All permanently-assigned personnel are entitled to a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) due to the higher cost of living in Bahrain. COLA rates change frequently; for more up-to-date information, consult the DFAS website.
Passports/Visas
All active duty military personnel are required to have an official passport prior to arrival in Bahrain. Official (No-Fee) passports will be issued through NSA Bahrain Immigration office. Do not delay, it is critical that you have an official passport plan early. Passport application can take as long as two months. The Kingdom of Bahrain requires a visa for all personnel entering the country. All service members and DOD Civilians should ensure they have a "no fee" passport in their possession prior to the move.
Civilian Attire/Dress CodeU.S. personnel and their families must be aware of local sensitivities and cultural values in order to minimize the impact of U.S. military presence and reduce, to the maximum extent possible, any potential host-nation friction. Unless otherwise directed in writing by higher authority, all U.S. Navy personnel attached to COMUSNAVCENT/COMFIFTHFLT units and family members must adhere to the requirement of General Order OPORD 1000-10 (U).
It is impossible to cover all combinations of attire. The goal is to blend with the local environment and not draw undue attention to yourself. Civilian attire will present a neat, conservative appearance. Clothing will be loose fitting and concealing. Neither males nor females shall wear shirts or blouses of sheer fabric that could be considered revealing. Long pants are required between sunset and sunrise in all hotels, restaurants and clubs without exception (excluding fast food restaurants). Capri and cropped pants are considered long pants for women. Casual shorts will not be more than 2 inches above the knee for both male and female. Conservative slacks, denim pants (jeans), skirts, dresses, or shorts and collared shirts are generally acceptable. Shirts or ball caps with military, political, religious, musical, or heavy metal logos should not be worn.
Traditional host-nation male attire (thobe and guttra) and female attire (abaya) shall not be worn by U.S. personnel or family members.
Pay
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
For EFMP questions or assistance, please contact the Medical Department at DSN 318-439-4260 COM 011-973-1785-4260.
Repatriated Family Members
For information about Family Member repatriation, please see the CNIC NSA Bahrain website.
All active duty military personnel are required to have an official passport prior to arrival in Bahrain. Official (No-Fee) passports will be issued through your Personnel Support Detachment (PSD). Do not delay, it is critical that you have an official passport plan early. Passport application can take as long as two months. The Kingdom of Bahrain requires a visa for all personnel entering the country. All service members and DOD Civilians should ensure they have a "no fee" passport in their possession prior to the move.
Single personnel and personnel with dependents receive COLA (if they are not on per diem), Hardship Duty Pay and BAS at current rate.
Defense Service Network (DSN) Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense (DoD). Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial (719) 567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
The mission of NSA Bahrain is to provide Operational Support to U.S. and Coalition Forces operating throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. Naval Support Activity Bahrain operates and sustains superior facilities and services for its tenant commands, their deployed assets and military members, DOD civilian personnel and dependents living in Bahrain. Provides security to ships, aircraft, detachments, and remote sites throughout the region.
The British Navy established a naval installation known as HMS JUFFAIR on April 13, 1935, in the area where NSA is located today. The British treaty expired in 1971, and Bahrain became totally independent. The United States, through agreement with the Bahraini government, took over part of HMS Juffair in 1992. When the U. S. acquired the HMS Juffair site, the command title changed to Administrative Support Unit (ASU), Southwest Asia. The title reflected the new mission of supporting ships and remote sites throughout the area of responsibility. In 2000, the command title changed to Naval Support Activity Bahrain. For more information, please visit NSA Bahrain's Website.
157,000 in Manama, Bahrain. 1.641 in the country of Bahrain.
NSA Bahrain is home to approximately 9,000 military personnel and DoD Civilian employees assigned to NSA Bahrain and 78 Tenant Commands, as well as Joint and Coalition Forces.
NSA Bahrain is located in the Kingdom of Bahrain in the Middle East, within the archipelago Persian Gulf, and east of Saudi Arabia. NSA Bahrain covers the busiest 152 acres in the world. We provide services and support to ships at sea, remote sites throughout the region, and military and civilian personnel living in Bahrain. Contact 011-973-1785-4000 or DSN 318-439-4000.
Leaving the airport parking lot, turn right and go straight on through the roundabout. Keep straight on through Airport Avenue. Go through the intersection which becomes Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Causeway. Go over the sail bridge. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Al Fatih HWY. Go 2.1 miles and turn left at the third traffic light. Go through the second traffic light until you reach the end of the street where NSA Bahrain main walk-in gate is located.
Currently, there is no base transportation on this installation.
011-973-1785-4000 or DSN 318-439-4000
Release 2024.03.06.1