Service members get a CLU

Photo By Sgt. Brandon McCarty | Tech. Sgt. Matthew Atkins, Strategic Communications, moves into his new containerized living unit (CLU). Service members are making the transition from tents to CLUs in an effort to provide better living conditions at Camp Lemonier.  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

07.18.2007

Story by Sgt. Brandon McCarty 

131st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Army Sgt. Brandon McCarty
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti – Service members started the "big move" July 15 to the brand new containerized living units (CLUs) in the expansion area of the camp during the first phase of facility relocation.

"The camp is growing rapidly and (service members) need more room," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Atkins, Strategic Communications.

Although many had mixed feelings about relocating, minds were changed once inside the new living quarters.

"This is much better than tent living," said Petty Officer 1st Class David Trimble, comptroller leading petty officer. "(There is) much more room and much more privacy."

"One advantage to this relocation is that everyone will be consolidated into one centralized area," said Atkins.

Everyone at Camp Lemonier will be living in the new CLUs by the end of the year. Currently on the new site there are over 1,300 CLUs. Some are "wet" and some are "dry."

Each dry CLU is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high, comes standard with living quarters for two, with two personal lockers for each person, a workspace area with two chairs, six electrical outlets and air conditioning.

"These CLUs are cozy," said Chief Petty Officer Scott Carver, leading chief petty officer for Camp Lemonier supply. "It's like living in your own little condo."

Wet CLUs have all of the same furnishings as dry CLUs with one exception, a personal bathroom. These CLUs are reserved for service members with the rank of E-7 and above.

For those living in dry CLUs, it is a short distance to a separate bathroom CLU, which houses six brand new showers, six toilets, six sinks and two urinals.

"The ratio works out to10 people per shower and 10 people per toilet right now" said Carver. "When (the CLU area) reaches full capacity, the ratio will be 16-to-1."

With a new place to call home, but a slightly longer walk to work, service members will be able to board a shuttle, running from the expansion area to the Bob Hope Dining Facility approximately every 10 to 20 minutes.

"(Service members) have brand new living conditions, updated latrines and a shuttle system," said Senior Chief Petty Officer John Smith, utilities director. "It's as good as Disneyland out here!"

• Date Taken: 07.18.2007
• Date Posted: 07.29.2007 12:45
• Story ID: 11505
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