoped/expected to stay?
How did 2 weeks relate to how long you had hoped/expected to stay?
Compared to what I went through today, it's way too long.
I spent 3 hours doing absolutely nothing...not even in a hurry up and wait scenario...as in, it's lunch time for these guys so you'll have to wait here...here being the middle of nowhere and with nothing at all to possibly do (not even make a phone call).
Pretty retarded.
Anyhow, it does look like they have a lot of stuff packed into the days. Today's day was 12 hours long.
I was mildly disappointed in the gear they were required to issue us. As mentioned earlier, I was disappointed with wasted time as well. They issued the gear, then had us organize it per sea bag (3 sea bags in all)...one bag being labeled the "Not Using" Seabag. Sweet.
Cold weather gear...and a whole lot of it.
Hello! I'm going to AFRICA.
Buccaneer
06-05-2006, 06:46 PM
Wrong statement, AFRICA doesn't necessarily imply it's hot everywhere but it is specifically in Djibouti. Stay cool and safe.
Djibouti is one of the hottest places on earth. The average temperature annually is 90° F(32° C), and the extreme July temperatures can reach almost 113° F(45° C)! Don't expect any sudden rain showers to ruin your day either; there are less than 5 inches of rainfall a year there, so plant life has not been able to grab hold. Since 90% of the country is volcanic desert, it can be considered the opposite of a primary rain forest, and if the analogy is correct, Djibouti is a great vacation spot for any indigenous tribes from the Amazon. Anyone else approach with caution.
Wrong statement, AFRICA doesn't necessarily imply it's hot everywhere but it is specifically in Djibouti. Stay cool and safe.
Yeah, I should have specified Djibouti.
Easy Mac
06-05-2006, 07:05 PM
god i hate columbia in the summer. it like 95 and ungodly humid. i worked construction one summer there. it was hell.
st.cronin
06-05-2006, 07:09 PM
Cold weather gear...and a whole lot of it.
Hello! I'm going to AFRICA.
Little do you know, that's just the cover story for OPERATION POLAR BEAR. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Spend the summer in Iceland, climbing the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire world, and cavorting with an endless supply of 6 foot tall Nordic goddesses with names like Inga and Ula.
Groundhog
06-05-2006, 07:43 PM
Djibouti is one of the hottest places on earth. The average temperature annually is 90° F(32° C), and the extreme July temperatures can reach almost 113° F(45° C)! Don't expect any sudden rain showers to ruin your day either; there are less than 5 inches of rainfall a year there, so plant life has not been able to grab hold. Since 90% of the country is volcanic desert, it can be considered the opposite of a primary rain forest, and if the analogy is correct, Djibouti is a great vacation spot for any indigenous tribes from the Amazon. Anyone else approach with caution.
Cozy.
JonInMiddleGA
06-05-2006, 07:44 PM
... an endless supply of 6 foot tall Nordic goddesses with names like Inga and Ula.
Or, given the way AE's luck has been running lately, 6 foot wide women named Uma and Oprah.
flere-imsaho
06-05-2006, 09:47 PM
Or, given the way AE's luck has been running lately, 6 foot wide women named Uma and Oprah.
Yeah, I don't really have a lot of hope for AE right now.... :(
Yeah, I don't really have a lot of hope for AE right now.... :(
You're not kidding. They're trying to give me the smallpox shot AGAIN tomorrow.
I had the shot 3 years ago while on deployment on the USS Nimitz.
I WILL NOT get it again. Period.
I didn't get the smallpox shot.
I qualified on the M16 yesterday.
ice4277
06-09-2006, 12:33 PM
I'm unfamiliar with the smallpox vaccine. Is there a reason you wouldn't want to get it again?
SackAttack
06-09-2006, 01:14 PM
I'm unfamiliar with the smallpox vaccine. Is there a reason you wouldn't want to get it again?
Other than the fact that most vaccines are crippled versions of the disease, and getting injected with it means a minute possibility of getting the disease itself, instead of the protection it was supposed to afford?
Why risk that if you're already protected?
wbatl1
06-09-2006, 08:10 PM
I didn't get the smallpox shot.
I qualified on the M16 yesterday.
Is Dijbouti considered a combat post?
Is Dijbouti considered a combat post?I suppose so. I'm a little surprised that they want us to have that much protection.
biological warrior
06-10-2006, 02:17 PM
I didn't get the smallpox shot.
I qualified on the M16 yesterday.
Did you like those pop up targets?:)
Like playing wak a mole.
Dutch
06-10-2006, 02:59 PM
I'll be at the range on Tuesday for my requal on the M-16. It's always a lot of fun, but I hate having to clean the rifle afterwards.
ice4277
06-10-2006, 07:17 PM
Other than the fact that most vaccines are crippled versions of the disease, and getting injected with it means a minute possibility of getting the disease itself, instead of the protection it was supposed to afford?
