Heading to first duty station. Any advice, especially for the 82nd Airborne Division and Fort Bragg as a whole?

2018-06-25T22:27:18-04:00

So I’ve been in the Army for about a year now and after trying my luck at some extra school I’m finally going to go to my first Duty station. I know a year and I’m just getting to my first unit. Is there any advice that a private should have when arriving to his first assignment?

Response by SGT Andrew Harris made Jun 25 at 2018 11:43 PM

2018-06-25T23:43:50-04:00

You will have the experience of a life time. Are you airborne yet? If not, hopefully they will send you quickly. Fort Bragg (during my time) was a different Army totally. I left Germany after a 3 1/2 year tour. No relaxation, high speed and low drag. Nevertheless, get a car since the post is very large and go to as many schools as you possibly can. To include college. Don’t be a barracks rat and enjoy your time there. Airborne! I was there last week and amazed how new and the continuous ongoing construction. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 2:45 AM

2018-06-26T02:45:27-04:00

Stay off the Murk and be careful not everything is what it seems. Try not to be so eager to spend your money.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 8:53 AM

2018-06-26T08:53:48-04:00

Right place, right time and in the right uniform. You can’t go wrong with that. 10-15 minutes prior to everything.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Jun 26 at 2018 1:49 PM

2018-06-26T13:49:36-04:00

Unit -- learn from the squared away guys
Division -- storied history; appreciate it
Bragg -- nice post; a car helps
Fatetteville -- less time at strip joints, more time enjoying beach, mountains, and that sort of thing.

Response by SGT Zak Baker made Jun 26 at 2018 3:45 PM

2018-06-26T15:45:21-04:00

I'm gonna give you some unconventional advice. Get drunk on the weekends, do crazy barracks stuff, go to the strip club, make mistakes man, it'll be the best time of your life. Just make sure you are doing it with people who have you're back, what happens on the weekends should never spill into the work week. Take care of your buddies and they'll take care you. During the week, keep your head down, ears up and learn what you can from your peers and seniors. Just enjoy a few years of zero responsibility and a nice easy paycheck. It goes by fast.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 26 at 2018 8:01 PM

2018-06-26T20:01:09-04:00

Mouth shut, ears open, be on time and squared away.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-06-26T21:54:06-04:00

Keep your feet and knees together.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jun 27 at 2018 1:39 PM

2018-06-27T13:39:10-04:00

Be careful with your finances...

Although you may need a car depending on unit's location on-post and transportation, most off-post car lots sell "lemons" at high interest rates. Be careful not to get a payday loan from overspending (interest rates are outrageously high and difficult to pay off). Avoid buying too many personal items due to limited space in barracks.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 5:25 PM

2018-06-27T17:25:35-04:00

I’m guessing you to the RASP route? When you get there, be where you are supposed to be, at the designated time, in the proper uniform. Can’t go wrong with that as a first start. Remember, the first impression is a lasting one. If you show up a “turd”, you’ll be one for a while. Learn from your supervisors and your peers. Not just what they teach you, but from the mistakes you as well as others make. Additionally, if you did go the RASP route, do NOT start any route with, “Well, when I was in RASP.” No one wants to hear it. It’s like saying, “When I was is Basic...”

Response by SPC Dejournet Lewis made Jun 27 at 2018 6:26 PM

2018-06-27T18:26:58-04:00

Schools,schools, schools. If you can get a ranger tab go for it. Bragg has it’s s own pre ranger course about 2 weeks of “suck” but it will prepare you lots. Set your self apart from the rest. Do you job and stay out of the spotlight. AATW!

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jun 28 at 2018 8:58 PM

2018-06-28T20:58:12-04:00

Be at the right time, right uniform, and with the right attitude. The 82nd can make you or break you quickly. Stay humble and hungry to learn more all the time and everything will fall in place.

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jul 2 at 2018 12:04 AM

2018-07-02T00:04:39-04:00

Be in the right place
At the right time
In the right uniform
With the right attitude
Ready to to train

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2018 2:33 AM

2018-07-06T02:33:50-04:00

say roger. be a worker bee and have a good attitude to your peers and leaders alike. you will be accepted sooner than you think with a good attitude and good work ethic.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2018 12:57 AM

2018-07-14T00:57:53-04:00

Do not be fooled by the bright shiny lights. Have a goal and work towards it. Distractions will be there but stay focused on what u want out of this assignment.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2018 4:26 AM

2018-07-20T04:26:47-04:00

talk to Brodhead. He is stationed there.

Response by SSG Pat Meine made Jul 20 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-07-20T09:44:10-04:00

I know I’m late to this conversation, but, I was a 25u in 1/505 PIR 82nd Abn. The best unit I was ever in or worked with. It’s a very high op tempo. Go in humble and respectful, acceptance there is earned and until it is you’re just a cherry. Work hard, be disciplined and courteous, voulenteer for the shitty work the other joes run from and carry a positive attitude and you’ll go a long way. ATW!

Response by SSG Brian Stoneback made Sep 3 at 2018 8:50 PM

2018-09-03T20:50:26-04:00

I guess it bares repeating...find the squared away troops and stick with them. Volunteer for special duty assignments when they come up. Don’t be a barracks rat, go to MWR and take advantage of all they have to offer. Always do extra PT on your own because their not going to send a sub-par unfit person to special school opportunities. Go to the education center and sign up for a class or two. Bragg was great the 5 years I was there 3 as a single private and 2 as a married Specialist. Met my forever wife on a TDY I volunteered for to Fort Pickett to support National Guard annual training.

Response by SPC Preston Eagle made Sep 10 at 2018 11:50 AM

2018-09-10T11:50:20-04:00

Depends if you are in a line unit or up at Brigade or Division level. I didn't even know what unit I was in for a few weeks and had a Sgt knock on my door cause they put me in two units on accident.

Response by SPC Preston Eagle made Sep 10 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-09-10T11:54:53-04:00

Look for a Mokofisi. He is one of the most squared away 25 U in the Army. He was my soldier and a Armorer as a PFC. He is at Bragg now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2018 7:35 PM

2018-10-17T19:35:25-04:00

Stay with the program and you'll do just well, good unit and station.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 17 at 2018 7:37 PM

2018-10-17T19:37:14-04:00

stay away from the tattoo parlors and strip joints that Fayetteville is infamous for. yeah, they love GIs. especially drunk, young GIs.

Response by SGT Robert Schaefer made Jul 8 at 2019 8:30 AM

2019-07-08T08:30:31-04:00

Watch your back soldiers in the 82nd Airborne Division will stab you in the back. And save your counseling statements.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 6:22 PM

2019-07-08T18:22:48-04:00

Which unit are you gonna be at?