I am PCS'ing to Vilseck, Germany in early Spring 2018. What is some important advice for a single junior infantry officer heading to USAREUR?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:43:05 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 10:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:49:22 -0400

Enjoy yourself and travel. Vilseck is not a large city as I remember. There are plenty of opportunities to go see the larger cities. I once traveled to Regensburg from there and it was beautiful. Learn some German if you don't know some already. The Germans enjoy your efforts, and they are very helpful if you attempt to speak to them in German often replying in excellent English.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 10:56 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 10:56:39 -0400

Apply for your travel passport now. Take advantage of the cheep travel (MWR and BOSS trips over 4 day weekends).
Be careful at the bars, 16 year olds are allowed. Don't be taken advantage of, Germans often think Soldiers make a lot of money and are looking for a husband.
Depending on your unit, you may be on mission quite frequently and in the field.
Enjoy your time, be ready for anything, and always willing to learn from those that have been in a while.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 12:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 12:32:20 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member, it's great that you are reaching out to find out all you can. You should be assigned to an experienced Officer as soon as you get there who will help you over the barriers. Vilseck was my first duty station once I Commissioned. Took me forever to find it on a map! Enjoy your time there, travel often, especially to other European countries when you have the time. All of the surrounding countries are easily accessible on a three or four-day pass.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 2:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 14:45:54 -0400

As previously stated, get your tourist passport before you come here. Be prepared for a high OP tempo. We are constantly busy doing OAR (Operation Atlantic Resolve) rotations, or going to JMRC (Joint Multinational Readiness Center) at Hohenfels. As always; learn what you can from your peers, from the senior officers, your NCOs and even your soldiers. Anyone can teach you something you don't know.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 15 at 2017 8:37 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 20:37:37 -0400

Get some language CDs and start picking up the basics of German, i.e. numbers, basic phrases. The more you get out and do the better off you will be. People will also accept you better if you try. Don't be afraid to travel. Trains are fantastic. Remember when you buy a ticket, you don't need a reservation, you can always find a place on the train, many times in the cafe car. If you're single, don't go hog wild about spending money, save something, not hard to do. I've read through the other posts, lots of good advice out there. If you enjoy history, take advantage. Castles are a kid's dream (we're all still kids).

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 10:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 22:47:42 -0400

I was stationed in Vilseck from 2003-08 and had a great time between deployments. When you get Euros, go to offpost banks because you get a better conversion rate than if you get them from the military banks onpost.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 10:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 22:48:49 -0400

If you're bringing your POV over, always gas up on post because fuel is expensive offpost.

Response by SSG Brian L. made Jul 16 at 2017 10:40 AM

SSG Brian L. — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 10:40:04 -0400

Enjoy life when not training and love and learn from other cultures. No Walmart s... remember you are not in Kansas anymore

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 8:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:46:50 -0400

Observe closely before you try to "change". You will have some really fine troops that can and will teach you a lot if you treat them right and with respect! This is true in all theatres!

Response by SFC Donald LeBlanc made Jul 18 at 2017 10:14 PM

SFC Donald LeBlanc — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:14:18 -0400

2LT Gregory Doty - I can honestly say - you will ENJOY Europe! Of the 12 years I spent in Germany - 10 were in the Grafhenwoehr, Vilseck and Hohenfels area! Despite the area not being in a Major city - there still are plenty of activities to keep you busy. The village of Vilseck has some quaint businesses (bars, clubs, restaurants) - so please try to get to know them as you will enjoy them more. Also, Vilseck has a train depot which gives you access to the rest of Europe by rail. Many times, heading to Nürnberg for the weekend or Regensburg, Müchen are easily done by train. Explore the area - many castles, breweries, Chrystal factories are in Bavaria. There is also a concentration camp nearby that you are able to visit/tour to learn about the history of northern Bavaria during WWII. The Czechia border isn't that far (like 15-20 minutes) and driving to Prague is definitely worth it! As far as training and your military duties go, you will stay busy especially in the European Training center of (Grafen-fels). No worries on learning your duties - that will come with time...just try to enjoy your European experience.

Response by SGT Jeremy Bryson made Jul 21 at 2017 8:58 PM

SGT Jeremy Bryson — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:58:29 -0400

Everyone have made all my points. All I can say is don't stay on post. Get out and see Europe. You are about 1 1/2 hours from Prague, 4 hours from France, 3 hours from Austria all by driving. You can get cheap flights throughout Europe.

Response by SPC Nathan Thompson made Jul 21 at 2017 10:02 PM

SPC Nathan Thompson — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 22:02:21 -0400

Honestly listen to those around you. The best young officers I served under were the ones who came in understanding that they still had much to learn and they listened and gleaned from the NCO's and were successful. If your heading to 2CR you're in luck I loved that unit. The love and history of that unit runs deep and it's a unit you can be proud to serve with

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2017 1:47 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:47:08 -0400

There is a driving class on JKO. I'm attaching a screenshot. It's the first two links. If you do these on JKO you won't have to do the drivers test during in-processing and you'll save yourself a day of sitting in a class listening to a German instructor.

Response by SGT Victoria Belbusti made Sep 2 at 2017 9:32 AM

SGT Victoria Belbusti — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 09:32:39 -0400

Be a true leader in that unit. Stand up for the enlisted and don't fall into the toxic trap. It will sure be a test.

Also Germany is great! Get your traveling in!