NATO TRAINING MISSION – AFGHANISTAN
Newcomer Information
- Welcome to Camp Eggers
- Sponsor Request
- Travel to Afghanistan
- Personnel In-processing
- Need to know
- AAFES/MWR
WELCOME TO CAMP EGGERS
NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan is located on Camp Eggers, which is in Kabul. The camp is a collection of walled-in safe houses, with adjacent safe houses where U.S. and NATO service members are billeted.
Sponsor Request
To request a sponsor or for more information, please contact the NTM-A/CSTC-A Sponsor Coordinator at DSN: 318-237-0908 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Travel to Afghanistan
U.S. Army
U.S. Army personnel will fly from Fort Benning to Kuwait’s Ali Al Salaam Air Base. Upon arrival in Kuwait, check in with the Afghanistan LNO. Expect two to five days in Kuwait while you wait for a flight to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (BAF). Once you arrive in Bagram, NTM-A/CSTC-A’s LNO Team will meet you and will arrange your transportation to Kabul.
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy personnel will fly from Columbia, S.C., to Kuwait. Upon arrival in Kuwait, the NAVCENT Det Kuwait LNO Team will meet you. While there, you will attend several in-processing briefs and training for advanced convoy operations. After finishing your training, you will fly to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. As you arrive, the NAVCENT Det Afghanistan LNO Team and NTM-A/CSTC-A’s LNO Team will arrange your transportation to Kabul..
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines start out from MARCENT in Tampa, FL. Once the week of briefs and final medical exams are complete, you will fly from Tampa to Washington DC. From there you will get a direct flight to Kuwait. Expect a day or two in Kuwait while you wait for a flight to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (BAF). Once you arrive in Bagram, MARCENT Element-Afghanistan Team will meet you and will arrange your transportation to Kabul..
U. S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force personnel will fly to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. Once at Manas, you will go through several in-processing briefs and sign up for military airlift to Bagram Air Base (BAF), Afghanistan. As you arrive, the USAF PERSCO Team will meet you for USAF in-processing. You may have to spend the night at Bagram before taking a convoy to Kabul. The NTM-A/CSTC-A’s LNO Team will arrange your transportation to Kabul.
Personnel In-Processing
All personnel are required to provide CJ1 PSD a copy of their orders and Emergency Recall Data (DD 93, Page 2, VRED, or RED) upon check in. Please ensure you have a copy available when you check in.
Upon your arrival at Camp Eggers you will be escorted to the McCormick House for in-processing by CJ1 PSD. After meeting with CJ1 PSD, you will be escorted by your sponsor to the billeting office to obtain housing.
You will be required to complete the NTM-A/CSTC-A in-processing checklist and will receive in-processing briefs from CJ2 (Intelligence), Medical, HHC Supply, CJ6 (Communications), Network Help Desk, and Finance. Upon completion, you will be required to return the checklist to CJ1 PSD. Within 2 weeks will will attend a Newcomers Brief to meet with the Chief of Staff and , Command Sergeant Major as well as representatives from the various directorates.
Need to Know
Uniform Policy
The normal duty uniform is the service specific combat uniform (ACU/DCU/MCCU/ABU, etc.) with the sleeves down. Appropriate head cover/cap/beret will be worn, according to the member’s service regulation.
Civilian personnel are the only personnel authorized to wear civilian fitness clothing on Camp Eggers. Military personnel must wear their service official PT uniforms. Please make sure you have it before you deploy. The PX/BX stocks some service PT items, but supplies are limited.
Unwanted uniforms must be shredded or burned rather than disposed of in the trash.
Climate
Kabul is over 6,000 ft above sea level. The high altitude may take some people time to get used to, it is common for incoming personnel to experience low-grade headaches or stomach cramps for the first couple of weeks. The climate in Afghanistan is very dry. Summers are hot and winters are very cold, with a lot of snow.
Medical Clinic
The medical clinic is open six days a week, with a sick call on Sunday. You can receive all needed shots at the clinic. People requiring hospitalization are taken to Camp Phoenix in Kabul, to Bagram, or are flown to Landstuhl in Germany. There is also a dental clinic at Camp Phoenix that can provide limited dental services.
Religious Services
Chapel programs include worship services, scripture studies, music groups, Lay-Lead services, and the Volunteer Community Relations project.
Some of the topics for small study groups have included, “40 Days of purpose,” Developing a Faith the Works,” “What is so Amazing About Grace?”
Services:
LDS
Catholic
Protestant
Gospel
For other Religious Faith Groups please contact the Chaplain’s Office, Counselling is available by appointment 24/7.
DSN 318-237-3545/3606/3545/3607.
Education Centre
Camp Eggers has an education centre on the second floor of the Lakeshore. There are special tuition assistance programs available to deployed Guard/Reserve and Active Duty members. Testing available: CLEP, DSST, Excelsior College, and Computer Lab for ACCP.
Mailing Address
Your USPS mailing address at NTM-A/CSTC-A is:
Name (No Rank)
NTM-A/CSTC-A + section (CJ-4, for instance)
APO, AE 09356
Do not put “Kabul” or “Afghanistan” on packages or letters, or they will be sent to the Kabul civilian post office. The Afghan government charges customs fees to get the packages released from their local post office.
Packages cannot exceed 70 lbs. Letters and postcards less than 13 oz. can be mailed for free to the U.S. Mark “free” where the stamp goes. Packages mailed from one APO to another APO are free up to the 70 lb. limit. This only applies to anywhere in the European/Middle East theatre (AE) not the Pacific theatre (AP).
