I just got to my first duty station yesterday (Fort Eustis). Why they don’t have me doing anything just yet?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:02:30 -0400

I was given linen and some other room supplies and a temporary room, but it just feels wrong for some reason. I asked my roommates and they weren’t sure and I really don’t want to bother an nco. This all seems so sketchy to me

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 9:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:14:15 -0400

Are you in an in-processing unit? Have you in processed the post or your unit yet? Were you given any times for formation, or first call for duty? Do you know who your first line supervisor is? Ask. It's better to ask then to just do nothing.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 23 at 2018 9:16 AM

SPC David Willis — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:16:02 -0400

When I got to my very first duty station I was in a barracks kind of like that. Basically a holding room for when your units not quite ready for you yet, but you should ask to find out what's going on.

Response by 1SG Dave Carello made Mar 23 at 2018 9:17 AM

1SG Dave Carello — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:17:12 -0400

Don't worry Soldier! They will FIND you.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 9:19 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:19:52 -0400

Have you reported into the unit specified on your orders?

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Mar 23 at 2018 9:24 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 09:24:22 -0400

Your in receiving most likely. You will sit there for a day or so until you are picked up and taken to your unit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 11:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:29:07 -0400

Haha, this happens usually everytime you will PCS. Just chill for now, they are Just getting manning taken care of and then will deliver you to your team.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 11:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:45:53 -0400

When in doubt ask. You aren't bothering a NCO if you are trying to do the right thing. I would not feel bothered if a new soldier asked me what he or she needed to do.

But you usually have some down time in processing at any unit and don't start work until you get inprocessed. If you're still at the reception unit then you're going to do a lot of twiddling your thumbs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 23 at 2018 2:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 14:30:45 -0400

Good units will give you a sponsor to show you around.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 23 at 2018 4:39 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 16:39:38 -0400

There is nothing wrong with asking an NCO what is next for you. If they are worth a grain they will be happy to advise you. It is not unusual to receive a temporary space until it is determined exactly what your role will be. Ask away and thank you for your service.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Mar 23 at 2018 4:57 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 16:57:35 -0400

Things like this used to happen all the time. While not at a duty station, I got to AIT at Ft Sam and they put several of us in a barracks, didn't say squat, came and got us 4 days later.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 9:00 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:00:36 -0400

Bother an nco if you feel that something isnt right , and also what did you ask your roomates this is all very vague

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 24 at 2018 1:26 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:26:34 -0400

I find your question interesting, as least as to the details. You say "I was given linen and some other room supplies and a temporary room" that implies to me that you were given a "room", do you mean room, like with a bed, closet, desk, etc? And you get that as an E-1 or E-2? That is crazy. Just be glad you have a room, that was something unheard of back in the 1960s. I did not get a room until I was a section chief. Our living space was a Quonset hut with 4 rooms at the end. Heat was provided by a diesel-fueled space heater and the A/C consisted of opening the doors and windows. (This did not have screen doors so the mosquitos moved in with us.) Sounds like there have been some changes in the past 50 years. Even when I was at AIT at Ft. Gordon we lived in the newest barracks which were two story brick affairs with rooms with about 10 guys per room. That was the new modern and up-to-date Army.