Going to the 'Stan - Kit advice required
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Derbyshire, England.
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When it comes to 'chaffing' of body parts corn flower is an excellent replacement for much more expensive talcum powder and possibly obtainable from the cooks/chefs.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: scotland
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Plasticab,
re the Leishmaniasis, the country as a whole had the largest single epidemic in the world a few years ago. It is so common a disease in Kabul that it is called 'little sister' as it's like a member of the family. It also sounds like you're heading out during the main biting times too (May-Oct). This is also prime feasting season for mosquitos and the area is also a high Malaria risk so don't forget to take your malaria tabs. Get your kit treated before you go (although it won't last for the whole tour and I'm not sure if you can get it re-treated out there). Good insect repellent, the issue stuff is actually rated highly by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine but if you'd be happier with you own stuff Millets do a good range of high % DEET (and you get to use your mil discount). TB also prevelant in the area so if you didn't get a BCG jab at school (often leaves a funny scar at the top of your arm) it may be worth popping down the med centre.
re the Leishmaniasis, the country as a whole had the largest single epidemic in the world a few years ago. It is so common a disease in Kabul that it is called 'little sister' as it's like a member of the family. It also sounds like you're heading out during the main biting times too (May-Oct). This is also prime feasting season for mosquitos and the area is also a high Malaria risk so don't forget to take your malaria tabs. Get your kit treated before you go (although it won't last for the whole tour and I'm not sure if you can get it re-treated out there). Good insect repellent, the issue stuff is actually rated highly by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine but if you'd be happier with you own stuff Millets do a good range of high % DEET (and you get to use your mil discount). TB also prevelant in the area so if you didn't get a BCG jab at school (often leaves a funny scar at the top of your arm) it may be worth popping down the med centre.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tracey Island
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-Those little LED torches are invaluable. You can buy them from the BX.
-If you have any spare $ from your last holls bring them along.
-A good DVD series or two helps time pass and is a good morale boost in your down time.
-A good book- No need to bring more as you can swap it.
-I thought the issue neck coolers that contain gel were not that bad.
-All my kit was raided by mice and they even ate part of an S10 canister and mains wires! --One mousetrap later 8 dead mice. You could buy them at the BX, but next time I am taking the daddy of all mouse killing traps, as it was by far the worst thing as they even shat in the coffee jar!
-A little luxury or two from home goes a long way but don't go over the top.
-A few of the lads had PSP's - Wireless internet, games, video, music etc
-Priority- Make sure your war kit is all together, know how it works, and where everything is.
Make sure you get to the range to zero your rifle again when you get there, as it will give you confidence.
Get an int brief.
Get stuck in to your day to day job and have fun!
-If you have any spare $ from your last holls bring them along.
-A good DVD series or two helps time pass and is a good morale boost in your down time.
-A good book- No need to bring more as you can swap it.
-I thought the issue neck coolers that contain gel were not that bad.
-All my kit was raided by mice and they even ate part of an S10 canister and mains wires! --One mousetrap later 8 dead mice. You could buy them at the BX, but next time I am taking the daddy of all mouse killing traps, as it was by far the worst thing as they even shat in the coffee jar!
-A little luxury or two from home goes a long way but don't go over the top.
-A few of the lads had PSP's - Wireless internet, games, video, music etc
-Priority- Make sure your war kit is all together, know how it works, and where everything is.
Make sure you get to the range to zero your rifle again when you get there, as it will give you confidence.
Get an int brief.
Get stuck in to your day to day job and have fun!
Pop down to B&Q and get some electrical tape - the yellow/green or blue stuff and stick it on your holdall / bergen. Either a strip round the handle or crosses etc. Makes it so much easier to find your kit in amongst all the other bergens and holdalls - as I found out when the movers put my bag on the wrong pallet and then asked me what it looked like 
Other than that, if you're off to KAF, don't take much, you can get it there. If you're off to Bastion, not quite as swish as KAF (well it wasn't last summer but things were improving rapidly) but you can still get by with taking the basics and picking up stuff whilst you're there.
If you are thinking of buying a laptop to take with you, don't. Dell (Mods forgive the advertising) and various other direct suppliers worth their salt will ship to BFPO addresses, and if outside the EU it will be tax free (same goes for any other gadgets you might think of buying) A blank CD-R /CD-RW is also quite handy for typing letters / emails on your own machine / work one and burning to CD for transfer to the Paradigm internet machines - they can be vvvv slow & it is v easy to eat up your 20 mins internet time waiting for hotmail to open!
Oh yes and watch for the jerboas - the desert rats. Look like bloody huge gerbils - friendly enough but big enough to see off most mouse traps and it scared the sh1t out of me when it ran across my foot in the tent one day!
Other than that, keep your head down and enjoy - it's much more interesting than Iraq and when we transited through Kabul it was so surreal that it was almost like being in a Kubrik film.
Other than that, if you're off to KAF, don't take much, you can get it there. If you're off to Bastion, not quite as swish as KAF (well it wasn't last summer but things were improving rapidly) but you can still get by with taking the basics and picking up stuff whilst you're there.
