How is being stationed at Fort Belvoir for a 68W?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 08:25:53 -0500

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 8:46 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 08:46:41 -0500

It depends on what clinic they put you in. When I first reported, they had me in Adult Behavioral Health, and did absolutely nothing. The then moved me to CoOccuring Outpatient Health, and I actually worked in the capacity of a BH Tech. After that I moved to Neurology and was in charge of a soldier and three corpsmen, and ensured that supplies were always up, and ensure patients were always cared for in the Belvoir standard of care. Then I was moved to the training room and worked as the schools NCO for A Co. Whatever you get, make the best of the situation, go to schools. Take college courses. You have plenty of time to knock out just about anything that the Army offers. Most clinics work normal 9-5 hours. I never worked in the ER or other clinics were medics were utilized

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 9:03 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 09:03:45 -0500

SSG Alleria Stanley could provide you some good insight on your question.

Response by PFC Jon Singleton made Feb 25 at 2016 9:45 AM

PFC Jon Singleton — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 09:45:46 -0500

I've heard good things. No personal experience but like anywhere else it's what you make of it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 10:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 10:48:48 -0500

I personally wasn't stationed at Belvoir as a 68W but I was at Rader Army Health Clinic on Fort Myer. Being in the DC area is a once in a lifetime type assignment. Not everyone gets stationed there so early in their career. Make the most of your time there. Fort Belvoir is an extremely nice installation. You are right down the road from Mount Vernon. You are about 23 miles from the Washington Monument. There is always something to do there! I hope you have fun. I loved being in the DC area

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 12:03 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:03:41 -0500

Not a 68W, but I can tell you it's a very nice, modern facility. A lot to do on and off post. With any assignment, it's what you make of it, as previously stated on another posting. If you can get Hemotology/Oncology or Internal Med, I know you'll have some great folks to work with. Cannot speak to the other clinics, but as a patient, was really impressed with the professionalism and care in those clinics. Good luck! Please keep us updated with how your assignment is going.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 5:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 17:55:41 -0500

Get into a TMC or ER. Avoid interacting with civilians where you're not covered by fares doctrine and profit.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 9:14 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 21:14:41 -0500

I'm currently working in the Dermatology clinic at fbch. I do the same things that our civilian lpn's do (local anesthetics before skin cancer surgeries and cyst removals, occasionally doing sutures, freezing warts, setting up the UV box for psoriasis / eczema/ etc. patients. The clinic hours are 0730-1600. I also take online and night classes and have my associates degree. (Full time parent). There's plenty of schools around here (within an hour) for promotion points (Combatives I & II, bus driver, forklift, word processing, mail handler, etc.) Housing is so much better here than it was for the 5 years I was stationed at Fort Hood (4 br, 2 1/2 BA, garage, carpet in living areas, hw laminate in wet areas, black appliances, privacy fenced back yard, free landscaping in front, etc.) Traffic around here is atrocious, and that's probably my only complaint. If you go to fort belvoir, try to request an outpatient clinic, we get snow days, some training holidays, and federal holidays off.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2016 10:29 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 22:29:33 -0500

Not bad buddy. If you go there dont worry. The hospital at belvoir is pretty much like everywhere else. It's not bad take advantage of schooling after your one year mark

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Feb 28 at 2016 2:39 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 14:39:18 -0500

Spent 5 years on Belvoir. Other then traffic a great assignment and area. I would go back if the opportunity comes available.

Response by SSG Alleria Stanley made Mar 3 at 2016 2:16 PM

SSG Alleria Stanley — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:16:50 -0500

Fort Belvoir is an excellent place to be stationed, IF it's not your first duty station. For those coming straight from AIT, it's a place to learn your craft, but you'll not learn any of your Soldier skills and those will wither while you're here. It'll be a disservice to you as a Soldier for when you proceed to a field unit.
That said, the National Capital Region is a unique opportunity. If you can think of something to do, any activity, it can be done here. And in the unlikely event that it cannot, there are many travel options on how to get there.
The cost of living may be high, especially the closer you get to the epicenter (The District), but if you choose to live in the outlying areas, you can easily make your dollars work for you.
The District is full of free activities, and it's a great place for families.

As with any duty station, it'll be what you make of it. When you arrive, ensure you grab with gusto any tasking that enhances your knowledge as a 68W. Take the time to improve your civilian education and take as many military schools as you can.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 8 at 2018 10:49 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 22:49:34 -0500

For Belvoir, with the possible exception of Fort Meyer and West Point, is the most luxurious post in the Army. It has two golf courses, colonels and sergeants major live in quarters larger than that of generals in most other places and the Officers Club has three swimming pools. Enjoy.