Bagram, Afghanistan
Description
Bagram is in the Hindu Kush which is the end of the Himalaya mountain range. It is at an elevation of about 5,500 feet and is surrounded by giant mountains on all sides. Bagram is an antique city 60 kilometers northwest of Kabul near the city of Charikar. It was built at the junction of the Ghorband and the Panjshir valleys, acting as a passage point to India on the Silk Road, towards Kabul and Bamiyan.
Living Conditions
- Accommodations: You will most likely reside in a wooden B hut with about eight people per hut. These modular, wooden buildings are sectioned off into individual compartments for a bit of privacy. Each area is furnished with twin bed and some type of closets and shelving. The huts are located near a bathroom/shower building (bring shower shoes), and there are "port-a-potties" located elsewhere throughout the camp. The living area is about 5-minute walk to the Education Center.
- Laundry: Is free of charge; however you may want to bring a couple of laundry bags. Turn-around time for laundry is usually 48 hrs. We usually bring our laundry to work and send it out from the Education Center. All clothes are washed in hot water and dried in high heat. This can be hard on your clothes. Bring durable clothes that can withstand these conditions.
- Vendors: There is a PX and it is stocked with a limited amount of personal care items and some bedding. If you have a favorite shampoo - or other toiletry - you may want to stock up and bring it with you, but most find it more convenient to order items online. You will find some clothing for sale in the PX. Besides the PX there is a sports apparel shop (North Face and Columbia), beauty shop (haircut, manicure, pedicure, waxing and massage), embroidery shop, framing and gift shops, jewelry shop, and bank. There are small booths outside the PX where you can buy gifts and other knick-knacks.
- Meals: Are free of charge for up to 3 meals per day, provided by any one of the three dining facilities (DFAC) on post. One DFAC is located a few minutes walk from the Education Center. You can also buy food from vendors (listed above) anytime.
- Alcohol: American soldiers and civilians are not allowed to drink alcohol at any time.
- Dining/Rec Facilities: For your dining needs, you can enjoy a Korean Restaurant, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Place, Popeye's, Italian Restaurant, Dairy Queen, and Green Beans Coffee Shop. Every Sunday and Wednesday at specific times you can go to United Arab Emirates DFAC to eat. All are located within a 5-10 minute walk from the Education Center. You will also be happy to know that there are 2 gyms, 2 movie theatres, pool tables and an MWR book exchange.
- Electronic Communication: You will have access to e-mail at work, although many internet sites are 'web-sensed' and not accessible. It is important to remember operation security in all correspondence.
- Phone: You can call a DSN operator who can connect you to numbers in the states. You can also buy a phone card and use an AT&T phone station located near the PX. Sometimes there are unexpected complications and outages. Please let your loved ones know that the phone will not be your most reliable communications tool.
- Mail: Plan on about 2 weeks for mail through the Military Postal Service (MPS). To mail personal items ahead use the following address:
Bagram Army Education Center
ATTN: (your name)
APO AE 09354
Working Conditions
- Employees work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week (84 hrs/week).
- One has to show a lot of flexibility while working here; regardless of the job position.
- No in-door bathrooms
- One will wear civilian clothes, NOT military fatigues.
- The trip to and from Bagram can take about 3-4 days.
- One should send most of his/her belongings to Bagram through the MPS mail at least a week before arrival; it will make the trip easier.
- One cannot leave the military base.
What to Bring
- Bring sturdy and COMFORTABLE walking/hiking shoes/boots as walking will be your main mode of transportation.
- Clothing - It can get cold in the winter with occasional snow. In the summer it can reach 120 degrees. Bring appropriate clothes for the seasons you will be there. Durable clothing is a must! Most people wear jeans, cargo pants, polos and t-shirts. Clothing that exposes any part of the torso is unacceptable and shorts are not allowed during working hours. How much clothing you bring is up to you but we recommend that you have enough clothes to last you at least one week without doing laundry.
- Sun block
- Electricity is 110V. Bring either U.S. appliances or multi-system appliances
- Small flashlight
- Toiletries
- Shower shoes (rubber flip-flops)
- Towels (can usually buy at the PX, but you may need one en route)
- Twin sheets (can usually buy at PX) and blanket (can use sleeping bag too)
- Pillow (also typically for sale, but you can never be sure)
- Exercise clothing – nothing revealing!
- Pictures of loved ones
- Personal media devices
- Cargo pants are nice for carrying things. You can’t take a purse into dining facilities.
- Don’t worry if you forget things. You can always order stuff from the internet.
