How to best prepare for a Kosovo deployment?

2015-02-05T21:18:29-05:00

I will be deploying to Kosovo this year and was hoping to get some input for things to pack and what it will be like over there. What are ways to pass the time and be productive? Like exercising, civilian education, traveling on passes and so on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Feb 5 at 2015 10:16 PM

2015-02-05T22:16:04-05:00

From what I hear about Kosovo, bring a good book or ninety

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 4:52 PM

2015-06-25T16:52:13-04:00

Don't know if you're there yet, but Kosovo near Bondsteel is relatively peaceful, and if you aren't part of the maneuver element, will afford you plenty of time to work on SSD1/2 as well as get in WLC (at least they had that in 2008/09). If you are part of the maneuver element, then you still have to watch out for postings to Camp Nothing Hill and Gate 1, however, neither place is what anyone would consider a hotbed of action...the last issues they had were in 2011/12. Overall, take care of as much miled and civilianed as you can stomach and your team/section/squad leader allows. Enjoy your time in sector in the South and watch out for mirror strikes....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 5:11 PM

2015-06-25T17:11:07-04:00

1. Depends on where you are spending your time. If on Bonsteel there are two gyms to occupy your time. It's not Gold's but it works.
There is no education center in Kosovo however there is ample of Internet capabilities to work on your education online. If afforded passes, passport is not required for travel to Macedonia but bring one just in case you are allowed to travel to other countries in the Balkans. If no passport the U.S. embassy in Macedonia processes passports in a timely manner

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Jun 25 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-06-25T17:14:40-04:00

Only pack the essentials, they have plenty to do even a dry cleaners. I did a tour there as a Combat Medic and enjoyed my time there, friendly people and the only time you will need a loaded weapon is outside of the gate. I never experienced hardship while there from the Albania, or surbania people. Stay alert,keep out of trouble and have fun.

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-06-25T21:24:19-04:00

If your in the 30th ABCT you're in good hands, I have know COL Simpson for 15 years and he's a top notch officer.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 4:20 AM

2015-06-26T04:20:36-04:00

I'm there right now, though I work at the Embassy. The guys on Bondsteel are bored out of their minds. Knock out college, and lots of it. Many schools allow Officers to proctor your exams, so you won't have to worry about the ed center. If you ever get a chance to work with the CMSE (sim-see), take it, get a break from the Bondsteel monotony.
Take the tour to work professional development. College, correspondence courses, they even have a WLC there so try and knock all that out. They also have fast food, so be wary of it, use the gym and eat right, collect your combat pay and come home crazy fit, and professionally developed. Take the MWR trips to travel too. Macedonia and Montenegro are awesome.

Response by SPC Elijah Benson made Jun 26 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-06-26T20:46:07-04:00

All the comments I've seen so far are pretty spot on. Knock out as much Military and Civilian education as possible, go on the MWR trips, stuff like that and time will fly. I enjoyed myself while I was there and wish I could go back. A buddy of mine is there right now and should be coming back soon. Just keep your nose clean and you'll be fine. Take care. :-)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2015 12:45 PM

2015-06-28T12:45:20-04:00

Bring civilian clothes, even if you can't wear them during your time on the base, when you go on mwr trips, you will be glad you brought them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-07-01T14:29:35-04:00

hey Spears send me an email I am looking to deploy somewhere anywhere maybe I can get some basic info from you

Response by SPC Steven Byrd made Jul 14 at 2015 11:16 PM

2015-07-14T23:16:38-04:00

It sounds like from the other comments that their will be plenty to do while there to not be worried about boredom. I was there the summer of 99 when Bondsteel was nothing but an open field with lots of red dust covered tents and we had to string a few miles of wire to make a fence. So use all the things there is to pass the time and enjoy it as much as you can.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 9:21 AM

2015-11-12T09:21:16-05:00

Besides what everyone else said, I cant think of anything special. Extra cell charger, they have an Oakley shop, the gym, don't eat the fast food. WLC, SSD's.

Response by PO3 Richard King made Jul 11 at 2017 11:20 PM

2017-07-11T23:20:47-04:00

Seen Kosovo from the Adriatic Sea on the Eisenhower and Washington. Went to Croatia during that time also!