I may be a bit off base here. I’m still new to this group and need help.

My quick story is: my son is in the Navy. He is in Bahrain. He just arrived there. I do worry about him. However, I support what he does and what our military does. I believe that we have been pushed around enough. Ok, I’m a bit on the radical side when it comes to our country.

I have loads of questions but will limit them to one or two per post.

I understand that Bahrain is supposed to be an ally. Why (aside from safety) do the military members have to bring their uniforms to the base and change there?
Is safety the only reason?

In addition, my son is so closed mouthed about what is going on. I wonder about the local area. For example, what is the price of bread there? Stupid I know, but it helps me to communicate if I know about how life is there.

Thanks for you replies!

Can't tell you abou the price of bread, but....
The threat there is what we might call "semi-permissive" -- meaning, yes, they're our allies, but there are plenty of bad guys around. The porous borders in the region allow terrorists to travel pretty freely, so there's always that threat that someone will "get through" the security-- Though security is pretty tight. Keeping a low profile is recommended-- hence avoiding traveling around in uniform when possible is a standard precaution. It's a safety thing, nothing more.

Thanks for your response.
I thought safety was the # 1 issue. The bread thing/question was just a topic starter. I'd like to know as much about this place from real people. The web site for Bahrain seems loaded with just the good stuff.
I wonder (for example) if the local folks have pets? I wonder how most peple travel around there? Is there a bus system? ect.....

Can't really tell ya a whole lot. My experience there was limited to a few days...most of it waiting in an airport for a flight on my way OUT of the middle east. I know most don't keep dogs, dogs are considered a "nasty nuissance". But, a fairly modern city, buses, taxis, trains, etc. Shopping malls and some fine hotels (though I never got to stay in one!).

Bahrain is an atypical allied country. We have several military installations located there. Generally the forces stationed there stay on the bases unless absolutely neccesary. The city is very modern and could be considered as a tourist destination were it not for the current situation. They have really nice hotels complete with bars and shopping. Bahrain is one of the only countries in the region that allow alcohol, so that should give you some idea about the place.

Because we have been at Bahrain for many, many years, the facilities for the troops stationed there have been upgraded to meet the needs of large numbers of troops. They have a great gym, base exchange, cafeteria, and fast food.

The Naval Support Unit in Bahrain services all of the Navy requirements with standard port facilities, and they have an E-club, a Chiefs club, and an Officers club.

Driving in Bahrain is a chore to the unititiated. The traffic controls are few and they rely mostly on traffic circles. It is almost impossible to get lost there as it is an island with only one very long bridge leading to and from Saudi Arabia. There is a border checkpoint located in the middle of it.

If one has to be in the middle east serving in the war on terror, then your son is in the best location possible.

Sir,

As a sailor that was recently stationed there in bahrain I could tell you plenty. I was stationed at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Bahrain for 2 years. The policy about bringing our uniforms into work and changing is pretty much standard for all overseas billets. No matter how friendly or how big an ally the host nation is there are many of those who do not agree with our presence so there is no need to attract more attention to ourselves by wearing our uniforms out in town. Bahrain in paticular even though it's the safest country to be in if your stationed in the gulf, do have groups of people that do not like the US or its military there. These groups usually stay in certain areas of the country and the Navy ensures that all sailors avoid these areas.

The food there is relatively exspensive but the Navy does provide plenty of money for food. Before I left in Febuary the construction of the NEX and Commissary were almost complete. Until then your son will have to shop out in town because the store they have on base is small. There is no mass transportation there but pleny of taxi's around to take you places you need to go.

Depending on your son's paygrade and command will determine his quarters. At the command I was with E-1 thru E-3 stay in the barracks on base while E-4 and above lived out in town. We were given time to find ourselves apartments or villas. The apartment and villas come fully furnished. The apartment and villas as far as size is concerened are larger than the ones here in the states. The Navy gives us a housing allowance which we use to pay our rent. Also we don't pay for any ammenties such as electricity, water, gas, a/c, or heat all of these are included in our rent.

I enjoyed my tour there very much and even though did not want to leave it was time for me to further my career elsewhere. If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will answer them. Please send my regards to your son.

Hey bro I am in california and I am about to leave to bahrain in 3 weeks, I have been there 4 times when I was on the uss BHR but I would like to hear from you, I am an HM1 and have a house here in cali so I am interested in all the pay info and abou what hotel they will have me in and just any and everything that you can tell me I am nervous about going there and I have not recieved anything from my command HELP meEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!