Aboard TF 51/5

TF 51/5

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Welcome Aboard TF 51/5

Welcome to Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade,

otherwise known as TF 51/5. While you may have received temporary duty (TDY) or

permanent change of station (PCS) orders that indicate assignment to either TF 51 or 5th

MEB, we operate as a single, fully-integrated Navy/Marine Corps headquarters led by a one-

star Marine Corps commanding general. As our first communication with you, this packet is

provided to facilitate a seamless and successful transition to TF 51/5. We recommend you

begin your transition planning early since completion of required screening and training,

processing of passport applications and visa as well as special considerations such as

shipping vehicles and pets can take two to three months of preparation. If you have any

questions, please do not hesitate to contact your sponsor.

About Us: As the only standing, forward-deployed and fully integrated Navy/Marine Corps

force, TF 51/5 maintains a Joint Task Force (JTF) Capable Headquarters which commands,

controls, and employs a shore-based Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force; a sea-

based Marine Air-Ground Task Force deployed with an Amphibious Ready Group; Fleet Anti-

Terrorism Security Team; an Afloat Forward Staging Base and an Expeditionary Resuscitative

Surgical System in coordination with U.S. 5th Fleet naval assets and special operations

forces to conduct expeditionary operations across the full spectrum of conflict in order to

provide immediate and effective crisis response options to the U.S. Central Command

(CENTCOM) combatant commander and the National Command Authority. With Joint Force

and U.S. Government Interagency augmentation and support, TF 51/5 can rapidly establish

a JTF headquarters to respond to missions such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations,

Foreign Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, or other crises in the Area of Responsibility

(AOR).

About Bahrain: Home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, the

Kingdom of Bahrain is situated off the coast of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Strategically

located, this island enables TF 51/5 to provide operational support to U.S. and coalition

forces operating throughout the CENTCOM AOR, ensuring security to ships, aircraft,

detachments and remote sites. Nearly 12,000 Americans live in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Page 3

Frequently asked

questions when

moving to Bahrain

Page 6

Learn about what

you need before

moving into your

new home

Page 9

Accompanied

Sailors and

Marines

Page 10

Pay and benefits

Page 11

Required training

& miscellaneous

information

Updated Feb 25, 2020

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Welcome Families

Congratulations to your family on your new orders to

TF 51/5. While the initial shock of receiving orders to

the Middle East is still very fresh in your mind, please

rest assured that this will be a rewarding tour both

professionally and personally. Bahrain offers a diverse

culture that is welcoming of Westerners, U.S. military

and their families. You will quickly find that although

this is a small island, there is much to do for you and

your family in the local area and aboard Naval Support

Activity Bahrain.

As you begin to prepare for your travel to Bahrain,

know that a TF 51/5 family will be assigned as your

sponsor. While we do try our best to link you up with

families who are similar in size and age as yours, this

may not always be the case. We do have a Uniformed

Readiness Coordinator (URC), an active command

team, and our spouses try to hold a monthly social to

bring everyone together. After you arrive in Bahrain we

will hold "get togethers" that will focus on finding

houses, school activities, job searches, events in the

local area, Space A travel, cultural classes, best places

to shop, car buying and much more. You will find that

you are not the only one who has the same concerns

and stresses. We are here to help you and your family.

Surely, you have many questions and there is not

enough room to answer them here. There are

additional NSA Bahrain Family Readiness Coordinating

Committee (FRCC) publications such as the Camel

Crossing welcome aboard booklet, which your sponsor

will send you. Please take your time going through

this TF 51/5 Welcome Aboard packet and our URC is

prepared to answer any questions you may have.

Within two weeks of arrival, you are required to

attend multi-day Area Orientation-Inter Cultural

Relations briefs. Your sponsor will coordinate with you

to determine the best time to go based off your

arrival. Between the URC, our volunteers, your

sponsor, and other families in Bahrain, you will have

more than enough resources during this transition.

CONNECT WITH US!

