The Miami Herald January 4, 2003
GI's life in Kuwaiti warehouse far cry from home in Broward
Capt. William Turner, 26, commands the 766th Explosive Ordnance Company (EOD) in Camp Doha, Kuwait.
In Postcards from the Gulf, Turner shares his observations on life for soldiers in the Gulf. He is corresponding with Herald reporter Wanda DeMarzo ( wdemarzo@herald.com
Turner, who had been based at the Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa Beach, reenlisted so he could accompany the unit as it deployed in preparation for possible conflict. It has meant spending his first holiday season away from his family. ''He's an only son,'' said his father, William Turner, a Metro-Dade police sergeant. ''He had options, but he chose to go with his unit. He's a good kid.''
Turner is a 1994 graduate of Western High School. He was active on the school newspaper and was photo editor of the yearbook his senior year. He joined the ROTC at Florida State University, where he earned a degree in political science and graduated as a second lieutenant.
For information about Camp Doha, Kuwait, visit www.globalsecurityorg.
To read the previous Postcard from Kuwait, go online to www.heraldcom/news and click on Broward.
CAMP DOHA, KUWAIT -- Camp Doha is located just a few kilometers outside Kuwait City. Think of Kuwait City as Fort Lauderdale and Camp Doha being in Pembroke Pines.
The only location we travel to in Kuwait City right now is the American Embassy. This is due to the pass restriction that is in effect after the [American] soldiers were shot in November.
I've only been into the shopping areas a couple of times.
There is a local dish called a shurama (not sure of spelling), which is pretty much like a gyro. They have Pepsi stands scattered throughout the city that sell these along with frozen fruit drinks.
Camp Doha is basically a converted warehouse district. It was intended to store equipment, not soldiers. Doha is actually not owned by the U.S. I understand that it is rented from Kuwait.
I stay in a open bay warehouse, not the most desirable of living conditions. There is little privacy and you can hear everything that goes on, which makes getting a good night of rest difficult.
I've been able to get some of my soldiers into trailers located on base. But there is not enough space in the trailers for everyone.
There is a huge gym here that is open 24 hours. There is a basketball and volleyball court inside the gym. There are two barber shops located on Doha and a TMC (troop medical clinic).
They have an AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) theater on base that shows movies every day. The USO brings in occasional performers and speakers -- Drew Carey was here last week. There is cable TV on base provided by AFN (American Forces Network).
Only about 30 percent of the people of Kuwait are actually Kuwaiti. The other 70 percent are TCNs (third country nationals).
These are people that the government has brought in to do just about any job you can imagine. The TCNs do everything from work the counter at McDonalds to pick up the garbage to fill the ranks of the Kuwaiti Army.
If you are part of the lucky 30 percent, then you are probably rich and wouldn't work one of those ''lower'' jobs.
Security is very tight on the base. However, there are many civilians on base, both TCNs and U.S.
The TCNs on base are referred to as LBDs (little blue dudes). This is in direct reference to the blue jumpsuits that they wear. The U.S. would be hard-pressed to deploy today without the support of civilians.
I have gotten many ''victory'' and ''thumbs up'' signs from motorists during my travels through the country. The native Kuwaitis, especially the ones who remember the horrors of the Gulf War, welcome the Americans. The TCNs, who hail from such countries as Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, are little more apprehensive.
-- Captain William Turner, commander, 766th Explosive Ordnance Company.
For information about Camp Doha, Kuwait, visit www. globalsecurity.org.
Copyright © 2003 The Miami Herald
