Constant PCSing. Your feelings on that?

2014-09-05T01:44:57-04:00

I guess for myself, it was that my dad was gone a lot and from time to time my mother got upset with a neighbor to the point of tears. But the constant moves and not being a part of anything can feel lonely.

When we came to our home town our family went back to the 1790s and where most were lain, was in honor of our families, the Ellises, Brinks, etc. My brother has said that he wish that he knew these things in high school. We are related to judges, Justice of the Peace, Mayor, blah blah blah and President Harding. A friend of mine I didn't know was a cousin!

So with this moving, I am grateful my family did what they could for me and helped me a bit acclimate myself with them. I still don't understand but I do remember my sister crying when I went off into the service in Aug. 1974. 40 YEARS AGO!

But please tell us what you feel about these places and the most fun that you ever had at a particular place.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 5 at 2014 1:57 AM

2014-09-05T01:57:17-04:00

Millions wasted on moving every 2-3 years on average for the Army. It seems like the AF did it right by making it 4-5 years. It's lousy on the family, especially the kids, dual incomes, etc. I didn't mind it. I get stir crazy staying put.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 5 at 2014 2:01 AM

2014-09-05T02:01:06-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member I have been lucky in my career in that I have been stationed on the same base for most of my career. I have PCSd 6 times but it was between to bases (Camp Pendleton and 29 Palms). The past two moves that my family went through were rough on the kids in that they went to 4 different schools in just 14 months. I am lucky that my family has been fairly stable for my career but I think it might have impacted my promotion opportunities.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 5 at 2014 7:21 AM

2014-09-05T07:21:16-04:00

16 years (this week) and I have had only 2 assignments outside of basic and tech schools. Neither at a location I requested or wanted. There are lots of factors that weight how long you stay at a base. AFSC, base manning, overseas volunteer status, assignment code, CC intervention, medical, EFMP, officer v. enlisted, etc etc.

Response by 1stSgt Daryl Allen made Oct 12 at 2014 6:47 PM

2014-10-12T18:47:42-04:00

I am a military brat (a dependent also). PCS moves were a constant in my life. To show you what I mean this was my moves as a brat: Ardmore AFB, OK, Lansing, MI, Lockbourne AFB, OH, Zaragoza AFB, Spain, FE Warren AFB, WY, Westover AFB. MA, Bruceton, TN (my grandparents home while dad was in Thailand), Barksdale AFB, LA, back to Bruceton, (another and last overseas short for dad). Then it was my turn after graduating AF Basic Training and Technical Training as SP I was sent to Ellsworth AFB, SD, Barksdale AFB, LA, Clear AFS, AK, Barksdale AFB, LA, Camp Bullis, TX as an instructor, Grand Forks AFB, ND, Offutt AFB, NE, Howard AFB, Republic of Panama, then back to Offutt for retirement. My response: lost friends, gained friends and learned a lot about the different cultures in foreign countries plus got to see sites I thought I would never get to see. Loved it as a brat and as a service member. No complaints on mine or the family part either.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 4:10 PM

2014-12-03T16:10:11-05:00

is this the real life or is this just fantasy...

yup. I'm pretty sure I will not PCS a lot. I see people get stuck on this base for about 5-6 years on average

Response by MSgt Bj Jones made Dec 6 at 2014 1:48 PM

2014-12-06T13:48:00-05:00

I tend to favour PCS moves every two or three years. I grew up as a Navy brat, so moving was a part of my life. Settling down drives me up the wall. I've been retired 2 years now and am itching to move overseas. I do wish my dad or stepdad had gotten overseas orders when my siblings and I were kids as I do think it would've been great to have had the 'overseas brat experience'. If people don't want to experience new locations and new assignments, then why go active duty? If a person wants to 'homestead' go guard or reserve (to include active guard and active reserve). In the Air Force, you can PCS after 12 months as a first-term Airman, then after 2 years as a Career Airman. I couldn't PCS quick enough it seemed and managed four short tour and one long tour overseas assignments.