DVIDS: www.dvidshub.net/unit/5MEB

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TF51.5

Website: www.tf515.marines.mil

Links of Interest

https://www.facebook.com/NSABahrain/

https://www.facebook.com/MWR.Bahrain/

https://www.facebook.com/NAVCENT.C5F/

https://www.facebook.com/AFNBAHRAIN/

ARRIVAL INFORMATION: It is imperative that you remain in contact with your sponsor. As

soon as you receive your confirmed itinerary, email a copy to your sponsor and the Manpower

and Personnel (MP) Directorate. If flight times change, contact your sponsor so they can

arrange for your arrival. If your sponsor is not at the airport, call the CDO at +973-3947-9216

on a Bahrain phone. If you cannot reach the CDO, dial the SWO at +973-1785-8538. As a last

resort, take a taxi/Uber from the airport to NSA Bahrain and report to TF 51/5 Headquarters on

the 2nd Deck of Building 100. A ride from the airport to NSA Bahrain is 5 Bahraini Dinar (BHD)

or $14 U.S. dollars (USD) and is reimbursable. Currency exchange services are offered at the

airport.

TRAVEL: All travel arrangements must be made through your local DMO/ITO/SATO. Ensure

service members wear casual business attire for the trip. Make sure you know when Ramadan

is occurring (as it will have an impact on your trip). Males and females/dependents and service

members must wear collared shirts and have their legs covered during Ramadan.

LODGING: Lodging arrangements for your arrival in Bahrain must be made by your sponsor.

Marines/Sailors who PCS to Bahrain are not authorized to make their own arrangements.

IF ARRIVING AT THE COMMERCIAL AIRPORT: After departing the aircraft, go through

customs and ensure to complete the customs form. You will need to provide a military CAC

and a copy of your orders to the customs personnel. If accompanied and your dependents are

not traveling with official passports, you will be required to pay an entry fee for a two-week visa

for each of your dependents, BHD and USD are accepted, until they have official passports

and approved dependent visas. After passing through customs, retrieve your luggage and your

sponsor will meet you in the receiving area. In the event of a flight delay (or some other issue

that may arise), contact TF 51/5 at +973-1785-8545.

IF ARRIVING AT AMC TERMINAL: Upon arrival at the Air Mobility Command Terminal,

ensure you locate your sponsor. Do not catch a ride with the Navy personnel enroute to NSA

Bahrain. Your sponsor will be there to greet you. Once you retrieve your luggage proceed to

the Customs Office where you will present your military CAC card and passport(s).

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Medical Requirements. An overseas screening

through your local medical is required prior to

departing your permanent duty station (PDS). This

is required prior to arrival and may take more than

one appointment. It is suggested that you start your

suitability screening at least 90 days in advance for

active duty personnel and at least 120 days for

family members. NAVMED 1300/1, NAVMED

1330/2, 1300/16 and DD form 2807-1 must be

completed in order to fulfill this requirement and

must be accompanied with an area clearance.

Inbound personnel to the command. Upon

notification of PCS orders, all inbound Marines are

required to complete the Outbound Interview via

MOL. Once completed and submitted to IPAC,

Marines will be required to complete the overseas

screening. AMHS area clearance and APACS

messages are required to be submitted to TF 51/5

prior to departing your PDS (for all inbound

Marines). TDY Sailors and Marines will require

demobilization coordination with their specific

demobilization offices to process orders.

Work email in Bahrain. Complete the NIPR and

SIPR SAAR forms, read the NATO security briefing,

and complete the NATO briefing certificate as soon

as you receive this package. Once complete, scan

and send the above documents to your sponsor. It

can take more than a month to set up email

accounts. Please complete these forms ASAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT TO BRING: Uniform of the day is NWU III for Sailors and

Desert MARPAT for Marines with subdued rank for officers. Sailors are

required to carry with them their dress blue uniform while Marines

are required to carry their Service Alpha uniform for official check in

to the command. Additionally, Marines are required to bring their full

issue of uniforms and Sailors are required to bring their NWU III,

Service Dress Blues and Summer Whites (officers) NWU III, Service

Dress Blues and Service Uniform (enlisted). Depending on billet for

Navy, Mess Dress may be required as well. All personnel are required

to wear appropriate civilian attire while on liberty (see OPORD 1000-

17). While many uniform and personal items may be shipped, please

ensure you travel with the following:

