ShaneWey Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hello all! I know duty stations have been discussed in passing in some other threads but in the wake of awaiting January's board results, I was hoping to hear everyone's thoughts on post locations. Being that I'm a couple years off from worrying about this myself, I am merely looking for a distraction from the anxiety. So, out of curiosity, what are your favorite (or best of the worst) post locations some of you have experienced? Obviously your experience is what you make of it but which locations did you enjoy more than others? And why? Do you prefer CONUS, or international? Are there any locations you want to go to that you haven't yet? Thanks ahead of time for sharing thoughts/comments/concerns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocity173 Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Well kinda depends on your priorities. You want hours, then look to Korea, Bragg and Campbell. A lot of people don't like small town big base living because you see nothing but military folks everywhere. They also draw the usual used car lots, tatoo shops and strip joints. Not that there's anything wrong with the last one. Now for scenery and life outside of the Army I'd recommend Lewis, Carson, Hunter, or anywhere in Alaska, Hawaii or Germany. Training and hours won't be as much as the big 3 but you'll have plenty to do outside of work. Pretty much all have good housing and good schools. You'll see a lot of times people will work out a duty station where they grew up or it's a spot where that want to retire (Rucker). Oh, Polk & Drum...no one likes it there. Edited January 13, 2014 by Velocity173 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3uller Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Velocity pretty much nailed it with the big three. I was at Bragg my entire enlisted time and not being able to get away from the Army can be....disheartening. Bragg does have a great dropzone really close (if you're into skydiving) and also a really great rock climbing gym where you tend to find more pilot/SOF types as opposed to the usual Bragg crowd so that's nice. 90 percent of my free time was spent at either one and NC isn't a bad state either if you get at least 2 hours away from Fayetteville. I'm likely going to try and spend my first assignment at the big three to learn and build some hours and hopefully track. Spend as much time there as I can stand and then maybe try something less Army 24/7. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaneWey Posted January 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Thanks for the input! With regard to Korea, I know there are a ton of bases there. Is there not much of an opportunity to get out and experience the culture? The language barrier would seem difficult (reading symbols?! ) but they have made a strong effort to westernize. What makes Korea as isolated as Bragg and Campbell? As an outsider, Korea seems like a good place to build hours and please wifey. A friend of mine who is a CW4 apache pilot spent 6yrs in Germany and he said it was a great time to be able to travel with the wife and cross some things off the bucket list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmatt Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 It's nice to know that there's more options than what we had in the Marines (basically just East or West coast). My question related to this is are all airframes located at all those posts or are some airframes only at specific ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcclainm Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 I'm shooting for Bragg or Campbell, or maybe Carson. Out of what I've seen in the last few years, if the SOFA with Astan goes through, it's a high likely-hood that one of those three divisions will get tapped with the Advise and Assist mission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I3uller Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 It's nice to know that there's more options than what we had in the Marines (basically just East or West coast). My question related to this is are all airframes located at all those posts or are some airframes only at specific ones?I don't know which airframes are where specifically but I know that the airframe you fly slims down the choices depending on what you are flying. Blackhawks are pretty much everywhere but Apaches and Kiowas are only at certain posts. Well...I guess the Kiowa isn't anywhere anymore. Hrmph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocity173 Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 It's nice to know that there's more options than what we had in the Marines (basically just East or West coast). My question related to this is are all airframes located at all those posts or are some airframes only at specific ones?Black Hawk would give you the most options on duty station. I'd advise on not picking it for that though. Another couple cool places to go are Sinai Penisula and Hondo. Tax free in Sinai! Also, heard they are taking immenant danger pay from Korea??? Not sure if that's a rumor or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaneWey Posted January 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Something tells me that Sinai Peninsula also gets imminent danger pay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocity173 Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Something tells me that Sinai Peninsula also gets imminent danger payRight now they get it. Rumor is that DOD is looking at taking it away from 18 other locations though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wm200 Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 What the chances of getting an overseas assignment for your first duty station? Do you pick your duty station based on OML or do you just pick the airframe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 You'll list your top three duty stations when you get your airframe. It's partially based on OML, but it really comes down to needs of the Army. Most of my 60 class went to Germany, even though only a few of them had it on their top three. That being said, I listed Ft. Carson as my #2, and that's where I am now and couldn't be happier. If you want much of a say in your duty station, be at the top of your class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Pig Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 8 years in the grunts taught me that the best unit is always your next one and your last one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akscott60 Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Campbell is pretty nice. Tn is beautiful and the weather is great. Just be ready to go to Air Assault school if you havent been yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcclainm Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Campbell is pretty nice. Tn is beautiful and the weather is great. Just be ready to go to Air Assault school if you havent been yet. nobody needs those fake wings. When's the last time we rappelled (not fast roped) into combat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ndGen Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 The only duty station I've been at inside FORSCOM was Bliss, and I'll say this: It is probably the nicest Army base there is. Most of everything is new, and the PX is basically a mall, new nice housing, BUT.....El Paso is aweful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Lyman Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Whaat? Where's the love for Ft. Hood? LOL Being a Guard guy, I haven't been stationed anywhere for long except Ft. Hood and Hunter. Hunter was great. Hood (The Great Place), particularly N. Ft Hood, bites the big one. I did spend a few weeks at Ft. Riley. It fell somewhere in between. Best short stay was at the Guard unit in Hilo, HI. When I was in the Navy, San Diego, and particularly North Island, was the best. Mayport, FL wasn't bad either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t.o.n.y Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Three of us are going to Germany, one to Japan, the rest staying stateside. I requested Lewis, Carson, then Germany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwfoxjr Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Three of us are going to Germany, one to Japan, the rest staying stateside. I requested Lewis, Carson, then Germany How far in advance of graduation do you find out your location? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t.o.n.y Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 About three months for us 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBuzzkill Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 Well kinda depends on your priorities. You want hours, then look to Korea, Bragg and Campbell. A lot of people don't like small town big base living because you see nothing but military folks everywhere. They also draw the usual used car lots, tatoo shops and strip joints. Not that there's anything wrong with the last one. Now for scenery and life outside of the Army I'd recommend Lewis, Carson, Hunter, or anywhere in Alaska, Hawaii or Germany. Training and hours won't be as much as the big 3 but you'll have plenty to do outside of work. Pretty much all have good housing and good schools. You'll see a lot of times people will work out a duty station where they grew up or it's a spot where that want to retire (Rucker). Oh, Polk & Drum...no one likes it there. My name must be no one. I like Fort Drum a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highside7r Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Loved the flying at Carson, mountain flying us a must have skill. Been at Hood now for 5 yrs, luckily Austin is down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardo09203 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Out of curiosity, why does no one like Polk? Only reason I would be OK with it, is that it's not far from where I am currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akscott60 Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I find Polk to be a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamer Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 👏👍 oooooo nice Star Wars quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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