u/bas3adi

Apologies if this isn’t the right sub, point me elsewhere if so.

I was a small boats engineer with a VBSS background, and have been out about a year now. Still living in Bahrain and want to stay in the region. I’m trying to break into private maritime security since it lines up with what I already did, but I don’t really know where to start. I’ve been out for a year and I miss the adrenaline and water altogether.

For anyone who’s made the jump: how did you get your first contract, which companies are worth talking to, and what certs actually matter? Any direction is appreciated.

Or maybe someone here knows who I can contact. Again, I’d like to stay in the region.

For context: I was a small boats engineer in the Navy with a VBSS background. I served out of Bahrain, took my honorable discharge, and stayed because this region is home to me now.

I’ve been out for about a year. I’m in shape, young, and honestly looking to get back into something that uses what I was actually good at. Private maritime security keeps pulling at me. Boarding, vessel protection, that whole world is basically the job I already did.

Here’s what I’m trying to figure out from anyone who has actually done it or knows how to get in:
**•** Did any of you make the jump into PMSC work, especially based out here (Bahrain, UAE, Fujairah)? How did you land your first contract?

**•** Which companies actually hire US guys who are already in the region, rather than sourcing cheaper guard pools? (Ambrey, Solace, MAST, Securewest, Diaplous, etc. Who’s worth talking to?)

**•** What certifications actually matter to get a foot in the door?

**•** Is embarked guard work even the right move, or should I be aiming at shore-based ops/coordination, training, or land-side close protection instead? I’d rather not be gone on 45-day transits if there’s a smarter path that keeps me rooted here.

Any direction, names, or “don’t waste your time on X” is appreciated.

Goal: 2v2 game nights with the rest of the group watching both players on a big TV.

VR systems: 2x Meta Quest 2, both standalone, no PC.

Game: Blade & Sorcery: Nomad using the community multiplayer mod, since Nomad has no native multiplayer. Other Quest 2 friendly 2v2 melee suggestions welcome.

Computer: MacBook

It is only the casting bridge, the game runs on the headsets, not the Mac.
Budget: small, just whatever makes casting work (Apple TV, USB-C to HDMI, capture tool).

Can I get both headset feeds onto the TV at once, side by side, for spectators? My plan is two browser cast windows on the Mac, each headset on its own Meta account in a separate browser, arranged side by side, then mirrored to the TV. Is there a better or lower latency method, and how bad is the cast delay for watching? Thanks.

Anyone else in Marassi dealing with humidity? My apartment is starting to get humid inside. I’ve tried running the AC on dry mode, opening windows, and drying out any damp spots, but nothing sticks. I’m guessing it’s because we’re right on the water. How have you handled it?

Hey all! My friends and I are looking for a Dungeon Master to come over, show us the ropes and basics of D&D, and possibly master one of our first games together. It will be paid!

Hey everyone, trying to figure out my situation before we commit to anything.

My fiance is applying for a masters program in Tokyo, roughly 1.5 years. I want to live there with her for the duration. Here’s my situation:

I’m a US citizen, mid 20s, currently living abroad in the Gulf for the past 6 years so I’m used to expat life, visa runs, all of that. My income is around 735,000 yen a month and it’s entirely from my own personal earned wealth, meaning I don’t work and I’m not a student. Financially I’m fine, the issue is purely the visa.

Since we’re not married yet, I know I can’t piggyback off her student visa as a dependent. And from what I’ve read, Japan doesn’t really tolerate the classic visa run strategy. Apparently on the 90 day visa waiver you’re realistically capped around 180 days total in any 12 month period before immigration starts denying entry, so border hopping every 3 months like I’ve done elsewhere isn’t going to work for a 1.5 year stay.

Since I’m young and have the time, I’m completely open to enrolling in something. Language school seems like the obvious route since I’d genuinely like to learn Japanese anyway, but I don’t know much about how that visa works, minimum attendance requirements, school quality, costs, any of it. I’ve also seen internships mentioned but no idea if that’s a realistic visa path for someone in my position.

So my questions:

1. Is a language school student visa the most realistic option here? Any recommendations on what to look for in a school or what to avoid?
2. Are there other visa categories I should be looking into given that I have stable independent income but no employer?
3. Anything I’m not thinking of?
   Appreciate any insight from people who’ve actually done something similar.

Am I the only one, is there some sort of life hack when ordering via .ae? Or do we all just put up with the high shipping costs in Bahrain?

Could anyone help me find a store here who sells automatic pet feeders? I’ve been looking everywhere but everything is just online purchasing.

There’s something sad about watching a beautiful skyline get drowned out by corporate slop LED displays. STC’s building has become a massive light pollution machine, and it kills the ambiance of the city at night.

Other cities regulate this stuff. Government should step in and set some rules around commercial building lighting, especially in high-visibility areas.

>!i should also add, 99% of bahrains buildings LED outlines are disgusting and should be specific unified colors, pale, cream, warm, or red for Bahrain, not this purple and blue lighting we have all over. exterior designers in bahrain should really take inspiration from the new Hilton.!<

I went to dragon city, and hundreds of shops are closed and protesting due to increased rent. Shops are being asked to pay upwards of 4,000 BHD/mo for rent.

To the mods, if you don’t believe me, go there yourselves and see.

Got a red light ticket, and I want to fight it, as I know the light turned yellow when I was already in the intersection. There’s no option on etraffic to dispute the ticket, what do I do?

Is it possible to do the vehicle authorization at the gate? The system for Vehicle Authorization is not working.