 2 x NWUIII or Desert MARPAT; Navy Service Dress Blues or Marine

Corps Service Alphas; Business attire

 Passports

 Medical records/dental records; immunization records

 Government travel charge card

 Valid driver’s license

 Prescription glasses

 Two copies of your orders; Page 2 and 4 (Sailors)

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

• Ceremonial swords, NCO swords and Mameluke swords must be

approved by customs. Check the Bahrain Ministry of Interior’s

website for more information.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Marines arriving after April are

required to have completed a PFT. PFTs are restricted to select

months due to the excessive heat. Individual Augmentee Sailors are

required to conduct mock Physical Readiness Test twice per calendar

year.

PASSPORTS. It is required that you apply for an official

government “no fee” passport and it is recommended that

you apply for a tourist passport for personal travel.

Government passports can take up to six weeks to process.

If you do not currently have one, it is suggested you apply

for one immediately upon receipt of your orders.

Ensure that your web orders state the actual location of

Bahrain in order to facilitate your application request.

Official government no fee passports are for official travel

only. If accompanied dependents are authorized, they

must possess a valid no fee passport. Information on

passports is available from the U.S. State Department's

website. Depending on where you are currently stationed,

either your local installation Personnel Support

Detachment (PSD) will process official passports. Visas are

not required prior to entry.

The Bahrain Visa must be obtained after arrival (see MP

Directorate for assistance). Before applying for your

Bahrain Central Population Registry (CPR) Visa you must

obtain dependent entry approval through the MP

Directorate and the NSA Bahrain PSD. The visa process

takes approximately two weeks and the CPR process is 1-2

weeks after the visa. No fee passports must be valid for at

least six months beyond expected departure dates from

Bahrain.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe? There is minimal crime in Bahrain however, as with any new location,

be aware of your surroundings and stay alert. Most crime is directed toward the

Ministry of the Interior personnel and local police. Once you arrive on island,

you will receive an in-depth safety brief and a listing of “off limits areas.”

What do I need to do to prepare for our move? While this is a long list, you

should immediately get you and your family “No Fee” passports (often referred

to as official passports). Once that is complete, ensure you have up-to-date

personal passports (blue passports). Decide if you want to ship your car to

Bahrain, store or sell it. Your sponsor will help you if you want to ship it. Also,

identify which personal belongings and household goods you want to have

shipped. You can ship your goods or rent a residence that is fully furnished.

Again, your sponsor is your conduit. Begin your family’s overseas screening

ASAP. Don’t hold off on trying to get this completed. This is a long and

sometimes stressful process. If you run into issues, reach out to your sponsor

for assistance.

What clothes can I wear in Bahrain? You are going to find that most Western

style of clothes are allowed and authorized in Bahrain however, during

Ramadan you are advised to were more conservative clothing.

What are the schools like? Bahrain has a DoDEA school that offers K-12 classes.

Children who attend are primarily the children of DOD and contractors, but

there are some local children who attend the school as well. The school is

guarded by Naval Security Forces and is within walking distance to base.

Are there activities for children? Yes there are activities for children of all ages.

The base offers youth sports programs year round and hosts events at NSA

Bahrain. There are also activities within the local community.

Can I bring my pet? Yes. Your sponsor will help you with this process. Things to

note in this decision: If you PCS here in the summer, it will be very hot and is

hard on pets. You will need specific flights that land later at night when it is

cool. There is little grass on the island for pets to run and play. Families do bring

pets and some temporarily leave them behind with family or friends.

Where will we live? Immediately upon coming to Bahrain you and your family

will reside in a suite at one of the locally approved hotels. You have a

maximum of 45 days to reside there while you transition and find your

permanent housing. BASE HOUSING IS NOT OFFERED IN BAHRAIN. Permanent

housing is located throughout the island, where you will find a wide variety of

friendly people from around the world. Three primary means of housing

consist of flats, villas and compounds. Flats are apartments, villas are walled

house and compounds are single-family homes with a shared common area

and parking. You will learn more details about all of this during the housing

brief. You will have plenty of time to find the residence that best fits you. Take

time and look at as many houses as you can early.