Why risk that if you're already protected?
Thats kinda what I figured. I just wasn't sure if there was another explanation I was missing out on.
:)
Did you like those pop up targets?:)
Like playing wak a mole.
Yeah, I was pissed off at the White dude on the right about 150 meters out. When I got him (after 3 misses) I raised my hand in triumph.
GrantDawg
06-11-2006, 11:52 AM
Thats kinda what I figured. I just wasn't sure if there was another explanation I was missing out on.
:)
The small pox vaccine is administered with three needles, which then give you three blisters, which are painful and prone to infection when they burst. I promise, you don't want to do that twice.
The small pox vaccine is administered with three needles, which then give you three blisters, which are painful and prone to infection when they burst. I promise, you don't want to do that twice.
Those who have gone over 10 years since their last vaccination have to get 15 needle pricks.
Thank you, dental staff at Great Lakes Training Support Center. Because you didn't give me my dental record (though I hardly pushed the issue) and refuse to return phone calls, I will be receiving a full dental exam today.
Rats. I have to miss a 2 mile run, first aid training, CBR defense training, and possibly training on the UCMJ.
And I get to get on the computer right now while everyone else is running.
Thank you!
miami_fan
06-12-2006, 05:37 AM
Thank you, dental staff at Great Lakes Training Support Center. Because you didn't give me my dental record (though I hardly pushed the issue) and refuse to return phone calls, I will be receiving a full dental exam today.
Rats. I have to miss a 2 mile run, first aid training, CBR defense training, and possibly training on the UCMJ.
And I get to get on the computer right now while everyone else is running.
Thank you!
Don't tell me you tried to call the dental clinic on Friday? HAHAHAHAHA Good one. Maybe you will have massive dental issues and will be declared non deployable.;)
Raiders Army
06-12-2006, 10:07 AM
I suppose so. I'm a little surprised that they want us to have that much protection.
Make sure you pay attention when you get your finance briefing. They should cover (if applicable) family separation pay, the combat zone tax exclusion, hostile fire pay, etc.
FWIW, in the Army it's standard procedure to ensure that you are qualified on your assigned weapon prior to any deployment, to a hostile fire zone or otherwise.
flere-imsaho
06-13-2006, 02:00 PM
I'll be at the range on Tuesday for my requal on the M-16. It's always a lot of fun, but I hate having to clean the rifle afterwards.
Are you still getting deployed?
Leaving Saturday morning around 9 am EST.
Get to Djibouti on Monday around 3pm local/8am EST.
Franklinnoble
06-14-2006, 07:25 PM
Good luck, Rodney.
duckman
06-14-2006, 07:29 PM
Take care!
oliegirl
06-14-2006, 07:40 PM
Leaving Saturday morning around 9 am EST.
Get to Djibouti on Monday around 3pm local/8am EST.
Good luck Rodney! We'll all be thinking about you!
Buccaneer
06-14-2006, 07:47 PM
Leaving Saturday morning around 9 am EST.
Get to Djibouti on Monday around 3pm local/8am EST.
It will be like Sunday never existed. Whoa.
Be safe.
JonInMiddleGA
06-14-2006, 08:30 PM
Leaving Saturday morning around 9 am EST.
Get to Djibouti on Monday around 3pm local/8am EST.
Thoughts, prayers, and best wishes on the whole ordeal.
You'll be back before you know it.
Eaglesfan27
06-14-2006, 11:02 PM
Stay safe, Rodney.
flere-imsaho
06-15-2006, 09:18 AM
Good luck!
Raven Hawk
06-15-2006, 10:36 AM
God speed.
JeeberD
06-15-2006, 01:01 PM
Stay safe, bud!
SunDevil
06-15-2006, 01:09 PM
Good Luck
stevew
06-15-2006, 01:12 PM
Good luck. Sorry you couldnt shake Djibouti.
:(
FrogMan
06-15-2006, 01:13 PM
Good luck Rodney!
FM
MizzouRah
06-15-2006, 01:28 PM
Good luck young man... be safe!!
cubboyroy1826
06-15-2006, 03:55 PM
Good luck man and stay safe.
Mother of Pearl!
It's hot out here!
Dutch
06-19-2006, 12:32 PM
Welcome to Africa. :)
JonInMiddleGA
06-19-2006, 12:36 PM
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/DJXX0001.html
Tonight: Clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low near 85F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: A mainly sunny sky. High 104F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow night: A few clouds. Low 86F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Heat index near 110F. High 102F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Mainly sunny. Highs 103 to 107F and lows in the mid 80s.
Friday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs 104 to 108F and lows in the mid 80s.
Franklinnoble
06-19-2006, 12:39 PM
Wow... will that be original recipe or extra crispy?
