I always deploy with a small reading light that can attach to any type of bed.

BigBrother when you find out what FOB/AO/province let me know. If it was in my soon-to-be former AO I'll give you the lowdown.

As a matter of fact we just got told 4 possibilities today. I am told there could be a couple of more options, and that they will take our requests into consideration. I am not certain of spelling and have not even had a minute to research these fobs. Here are the 4 locations that are sure to be on the list:

Bagram
Lagman in Kilat City
Shenk in Logar
Salerno in Coast

A couple of things I didn't see on here that I have found invaluable in my trips to Bagram. I'd definitely have an external hard drive. That way you'll have space for all the boot leg movie and music to entertain yourself. In the winter time you will probably want to have an electric mattress pad. There are several models out there, I bought one from sunbeam that had 15 temp settings and a timer. B-huts aren't insulated very well and it turned out to be priceless. Another thing you may want to look into is a small roll of indoor/outdoor carpet. Nice to have something on the floor in your room. Have a good trip.

Looking like I'll be at BAF. While that may be a good thing, I heard that it might be the worst living conditions of the bigger FOBs in that you're stuck in a tent for quite some time. Dunno if anyone can confirm the situation for contractors.

Pretty common to spend a day or two in the transient tents but for contractors that should be the most. Most contracting companies are pretty good about giving a heads up about incoming personnel. My section has had lodging taken care before incoming pax even arrived.

Sweet. Thanks Lewis. Any standard for living arrangements for contractors? Should I expect a small private space in a long trailer, or a small tent type barracks?

Let me know when you find out 100%. I was at Shank.

BTW, it's "Shank" in Logar province and "Kowst" province.

Rep, two guys in our group are headed out to Shank. Apparently they were there before as enlisted Army, so they know it well. As of now, I'm still told that I'm headed for BAF as my final destination, but I'll definitely update if that changes. Texags is too good of a resource not to.

Only thing I really liked in Iraq that I didn't see listed was a good set of sheets.

Depends on what unit they were with but Shank has blown up (literally and construction-wise). We made a ton of renovations and expansion. It's supposed to be the new BAF.

[This message has been edited by Curious91 (edited 10/13/2011 11:28a).]

Hopefully sheets will be @ PX, if not I'll order some.

UPDATE: I am in BAF. I was told today I might end up in Gazni. I am unclear if it will be FOB Gazni or possibly Warrior

FOB Gazni is better than Camp Warrior (assuming this is the same Warrior that is on the back end of Bagram). Good luck out there.

[This message has been edited by bqjoker03 (edited 11/15/2011 2:43p).]

In the summer, watch out for the snakes... When I was at Bagram, we found two cobra's in the b-huts in one week.

They were caught using rat sticky paper. Snakes don't slide well when stuck to sticky paper.

You can almost guarantee to be in a B-Hut. Meaning you will have your own jail cell sized room in what can best be described as something akin to a wooden shack. Most people don't spend much time in their hooch other than sleeping and for the most part it works for that purpose. Lately there is been a big influx of people and contractors have been stuck in community tents on Warrior for 1-2 weeks.