What is the weather like? The summers are hot. You will find that most locals

are active at night due to the heat during the day. All people will adjust to the

time change and heat differently so don’t be nervous if it takes you longer to

adjust than others. There is bottled water sold throughout Bahrain and plenty

of shaded areas. The weather will begin to get cooler in September, with

October through March being pleasant. By April the heat begins to set in and

by May it will be in the 100-degree range. The air quality in Bahrain can be

extremely poor, especially in the hotter months of the year. This has the ability

to limit outdoor activity.

Is travel easy off of Bahrain? Yes. You can use Space A flights that travel to and

from Bahrain weekly or buy your own ticket and depart from Bahrain’s

International Airport. Travel is easy in and out of Bahrain and you will quickly

find that you are in close proximity to key locations throughout the Middle East

and Europe. It is highly encouraged to make the most out of this duty station

and take advantage of the travel opportunities. Families and the command

team can help walk you through the processes and give you tips on places they

have visited. You will have unique opportunities and ability to see the globe.

Can family visit? Not all positions at TF 51/5 are accompanied. For those

families who remain stateside, they are able to visit Bahrain any time during

the year. Families require a personal passport and can receive a Visa once they

arrive in Bahrain or can go online and purchase the Visa in advance of travel. It

is recommended to avoid visiting Bahrain during the summer months due to

the extreme heat however, fall, winter and spring are enjoyable.

***Disclaimer: All personnel seeking off-base housing will be required to attend a mandatory housing brief. The

information contained in the housing portion of this document is not comprehensive in nature and is not to be viewed

as a command endorsement. This is for informational purposes only.

Temporary Lodging. All E-5s and above on PCS orders

rate Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) for up to 45

days. Your hotel is reserved by the service member’s

sponsor prior to your arrival in Bahrain to ensure the

hotel is on the approved list, is within your budget, and

provides shuttle service or is within walking distance of

NSA Bahrain. Marines and Sailors on PCS orders will

need to pay for (and submit a claim for) reimbursement

every 10 days for TLA. MP Directorate staff will guide

you through this process when you arrive. Contact your

bank and place travel notifications on your credit cards.

All E-4 and below personnel will reside in the barracks

on board NSA Bahrain.

Power Requirements. The power outlets in Bahrain do

not conform to U.S. standard plugs. Any item other than

computers and most cell phones will require a step

down converter. This converts the power supply from

220 volts to 110. Power converters cost approximately

$80 each, so keep this in mind when shipping items that

need an external power source. Most apartments come

fully equipped with standard electronic appliances

commonly used in the U.S. Adaptors are available for

purchase at the on-base NEX for electronics that are

dual-voltage with an American plug.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Housing

Most TF 51/5 personnel who reside in Juffair either bike or walk

to work. Bicycles are often found to be satisfactory

transportation. New and used bikes are available for purchase

(consider sending one in your household goods). Once

permanent housing is established, the first month’s rent is

required upon move in. PCS members will receive Overseas

Housing Allowance (OHA) only after the lease is signed. This will

cause a delay in the first month’s rent being paid and the start of

OHA. Ensure you have enough savings to cover the initial rent.

Marines are eligible for advance pay prior to departing their PDS.

Additional Housing information for TDY Sailors: It is always good

to start looking at housing accommodations online before

arriving on the island to get an idea of what is available and the

location that you would like to live. Lodging expenses will be

reimbursed to the Sailor the following month after rent has been

paid and a travel claim has been completed. Lodging expenses

are reimbursed at actual cost to the Sailor (up to the approved

amount for Bahrain). Many people use a realtor when they arrive

in Bahrain. You have to be firm and inform them what you are

looking for, how much you plan to spend, where you want to live

and what amenities you expect to have. Expect to pay 500-700

BHD (500 BHD X $2.66 = $1,330 USD / 700 BHD X $2.66= $1,862

USD) to live in Juffair.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Housing

High rise apartment (mostly in Juffair): High rises offer 24-hour

security, gyms in the building that hardly anyone uses (so it is like

your own private workout facility), rooftop pools, community rooms

you can rent out and some parking. Many are completely or partially

furnished and usually include weekly cleaning (even a laundry

service in some), utilities to include internet and cable (not phone),

in the rent. Many of these types of units allow pets.

