Reporter’s Notebook: Life on a Navy-run base

[unhappycamper]

Reporter’s Notebook: Life on a Navy-run base
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 11, 2008 13:26:44 EST

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti — Our first few days here have been interesting but somewhat limited, as the Djibouti government has placed a temporary freeze on activities because of the country’s recent presidential election.

So, photographer Sheila Vemmer and I have been getting used to life on a Navy-run base.

I must admit it took some getting used to for me — I’m used to being around soldiers, and every day I walk around looking for the Army Combat Uniform. It’s been interesting — to put it nicely — trying to read Navy ranks. Luckily for me, Vemmer is a former sailor, so she’s been helping me out.

Life on Camp Lemonier is pretty sweet compared to some of the places I’ve been to in Iraq. Every morning we are woken up by the big, giant speakers right outside our CLU (containerized living unit) playing the Djibouti national anthem followed by the Star-Spangled Banner.

I still haven’t found anyone who knows the words to the Djibouti anthem. If I was more ambitious I’d learn the words before I leave this place.


Rest of Africom article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/02/army_africa_blog_life_080209/