A few readers just so happen to be headed over to the sandbox this summer, so I thought I’d offer some advice on what to bring.  Before I begin, two things: First, this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but should get you started in the right direction, and second, my advice is directed at those who are going to serve on PRTs, rather than in the cozy confines of the embassy up in Baghdad.  


It has been said - and I wholeheartedly agree - that not all Iraq assignments are created equal.  Unless you’re going to use it for swatting flies, you won’t need a tennis racquet on a PRT.  Nor will you need a bathing suit.  They may have a pool up in Baghdad (sigh), but the only water down here comes in pallets for drinking or in trickles from a broken shower-head.  


You could, however, bring your golf clubs.  Believe it or not, there’s a driving range on Tallil Air Base.  My boss and I drove out to the range one afternoon to check it out and sure enough, there it was.  Nice, I thought . . . until I realized after hitting the bucket of balls into the desert, I would be responsible for picking them up by hand . . . in 125-degree heat.  Until the U.S. military kicks in for a ball-retrieving cart, I’d suggest leaving the clubs at home.


So, without any further delay, here are some thoughts on what you should (and shouldn't) bring:


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1. Only bring what you can comfortably carry (or at least schlep uncomfortably).  This is the most important piece of advice I can offer for those coming to a PRT. You don’t want to be “that guy” who arrives on the tarmac and needs help with his bags.  You signed up for Iraq, not a Carnival cruise.  You’ll be tempted to bring a lot with you, but it's better to send stuff ahead (linens, clothing, books, toiletries, etc.).   Paved roads are a rarity at PRTs, so that rolling suitcase that moves so quickly through the airport in Kuwait or Amman will be useless in the deep gravel of most FOBs.  I would suggest getting a backpack that’s small enough to qualify as a carry-on, but large enough to hold clothes for four to five days (see photo above).  If there’s a sand storm and you’re stuck in Kuwait for a week, you’ll be happy you brought clean clothes.



2. You’re a diplomat, not a security contractor.  Dress like it. 

Although you won’t be wearing a suit every day, there will be times when you’ll need to dress the part (on average, I wear a suit about once a week).  You are representing the United States of America, and may be giving weekly interviews on Iraqi television.  I’m not suggesting you bring all your Thomas Pink shirts and ties, but if you wear French cuff shirts back home, bring a cheaper, no-iron version with you.   I purchased a brown summer-weight suit that was reasonably priced, but still looked good.  I would avoid charcoal gray and navy suits.  Those colors are certainly more professional, but will be difficult to keep clean - there’s no dry cleaning.  It is always dusty in Iraq and a brown suit will look better when the sandstorms come (plus, the brown suit jacket works well with khakis when you want to go business-desert-combat-casual). 


You’ll spend the majority of time, however, in “desert tactical gear.”  But if you are like me, you may just succumb to the temptation of purchasing a bit too much of it.  Yes, the 5.11 Tactical pants are comfortable, durable, and made with generous cargo pockets, but once you go back to being a regular person in the US, are you really going to wear your Tacticals to Target?  Probably not.  Buy what you need, but don’t go overboard.  Purchase lightweight, breathable clothing that will offer some UV protection.  Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear (my personal favorites), and LL Bean make great shirts and pants that will serve you well on base and in the field.



3. Footwear - Bring Wing Tips, Wear Boots:  Boots are really the best footwear for Iraq.  I bought a pair of Ecco boots six years ago, and proceeded to march myself around Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and Namibia . . . and now Iraq.  Nothing beats a good pair of boots.  PRT work will take you from meetings on base to meetings deep in the desert.  Trudging through deep sand in the summer, and deeper mud in the winter requires boots.  You'll also want to bring a pair of dress shoes.  You may not wear them often, but it’s good to have them on hand.  I went up to Baghdad for a conference and felt a little out of place with my boots and tactical clothing.  If you're going to play the "Wing Tips on the Ground" role, you've got to at least bring ‘em.



4. Get a good Multi-tool.  My significant other’s family bought me a Leatherman multi-tool as a going-away present, and in the course of nine months, it’s been the most valuable piece of equipment I've had here.  If you need a simple repair, chances are high that you will be repairing it yourself.  A good Swiss Army knife will do, but a multi-tool will do even better.  I’ve used it to hang a white board in my office, turn the dial on an otherwise inoperable dryer in the laundry room, trim my mustache, repair a fixture in my hooch, secure Christmas lights on the exterior of my trailer, and cut the first piece of my birthday cake.  Just don’t forget to send it to yourself or put it in your checked baggage.  TSA’s not going to cut you a break if you tell them you're headed to Iraq and were just following the Wing Tips Packing List.