Compounds: Similar to base housing, compounds consist of a

grouping of identical villas or a mix of different sized villas

surrounded by a wall. Compounds usually include a community pool,

community center and gym. Many will have playgrounds,

waterparks, soccer pitches etc. They are gated with a “night

watchman” keeping an eye on things. They can vary in size from a

few villas to dozens.

Villas: Stand alone homes (but still surrounded by a high wall), can

vary in size. We have found they are either very large or smaller and

a little dated. Many landlords will work with you on furnishings and

will add or remove items depending on your request.

The base has a rule that a compound or apartment cannot have over

a certain percentage of Americans residing in them for security

reasons. Housing keeps track of this data and will brief you during

your housing brief. Make a list of your priorities, think about your

everyday lifestyle and determine your needs. It might be challenging

to find everything you want on your list.

***Note: Your first month’s rent will have to come out of pocket, so

ensure that you have money saved to pay for this month. You will be

reimbursed at the end of your tour.

AMWAJ is a little island off the main island where mostly expatriates

live. The Western influence affords females the ability to wear less

conservative clothing than in neighboring areas. It is scenic and many

people have waterfront homes with docks. Most people who live in

Amwaj own paddle boards/kayaks. You will find many pet owners here

because it’s a great place to walk. The “floating city” has all waterfront

housing, but the homes are close together (similar to living in a

townhome community.)

Pros: Great restaurants close by, it’s loosely guarded by a gate guard,

the water is spectacular out there. Great for water lovers and dog

owners. Cons: It’s probably the most expensive area in Bahrain and

the houses are small and lack any architectural appeal-unless you pay

over your housing allowance. Few places have both a living room and

family room but instead have just one living space. There is also only

one way in and out, so there is some traffic. The traffic is getting worse

each year with the increased construction.

JUFFAIR is very convenient to base and most people love this area

because of its proximity to work and school.

Pros: This is the closest neighborhood to the base and the school.

Many folks who live here make do with one vehicle and the active duty

member rides a bike to work (though the command cautions

pedestrians and cyclists to be aware of the local driving hazards). From

an apartment high-rise, no one on the island has a prettier view of the

Arabian Gulf. More and more family compounds are being built near

the base. Cons: There is a ton of construction going on so you will hear

the constriction noise. To beat the heat, construction starts quite early

in the morning. Parking for guests is challenging. Juffair is “the city”

with nightclubs, malls and restaurants. It is home to most single Sailors

and Marines who walk or bicycle to work.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Housing

ADLYIA is the restaurant district. When you meet people for lunch

or take them out for dinner, this is where you usually go. Pros: It’s

centrally located and close to the base. You can walk to dozens of

great restaurants. Cons: The homes are older and dated.

HIDD is right over the Hidd bridge from the base and on the way to

Amwaj. Pros: Relatively close to base with large villas and near the

airport. Cons: Traffic can be an issue over the bridge and on

weekends. Mostly standalone villas are available, not compounds.

JANABIYA is the last exit before the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s

border . Pros: You get a ton of house for your money. The villas are

in compounds, which gives you a sense of community, privacy and

safety. The villas are enormous and most have pools. Great for

dogs. Cons: You are far from the base/schools. Lots of people

choose to live here though because of the value. It can be a long

commute to base if traffic is bad.

MAHOOZ is located near a private cooled pool, tennis courts, gym,

library and reasonably priced restaurants. Pros: Near Adliya and the

base. Some popular compounds are located here and it is situated

near a grocery store, coffee shops and malls as well as fruit and

produce stands. Nice combination of residential and commercial

living. Cons: You sometimes get a whiff of the sewage plant near

Zinj and it’s near off-limits areas.

SEEF/SAAR are located almost as far away as Janabiya. Many

people chose to live in Saar because it is considered to be a

beautiful area with several housing options. Pros: Beautiful and

safe area. There are many apartments and big villas. Horse riding

stables are nearby.

