Camp Lemonnier

[tcf5566]

Anybody have any gouge on Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti? Just curious about living conditions/daily life.

I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!

[Vprdrvr69]

You navy or AF? For the most part, hot as balls and smells like shit but the food is pretty decent. Depending on your service and who you work for, living conditions are a mixed bag. Working for SOCOM? If so, I once saw over 20 MF's stuffed in a tent with AC that would go inop every day at noon. if your the young enlisted army guy you get a sweet CLU and drink three a day. Since your on this forum, I can assume your probably an AF flyer so...no beer for you! Score some khat from the locals, you'll be fine! (I kid, I kid)

[scudrunner12]

They have a swimming pool, the MWR has a shat ton of activities and WIFI hotspots, no one is lobbing mortors over the fence, and you'll get a killer tan with the Doxy. Food is pretty good.

[osulax05]

AF doesn't drink at DJ? Coulda fooled me.

CLUs aren't bad, tents suck and seamen everywhere.

[tac airlifter]

Smells slightly worse than your average deployed spot, but not by much. If you have a few days off you can swim with whale sharks. Food is the best in the AORs I've been to.

[scudrunner12]

AF doesn't drink at DJ? Coulda fooled me.

CLUs aren't bad, tents suck and seamen everywhere.

I believe it's SOCOM only that can't drink. Regular AF dudes can toss back a Tusker.

[Tank]

AF doesn't drink at DJ? Coulda fooled me. CLUs aren't bad, tents suck and seamen everywhere.

Haha, you said seamen.....

[Longhorn15]

In addition to good food and beer, no PT gear and no reflective belts...you'll love it.

[Swizzle]

Camp passes to go whale-shark skin diving outside the fence...petting cheeta's at the wildlife refuge, gambling nights sponsored by MWR to Kempinski Hotel and Casino...go-kart track out the front gate...need more of an explanation?

[tcf5566]

Thanks for the replies. A little more background, I'm a tanker guy. Was tasked with OGV at the deid since like March, then I got retasked. I have no idea what my job will be, but I appreciate the help.

[Snooter]

CLUs aren't bad, tents suck and seamen everywhere.

"When I joined the force, I thought there was semen on everything. I often dream about everything being covered in semen."

Edited September 12, 2013 by Snooter

[polcat]

Most likely you'll be working in the HOA-Air Component. If you're an O-4 or above, you'll eventually move into the West End. Which means own room and own bathroom. I lived in a "wet" CLU, which was my own room with a shared bathroom with one other dude. Not bad at all compared to what the lower ranking E's had for living conditions. Weather isn't all that bad if you're there from Oct-Apr. There was a pretty good selection of alcohol, but the new commanding general wanted to tighten the reins on quite a few things on camp. Off-base excursions use to be frequent, but the use of GOVs for other-than-official business was coming to end when I left.

[M2]

An update.  Having recently been to CLDJ, I can attest that it is hot, dusty and smells.  Was suppose to be in a KBR CLU but that got nixed so had to stay in a 3-man CLU with a shitter/shower down the way.  Had to buy some cheap flip-flops for the shower; should've brought some (or an old pair of Crocs) but didn't think it was necessary.  It is.

Still, it's all not bad once I got the Internet hooked up (a somewhat laborious process).  Be sure to bring an Ethernet cable with you and a WiFi router if you want to run any other devices off the Internet.  I got the 512K connection which wasn't too slow, but during the rare rainstorms the connection has as tendency to go out; but at least I could watch videos.

I didn't think the DFAC ("Galley" in Squidology) was that great but you can pick up two bottles of Gatorade when you eat there so that's a plus.  There is free WiFi across the camp at the Subway, Green Bean, 11 North, etc. but you have to get an account set up to use it.  Again, the process is a bit of a pain in the ass; but if you don't have connectivity in your CLU it's about the next best thing. 

If you're going to be TDY bring towels and if you're picky about bed linens those as well; they will issue some of each to you but keep in mind they've been well used over the years (if you know what I mean).  If you're lucky you'll have a CLU to yourself; but my first night had some dude opening the door at 0130.  Luckily, he thought there was an empty one nearby and he never showed up again. 

There is a Pizza Hut Express in 11 North, and the aforementioned Subway but remember where you are so don't expect it to be like Subways in the States.  If you are going to eat at the DFAC then you may have to purchase a meal card, which can be done across the street.  Look for the double-stack CLU and go to the door underneath the stairs. 

The CLUmart (small shoppette) is sparsely stocked and the NEX is pretty well picked over for high demand items, so if you think there is something you'll really need then bring it with you.  Oddly enough, while they have Oasis water and energy drinks, none of the NEX stores had Gatorade.  There was at least one water buffalo (a place to fill up bottles) in CLUville that I saw, so I just used the water bottle and used the Mio flavor bottles I take everywhere when I travel.

The "Tactical Shop" has a small selection of tacticool shit but nothing you can't buy at any Clothing Sales stores in the US.  Oh, and the NEX has a small selection of Chinese-made African souvenirs and of course, a fair selection of Djibouti t-shirts.

Gotta say my heart goes out to those who spend 6-9 months or more here; I am sure it is easier when you're young but at my age such austere conditions are not as fun as they used to be.  Still, they do try to make it bearable, they have lots of entertainment set up and ways to kill the boredom. 

Feel free to ask any questions...

Cheers!  M2

[zrooster99]

Kind of nostalgic for me to see this thread pop up...  Did 4 rotations there from 2010-2012 ( SOCOM)...  Doesn't sound like too much has changed.

OBTW, Viperstud, if nostalgic is too big a word for you, let me know and I'll draw you a fucking picture.

[M2]