How can I change my duty station projections?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 20:43:48 -0500

Hi I am a 25B who is currently at AIT in ft Gordon, GA. I recently got my projections that said I’m going to FT wainwright (Alaska) . I am still a student in my classes and I will graduate school March 31st. I was wondering if I go airborne will my projections change? I don’t mind the cold but I don’t want to go to Alaska ... there is nothing to do there, and all my drill Sargents here tell me how bad it is there. No rude comments please (yes I joined the army and I know they can send me wherever they want.) any advice would be great on how to get my projections changed other than by failing a class.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Feb 5 at 2020 8:46 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 20:46:19 -0500

I base my locations on what I see, not what others say. It's what you make of it to be honest. What do you like to do? Alaska is a big state with an abundance of stuff to do. Good luck wherever you go!

Response by SGT Darin Jenkins made Feb 5 at 2020 9:02 PM

SGT Darin Jenkins — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:02:37 -0500

Well let me tell you that there is everything to do in Alaska. I was at Ft Richardson, which is in Anchorage. And let me assure you there is NO shortage of things to do. I will WARN YOU DRUGS and Prostitutes are ramped just stay away from the them and you'll be fine. If you're in AIT I would think it would be too late to submit a 4187 for AB but you can give it a try. Don't go to Alaska with a closed mind it really is a nice duty station. IN all honesty being a 25B you probably wont be able to AB until you reenlist. I will tell you this Ft Knox (101st AB The Squawking Chicken) is a real shit hole you don't want to go there. Once you're AB qualified you will never get away from (82nd AB) Bragg and Knox. In all honesty don't go AB as a 25B, 25B is no use to the AB Corp the only MOS of use for the AB corp is combat Arms being drop behind enemy lines to do one thing and one thing only TO KILL or be killed. Give it a chance I'm sure you'll love it. Plus you have to look at your scope of AFTER the military let me tell you there is NO JOB market for combat arm in the civilian world but as 25 B while your in the military get your BA or masters in Computer Science, Network Administration or Programmer or cyber security and you'll always have a job after the military Good luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2020 9:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:23:57 -0500

You do realize that there is an airborne unit in Alaska right?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2020 9:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:55:35 -0500

The best advice I can give you is go with the flow. Do just assume where the best location for you is yet because you really don’t know what the army has to offer you yet. Take this opportunity to get a feel of what being in the military is all about. You never know Alaska could be the best thing you ever did. Right I would worry about being a solider more then where you are gonna solider at. Not trying to be mean just being honest.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Feb 5 at 2020 9:57 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:57:30 -0500

Go to Alaska, get it over and ask for a follow on assignment of your preference.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2020 10:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 22:06:49 -0500

If you were able to request Airborne then yes you would go to an Airborne assignment... Which could also be Alaska. Other than 75th Ranger Regiment or Airborne, you aren't able to change your projected assignment. Your branch still could if they need to.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2020 11:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 23:18:22 -0500

Go with the flow... you can always try to pcs voluntarily or just wait until you reenlistment opens (15 months before ets) and pick from whatever is available at that point in time.... if you plan on making a career out of this, you are definitely going to be sent to places where you rather not be, but the location doesn’t make the duty station... you could be in sunny San Diego, but if your unit/leadership is subpar you’re experience of that location will be just that... subpar. Make the best of it, everyone that I have met that was stationed in AK loved it there. Best of luck

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2020 11:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 23:46:41 -0500

You not wanting to go to Alaska because if hearsay is not a smart move. Just because you have people that didn’t like it there doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for you. Also you don’t know if the information is hearsay from a third party.

For every assignment location across the Army you have just as many people who love the location as you do people who don’t care for it. Only YOU can determine if you like the location not someone else because it’s YOUR experience.

I actually loved Alaska when I went there, I loved it so much I went back again so I actually have a total of 6yrs if being stationed in Alaska and I enjoyed both tours...

Advice....make you own decisions about your assignment, no two people have the same experience. Good luck to you....

Response by SSG Valerie McKenzie made Feb 6 at 2020 5:01 AM

SSG Valerie McKenzie — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 05:01:39 -0500

I was stationed in Alaska in the mid-80s for almost 4 years and loved every minute off it! My favorite duty station in my 10 years of AD Army. Don't let the opinions of others taint your service...