Meals
There are two dining facilities at Camp Eggers, the Marshall House and the Goat House.
Power Requirements
Power in Kabul is by generator and is 220 volt. You can purchase step down converters for 110 volt at the PX/BX for about $60. The PX/BX also carries appliances/irons that are 110/220.
DSN Phone Calls
There are very few landlines in Afghanistan. U.S. Service Members can utilize DSN to call a stateside base near their home and then request a local off-base line. Or you can call 312-363-4000 x99, from Kabul and make a call using your calling card. This allows you to call home at U.S. rates rather than international rates.
Living Quarters
Temporary Quarters: All personnel will be assigned to temporary quarters (open bay or tent) while they await the availability of permanent quarters. Expect to stay in temporary quarters for 6 weeks.
Permanent Quarters: Two-man rooms in the conex type rooms are 138” X 58”. Storage space is limited, but most rooms have wall lockers. The rooms all have regular beds with mattresses, but bedding is not provided. The rooms have heater/air conditioning units. Normally everyone O-6 and below will have to share a room.
Note from the Garrison Commander...As you begin, your first few days on Camp Eggers be aware, the camp is in the midst of major construction projects aimed at facilitating the growing needs of the command for office and billeting space. Currently billeting is at or over 100 percent capacity. However, new construction is projected for completion in the Spring, which will ease most of the overcrowding. You may find your billeting assignment less than what you expected or rate. While we expect this to be a temporary situation, we ask that you excuse the inconvenience and work with billeting personnel to help fulfill your housing requirements.
You are a valued part of the NTM-A/CSTC-A mission. Your contribution to the success of this mission will be indicative of our overall success. We, along with our LOGCAP partners are working as fast as possible to relieve the housing situation. Again, we ask for your patience.
Laundry
A local contractor provides free laundry service; turnaround time is usually 24 hours. There are also laundry facilities in front of Marshall House and next to Maxwell House for those who wish to do their own laundry.
The housekeepers will iron your uniforms for $2 a set. This is voluntary and you can use any housekeeper assigned to any house that is convenient for you.
Finance
The finance office is located in the Cole House. The finance office will cash personal checks for up to $400 per month. You are also authorized a $200 per month casual payment. No more than $200 a month can be in U.S. currency. The remainder can be on the Eagle cash card (Good at AAFES and the post office) or in Afghani (Note: Afghani is the term for money; Afghan is the term for people.). The current exchange rate (December 17, 2009) is 49.0400 Afghanis to one dollar. The only place that accepts Visa or MasterCard is the exchange. The cash back limit is $20. There is one ATM on Camp Eggers. The finance office will cash money orders and cashier’s checks for any amount, but the $200 U.S. total still applies. You can deposit up to $10,000 in a deployment savings program. This earns 10 percent yearly and is exempt from taxes. You can deposit up to your monthly paycheck each month – not to exceed $10,000 total.
Leave
Service members with one-year deployments are authorized one 15-day. Leave does not start until "boots down" at the airport to your leave location, and stops with "boots up." Soldiers are authorized travel days to and from theatre. HHC is leave-approving authority and can answer any questions you may have concerning leave.
Recommendations for what to bring:
Bed pillow
Sheets and blanket for a single-size bed
At least one set of conservative civilian clothes for travel, such as slacks, polo-style shirt, long skirt, etc.
Towel
One-month supply of toiletry items. If you prefer a particular brand of something, you may want to bring enough to last you several months.
6-month supply of any medications you take regularly
Malaria pills
Over-the-counter cold medicine. Sinus problems are common here due to the dust.
Saline mist if you are prone to sinus problems.
Calling cards
Bank checks
Shower shoes
Laptop or DVD player
Digital camera
CD player, Ipod or MP3 player
Battery operated alarm clock
Farooqomer Wood & Brass Company and The Gem Stone of the World
Located in the back, right corner of the World Food Program compound (Afghan jewellery, marble maps, chests, brass, shawls, scarves, blankets, etc).
Gyms
There are two gyms on Camp Eggers. One is primarily filled with free weights while the other is a combination of cardio machines and weight machines
Recreation Centre
Located in the Bomb House, the Rec. Centre has two pool tables and a foosball table.
Library
The library is located in the basement of Harrison House and has donated books. They are free and no checkout is required.
MWR Phone Centre
The phone centre has 12 phones and is located near the Goat Dining Facility. It is open 24/7.
Internet Service
Satellite internet service is available through an AAFES concessionaire. Internet hook ups are available in most permanent quarters. Wi-Fi Hotspots are also available in select areas of Camp Eggers. Monthly prices range from $35 for basic to $100 for full service.
The Computer Lab
The Computer Lab/ Internet Cafe is located on the first floor of the Bomb House in between the Recreation Room and the Movie check out. There is no cost to use the MWR Internet Cafe.
MWR DVD Movie Check Out
There is no charge for movies, but you must sign for them and return them. They are two- day rentals and if they are late, you will be charged $2.00 late fees. This is located in the Bomb House.
Bazaar
There is a weekly bazaar where Afghan traders bring local goods for sale. Some examples of the goods sold are Afghan and Oriental rugs, silk scarves, carved wooden boxes, jewellery, DVDs, gemstones and lapis, knives, furs, antique firearms and blankets. Tailors and haberdashers, including “The World Famous Saiyd’s Tailor Shop” are also at the weekly bazaar for made-to-measure suits.
Prices are not set. You should barter with the vendors. Talk with people who have been here a while and several vendors throughout the bazaar to get an idea what the going prices are.
