Military Wife Confessions

UNITED STATES MILITARY TRAINING MISSION (USMTM)TO SAUDI ARABIA

a. The United States Military Training Mission (USMTM) to Saudi Arabia is a joint training mission and functional component command under the military command of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The Chief of USMTM has been designated as the senior DOD representative in Saudi Arabia and has been given coordinating authority over the other DOD agencies in country. The other major agencies are: the Office of the Program Manager of the Saudi Arabian National Guard (OPM SANG) Modernization Program; the Logistics Support Group (LSG) of Air Force Materiel Command; the Peace Shield Site Activation Task Force (SATAF); and the Deputy Commander, Navy International Programs Office/Saudi Naval Office (NAVYIPO S). The Chief of USMTM works under the supervision of the American Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, who has overall responsibility for all US Government activities in country.

b. The mission of USMTM is to provide maximum assistance in the development of the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia into an effective combat force capable of defending the Kingdom against potential enemies.

c. USMTM, with a headquarters, three service sections, a joint section, and DIR STF, was formally organized in 1953 under the terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabian Governments. Specifically, it was agreed that USMTM would administer assistance under terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act of 1949 and the Mutual Security Act of 1951 and assist and advise the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces with respect to plans, organization, administrative principles, and training methods. The day to day relationships between USMTM and the Ministry of Defense and Aviation (MODA) are governed by a Memorandum of Understanding dated 08 and 27 February 1977.

Headquarters, USMTM is located in Riyadh, along with the service, joint, and support sections.

d. USMTM abides by the Saudi work week and Thursday and Friday are normally days off.

e. The Joint Division (JD), located in Riyadh, advises the General Staff of MODA. This staff corresponds to the Joint Staff in the US Department of Defense. Personnel of the JD work with their counterparts in all aspects of planning, operation, and training generated by the MODA joint and special staffs for the Saudi Arabia Land Force (SALF), Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF), Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), and Royal Saudi Air Defense Force (RSADF) Air Defense Command. In addition, they serve as principal assistants to the Directors, Foreign Procurement Department and Foreign Assistance and Cooperation Department in their management and administration of Saudi Arabian Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases.

f. Army Division (AR DIV) personnel, Riyadh assist the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF) and the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces (RSADF). They also assist the RSLF Command and Staff College and the King Abdul Aziz Military Academy. The Detachment Commanders serve as advisors to the Saudi Arabia Area Commanders and supervise Mobile Training Teams (MTT) and Technical Assistance Field Teams (TAFT) in their area. The Army Division has detachments in Hafr al Batin and Tabuk. Division personnel are also located in Jeddah and Khamis.

g. The Navy Division (NAV DIV), Riyadh works with their counterparts in all aspects of operation, planning, maintenance, logistics, and training for the small but rapidly growing Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and a RSNF Marine Force. In Jubail, Navy personnel assist and advise the Base Commander, King Abdul Aziz Naval Base and provide assistance to the East Fleet Commander in naval warfare operations. In Jeddah, similar assistance is provided at King Faisal Naval Base and to the West Fleet Commander. The Marine Corps TAFT is in RAS Al Ghar, Jubail and Qadimah.

h. The Air Force Division (AF DIV), Riyadh has offices at Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Headquarters and Detachments at Taif, Dhahran, Khamis Mushayt, and Jeddah. At Riyadh, division personnel work with their counterparts in RSAF Headquarters, the King Fisal Air Academy, and various flying operations at Riyadh Air Base, including the E 3A/KE 3A ETSS members who provide assistance to their RSAF counterparts. At Khamis Mushayt and Dhahran, Air Force personnel assist the F-15 squadrons and provide maintenance and supply advice. The Taif detachment assists the RSAF F-15, F-5, and RF-5 squadrons located at King Fahd Air Base. At Jeddah and Riyadh the C-130 ETSS provides support and assistance for RSAF C-130 operations. Like the Army Division, the Detachment Chiefs serve as advisors to the Saudi Arabia Area Chiefs and supervise Extended Training Service Specialists (ETSS) in their area.

i. The Directorate Staff (DIR STF) support the various sections in the execution of their missions. DIR STF consists of the following directorates: Logistics DSN 435 7226; Personnel and Information Management DSN 435 7370; Comptroller DSN 435 7200; Contracting DSN 435 7345; Aviation Support (GUTS) DSN 431 7494/7399; and Engineering DSN 435 7362. It is headquartered in Riyadh with a detachment in Dhahran. DIR STF is the coordinating agency for support units such as APO and AMC in Saudi Arabia.