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 10:02 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 10:02:03 -0500

My partner Recruiter was at Adak, and loved it. He was an outdoorsman though, and there are lots of critters up there. He bagged a nice elk with 7 mm.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 12:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 12:45:18 -0500

So, this is something that your drill sergeants would have to deal with, and we could do it at my AIT, but you can technically trade orders with someone else. (I think they might have to be the same rank), but if you find someone in your class, graduating the same time, and they have orders you want and you have orders that they want, you can trade your orders. However I think it depends on how much your Drill Sergeants want to help you out. We had some people do it with schools, a guy wanted to go to Korea (took some other soldiers spot and that soldier took his spot at the school). I do not know the details that go into this or how credible it is other than knowing those two who did it in my AIT. Might be something you can look into though.

As for Alaska, those I've met who have gone there absolutely loved it. Some people in the military will hate their time anywhere so just look into the area details, not the opinions.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 4:17 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 04:17:34 -0500

First of all, don't rely on the projection 100%. Mine changed 3 times, and my AIT was only 9 weeks. Assuming its subject to change until you get orders in your hand is a safe bet.

Second, don't let anyone tell you there's nothing to do....you just have to take the initiative to get out and find things to do. Trust me, there's plenty.

Regardless of which base you're at, Alaska is awesome. Every unit is different, and every duty station is what you make of it. Yes the winter is long and cold, but where else can you take a 4-day weekend and go caribou, bear, and wolf hunting at the same time?! You can head down to Seward and snag, fly or troll for salmon, or get a charter and get you some halibut, or go dipnetting too. There's great hiking everywhere (woods, mountains, & glaciers), and the views are unforgettable. If you're any bit of an outdoors person its paradise. Plenty of winter and summer sports to get in on in the area too.

Additionally, if you're not an outdoors person, I recommend becoming one whether you go to Alaska or not. You'll be happier and healthier for it!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2020 11:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:37:26 -0500

I was stationed at FWA for my first assignment. I was nervous, but I really enjoyed it. You can hunt, fish, boat, hike, play video games in your barracks all waking hours, go see plenty of sights.... believe me, there is plenty to do. If your DSs are telling you how bad it is, I don't think they've been there. The worst part might be that you will get there as they are returning from deployment. I watched that BDE send a 35F to ranger school. If you want to go to a school like that, ask and there is a good chance they'll send you. When I was there, we created a schools program that allowed new Soldiers to attend up to 3 schools prior to arriving in AK. It worked better for the Soldier and the Army. We had guys go to Ranger school, sniper school, and Stryker maint course. You're a B, if you haven't gotten Sec+, see if you can get it, or CEH, or some other computer cert. If you reach out, they may make it possible now, when you won't be able later. As a B, expect to be in the sig company, BDE staff or BN staff. I don't think there is really anywhere else for you. That means you will see your O5 and up CDR and your CSM pretty regular, which is a good thing.

Response by PO2 Donald Evans made Feb 9 at 2020 2:59 PM

PO2 Donald Evans — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 14:59:55 -0500

I was stationed there 06-10 and I can tell that it's only as bad as you let it be. No matter the weather I made it a point to get out and do something and with someone. And I actually had fun and met some great people. Like others have said, go work the flow.

Response by MAJ Tex Hall made Feb 9 at 2020 8:18 PM

MAJ Tex Hall — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 20:18:17 -0500

I was born and raised in South Texas. I loved being stationed in Fairbanks. Go Airborne if you can regardless of the duty station. Jump in Alaska! Awesome, but I didn't get to. A good friend of mine got there a year before me and was in the FSO jump slot and could've moved out for me.
The unit I commanded up there has a reunion every so often. We all enjoyed our time up there as well as the things we did together (and some things I didn't know till these later years, LOL).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 4:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 16:52:55 -0500

Well Alaska is what you make of it. Some people save their money for a decade to get the opportunity you will have. I was at Wainwright for 3.5 years. I loved it, trying to get back up there. If you like the outdoors hiking, camping ,hunting, skiing, fishing, sledding, snowmobiling (also sledding... you will understand when you are up there for a bit), wildlife then you will have a good time. If you love the big city life, clubbing, and high class places you will have some adjusting to do. It is a very Military friendly place, with good "down home" folks that love their state and don't want to deal with the lower 48s problems. Don't be that guy that goes up their with an attitude of everything is so much better anywhere else or it will be a long 3 years and you will make the locals less fond of the military.