Are there career advancement opportunities at JBLM?

2023-01-26T20:23:39-05:00

Good evening everyone, I am joining the army as a 68W and I got JBLM as my first duty station. This is great for my family but i can't tell if this is terrible for my military career. Campbell, Drum, Hawaii and Benning have air assault and airborne training right there. For you guys who have been to JBLM, are there career advancement opportunities or advanced schooling there? Or are we just waiting on rotations to Korea?
Thank you in advance!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 26 at 2023 8:34 PM

2023-01-26T20:34:21-05:00

There are advancement opportunities everywhere. Especially considering you are just starting out

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2023 4:47 PM

2023-01-27T16:47:26-05:00

There are always advancement opportunities in the Army. I started out a PFC 68W. I never made it to Air Assault or Airborne schools, but I did go to IPAP (Interservice Physician Assistant Program) where the Army not only paid for my tuition and books, but they have me a paycheck to earn my Batchelors and Masters degrees from UNMC as well a PA certification. Then as a CPT, I went back to school and got a Doctorate (completely paid for by the Army with a paycheck) with advanced Emergency Medicine training. All this is possible for you if you apply yourself. As they say, "You better get yours outta the Army because they're going to get what they want outta you!"

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2023 6:07 PM

2023-01-27T18:07:19-05:00

The advancement opportunities have almost nothing to do with where you are stationed, and almost everything to do with how you develop yourself and your Soldiers.
Yes, you would go to Air Assault if you were at Campbell, it would do next to nothing in getting your promoted.
No, you don't go to Airborne School if you are stationed at Benning, you would go on your way to an Airborne unit, and also has little to do with getting you promoted.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2023 7:50 PM

2023-01-27T19:50:31-05:00

Advancement opportunities are everywhere. You could always try to earn a spot in the 75th there

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 28 at 2023 9:58 AM

2023-01-28T09:58:55-05:00

Not sure where you got this theory that any base is a passing gate to another, that’s not really the question here. JBLM is an awesome opportunity for any Soldier, as are 30 or so other depending on your MOS. Your first concern needs to be your unit of assignment, following orders and learning your job. Nothing wrong with asking what bases are about, as long as you don’t try to outpace your duty assignment. Listen, follow order, ask questions when you see no answers,support your Team members stand talk each day in formation and work hard, opportunities will come.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Jan 30 at 2023 5:01 PM

2023-01-30T17:01:24-05:00

I did 3 tours at Ft Lewis, back in the 70’s and 80’s. It was the home of the 9 th Inf Div back then. On my last tour it was also home to I-Corp HQ’s. And the 1st Special Forces Group was just starting up there. Loved every minute of my time there. Lots of opportunities for the motivated soldier. During my last tour there I was with the 4/23 Inf Rgmt. They did rotate between Ft Lewis and Korea. But like I said that was many decades ago. You will love the area if you don’t mind a little rain. Off times you can be at sea level fishing the Pugrt Sound or within less than a hour away you can be 14,000 feet high climbing Mt Rainier. You just can’t get those experiences just anywhere.