My CLU

For the next year my home away from home is a Container(ized) Living Unit (CLU).  This is basically a 40ft CONEX box that is outfitted to be a berthing space.  There are two types at Camp Lemonnier, wet and dry, the difference being the wet CLU has a single stateroom at each end with a head in the middle and the dry has a double stateroom at each end with a dividing wall in the middle.  The dry CLU’s are centered around a CONEX box that is outfitted with heads and showers. 

All E-7 and above rate a wet CLU, but due to the number of people station at Camp Lemonnier, there are not enough wet or dry CLU’s.  Currently there are hundreds of enlisted folks living in large tents.  The base was designed for 2000, but the numbers have grown here to 4400.  This puts a strain on all the standard services, like water, power, waste water, facilities. 

Currently I am living solo in a dry CLU, which is highly unusual.  The next rotator is due in next week, and I will probably get a roommate at that point in time.  Luckily I am only three CLU’s from the bathroom, so it’s a short walk.  

 

I am the aft bed, which is nice that I don’t have the door next to my head and the AC isn’t blowing directly down on me since I forgot a blanket.  The bed has a nice mattress and incorporates both drawers and a large storage space beneath the mattress.  This is where I have hidden my three seabags of NARMY gear like body armor, ruck sack, tent, and sleeping bag.  I already bought a rug to make it nicer in there.

There is also a desk area and that is where my locker is.  The lockers are nice, with both vertical space to store uniforms, plus wide/deep shelves.  I bought a lot of extra cloths and still have extra room. 

 

This is the outside/door to the CLU.  Notice the Hokie pride.  I unfortunately face the sun, so it can get physically hot to touch my door handle in the afternoon.  Right now it's usually getting into the low 90’s and the AC is keeping up fine with the heat in low; so I am confident that in the summer when it's 120 the AC on high will keep it cool.  

‘CLUville’ is roughly 1/3 of a mile long and I am at the far end.  The gym is 0.5 mile away and my office in about another ¼ mile past that.  Scatter throughout the CLU’s are bunkers that we could hide in if we are attacked by mortars/bombs.