j. Army Materiel Command-Saudi Arabia (the Major Systems Office) (AMC-SA-MSO) DSN 435 7500 is the newest addition to USMTM. Its primary function is the acquisition and initial training (NET) of major Army systems. Programs presently underway are the Abrams Tank DSN 435 7555, Bradley Fighting Vehicle DSN 435 7530, Apache Helicopter DSN 435-7563 and the Patriot DSN 435 7520. This section is growing rapidly with personnel assigned to various downrange sites.

k. As senior DOD representative in Saudi Arabia, Chief, USMTM is responsible for coordinating and providing certain logistical support for personnel of all DOD agencies. These services include: commissary, exchange, AMC and DTS sealift of personnel, household goods shipments, and APO service.

2. Communications.

Communications support to USMTM is managed by the 54th Signal Battalion. The 54th Signal Battalion is configured with two companies and a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD). The 550th Signal Company is located in Dhahran, the 580th Signal Company is in Riyadh, and HHD has elements in both Dhahran and Riyadh. Communications services available include Defense Switching Network (DSN) (formerly AUTOVON), commercial telephone, TELEX, facsimile, voice radio networks, and teletype.

a. DSN service is available at Dhahran and Riyadh. The DSN country access code to Saudi Arabia is 318. To contact USMTM units in Dhahran dial 318 431 (4 digit extension) or for operator assistance dial 318 431 1110. To contact USMTM units in Riyadh dial 318 435 (4 digit extension) or for operator assistance dial 318 435 1110.

b. Commercial telephone communications are furnished to USMTM and its detachments by the Saudi Arabian Government. These systems provide entry into each of the local city networks, in country long distance networks, and international connections. To contact USMTM units from CONUS commercial telephone systems dial 011 966 1 478 1100 (Riyadh) or 011 966 3 899 1119 (Dhahran).

c. USMTM operates various voice radio networks (HF and VHF) in Dhahran, Riyadh, Taif, Jeddah (USMTM Detachment and the US Embassy), Khamis Mushayt, and Tabuk. The networks are used to conduct the day to day functions of the mission, to transmit departure, area position and arrival reports of support aircraft, and to provide for health and welfare to the US military personnel at these sites.

d. Telecommunications centers located in Dhahran and Riyadh provide teletype and secure facsimile capability to USMTM.

e. Interoffice unsecured facsimile services are available at various USMTM locations and offices.

3. Personal Finance Support.

a. The USMTM Finance Office is a tri service operation located in Riyadh. It is a fully integrated office that performs the full range of finance services: PCS and TDY advances and settlements; military pay for Army, Navy, and Air Force; Disbursing (check cashing, foreign currency conversion); and Commercial Accounts. In addition, a Forward Support Team is located in Dhahran to provide support for personnel stationed in the Eastern Province. Personnel should, however, start all allotments to dependents, financial institutions, etc., prior to departing their previous duty station.

b. In-Country Allowances Some additional allowances are payable to personnel based on their assignment status. All allowances are subject to annual revision.

c. Travel vouchers, TDY and PCS, for military and civilian personnel are computed and paid by USMTM Finance and Accounting Office.

d. The USMTM Finance Office provides currency exchange services. The cashier will accept personal checks drawn against US banks up to $745.00 per day. All US Government personnel may purchase US Treasury Checks payable to public or private parties in exchange for cash. Also, personnel may convert, without limit, US dollars into Saudi currency. The USMTM Finance Office will not convert Saudi currency to US dollars except under special circumstances (PCS).

(1) Dollars and dollar instruments are used for payment in all USMTM facilities. The dollar is accepted at the official exchange rate by many local merchants. However, checks are not used in the local economy. US checks are cashed by the BXs, commissaries and various clubs. The BXs accept three major credit cards Discover, Mastercard and VISA. The BXs also sell US dollar traveler's checks. Postal money orders are available through the APO.

(a) Currency exchange and check cashing facilities are also available at the LSG/Contractor operated bank in Riyadh and the Forward Support Team (Dhahran).

(b) Some large hotels and businesses will accept major credit cards.

(2) The monetary unit in Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Riyal (SR), which is divided into 100 Halalahs. Denominations of bills are SR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500; coins can be found in 5, 10, 25, and 50 Halalahs and 100 Halalahs. The current official exchange rate is 3.75 Saudi Riyals for one US dollar. US personnel in Saudi Arabia may freely exchange through money changers any amount of dollars for SR. Money changers are found in most of the larger towns and cities.

e. Counterfeiting of US currency is a problem in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, avoid bringing $50 and $100 bills as counterfeit controls may restrict their use.

via Military.com