How is being stationed at Fort Irwin as OPFOR?

2017-07-10T06:13:50-04:00

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 6:22 AM

2017-07-10T06:22:55-04:00

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...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 7:42 AM

2017-07-10T07:42:26-04:00

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!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 9:48 AM

2017-07-10T09:48:43-04:00

I was there from '97 to '00 as an OPFOR Engineer. While it does get hot (shocker for a desert, I know), the assignment itself I truly enjoyed. It's a lot of days out in the field, but not as many as BLUFOR stays. And, I can only imagine that base life has improved since they really built it up from when I was there. You won't be disappointed.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Jul 10 at 2017 9:57 AM

2017-07-10T09:57:39-04:00

It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 9:26 AM

2017-07-11T09:26:08-04:00

I'm currently stationed here as an OC so can't speak explicitly about life as a blackhorse. However, the base itself has improved dramatically since the last time I was here. Irwin is located in the middle of nowhere, but there's a tremendous amount to do within a 250 mile radius. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego if you enjoy cities. Big Bear, Lake Havasu, and Sequoia National Park if you're more outdoorsy. Much like any assignment, it is what you make of it.

Response by SFC David McMillen made Jul 12 at 2017 8:37 AM

2017-07-12T08:37:39-04:00

I was there twice, once in the early 90's as part of the Opfor, and then from 2004-2006 as an O/C. I truly enjoyed the assignment, the units and soldiers are some of the finest i ran across in my 25 yrs of service. It was better when the soldiers ran finance and personnel, had a lot of issues with civilians in those regards from 2004-2006, hopefully the got that squared away. Don't overlook Calico Ghost Town and Owl Canyon campgrounds, they are cheap and close entertainment.

Response by SGT Ed Baldwin made Jul 14 at 2017 8:29 AM

2017-07-14T08:29:54-04:00

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.

Response by SSG Dr. John Bell, PhD. made Jul 31 at 2017 3:01 PM

2017-07-31T15:01:42-04:00

I was their from 1983 to 1985. Assigned to the Meddac. Weed Army Hospital. I lived in the town of Diamond Bar Ca. In Los Angles. Left at 4:30 am to drive the 125 miles to Fort Irwin. Never late for work and going against traffic flow both directions. Base had Vans that could be checked out to take friends and family to the many bases in the area. At the time their were A Marine Base, 2 or 3 Air Force bases and Navy base you could shop.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 3:37 PM

2017-07-31T15:37:23-04:00

Ill tell you what my experience was and you can make your decision based on that. Its great if you want to visit Las Vegas and California. However, there is not much to do on post and you have to travel 2 hours to do anything else. Units change with every Commander but what doesn't change is the rotation so I'll tell you what that looks like. 17days in the field, you come back on a Friday night and are usually not released until everything is accounted for (in my experience there around 2000-2200). You then have that sat sun off come back into work mon tue wen and then start your 4 day (maybe). I say maybe because when I was there especially if you're an NCO you usually end up pulling a duty at least every other month during that 1 4 day you get every month. What duties you may ask, well when I was there not only did they have staff duty, CQ, regiment staff duty but you also have every hour on the hour from 2300-0600 a NCO SGT or above walking through the barracks every night 365. Also, on the 4 days they had one NCO from the regiment do ride alongs with the MPs. So that's the rotation 17 on 2 off 3 on 4 off (maybe likely youll have some sort of NCO duty every other 4 day). The rotation doesn't change regardless of holidays. You have two block leave periods one in June and one in December which in mandatory or you just don't take leave and cant take leave any other time unless its an emergency. Sometimes they have these things called white weeks in between rotations which when I was there they had 2 or 3 a year and the unit used them to conduct more training for the 11th ACR. Would I got back ? Not if I had a choice.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 12 at 2019 3:53 AM

2019-05-12T03:53:22-04:00

I had a job offer as the deputy garrison CDR. GS13. 1994. I personally knew the garrison commander from Europe. The one star took the hiring action away from him and selected a bean counter. A female. When she came into this colonels office in high heels and a skirt he said honey this is a field job. That is why I wanted urban. Job is now a. GS 15. The ,BG eliminated the position and put in a LTC. My friend asked to be moved so he was sent to camp McCoy as a advisor to the reserves. She had filed a EEO complaint.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 16 at 2019 11:38 AM

2019-05-16T11:38:48-04:00

Fort Irwin will make your career. But it is a shit hole. Just like Baumholder. I know the DOL. Retired SGM. Ike.