  

                   


5. Get Skype.  
Wish your loved ones could join you for that office barbeque in Iraq, but a little thing called “war” is standing in the way?  No problem.  Skype is the answer.  It's free, it works, and is the best way to remain connected to family.   Download it today.



6. Don’t bring the entire Library of Congress with you.  While you will have a lot of down time, you won’t always have the attention span to read.   I brought a number of books with me, thinking I’d be a voracious reader over here.  But, I’ve only started reading most of them recently.  Bring a book with you on the way in, and ship others to yourself when you know you'll read them.



7. Bring a Sleeping Bag/Travel Pillow.  Our men and women in uniform are the best trained in the world, but after observing the rank and file for almost a year, I’ve noticed they all possess an even greater gift: they can sleep almost anywhere.  You, too, will learn this skill.  I brought a sleeping bag with me and have never regretted it.  KBR provides sheets and blankets, and though they are laundered, it’s nice to be able to sleep on your own bedding.  Likewise, if you are stuck in Kuwait for five days and living in a tent waiting for a sandstorm to break, it’s nice not to have to wonder if KBR really did wash those "clean sheets."



8. Bring an iPod and laptop.  Download as much music as you can.  Fill that iPod until notes start pouring out of it.  You’ll have lots of downtime waiting for flights, waiting out sandstorms, or just waiting for the year to end.  Nothing makes passing the time easier than listening to music.  
The Foreign Service Institute also has two great Arabic (Iraqi dialect) CDs you can download to your iPod.  


I bought a MacBook before I left and have taken it with me everywhere.  As a PD officer, I've often starting writing stories for the DipNote, State Magazine, or my own personal blog, in the back of Humvees and MRAPs, and flying high in the sky on Blue Birds and Black Hawks.  Likewise, if you are stuck in Kuwait, Amman, or Baghdad, there is often WiFi, and remaining connected is much easier when you've got your own gear.



9. Duct Tape.  This is an odd one, and you need not bring it with you, but every good diplomat in the field worth his salt should carry duct tape with him.  Here’s an example why: During Ambassador Crocker's visit to Muthanna, we held a press conference for him and the Provincial Governor.  As I set up the two flags, the Governor's personal assistant shot me a sour glance: the American flag was too high - higher than the Iraqi flag.  We could not have a press conference if the American flag was higher than the Iraqi flag.  Luckily, duct tape saved the day.  I taped the flag to another flag stand, positioned it at the right height, and all was well with the world.    You don’t need to bring it; you’ll be able to buy it here.  



10. Shower Shoes: “It’s all pipes!”  When you walk out the door headed to the airport to begin your Iraq adventure, you’ll need your ticket, passport, travel authorization, and most important: shower shoes.  If you’re serving in Baghdad where every diplomat is assigned a butler (not really), you won’t need flip-flops because you’ll have your own bathroom.  If you’re coming to a PRT, you may be sharing a bathroom trailer with 300 other people, and some of your dear colleagues may believe in the George Costanza philosophy of pipes and drains.  Bring your shower shoes. You won’t regret it.  The shower stalls of the rank and file can get pretty rank and foul . . . Trust me on this one.



11. Pick up a carabiner.  While your service in Iraq probably won’t include any mountain climbing (though, you will often feel like the year is one long trek up Mount Everest), the carabiner is the perfect gadget for securing your helmet when it’s not on your head, or clipping your camera or sunglasses case to your vest.  Additionally, when riding in helicopters as often as you will, it’s always nice to be able to clip your backpack to your seatbelt strap.  If the helo banks suddenly and you’re not holding on to your bag, you’ve just given one lucky Iraqi a brand new laptop . . . in pieces. 



12. Bring your own creature comforts, but don’t go overboard.  Small things will go a long way in reminding you that you’re still connected to the world you left back home.  Instead of bringing pictures in frames, I would suggest laminating photos so you can tape them to the walls of your hooch.



13. Pack your intellectual curiosity and at least a smidgen of Arabic.  
Iraq is a complicated place and this country needs diplomats who are genuinely interested in understanding the complexities as well as the nuances.  You don't have to have a PhD in Iraqi history or Islamic studies to understand Iraq, but read up and be aware of what's going on (e-mail me if you want book recommendations).  Iraqis will appreciate your being here so much more if you actually express an interest in getting to know them.  Instead of saying "how are you?" in Modern Standard Arabic, use the Iraqi version, “Shloonak?”.  You want to see Iraqis smile?  Greet them in their own dialect.  It's an obvious point, but a well placed "allah bil kheir" when sitting down will make all the difference in the world.