Hey y'all, I might have a chance to go live and work in Kuwait. Does anyone here have any experience they can share about living and working in this country? I'm specifically concerned for my fianc and how the culture is in regards to women. Would she be miserable? Is it relatively safe? Anything helps. Thanks

*this opportunity isn't military related, but I thought someone here may have some knowledge of the current environment and culture

Do not go unless it is life changing money or required for your job.

Come back and tell us what you think if you make it - I've known a few folks who work in the ME and they seem to have enjoyed their time whether Saudi, Kuwait, or Qatar. Plenty of EXPATS who make living out there, and I'm not talking military folks who are high paid advisors.

During my time in Qatar, at the onset of OIF, I got to get off the base and hang out with Aggies there for Muster. They were all very happy with their choice and living accommodations. They were all gaining great experience in their fields at a young age. Their EXPAT schools were second to none - the teachers were paid very well for their stay. That said, Qatar is not Kuwait, but lots of Western influences in both locations. Kuwait has a Harley dealership among other things.

Recommend you look at the Aggie Network and talk to some civilians who live there because most Soldiers never make it off the base as they transition through Kuwait. Oh yea, don't forget that it is hotter than hell out there.

Like it was previously stated...it is hotter than hell there. Now, you are probably thinking "well I have been in Texas in the summer so I can take it." No. Unless the $ they are offering is f' you money then don't do it. Just my 2.

Speaking of hot: heat index of 165 in Iran recently

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/07/30/iran-city-hits-suffocating-heat-index-of-154-degrees-near-world-record/

DP

Absolutely hotter than hell! I'd also deal with an Iraqi any before i'd deal with a Kuwaiti again. They are very arrogant. It is definitely not UAE.

You can sometimes get booze at the TGI Friday in kuwait city....so I'm told

I'm TDY in Kuwait now. It's hotter than ****, covered in moon dust, and has no booze.

As others have said, it had better be worth your time.

(Anyone else here now, too?)

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I'm TDY in Kuwait now. It's hotter than ****, covered in moon dust, and has no booze.

As others have said, it had better be worth your time.

(Anyone else here now, too?)

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where in Kuwait?

I spent 6 lovely months at ali al salem, I actually really enjoyed it.

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I'm TDY in Kuwait now. It's hotter than ****, covered in moon dust, and has no booze.

As others have said, it had better be worth your time.

(Anyone else here now, too?)

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where in Kuwait?

I spent 6 lovely months at ali al salem, I actually really enjoyed it.

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Oh hell no..... Send me back to Bucca before sending me to AAS .

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I'm TDY in Kuwait now. It's hotter than ****, covered in moon dust, and has no booze.

As others have said, it had better be worth your time.

(Anyone else here now, too?)

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where in Kuwait?

I spent 6 lovely months at ali al salem, I actually really enjoyed it.

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Places I've been in Iraq/Afghanistan > Ali Al Salem > Camp Buehring.

Beuhring and Arifjan

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Beuhring and Arifjan

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Arifjan is pretty nice. I came very very close to take a civilian job there as a firefighter after I separated.

Aye, AJ had a lot more amenities than my tiny OP in the middle of the desert.

I'm in Beuhring for a few weeks.

It, too, has a lot of places to eat, a nice PX, etc. It's not horrible by military standards. It's also not a place I would want to be as a civilian.

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Aye, AJ had a lot more amenities than my tiny OP in the middle of the desert.

I'm in Beuhring for a few weeks.

It, too, has a lot of places to eat, a nice PX, etc. It's not horrible by military standards. It's also not a place I would want to be as a civilian.

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According to the civilian firefighters I knew there it was a completely different world for civilians. For one, they all live off base, most of them in beach-front condos in KC.

Haha, sounds like a good gig. How's the money for them?

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Haha, sounds like a good gig. How's the money for them?

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it's not bad, not as good as the same job in Iraq or Afghanistan. IIRC they were starting basic firefighters at 80k, drivers at 100k and officers at 120k

and the first 80k of that is tax free.

this was the pay 3 years ago, it might be slightly higher now.

I walked over and talked to them today.

Basic FF's are Filipino, and don't make much. Paramedics are American because narcotics/drugs. Captains/leadership are American because experience.

They said money isn't bad, but not as good as it used to be. I didn't ask specifics.

Still live in the city, which isn't bad. Culture shock at first, but several have families here that live/work with the locals.

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I walked over and talked to them today.

Basic FF's are Filipino, and don't make much. Paramedics are American because narcotics/drugs. Captains/leadership are American because experience.

They said money isn't bad, but not as good as it used to be. I didn't ask specifics.

Still live in the city, which isn't bad. Culture shock at first, but several have families here that live/work with the locals.

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that's interesting. When I was there in '09 all of the firefighters were Americans. I wonder if the contract changed hands.

I talked briefly to a company supplying firefighters to Emirati bases last year and they were hiring Filipinos for basic firefighter positions and Americans as officers.

Same company.

Paramedics are from George Washington in DC.