How is being stationed at Fort Irwin as OPFOR?

11th Armored Cavalry Regiment is probably one of the best trained and cohesive units in the Army. There is a specific battle rhythm that you will live due to rotations in the box and your own units training schedule. A Unit is in the box for Force on Force FoF for 2 weeks. 1st week is RSOI where they usually fight amongst themselves and then they will have a week for LiveFire. So you have a maximum of 14 days in the box minus any prep. Depending on your professional timeline, you could easily work on a college degree via distance learning and knock out your own PME development. There will be planned downtime as well. But this is not a military base stuck in a large metropolitan city as some here will point out. This is a dirt training center at the end of the longest cul-de-sac in the US. You figure that out once you drive in. From garrison to I 15 is 1 hour. So, you will make due with everything on base until the rotation is complete and you will probably use FedEx or Amazon Prime more that you ever have. You will make of Irwin what you wish. I'd get a map out and circle out a 3-4 hour area. That will be your personal AO when you have down time. Have a great time in Atropia!

About the only thing good I found about being at Fort Irwin (speaking solely about things to do) is it's direct path to Vegas (lots of Soldiers end up there on the weekends from Irwin). Just not a lot to do in Barstow from what I remember. Its funny, even though its still a distance away, you can still see the lights from Vegas on the horizon at night. As OPFOR you will no doubt notice it when you are out in the field...

I was there from 88 to 94 when it was still the old 177th BDE and it was without a doubt a great assignment. It's hot, dusty and so forth but the missions always made it worth the effort. In addition to the job there are a great many opportunities for soldiers and their families to have a good time in Southern California and close by. From skiing in Big Bear to water skiing on Silver lake, amusment parks as well as museums and anything else you might think of. No bones about it though, it's a tough job and can be a downer from time to time but the satisfaction of knowing your effort will very likely mean soldiers coming home from a combat deployment because of the efforts made by the OPFOR.