Do you sit in the barracks, house or do you explore everything around where your stationed?

2014-01-18T00:10:36-05:00

What is the best place you have visited to date?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2014 12:14 AM

2014-01-18T00:14:33-05:00

Currently in the Aspan mountain range in Daegu, South Korea looking at Ice sculptures.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2014 12:16 AM

2014-01-18T00:16:42-05:00

Whenever we deployed CONUS or OCONUS I always tried to see whatever I could. The best place I have visitied while in the military was Hawaii - Pearl Harbor is chock full of WWII history.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2014 10:41 PM

2014-01-18T22:41:36-05:00

Personally, I like to go out and see what's around me. This is my second time in Korea and my first time in Daegu. I'm definitely going to get my fill of this area. Plus my wife and I are real close to our 2 favorite places in Korea: Pusan and Jeju.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Jan 18 at 2014 10:46 PM

2014-01-18T22:46:19-05:00

All depends on where I was stationed, when I was at 29 Palms, I'd usually drive out home on the weekend to Los Angeles, it was usually too hot or too cold to do anything locally, and the times I was stuck on the base on off days, I was usually on call with a unit issued cell phone and pager because a part of my battalion was out in the field training so I had to be on call in case they needed some comm gear fixed.

When I was stationed in Camp Pendleton for work ups for the MEU, we were closer to civilization and the weather was much nicer so there was more exploring to do there (it was a 21 mile one way trip to the nearest Wal-Mart, and at least 60 miles to the nearest mall so weekday adventures at 29 Palms were unlikely at best).

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 18 at 2014 10:50 PM

2014-01-18T22:50:04-05:00

I loved being in Germany for so many years, because it was so conveniently located around all the rest of Europe. It made a great base camp for exploring the surrounding countries..

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Jan 18 at 2014 10:52 PM

2014-01-18T22:52:52-05:00

Anytime I go anywhere new, I go out one night and drive around aimlessly until I get lost. It's just my thing. I feel like I get to know the place better that way. Getting lost in a new place orients me if that makes ANY sense at all....probably doesn't, but I'm a weirdo.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jan 19 at 2014 12:55 AM

2014-01-19T00:55:57-05:00

I explore everything! Although exploring around Bragg is a little intimidating. I recently discovered the 82nd side

:-/

Best place I've visited is the sweet little towns around here where everyone is so nice to me!

Response by SSG Anthony Schoepp made Apr 3 at 2014 3:30 PM

2014-04-03T15:30:23-04:00

I love being stationed here in Colorado Springs. I can get to dozens of hiking trails within 5-10 minutes or even ski resorts within about 1-2 hours. Anything you want to do is here around Ft Carson.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2014 3:32 AM

2014-04-20T03:32:59-04:00

While stationed in South Korea, almost every second or third weekend, I'd go to a random train station and roam outside. I've found many great restaurants and clothing stores in that short year while many others simply wanted to drink the weekends away.

Response by SGT David Dodge made Apr 21 at 2014 2:28 PM

2014-04-21T14:28:09-04:00

I always got out and explored my surroundings weather state side or abroad. Hiked for National City, Ca. to the Cabrillo Monument, an estimated 21 mile hike to kill some time one night that I was off shift. I have enjoyed exploring the San Diego area, Oahu, Guam, Okinawa, and the Philippines (Luzon).

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made Apr 22 at 2014 4:10 AM

2014-04-22T04:10:17-04:00

I learned on my first tour to Germany that the ones that always complained about being stationed there were the ones that restricted themselves to base. So I always try to get out and see places while I have a chance.

Mount Rainer was probably the best place so far in the states (I'm exempting the Blue Ridge Mountains as that's home so there is bias there). I want to explore more of that area but it's real hard when you only ever been assigned to the east coast.

For overseas, Egypt because scuba diving in the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez is amazing.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Apr 24 at 2014 8:55 PM

2014-04-24T20:55:41-04:00

I have never been able to get my mind around the barracks rat mentality. How you join any of the branches and hide out in a barracks room playing video games, or whatever?

My first duty station was Mannheim Germany. We got up in the morning and headed off to whatever volksmarch we could find. It did not matter how late the night before ran. My wife and I were on a mission to see everything that could be seen on Okinawa, above and below water. Even here at Fort Sill we get out to the wildlife preserve as often as we can.

In my mind you have to take advantage of where they send you while you can. When your time comes to an end, you have to have a great bank of stories to pull from when you are entertaining the grandchildren

Response by PO1 Andrew White made May 12 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-05-12T10:21:28-04:00

Oh, man, get out and live!

I could never understand the guys who'd stay in the barracks all weekend...maybe being the Navy they were just used to being cooped up? For me, it was the exact opposite. If our squadron wasn't on the boat (airdale speak for "aircraft carrier") I was gone. Of course, I was lucky enough to have girlfriend locally who had two other roommates! :)

For a while I was in a C-2 squadron, cargo birds, plenty of room (sort of...). We'd take one on the road on the weekends every so often to airshows or whatever...I'd go around asking guys "C'mon, man, we're going to Canada for an airshow! Free beer!" No...I'm good. WTF?!

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 12 at 2015 10:24 AM

2015-05-12T10:24:08-04:00

My wife and I go to the surrounding towns, we go out to eat, and go shopping. I go hiking the surrounding trail and mountains in El Paso, TX so yes we get out. I don't like to sit at home all the time.

Response by PO2 Ray Michalak made Jan 13 at 2016 11:19 AM

2016-01-13T11:19:37-05:00

Hiking through the desert around NAS Fallon was always a good time....quite a different place from where I grew up hiking and camping.