Farrah Whitworth-Rahn
06-19-2006, 12:42 PM
http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/DJXX0001.html
Tonight: Clear early followed by mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low near 85F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: A mainly sunny sky. High 104F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow night: A few clouds. Low 86F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. Heat index near 110F. High 102F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Mainly sunny. Highs 103 to 107F and lows in the mid 80s.
Friday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs 104 to 108F and lows in the mid 80s.
That looks like our forecast.
Glengoyne
06-19-2006, 12:55 PM
That looks like our forecast.
That's along the lines of what I was thinking. We're not quite to consistent 100s yet this year, but that certainly isn't out of line for our part of California.
AE, just wait until next month. I think July and August are the hot months over there.
Franklinnoble
06-19-2006, 01:10 PM
Yeah, problem is, California and Arizona have running water and air conditioners.
JonInMiddleGA
06-19-2006, 01:31 PM
That looks like our forecast.
I wondered about that
Month - Avg High - Avg Low - Avg Precip (Djibouti/Phoenix)
June - 102.2/102.0 - 84.7/75.0 - 0.00/0.09
July - 107.1/104.0 - 88.0/81.0 - 0.20/0.99
August - 106.2/102.0 - 87.2/80.0 - 0.20/0.94
Farrah Whitworth-Rahn
06-19-2006, 03:04 PM
I wondered about that
Month - Avg High - Avg Low - Avg Precip (Djibouti/Phoenix)
June - 102.2/102.0 - 84.7/75.0 - 0.00/0.09
July - 107.1/104.0 - 88.0/81.0 - 0.20/0.99
August - 106.2/102.0 - 87.2/80.0 - 0.20/0.94
The July average high number looks a little low. Seemed like last summer there wasn't a day in July under 110. Of course I was pregnant so that could have clouded my judgement.
Good luck in Africa AE. Stay cool.
wbatl1
06-19-2006, 07:35 PM
Does Dijbouti have a rainy/dry season like a little lower in eastern Africa? Or is it hot and dry year round?
JonInMiddleGA
06-19-2006, 07:56 PM
Does Dijbouti have a rainy/dry season like a little lower in eastern Africa? Or is it hot and dry year round?
Based on this:
http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/DJXX0001_f.html
Their peak month for rainfall is April, when they average a whopping 1.10" for the month. Looks like they get about 6.3 inches of rain annually.
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/dj.html
Area:
total: 23,000 sq km
land: 22,980 sq km
water: 20 sq km
Land use:
arable land: 0.04%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 99.96% (2005)
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (2003)
Best I can figure, if it weren't for the coastline, this place would be about as unappealing as any location on earth. I don't think the phrase "...but it's a dry heat" really makes up for it ;)
No softball till October due to the heat...but they do have a batting cage.
Nothing to do, either. The twenty some odd of us out here were requested due to anticipated work that has since fallen through. Hey, thanks for being out here in the heat though, we can work 6-8 hour shifts now.
So, I'm out here for almost nothing?
:mad:
When asked if they'd send people back, the answer was, "Not likely."
Passacaglia
06-23-2006, 07:41 AM
Really sucks, ardent!
vtbub
06-23-2006, 07:45 AM
Stay safe, guy!
Crapshoot
06-23-2006, 08:38 AM
Yeah, problem is, California and Arizona have running water and air conditioners.
Shockingly, they know of those things in Africa. :) And an American base or embassy generally has the nicest digs around (in Ethiopia, for example, the American embassy was the only place to go catch a movie).
Crapshoot
06-23-2006, 08:39 AM
No softball till October due to the heat...but they do have a batting cage.
Nothing to do, either. The twenty some odd of us out here were requested due to anticipated work that has since fallen through. Hey, thanks for being out here in the heat though, we can work 6-8 hour shifts now.
So, I'm out here for almost nothing?
:mad:
Ardent, if it makes you feel better, the weather does get a little better come September/October. Okay - maybe that doesn't help....
Dutch
06-23-2006, 05:04 PM
Shockingly, they know of those things in Africa.
The Romans built aqueducts there too? Wow, that was a big empire.
WVUFAN
06-23-2006, 05:31 PM
Stay safe, and hopefully you won't be over there for very long.
A couple of us decided we're going to start a new project.
The project calls for all of us without a job to go out in the middle of the day and dig a big ditch...from here to the ocean...in anticipation of the new developments planned for that area.
We'll only dig during the hottest part of the day, but we can't interfere with training.
st.cronin
06-23-2006, 06:06 PM
A couple of us decided we're going to start a new project.
The project calls for all of us without a job to go out in the middle of the day and dig a big ditch...from here to the ocean...in anticipation of the new developments planned for that area.
We'll only dig during the hottest part of the day, but we can't interfere with training.
Dynasty, please.
saldana
06-23-2006, 06:10 PM
A couple of us decided we're going to start a new project.