TUBLI/ZINJ are located near the U.S. Embassy. Pros: Centrally

located and you get a lot for your money. Cons: There is a sewage

plant nearby and Zinj borders an off-limits area.

How to pay rent: Go to Navy Federal Credit Union on base and pay

for your rent in dollars. NFCU will cut you a check for your rent.

Take this check upstairs to the “Dinar Office” and he will convert it

into BD (in the form of a check or cash). Then, take your check to

your landlord. Make sure you get a receipt. Some landlords allow

for an electronic transfer into their account from the Dinar Office.

Deciding what to bring is a personal choice. Here are some things to

consider:

Pros: You are entitled to bring your rank's weight allowance. Bringing

furniture ensures you have all the comforts of home however, some

landlords are flexible and will add or take away furniture as needed,

to include TVs, microwaves and dishes. Kitchen appliances will work

with a transformer, bring lamps (decent ones here are hard to find),

bring holiday items (the NEX will sell Christmas decorations, fake

trees and lights) and know that closet space can be limited.

Cons: Local style tends to be ornate, gilded and modern. HHGs take a

couple of months to arrive and there is no “loan locker" here.

Express shipment suggestions: Blowup mattress, sheets, towels,

shower curtains (or liners) and rings, a few pots and pans, crockpot,

coffee maker, a few dishes and utensils, uniforms (except for what is

taken on the plane), formal wear (items will probably arrive before

ball time but the Navy Ball is in October quickly followed by the

Marine Corps Ball in November), a printer, important papers,

bathmats, laundry basket, computer paper, folding table, pet stuff

and kids games.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Accompanied Personnel

Accompanied Orders. There are a limited number of accompanied tours

available at TF 51/5. Monitors will coordinate directly with the MP Directorate

before providing orders to the Marine. Marines with accompanied orders must

submit an area clearance through the local area IPAC via AMHS requesting

dependent approval. You are not authorized to bring your dependents without

approval via AMHS from TF 51/5. If Marines desire to execute accompanied

orders, all family members must complete overseas screening and ensure the

overseas area clearance message is completed 60 days prior to departure in

accordance with the Personnel and Assignment Policy (MCO 1300.8R).

School Information. Choosing a School for Your Child, a publication from the U.S.

Department of Education, offers checklists and information to assist parents in

making education choices. Bahrain Elementary School/High School is a DoDEA

school located in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Be sure to check with the school to

make sure the area where you live is serviced by a school bus. The bus route is

protected information and changes. For more information and to register your

children for enrollment, contact the school at +973-1772-7828. More

information is available on the school’s website.

For a successful transition. Parents often want to know about the availability of

extracurricular activities and sports or the availability of advanced classes for

their children. Contact the schools directly for more information.

Child care aboard NSA Bahrain. Daycare is available for children up to five years

old. Childcare is also available during the summer months when school is not in

session. More information is available from the Navy’s Child and Youth programs

website. Register for OCONUS childcare. For more information visit Military One

Source Education Consultant.

Pet Information. Ensure you are aware of

the most up-to-date requirements in regards

to traveling with pets. MARADMIN 595/16

covers flying with pets on AMC flights.

Boarding. NSA Bahrain does not have

boarding facilities. The NSA Veterinary Clinic

has a referral list of boarding facilities in

town.

Pet Import Requirements/Quarantine. All

pets must have an original Bahrain Ministry

of Agriculture Animal Import Certificate

present at the airport upon arrival. Contact

the NSA Veterinary Clinic at DSN 318-439-

4295 for information. Visit NSA Bahrain’s

Facebook page for more information about

bringing pets to Bahrain.

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Entitlements

• Combat Zone Tax Exclusion

• OHA (E-5 and above)

• Up to 45 days of TLA

• Basic Allowance for Subsistence (E-5 and above)

• PCS members receive Cost of Living Allowance

(COLA)

• One-time payment of Dislocation Allowance

processed with travel claim (PCS personnel) (E-5

and above)

• Family Separation Allowance (if applicable)

• Hardship Duty Pay – Location

Per Diem and Entitlements for Active Duty

Government messing is available on base. E-4s and

below will be issued meal cards to eat on base. E-

5’s and above rate OHA (PCS orders) or per diem

(TDY orders) and will be required to live off base.

