What should I expect on my first visit to Djibouti?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:32:30 -0400

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 4:34 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:34:06 -0400

I'm there right now, what do you want to know?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 4:34 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:34:29 -0400

My son was there in 2011. He stated that security was at a very high posture, but the BLT did go out and train with the local forces. Be safe and vigilant.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Apr 21 at 2016 4:35 PM

1SG David Niles — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:35:52 -0400

Really hot, lots of rocks, plastic bags hanging on trees. Lots of flys in spring. Beautiful beaches, interesting market down town. Try to get to Kenya. Depending on unit you could have interesting missions. If you are a marine, training and guard duty.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Apr 21 at 2016 4:37 PM

1SG David Niles — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:37:58 -0400

You are Navy so you are already use to marine Corp mentality. I wasn't lol

Response by Cpl Mario DiPasquale made Apr 21 at 2016 4:39 PM

Cpl Mario DiPasquale — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:39:19 -0400

I haven't been there since 2007/08. It was pretty established back then but I believe there are barracks now.
It is very hot, the flies are insane, and the city essentially shuts down once the khat is delivered (around 4pm).
The bars on base are nice, the gym is great and the French jets like to do afterburn take offs around reveille, which stinks if you work nights like I did.
They burn everything.... Everything. Not a pleasant or healthy smell.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 4:51 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:51:40 -0400

Expect it to be hot, good accommodations, lots of saluting.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 4:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:53:50 -0400

I just came from there last year. There's a Djibouti survival guide out there that explains almost everything you need to know. You can private message me or look me up on the global if you have more questions.

Response by Keri S made Apr 21 at 2016 7:08 PM

Keri S — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 19:08:24 -0400

It's extremely hot. Lol
Be prepared to sweat gallons. And hydrate hydrate hydrate or you will continuously have headaches.

Response by Keri S made Apr 21 at 2016 7:08 PM

Keri S — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 19:08:59 -0400

Oh and stretch your feet a lot or you will get plantar fasciitis.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 9:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:05:46 -0400

I was there at Camp Lemonier from 06-07. I was the Supply Sergeant for a SF unit. It was a pretty awesome experience. It was hot as hell, a lot of flies, but overall great deployment. Unless they changed the rules, you may be able to leave the camp and go in certain local areas for souvenir shopping, dining, etc. There were also a lot of other activities at the Cantina like live performances and such.

Response by 1SG David Niles made Apr 21 at 2016 9:11 PM

1SG David Niles — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:11:34 -0400

Lcpl Faust when we're you there? 01 or 02? I was there in 03, it sucked then it must of really sucked when you were there.

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Apr 22 at 2016 8:43 AM

Cpl Jon Westbrook — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 08:43:28 -0400

Mountains, rocks, dirt, donkeys, and a lot of French military. Also the locals love you as long as youre either buying their shit or giving them yours. The second you stop they start yelling "Death to America" and rioting. True story, my platoon had to go condition 3 and hold security while we broke down our PB on the last night there because the locals freaked out when we wouldn't give them our wooden pallets.

If you can get past the ugly ass scenery though its actually a decent place. The climate is nice and there are beaches everywhere. Just don't pay more than five dollars for anything the locals try to sell you, chances are it was stolen from someone else anyway. And if you find a cold steel tanto floating around the markets somewhere grab it for me. Those bastards stole mine.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2016 1:29 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:29:11 -0400

I was there in 07 part of J6. Lived in Tent City the CLU were just coming online as I left. Cool stuff (keep in mind its been a while) there is a French Restaurant just off base that had some of the best food. the Decor looked like something out of a 70's skin film. lol. Volunteer at the Orphanage is always cool to do. Its very true what Cpl DiPasquale said about the Khat. Its flown in each day and everything shuts down. I got to spend time in Ethiopia and that was outstanding worked with some great guys from Guam and the Coffee would be worth a return trip. It is ungodly hot all the time though. Hydrate as if its a religion. This is no joke. They will give you an indoc brief pay attention in it and you should be good. If the Chaplin is still working with the Orphanage make a post and maybe we can get some care packages of needed supplies sent that way from Rally Point members.

And lets not forget the Djibouti Song lol

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2016 3:39 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 03:39:23 -0400

Hot, dirty, and make you appreciate Internet in the states more

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2016 8:08 AM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 08:08:58 -0400

Do a search on Google. There's plenty of information out there. http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafswa/installations/camp_lemonnier_djibouti.html

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti