First Unit Station, what do you expect? or, Was it what you expected?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:19:42 -0400

I'm trying to get the Junior Enlisted more involved here so they can take as much advantage of this site here as I do. Also for the leadership to be able to give advice without the need of calling their PLT SGT, I know you are reading this.

My AIT was awful, to the extent that I rather having two more BCTs instead of another AIT, that being said, my expectation toward my First Unit were really low. I thought it was going to be just another level of hell. To my surprise, I got the BEST, and when I say BEST I mean it, OIC/NCOIC Team you could ever dream of. A Command Team that Shows Leadership while being fair. In the other hand, I have friends from AIT that called me as soon as 1 month after our graduation and told me, Camacho! I'm doing these 3 years and I'm done! I can't stand this unit!

Now that you just graduated from AIT or are about to, What do you expect from your First Unit Station? Or Was it what you expected? NCOs, what do you expect from your "brand new Private"?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 13 at 2015 1:23 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:23:11 -0400

When I received my first set of orders i had no idea as to what to expect. I had no expectations because I had no idea what I was getting into!.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 13 at 2015 1:26 PM

SFC Joseph James — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:26:40 -0400

My first was Fort Campbell KY. I loved the 101st and in your career you will inevitably have some poor leaders. I learned that if you do these few things you can go pretty far:

1. Be in the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform!
2. Know your job as well at the NCO above you.
3. Shine your boots like you want a day off. (Ok we don't shine them anymore, but the point stands...Look your best, be your best, and people notice.)
4. Always volunteer for everything. (Ok sounds like bad advice but hear me out. You will learn more and do more than other peers. You also will get to the point where your NCO will stop picking you for a long time!)
5. When you get rank don't set on your but, get out there an meet people in your all your S shops. Become friends with Supply, commo, Cooks, maintenance, etc. These people will make your life alot better.

Hope this helped!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 13 at 2015 1:30 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:30:47 -0400

1) Read "Message to Garcia." Takes about 15 minutes, an hour if you're slow. It's a great essay, and the concepts still hold true.

2) Use your peer network. Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially during training time. There's a time for instant obedience to orders (see Message to Garcia), and there's a time for clarifying Intent. The Junior ranks are where you learn that. Your peers are a great resource, especially for "What does G.Z.D. mean? or I don't know that acronym."

3) Write things down. For God's sake. WRITE THINGS DOWN. I don't know a single NCO or Officer who will give you a hard time if you are writing down your directions. It is better to write them down and remember them all, than miss something.

4) If you think you need more time, ask, before you are late. When you realize you can't complete something in the amount of time assigned, bring it up then. Things happen. We get that. If I give you a task and an hour to do it, and you realize 20 minutes in, you need 90 minutes... come find me at 20 minutes. I'll adjust the timeline, or get your more help.

5) If it looks unsafe. Stop. Bring it up. We don't want to lose troops in training. I can't stress this enough. Don't take shortcuts. Bad things happen. We don't need to add to that through negligence.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 1:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:47:07 -0400

BCT had its ups and downs ,AIT was simple I was a SQL then a PG ,it gave me alot more responsibilities and respect for my PLT SGT and how she had to manage and deal with ,everyone's emotions and personal problems she is/was a great leader!

My first duty station is cool,I never realized how much ARMY Reservist have to do and what work from the ARMY can find its way into your civilian life,since I've been in my unit everyone shows me a lot of love while helping me better myself for future task. Recently I was just put on AD orders with my unit and I can't wait to get to it!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 2:22 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 14:22:37 -0400

@PFC Antonio Camacho Well I would hope that you recieved hard miserable training during BCT and transitioned to a little less miserable during AIG but still great training. If this is the case I hope that you would expect realistic training with leaders that show they care and teach Soldiers to be able to thier job so that they have the knowledge to advance there own career and move on to be that leader that makes it a great experience for that Soldier that is coming to them new to the Military.

Response by SPC Christopher Salustro made May 13 at 2015 3:12 PM

SPC Christopher Salustro — Wed, 13 May 2015 15:12:16 -0400

BCT and AIT were fairly standard for me. I think that I had an "okay" time. It wasn't bad, though it wasn't horrible. My first unit.. wow Camp Casey, South Korea. The unit was fairly disorganized, one of our 4 CO's was relieved because of skimming funds from the FRG. To give you a taste of how the unit was. We (or more or less) I did my job specifically, the most that I did my job ever within the military. It was wonderful, I was given latitude when needed, and guidance when it was warranted. I thought (at the time) that there was a "better" unit out there, I came to find out that it WAS one of the better ones. Who'd of thought.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 7:10 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 19:10:08 -0400

My first Duty Station was the one I out at the top of my CONUS list and honestly the only complaint I have is that I don't get to do enough work in my career field here.

Everything else is and has been far above and beyond what I expected to find after the "misery" of Tech School, and even if I got "stuck" here for 5+ years I'd be a pretty happy camper. Just so long as I get to deploy a few more times!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 8:24 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 20:24:34 -0400

Good leadership, if they present themselves well then present yourself with a good attitude and determination

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2015 11:44 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 May 2015 11:44:02 -0400

I feel as if I received quality training at both basic and AIT. Something my PSG always preached was "standards & discipline". That being said, I appreciate his leadership skills and ability to get things done. I'm not sure what to expect at my first duty station when I arrive this month (I'm on leave). But I'm excited and ready to get things rolling!