MFO Sinai, Egypt! I've received orders to El Gora, and just want to know what to expect. The pros/cons, what should I bring. Any advice ?

SPC (Join to see) - You might have a look here - I do not recall a lot of women there.

https://www.facebook.com/Task-Force-Sinai-Best-in-the-Desert [login to see] 37/

I would also get a copy of Lonely Planet: Egypt (Travel Guide) for social, cultural, historical background - and to plan where you may want to visit during down time. Keep in mind the Middle East as a whole is very conservative about women's modesty and place in society. While you are obviously a very modern young woman be very careful about offending the locals by dressing or behaving immodestly or breaking any rules re where locals may take offense.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/egypt.html

Review in particular USDOS Egypt Safety & Security -and- Travel & Transportation sections - public transportation (bus, etc) is unsafe and driving privately owned vehicles is hazardous (carjackings are frequent). Personal travel outside of Cairo - particularly anywhere in the Sinai is NOT advised - as there are many terrorist organizations. Also, avoid concealed unexploded WWII ordinance - particularly in the Sinai.

Be extremely careful about your personal safety. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

I was one of the first group that was deployed to the Sinai. We HA no barracks but stayed in apartment like buildings until living quarters were erected. I did approximately 18 months (voluntarily) and can remember when we had the cookout's with the Aussie' s, Fiji and, Columbia's cooking a pig in the ground. Even got to meeting Loretta Lynn and her family who came to visit the north base camp. It sounds like so much more is available. I worked as a clerk at Army base hqs and some with Base Hqs Commander, Norwegian . Lots of contact with RAAF. i enjoyed the tour and remember when we finally moved into our own units. I guess that's why i stayed so long. Met some great people. Oh, it was 100 women and 5000 men, boy did we have our choice of men if we like. Thank God there were no incidents, most respected us.

It used to be fun, it's much more restricted now. I'd do some online school there and the north camp base is a nice 4 mile running track on the outside perimeter I got my run of that down to 27 minutes while I was there.