Customizing Your Deployment: Understanding Duty Station Preferences In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is classified as a non-family duty station, with hardship allowances paid for assignments in Kabul, Bamyan, Jalalabad, Kunduz, and other locations. The US Army allows new enlistees to choose their duty station, and there are several US military bases in Afghanistan, including Camp Leatherneck Marine in Helmand Province, Bagram Air Base in Parvan Province, and Kandahar International Airport.

Kabul is a non-family duty station

Kabul is considered one of the most difficult duty stations, classified as "E", with "A" being the least difficult. UN jobs in Kabul are eligible for a hardship allowance, which is paid for assignments at B, C, D and E duty stations.

Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan and the headquarters of Regional Command Capital, which includes Kabul Province. The city is home to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, which was used by NATO forces during the War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. After July 2021, all bases outside of Kabul were closed or transferred to the Afghan government, with some military infrastructure remaining to secure the US embassy, the international zone, and the airport.

The hardship allowance for assignments in Kabul and other similar locations recognises the needs of staff in non-family duty stations. This allowance is payable to internationally recruited staff assigned to non-family duty stations in flat amounts based on family status. For staff with eligible dependants, the amount is currently set at $19,800 per year ($1,650 per month), while for staff with no dependants, the amount is $7,500 per year ($625 per month).

Bamyan is a non-family duty station

Bamyan has a rich history and cultural significance. It was a crucial hub of trade and a centre of commerce and Buddhism in the 4th and 5th centuries. The city is known for its archaeological sites, including the Buddhas of Bamyan, which were carved into cliffs during the 6th and 7th centuries. The Bamyan valley marked the westernmost point of Buddhist expansion and was a cultural melting pot, blending Greek, Turkic, Persian, Chinese, and Indian influences.

The terrain in Bamyan is mountainous or semi-mountainous, situated at the western end of the Hindu Kush mountains. The province is divided into eight districts, with the town of Bamyan serving as its capital. The main ethnic groups in Bamyan are the Hazara, followed by Tajiks and Pashtuns. The province borders several other provinces, including Samangan, Baghlan, Parwan, and Wardak.

Bamyan has experienced political instability and conflict involving the Taliban, local militias, and international forces. In 2001, the Taliban destroyed the Buddhas of Bamyan, claiming they were symbols of idolatry. Later that year, local militias in Bamyan sided with US and NATO forces during their invasion of Afghanistan, leading to the Taliban's retreat from the region. Bamyan was recognised as one of the safest provinces in Afghanistan in 2003, allowing for civil rebuilding and the restoration of women's rights. However, the Taliban regained control of Bamyan in 2021 as part of their offensive to retake Afghanistan.

Jalalabad is a non-family duty station

The city is a leading centre of social and trade activity due to its proximity to the Torkham border checkpoint and border crossing, 65 kilometres (40 miles) away. Jalalabad's major industries include papermaking and agricultural products such as oranges, lemons, rice, and sugarcane, aided by its warm climate.

Jalalabad has been designated a non-family duty station by the Chair of the International Civil Service Commission. This designation is for the purpose of additional hardship allowance for service in non-family duty stations. Jalalabad is classified as "E", with "A" being the least difficult and "E" the most difficult. This classification entitles staff serving in Jalalabad to a hardship allowance. The allowance amount is currently set at $19,800 per year ($1,650 per month) for staff with eligible dependents and $7,500 per year ($625 per month) for staff with no dependents.

The United Nations Department of Safety and Security decides that, for safety and security reasons, all eligible dependents are restricted from being present at the duty station for a period of six months or longer. The designation of a duty station as non-family may be introduced or lifted outside the scheduled time if the security situation warrants it.

Bagram Air Base is jointly operated by the US Army and Air Force

Bagram Air Base, formerly the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, is jointly operated by the US Army and Air Force. The base is located in Parwan Province, 11 kilometres southeast of Charikar, and is under the Afghan Ministry of Defense.

The base was initially used by Soviet troops between 1979 and 1989, and later by the Taliban and the Northern Alliance between 1999 and 2001. It was eventually secured by British Special Forces during the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Since then, the base has expanded and improved its facilities, including permanent living quarters for troops, advanced medical equipment at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital, and recreational facilities such as dining options, shops, and fitness centres.

The base is also home to a variety of military branches, including the US Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as Coalition Forces and civilians. The airfield has two concrete runways, with the main one capable of handling large military aircraft.

Bagram Air Base played a significant role in US military operations in Afghanistan until its evacuation in July 2021, marking a major milestone in the longest war in US military history.

Shindand Air Base is shared between the US and NATO countries

Shindand Air Base is located in the Herat province of Afghanistan, about 15 miles northeast of the town of Shindand. The base is strategically important due to its proximity to the Iranian border, which is only about 75 miles away. It is capable of housing over a hundred military aircraft.

Shindand Air Base is a co-base, which means that it is shared between the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries. The base is used by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for humanitarian flights, training, and medical flights. The United States Air Force's 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group is based at Shindand Air Base and supports the ISAF and NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. The base has also been used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for secret surveillance missions over Iran and Afghanistan.

The construction of a perimeter fence at Shindand Air Base tripled the size of the base and included 52 guard towers. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has overseen significant construction at the base, including the addition of a strategic airlift apron, taxiway, passenger terminal, and cargo terminal. Shindand Air Base also has a wastewater treatment plant built by the USACE.

Regarding duty stations in Afghanistan, it appears that new enlistees in the US Army are guaranteed their duty station of choice. However, it is not entirely clear if this applies specifically to Afghanistan or if there are certain requirements or conditions that must be met to take advantage of this option.

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