The project calls for all of us without a job to go out in the middle of the day and dig a big ditch...from here to the ocean...in anticipation of the new developments planned for that area.
We'll only dig during the hottest part of the day, but we can't interfere with training.
hey, at least no one is shooting at you, stay safe bud.
Dutch
06-23-2006, 06:30 PM
hey, at least no one is shooting at you, stay safe bud.
Strengely enough, the last time anybody in the region was strong enough to pick up a rifle and shoot at Americans was immediately following the last time we fed them. So much for that humanitarian effort.
saldana
06-23-2006, 06:33 PM
Strengely enough, the last time anybody in the region was strong enough to pick up a rifle and shoot at Americans was immediately following the last time we fed them. So much for that humanitarian effort.
maybe there is something to be realized by that fact, but i cant figure out what it is
Schmidty
06-23-2006, 06:36 PM
I hope everything goes well, and that your stay doesn't seem too long, buddy.
JonInMiddleGA
06-23-2006, 09:42 PM
A couple of us decided we're going to start a new project. The project calls for all of us without a job to go out in the middle of the day and dig a big ditch...from here to the ocean...in anticipation of the new developments planned for that area. We'll only dig during the hottest part of the day, but we can't interfere with training.
Well, nice to see the heat hasn't yet affected your thinking ;)
Sounds to me like a good time & place to start one (or more) serious dice-and-
chart sports game dynasties.
Franklinnoble
06-23-2006, 10:19 PM
Shockingly, they know of those things in Africa. :) And an American base or embassy generally has the nicest digs around (in Ethiopia, for example, the American embassy was the only place to go catch a movie).
The difference being, of course, is that the running water and air conditioning in California and Arizona extends beyond the military bases, giving men stationed there a little more to do besides watch movies on base.
Crapshoot
06-23-2006, 10:59 PM
The difference being, of course, is that the running water and air conditioning in California and Arizona extends beyond the military bases, giving men stationed there a little more to do besides watch movies on base.
Believe or not, in Ethiopia at least, houses had em too! And we had indoor sanitation! :D
Crapshoot
06-23-2006, 11:02 PM
Ardent, you gotten a chance to get around town yet ? I imagine the base is located to close to the city, right ?
JonInMiddleGA
06-24-2006, 12:06 AM
Ardent, you gotten a chance to get around town yet ? I imagine the base is located to close to the city, right ?
I understand that he has a lovely view of the capital
http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/681/17393/f/78169-Beautiful-beautiful-Djibouti-0.jpg
Franklinnoble
06-24-2006, 12:28 AM
I understand that he has a lovely view of the capital
http://img1.travelblog.org/Photos/681/17393/f/78169-Beautiful-beautiful-Djibouti-0.jpg
That's cold. :D
JonInMiddleGA
06-24-2006, 12:35 AM
That's cold. :D
Nah.
"Cold" is linking to this picture of the Miss Djibouti pageant
http://www.hotels-world.com/travelinfo/af/djibouti/djibouti-01.jpg
Franklinnoble
06-24-2006, 12:45 AM
Nah.
"Cold" is linking to this picture of the Miss Djibouti pageant
http://www.hotels-world.com/travelinfo/af/djibouti/djibouti-01.jpg
Let's hope that Rodney doesn't get that lonely over there....
Doug5984
06-25-2006, 02:43 PM
My best friend is leaving for South Carolina on July 8th, after 4-6 he will be going to Djibouti for 6 months. If you happen to run into any Marines from South Louisiana you might meet up with him. From what he has told me it is very boring, and very hot...and thats it.
Unfortunately, he may have it worse than I do.
The Marines I know stand watch around the base out in the heat.
Toddzilla
06-27-2006, 08:07 AM
Happy Djibouti Independence Day!
SackAttack
06-27-2006, 09:30 AM
So I see a thread from Rodney titled "Djibouti, Here I am."
I click on it to see what he has to say, and the first thing that jumps out at me is "I hope I can extend my stay AS LONG AS POSSIBLE."
I thought he'd finally gone loopy until I realized he just renamed his old thread.
So I see a thread from Rodney titled "Djibouti, Here I am."
I click on it to see what he has to say, and the first thing that jumps out at me is "I hope I can extend my stay AS LONG AS POSSIBLE."
I thought he'd finally gone loopy until I realized he just renamed his old thread.
Though staying here to avoid my last command does sound enticing.
Rumor Control says we may be home for Christmas. It is confirmed a group of people leaving in the near future will be leaving two weeks earlier than expected.
Unwillingly.
I get there tomorrow afternoon. I hope I can extend my stay AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. The longer I'm in South Carolina the less I'm in Africa.
Of course, I suppose they could just push back my expected date of return as well.
Funny. As I was typing this, I got asked to play in a softball tournament. Yeaah, don't think I can make it.
Kiss off, Navy.
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