How was your experience at the team and squad level as a SGT at Fort Lewis?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 17:19:40 -0400

Good chance I'm heading to JBLM in October and am curious as to how people's experiences were as an 11B SGT at Lewis.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 11 at 2015 7:58 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:58:37 -0400

Great did two combat tours, was with the 513th TC, did alit of training at Yakima Training Center and the Port of Tacoma. We also traveled to Oregon to do training with the National Gauard outside of Portland." They say if it ain't raining you ain't training". Welcome to FT. Lewis, Washington.

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Jul 11 at 2015 8:19 PM

SPC Thomas Baldwin — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:19:00 -0400

JBLM has year round all terrain training available. even snow year round on Mount Rainier where they like to hold winter training year round. and for desert training Yakima Training Center just 250 miles away. This is a pic of me in YFC in 1987. You'll have fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 10:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 22:30:06 -0400

I was stationed at Fort Lewis from 1987-89 and did two tours at Yakima Firing Center aka Yak a Tak.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 2:09 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 14:09:42 -0400

Younger troops are often more at risk to find themselves in trouble. In depth mentoring and leadership is always needed.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 5:26 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 17:26:58 -0400

Sgt.
JBLM was my duty station before heading to VA. And me personally I did not like it there. rains 300 days of the year, the traffic on I-5 and 512 sucks. But what I have learn over the many years in the service is you make it the best or worst. Good luck there.

Response by SGT James Adair made Jul 15 at 2015 10:30 PM

SGT James Adair — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 22:30:07 -0400

I was there from Sept. of 1980 to Oct. 1982. It rains plenty. We were prenty limited in what we could use in the field as compared to now. Learn to keep things dry and take care of your feet! Trench foot is nasty. I actually did OJT with C 2/47ht infantry and we stayed there as our duty station. All of the NCO's and officers were already there. We were also staying at North Fort (Lewis) for about 5 months.

Response by SGT Terry Garner made Jul 15 at 2015 11:15 PM

SGT Terry Garner — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:15:57 -0400

Son, it has been over 30 years since I wore the uniform, it was a vastly different Army then. I am not sure how to answer, I had a good experience while I was in, good staff and senior NCOs who backed me up and mentored me. But remember, You are an NCO, You are a subject matter expert in your MOS. You are to act as a mentor and leader to the soldiers under you. You must be willing to get your hands just as dirty as your soldiers to lead the way, but also know your soldiers well enough to know who to delegate authority to. You are responsible to make sure the mission is completed, and that your soldiers are cared for when needed.

Ft Lewis is a good duty station, with lots of stuff to do off post on your own time, about 1hr east is Mt Rainier with a lot of trails for hiking, and the Wonderland Trail (look this one up), 2hrs West is the coast, 2.5 hrs NE is a little town in the Cascade mtns called Leavenworth that is worth a visit, Seattle is about 45min-1hr away with plenty of things to see and do, 6hrs SE is central OR with everything an outdoor person wants to do right there. There is also the Oregon coast, and Portland OR with lots to see and do too. Government Camp on Mt Hood is about 3hrs away with year round skiing! This assignment is what you make it, make it a good one.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 11:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 23:33:55 -0400

Outstanding Duty Location. Excellent MOUT training site and good training opportunities if you want to make the most of your career.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 3:37 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 03:37:57 -0400

It was a great place, was there from 2006-2010, with 2-1CAV, 4/2ID. That unit no longer is on the installation, but that aside, the Tacoma-Seattle area was a great place to live and go on adventures. If you have kids, the Seattle Aquarium is really nice, and for hiking, Mt. Raineer was a good place to go. Lots of trails and lots to explore. I would go back if I had the chance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2015 5:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 17:52:13 -0400

I was in the MP BN so it will be alot different for you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2015 7:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 19:26:00 -0400

I unfortunately was with a unit that disbanded last year when I was a SGT, however, judging from the unit I'm with right now, you will have either a very rewarding or a very hard time , depending on how much you love training. Most units here are nonstop training. Yakima Training Center and NTC are always looking in the future, but you will learn a lot and have plenty to do outside of work.