Marines on TDY orders will be required to live in

government flats provided by the command.

Per Diem and Entitlements for TDY Sailors and Marines

Per Diem for GSA/IA and mobilized personnel for meals and

incidentals (M&IE) for long-term TDY (+30 days) is set to the locality

rate for Bahrain. During periods when you are embarked on a ship

or TDY out of Bahrain you will not be entitled to Bahrain MI&E but

for the actual location. It is important for every member of this

command to understand that TF 51/5 is a forward-deployable

command that routinely operates in a split-staff environment. There

are no guarantees that you will remain in Bahrain for your entire

tour, so we highly recommend to all members that you manage

finances responsibly and that you DO NOT spend your per diem in

advance.

Entitlements for TDY Marines and Sailors

• Combat Zone Tax Exclusion

• Family Separation Allowance (if applicable)

• Flat rate per diem of federal locality rate per day, per the DoD

travel regulation.

• Marines assigned TDY orders will only rate meals and incidentals,

not the lodging rate.

• Hardship Duty Pay-location (for TDY/TAD over 30 days)

Liberty. The following rules apply while on liberty in Bahrain:

• Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Bahrain.

• Alcohol consumption under the age of 21 is prohibited.

• There is a 0100 to 0500 curfew for all NSA Bahrain service members.

• All service members will wear appropriate civilian attire while on liberty.

• Uniforms are not worn off base. You must have appropriate civilian attire to travel to and from work.

Pay & Entitlements

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Miscellaneous
Required Training:
1 SERE 100: Code Of Conduct (CI060331SA). As an alternative, this training may be completed online at Marine Net. The URL is: 
https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/MarineNet/Courses/Catalog.aspx. Copy of the completion certificate must accompany individual to 
TF 51/5. Training for Sailors can be located at: https://learning.nel.navy.mil/ (SERE 100.2: Code of conduct (JKDDC-LEVEL-A-COCTC-100.2), 
AT/FP Level 1: (CENSECFOR-AT-010-1.0) and Cyber Awareness: DOD Cyber Awareness Challenge)
2 AT/FP Level I Training. As a minimum, the AT/FP training can be completed at the following websites: https://jko.jten.mil/, 
https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/ or https://my.navy.mil/. Copy of the completion certificate must accompany individual to TF 51/5. 
3 CYBERM0000. The full USMC Cyber Awareness Training must be completed and up to date before you will be able to gain computer or e-
mail access. The URL is: https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/MarineNet/Courses/Catalog.aspx OR CYBERINTEL. If you know that you will be 
obtaining a TS account (not common), this course will meet all requirements for all network access you may be granted (NIPR/SIPR/JWICS). 
https://www.marinenet.usmc.mil/MarineNet/Courses/Catalog.aspx
4 Joint Knowledge Online Training. The following courses must be completed by Officers and Staff Non-commissioned Officers within 30 days 
of arrival - 1) JFC 100 Module 01: Introduction to Joint Fundamentals; 2) JFC 100 Module 03: Joint Operations; 3) JFC 200 Module 3: Inter-
organizational Coordination; 4) JFC 200 Module 7: Joint HQ Organization, Integration, and Battle Rhythm; 5) JFC 200 Module 13: Forming a 
JTF HQ. JKO Website: https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf
5 ISOPREP. Members must deploy with an updated ISOPREP and under no circumstance shall the ISOPREP be over 12 months old. Most unit S-
2s or S-3s update the ISOPREP but members can go to https://prmsglobal.prms.af.smil.mil on a SIPR computer, request an account and 
update their own ISOPREP. 
6 ABOUT DTS: TRAX Website: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport/bin/Passport.html#
7 DTS 101: TRAX Website: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport/bin/Passport.html#
8 PROGRAMS & POLICIES-DOD TRAVEL POLICES: TRAX Website: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport/bin/Passport.html#
9 TRAVEL CARD 101: TRAX Website: https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Passport/bin/Passport.html#
TF 51/5 DSN Commercial
Manpower and 
Personnel (MP) 
Directorate
318-439-1208
318-439-8415
318-439-8715
011-973-1785-8522 
011-973-1785-8415 
011-973-1785-3421 
TF 51/5 MEB CDO 
(24 hours) 
+973-3912-0769 011-973-1785-8545 
Senior Watch 
Officer 
318-439-8534  011-973-1785-8538 
TF 51/5
LAST NAME, F NAME MI, (SECTION) 
TASK FORCE 51/5 
PSC 851 BOX 320 
FPO AE 09834-2800 
FEDEX *FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Commanding General 
LAST NAME, F NAME MI, (SECTION) 
TASK FORCE 51/5 
NSA Southwest Asia Bay #2 
1 JUFFAIR ROAD 
MANAMA, BAHRAIN 09834 
Mailing Addresses
Note: The mailroom will hold mail for 10 days without prior 
notification so be sure to inform your sponsor of any packages sent.
11

Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Miscellaneous

Shopping: There all lots of malls in Bahrain

however, everything is expensive. If

something costs $30 in the states, it mostly

likely will cost 30BD here. Many people opt to

have furniture or clothing made which is a

surprisingly affordable alternative from

purchasing it at a store. There are numerous

grocery stores within the local community

that are reasonably priced. The NEX on NSA

Bahrain does do price matching and has a

decent supply of Western-style foods. The

local grocery stores are convenient, easy to

find, and many offer delivery services.

You can’t drink the water. You can buy a

water dispenser and have inexpensive

delivery service. You can brush your teeth, do

dishes and even cook with the tap water (use

tap water to rinse and even cook vegetables,

but not to boil food where the water is

absorbed -like rice).

You have to get your produce weighed and

priced by a clerk in that grocery section before

you head to the cashier. This is true at the

NEX and out in town.

There are no power outlets in the

bathrooms: Outlets are also randomly spaced

throughout your house. There are power

converters and ample surge protectors sold

on base that you can use.

Driving after drinking is forbidden and

exceeding the legal limit of 0.0 blood alcohol

could get you arrested. Take turns being the

designated driver, take cabs or use Uber.

The work/school week is Sunday-Thursday:

On base church services are on Friday. The

school follows the local holidays and the base

follows U.S. holidays.

Telephone: You can’t get a phone plan here

until you have a CPR card (residency card),

which takes a couple weeks. In the meantime,

you can buy a cheap phone from the NEX and

purchase minutes. If you can bring an

unlocked phone, you may be able to get a SIM

card at a kiosk in any shopping center or mall.

Some people have landlines in their homes-

Vonage or something similar, which is

affordable and allows you to call the states at

a reasonable price. Cell phone plans (calls and

data) are pay as you go. You buy a certain

amount and when it runs out you just go to

the NEX or a kiosk and "top up". Beginning in

2018, to get a SIM card you have to be

fingerprinted as well as provide your passport

and CPR. Carrier options are Zain, Viva and

Batelco. Everyone including locals and

businesses use the call/text app called

WhatsApp here. The best way to have a text

chat with your sponsor is to download the app

as soon as possible.

VPN: Virtual Private Network. Websites are

often blocked here so to be able to watch

more shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or

Hulu people use a VPN.

TV: Most people have OSN, the Bahrain cable

company. It has a lot of movie channels, CNN,

Fox News and the Food Network. Apple TV

also gives access to current movies and TV

series that aren’t on OSN. An Armed Forces

Network ( AFN ) box allows you to watch

sporting events like the Super Bowl (though

you have to get up at 2a.m. to watch). You can

buy an AFN box at the NEX or some

apartment/villas already have them.

Drivers: Most Bahrainis have drivers who take

the kids to and from school or run errands for

them. SMS Taxi service and Uber are popular.

Lawn: To stay ahead of the dirt and sand, you

can hire a person to wash cars, windows, hose

down the villa, water the plants and grass and

cut the grass as needed. Pool: Landlords cover

the cost of the pool maintenance.

Mailing letters: You can mail letters for free.

Also, the you can ship to store through the

NEX. Amazon Prime is a worthwhile

investment and takes between 7-10 days for

delivery. During the holidays, you need to be

proactive as the mail system will become

slowed down with deliveries.