Ft Hood folks.... Heading to the 81st CA BN any insight would be greatly appreciated

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:12:04 -0400

Graduated CAQC 2 weeks ago and will be heading to C.co 81st CA BN as one of a few newly minted CANCO's from class 02-14. If there is anyone from RP in the 81st or have some knowledge about the unit, I would like to connect or get your opinions on the unit, as i know its a relatively new unit in FT Hood.

Ive already gotten a phone call from my future 1SG( 1SG Watson) which was left a warm and fuzzy as that would be a first in my career, but any outsider or insider perspective is appreciated.

V/R
Danny

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 6:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:13:16 -0400

** report date is 06JUN15 FYI

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 14 at 2015 6:16 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 18:16:56 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Fort Hood is known as the Great Place, I can send you some links if you want. I was with the 1ST CAV DIV. Copperas Cove, Harker Heights is a nice place to live. Killen by the Airport is also a new housing sub-division. Best regards!

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Apr 14 at 2015 10:18 PM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:18:52 -0400

I don't personally know that unit. However, they do have a facebook page that may useful source. Search under 81st Civil Affairs (spelled out). *didnt find the page with the abbrev.*
Fort Hood is in Central Texas. Its fitting about 3 hours each way to a major from FT. Hood. 3 hr to Houston going southeast, Dallas going north, and San Antonio going south. About a hour north of Austin. In the area, you xan live in the city or find country living in nearby surrounding cities. The city Killeen has more resturants, than i care to count. Now, they have my favorite burger joint "in and out burger". check it out when you get there. You'll be able to find just about everything you need in the area. If youlike to fish/hunt. great place. like to eat. great place. Nightlife, not so much. mediocre at best. head to Austin. Church life. pretty descent. like PT. Fort Hood has a gym on just about every corner including a huge fieldhouse called "Abrams". Also has excellent education services. Most people aren't fence sitters about Hood. They like it or don't. Hope you like it and enjoy your time there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 10:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Apr 2015 22:32:20 -0400

I've been stationed here on Ft. Hood since 2012, and though it's not my favorite post, it could be a lot worse. Traffic can be a nightmare during PT hours, lunchtime, and the end of the day especially. There are a lot of people who speed on post which can make things a bit dangerous, that and soldiers crossing the roads up and down Hell on Wheels and Old Ironsides.

As far as a physical fitness center, though there are a lot of them, many of them are garbage, I would not recommend going to Abrams Field House as that one is usually packed. The best two fitness centers on main post in my opinion would either be Burba (located on 19th ST & Battalion), or Harvey (on Old Ironsides).

Good luck with your new posting, hopefully you have a good experience here!

Response by CSM Guy R. Niles made Apr 15 at 2015 8:30 AM

CSM Guy R. Niles — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 08:30:12 -0400

Ft Hood is what you make it and make of it! I served 10 out of my 30 years in uniform there, and four + additionally as a DAC. Ft Hood grows on you. You will be fine! FHTX is a Leap Point to Austin, Temple-Waco, Dallas-Ft Worth, and a plethora of destinations. Traffic at the major movement times is just something to prrpare for and plan around.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 10:47 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 10:47:35 -0400

I was stationed at FT. Hood at little over six years.
At first you wont like it, its a pretty big post, so traffic will be a pain, attempting to get lunch (during lunch hour) is a pain, and getting home is a pain.

BUT depending on where you live and you can find different routes that could work for you. I'm not sure where 81st CA would be located on Hood, but as long as its not right next to III Corps then you are good to go.
If you decide to live on post, the communities are being upgraded, (or so I heard) so housing isn't horrible.

All of the barracks are decent sized but could be located farther away than where your unit does PT.
There aren't many DFACs so that sucks but the ones that where open had really decent chow.

Austin was my favorite city to visit. Very eclectic and a lot to do. Dallas, San Antonio and Houston were a few hours away but during a 4-day weekend or on leave they are great cities to tour.

With regards to food, for Mexican food there was a place out of the east gate (inside a carneceria) or a place off of (I believe) south fort hood street next to Long John silvers.

Rudy's has GREAT bbq.

Japanese cuisine had to be Shogun in Harker Heights

Response by SFC Richard Graczyk made Apr 19 at 2015 6:55 PM

SFC Richard Graczyk — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 18:55:19 -0400

I am in D co now. In the CMOC. Just a heads up, be ready to hit the ground running. You do have a great commander in place there. tight knit teams are all around and will take care of their own. You should be good to go. Hit me up if you need anymore questions asked. Ill try my best to help you out. BTW who is your sponsor?

Response by SFC Cameron Sewell made Apr 22 at 2015 1:19 PM

SFC Cameron Sewell — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:19:01 -0400

I am the Motor Sergeant for the 81st. I also just moved here in January from Italy. So any questions you got just ask.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2015 9:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 May 2015 21:10:33 -0400

Only been here for two years, but I agree with almost everyone above. It's pretty clean, a lot of things you can do on your spare time, easy to get around.

Response by SFC Benjamin Rivera-Figueroa made Jun 21 at 2015 9:23 PM

SFC Benjamin Rivera-Figueroa — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 21:23:16 -0400

I was there since the begining of the 85th BDE, I tell you to be carefull, you will see what I mean, I'm sorry tell you but is the best I can tell you.