If you are thinking of buying a laptop to take with you, don't. Dell (Mods forgive the advertising) and various other direct suppliers worth their salt will ship to BFPO addresses, and if outside the EU it will be tax free (same goes for any other gadgets you might think of buying) A blank CD-R /CD-RW is also quite handy for typing letters / emails on your own machine / work one and burning to CD for transfer to the Paradigm internet machines - they can be vvvv slow & it is v easy to eat up your 20 mins internet time waiting for hotmail to open!
Oh yes and watch for the jerboas - the desert rats. Look like bloody huge gerbils - friendly enough but big enough to see off most mouse traps and it scared the sh1t out of me when it ran across my foot in the tent one day!
Other than that, keep your head down and enjoy - it's much more interesting than Iraq and when we transited through Kabul it was so surreal that it was almost like being in a Kubrik film.
So no need for Mess Kit then?
Standards are clearly slipping...............
But seriously, good luck and I hope that you aren't involved in Bliar's doomed adventurism for too much longer.
Standards are clearly slipping...............
But seriously, good luck and I hope that you aren't involved in Bliar's doomed adventurism for too much longer.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tracey Island
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One of the best products out there is the Somerset shaving oil: One little bottle will last you a whole det, it takes hardly any room and gives a really good shave even with little water. Worth a try before you go, as some chaps don't get on with it.
Perhaps take 2 as the jerboas ate my first one!
http://www.somersets.com/products_shavingoils.php
I am sure I will get banter for this, but have you thought about a pillow? If you are going to be based in the same accomodation and not in the field, then a pillow makes a massive difference to your quality of rest. You can get travel ones that pack up small, but some lads brought out big ones!! Perhaps you can buy them there now. Worth a thought, however there is no need for scatter cushions unless you are Sqn Ldr or higher.
Perhaps take 2 as the jerboas ate my first one!
http://www.somersets.com/products_shavingoils.php
I am sure I will get banter for this, but have you thought about a pillow? If you are going to be based in the same accomodation and not in the field, then a pillow makes a massive difference to your quality of rest. You can get travel ones that pack up small, but some lads brought out big ones!! Perhaps you can buy them there now. Worth a thought, however there is no need for scatter cushions unless you are Sqn Ldr or higher.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Would I be right in thinking an AK47 would be the best bet, ammo more plentiful and works in the sand etc.
Seriously though, stay safe and take care. try to enjoy it
Seriously though, stay safe and take care. try to enjoy it
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Take a spare watch. Sounds trivial but I've been caught out twice recently.
On course last December I had a flat battery. Bugger. Took a new watch on an exercise in JAN/FEB and it stopped. Double bugger. Lesson learnt.
Cheers & best of luck on your tour.
On course last December I had a flat battery. Bugger. Took a new watch on an exercise in JAN/FEB and it stopped. Double bugger. Lesson learnt.
Cheers & best of luck on your tour.
Join Date: Oct 2000
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You will also need your sense of humour, as one now has to:
1. Wear a hat (admittedly any type; so the possibilities are endless!)
2. Have sleeves up or down, but not fashionably half way up the forearm
3. Not wear sandles in the cookhouse
and several others I can't put my finger on at the mo.....
Needless to say, as one goes further west there tends to be less military BS going on - just real work. You know you've arrived at KAF when some helpful HQ Wallah explains the mixed dress regs to you - in the queue at Tim Hortons!! Drive that desk, push that pen - ah there's nothing quite like a spot of modern reconstruction/warfare.............must be time for my doughnut, massage, fun-run, trip to the BX.
1. Wear a hat (admittedly any type; so the possibilities are endless!)
2. Have sleeves up or down, but not fashionably half way up the forearm
3. Not wear sandles in the cookhouse
and several others I can't put my finger on at the mo.....
Needless to say, as one goes further west there tends to be less military BS going on - just real work. You know you've arrived at KAF when some helpful HQ Wallah explains the mixed dress regs to you - in the queue at Tim Hortons!! Drive that desk, push that pen - ah there's nothing quite like a spot of modern reconstruction/warfare.............must be time for my doughnut, massage, fun-run, trip to the BX.
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Join Date: Nov 2005
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They've told me where I'm going now, Kabul airfield What's the score there? Accom, facilities, sports, 'phone access, 'puter access, work routine etc? The job will be well removed from my current 'remf' post, but should be interesting, provided I can talk to the current incumbent to get the full 'Bobby Moore' Must get to the Gym, 1 month to fitness test
What's the score there? Accom, facilities, sports, 'phone access, 'puter access, work routine etc? The job will be well removed from my current 'remf' post, but should be interesting, provided I can talk to the current incumbent to get the full 'Bobby Moore' Must get to the Gym, 1 month to fitness test
They've told me where I'm going now, Kabul airfield
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Anti fungal foot powder is also pretty good for crotch rot and dhobi itch in the sweatier climes. Antiseptic talcum powder/baby powder also useful. Heat a teaspoon with a lighter or in a cup of hot water/tea/coffee until you can just about take the pain but it won't leave a burn. Press on mosquito bites for a few seconds to stop the itching.