I'm getting orders to Fort Irwin in March. Do y'all have any advice (as it is my first duty station)?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 18:57:41 -0500

Single soldier, E-2, 88M
I'm mainly curious about the barracks life, stuff to do (if anything to do on base), and what are some words of wisdom for entering into the "real army".

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 7:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:30:59 -0500

Real wisdom-
Start investing part of your pay monthly into a Thrift Savings Account. Next, invest in a ROTH IRA. Pay the max amount. Do not purchase a new 40k car. When available start work on college courses. Learn your vehicle and know to maintain it. Observe your NCOs and Officers. Be 15 minutes early, PT every morning, read regulations and don't listen to the barrack's lawyers. That should be a start.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 8:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 20:45:54 -0500

Save your money, take college courses and stay away from the nearest town Barstow which is about 30 miles from post.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 9:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:46:01 -0500

As an 88M, you could be assigned to Support Squadron and you will find yourself to be a member of a proud and history filled unit called the 11th ACR. And if the 11th ACR is where you end up, I recommend you study up on the history of the Regiment and that of the Squadron you end up in. Chances are you will end up in front of a board while there and it will behoove you to know this stuff now.

Barracks life (unless they completely redid the barracks): you will have a roommate. When I was there, the Post/Regimental barracks policy was that if two Soldiers share a room and if one or both Soldiers are under 21, NO ALCOHOL allowed. Same with smoking (if one was a non smoker), but chances are smoking is no longer allowed in the barracks. The rooms are a little small, but if you can get creative, then you can find ways of making the room a comfortable one.

As others have said, while there take the time to work on your college education if you haven't done so already. Again, if you are part of Maintenance Troop, then you will be part of OPFOR and will spend a few days every month in the field, but when you aren't out there in the box, you will have plenty of time to work on education.

While there isn't much to do on this base (as compared to other Army bases with a big city closer), there are some good amenities. You have a pool there. The library is pretty good. There should still be a recreation center. There is an MWR office. The BOSS program was HUGE when I was there. Again, good advice on saving money has already been said. If you want to buy a cheap car, there should still probably be a "lemon lot" on base where Soldiers that are PCSing or ETSing and can't take or don't want to take their car with them usually place their cars for sale there. You can usually find a good car at a decent price.

While you are there, watch and learn from your fellow Soldiers and NCO's. Ask questions. Learn all that you can. You will learn real fast that TRADOC Army and Operational Army are two VERY different beasts. Always heed the 10 minutes prior mantra. Because: If you're on time you are late, and if you are early you are on time. And as it was said about the Barracks Lawyers....stay the hell away from them. If you hear anything about policy or regulation in the barracks, don't believe it and head right to the first NCO in your chain and get clarification.

Again, if you do end up in the 11th ACR, get used to hearing the motto: ALLONS (it means LET'S GO)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 11:14 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 11:14:44 -0500

This duty station is equvilent to 29 palms for the marine corp. real shit hole.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 12:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:15:52 -0500

There used to be a bowling alley and Starbucks, paintball course, and intramural athletics, I think. But as mentioned in the response from the other day, I understand lots of construction has occurred on the installation recently and I am not sure about any improvements. I made the Barns and Noble in Victorville a regular part of my weekends. RSS did an excellent job of taking care of their soldiers. They are world class soldiers that provide world class training for a world class army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 8:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 08:22:53 -0500

1. Start your thrift savings account. You can start that in AIT when you went to your finance brief.
2. When you get to your unit. Look at the people you work with, Stay away from anyone with 4 plus years in the army and isnt a SGT yet. They are obviously behind the power curve
3. When you get a car remember, your first car is usually not your dream car. I would suggest spend less than 15k on a new car(if you dont know anything about them) or 10k for a used car (if you know how to work on cars)
4. Dont waste your money, if you are issued a meal card USE IT. Nothing worse than seeing Soldiers spend all this money on food. You are paying double.
5. I hate to say it but i will cause i tell all my new female privates this. Try to avoid having a baby if you are not married. The Army is hard for a young single parent new to the Army and will add alot of stress trying to have your career, be a good mommy, putting together a family care plan, making sure you get the baby to and from daycare on time and get to formation. I only say that because most of the females i had in this situation are the ones who usually end up as the primary parent and have the child 99% of the time.

Response by SGM Jeff Bullard made Feb 2 at 2017 9:01 PM

SGM Jeff Bullard — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:01:00 -0500

Enroll in college. During 4 day passes get out a see Southern California. LA, San Diego, Big Bear and Las Vegas. There are a lot of places to go and see in the area.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 9:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:01:43 -0500

Prepare for blistering heat during summer and bone chilling cold during winter. If you allergies, take care of that as soon as possible.
It's so isolated, far from the city. Weekends , have fun but not to much that get you in trouble. Soldiers get chapter out from less offenses. Google it, drive safe, its a long drive. Be prepared if your reporting with your pov, state license, CAC card and registration. And Don't Speed, MPs all over the place and have nothing to do.

Response by PV2 Robert Bowne made Feb 9 at 2017 1:13 PM

PV2 Robert Bowne — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:13:28 -0500

Pray for cool weather because in the summer time it can be a bitch when you are out on FTX in the sandbox sister. Winter can be cold as hell as well. The nearest excitement off post is Barstow which is OK if you want to stay local.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2017 11:05 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 11:05:35 -0500

Stay away from the trouble makers that are there. As stated earlier, education, whether civilian or military. Vehicle's, if tou already own one great, if not, talk with your NCOs first before buying. When free time arrises, get out and explore. There is very little around post. And lastly, don't be one of those soldiers that say there isn't anything to do. Every duty station is what you make it.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2017 12:07 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Feb 2017 00:07:29 -0500

VEGAS BABY, HOME OF NTC GOODLUCK

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2017 2:48 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 14:48:39 -0500

Save your money, get started on your education. Study every manual on your MOS. Your job is to be technically and tactically proficient. The education will make your career a success.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2017 1:01 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 01:01:06 -0500

SAVE SAVE SAVE! Going out for beers is fun and all, but be smart. The money you spend for one night of fun with friends could be saved and used for something more important down the road. Invest in TSP, and just be smart with your pay. Barracks life might not be as cool as living in a house with other people, but guaranteed it will be cheaper and put more in your pocket in the long run.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2017 2:35 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 02:35:00 -0400

I'm currently stationed here, it's the middle of no where yet the middle of everything, post is small but not terrible, and as far as things to do around here it just depends on your hobbies. Definitely get enrolled in school though while you're here. Take advantage of Deseret university aswell, it's a program designed to give you time during Duty hours to work on school work twice a week

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 17 at 2017 9:17 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 09:17:07 -0400