How is 88Hs units in fort hood ?

Mikey, my first MOS was as a Cobra mechanic and I did AIT, BNCOC (now ALC) and an ASI school at Fort Eustis. I love the area around Eustis but I love it here more. The weather is a lot different, not so cold but the summers are a lot hotter, like above 100 from mid to late June until the middle of September, but I was outside in shorts and a t-shirt when I was smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving.

Fort Hood is what you make of it. I know guys that hated Germany, Italy and Korea, but they made no effort to learn the language and they never did anything on the weekends except drink and play video games. In all three places, they were near a train station, so they could have gone from BFE to a lot of cool places like the major cities in those countries. If they had checked into flights they could have spend four passes in dozens of countries for a very few hour flight.

I have lived in the Fort Hood area since '06, I live west of the base by 20 minutes, Copperas Cove are less like a Army base town, as is Belton to the east. Killeen, which is the city closest to the base has its nice sections but there are also a lot of not so nice places, all of the off limits places are in Killeen, and they are on the list for violence and drugs. Some people in Killeen (mostly Soldiers and family) drive like a-holes.

The big think to make your tour enjoyable is to get out, there are a lot of cool little towns to visit, especially if you are into wine or beer. Not to mention, that Austin, San Antonio and Dallas are a few hours away; Austin is actually close to an hour flat. In other states within a few hours drive you have New Orleans, Oklahoma City and a couple more. The map gets bigger if you want to spring for airline tickets. Killeen has a regional airport that have several flights a day to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (which is American Airline's major hub) or to Houston which is United's hub.

If you change your state of legal residence to Texas, there are a host of benefits for service members and veterans like; cheaper car registration in you have certain license plates related to military service. There are college benefits for state resident veterans. There is a VA campus fairly close if you have a service relate disability. If you have a service related disability, the State will reduce your property tax depending on your rating. My son lost his leg in Afghanistan, so he pays no property tax. another thing about Texas in general is there is no state income tax and gas is cheaper. Oh Yeah, Texas is a very pro-gun state. Hunting and fishing licenses are free or very cheap.

if you have any more questions, hit me up

I just left Ft Hood. I’ve got a couple friends stationed at Ft Eustis but I’ve never been there myself. From what I’ve heard though, Ft Eustis is basically like a vacation. Ft Hood is the complete opposite. You’re gonna WORK. Most likely you’re gonna be assigned to 297th ICTC under 13th ESC. I was stationed there for about 4 years & the work flow was constant.

Texas in general has a lot to do though. Lots of different places to visit, restaurants to eat at, etc.