Living in Izmir, Turkey with NATO Land Command

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 10:36:21 -0500

For those assigned to NATO Land Command in Izmir, or have been assigned there, what have been your experiences, both professionally and personally with this assignment?

Thanks

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 2:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:31:48 -0500

Sir,
I have never been assigned to a NATO position, but I do plan on visiting installations in Turkey soon as part of my civilian work. Maybe I will look you up when I come.

Kevin Kaufman
Federal Program Manager, EMEA
CommScope Government Solutions
http://www.commscope.com/Industries/Government-Solutions/

V/r

Kevin

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Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 8:18 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 08:18:43 -0500

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Sir, great question, I'm quite interested as well. I'd like to serve there someday.

As a Turkish-speaking Foreign Area Officer, I'm very confused about there not being a billet for a Turkish-speaking Army Foreign Area Officer at NATO LANDCOM, especially when the commander is a 3-star U.S. Army general. I'm more concerned that there isn't a Foreign Area Officer billet at NATO LANDCOM, period--one would think the Army would want to leverage the skill set of its Foreign Area Officers at the highest land component headquarters in NATO.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 9:26 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:26:53 -0500

I know a Marine FAO assigned there now and he loves it. Positive feedback about both the job and the QOL.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Nov 16 at 2014 9:34 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:34:10 -0500

Maybe some of our RallyPoint members currently stationed there can help with some input?

SSG Ed Mikus, LTC Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 10:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 10:35:54 -0500

LTC J Keith P.,

My experience here has been nothing but positive, from the extensive history that can be seen, working with other country’s militaries, to getting to live in a beautiful city courtesy of Uncle Sam. You will stay quite busy with work and depending on your job you might be TDY quite often. You will have some growing pains such as language barriers, the traffic here, being away from family and the difference in Op Tempo from country to country. I would hands down tell anyone to come here if offered the assignment. This will definitely be hard to beat as a remote tour.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 12:46 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 00:46:03 -0500

Awesome place to work as a logistician...Beautiful City, Language might be a challenge, but, they willing to learn English and Im willing to help them. This is a great assignment that you don't want to miss it if you are assign to station in Izmir for 12 months.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 12:08 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:08:21 -0500

I am excited to be joining the team in Izmir as I'll be getting there in April 2015!

Response by SPC Elif Anderson made May 4 at 2015 10:50 AM

SPC Elif Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2015 10:50:09 -0400

About fifteen years ago, I was a dependent, but today a civilian in this city. I've been to many places across three continents, and across the board in ratings; lifestyle, people, and food included. Izmir has been and still is the highest rated one on my list. Hope everyone enjoys their stay here, especially, the food. ;)

Response by SFC Bill Kurtz made Nov 4 at 2019 3:18 AM

SFC Bill Kurtz — Mon, 04 Nov 2019 03:18:11 -0500

I was there in 85-87 as a part of the Alternate War joint signal squadron. Supported Land South East and the Air forces for the same. Old equipment held together with gum and bailing wire. Our security support troops had M-1 Garlands, Thompson SMGs. And a BAR or two. No American Turk frictions, we were a well integrated unit.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 5 at 2019 6:25 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 06:25:56 -0500

Things are different now. Stay in close contact with your sponsor