How can I change my duty station projections?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.