If I transition from NG to active as a 19D, where am I likely to get stationed?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 18:07:22 -0400

Where am I looking to get stationed? I know where the big cav units are, I'm just not sure who's needing bodies.
I've got dependants and I'm not 100% sure how BAH works for real soldiers.
Should I move my family on base or off base?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2019 6:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 18:12:59 -0400

When you go Active, you will fill out a Dream Sheet for assignments. The Big Army will take that list into consideration and then send you where they need you. If you get On Post housing, then you probably will NOT receive BAH. If you end up living off base, then you will probably get BAH.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2019 7:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 19:47:07 -0400

Talk to a recruiter. If you’re able to keep your sane MOS, you’ll go straight to a duty location so you’ll be able to choose based upon which assignments are available at the time he/she checks the system. I wouldn’t recommend taking your family right away until you get to the location to find out whether or not your unit is currently deployed or scheduled for a deployment. It doesn’t make sense to move them if you have to deploy out to your unit within 2-4weeks after your arrival. Good luck to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2019 9:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 21:29:07 -0400

As combat arms, you could land at any major CONUS base that isn’t TRADOC, plus Alaska, Hawaii, Korea, or Europe.

Whether you should live on or off base depends on where you end up. There are some places where living on base is preferred (Bliss, Lewis) and others it’s up to you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Oct 5 at 2019 1:47 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 01:47:35 -0400

Almost any major installation in the US and Over Seas. Thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2019 2:55 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 02:55:22 -0400

It depends on what needs filled on that day when you walk into the MEPS.
BAH is based off your duty station zip.
Whether you should stay on or off post, or even which you are able to do, depends on where you are stationed.

Response by SSG Elmer Price made Oct 10 at 2019 9:44 PM

SSG Elmer Price — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 21:44:02 -0400

There again depends on where ya go when I was in germany my family lived off post and loved it!! As a 19D I was in Hawaii 25th infantry division, fort riley KS Harvey barracks Germany (Nurumburg) Fort Bliss TX then back to Germany Kitzigan from there I went to Amsterdam loading ships going to kewait. Then to fort carson Colorado I ran a firing range 40 miles down range for the M1 tanks. so you could go about any where.
Price

Response by SP5 Joseph Ascanio made Oct 11 at 2019 6:51 AM

SP5 Joseph Ascanio — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:51:47 -0400

I will give you a hint if you live off base you get more money.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2019 2:52 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 14:52:37 -0500

I transitioned from Guard to Active as 19D. Super easy. Here was how it went down for me...

When you're at MEPS on the final day (you gotta reprocess and all your paperwork will get lost) the career counselor will call... I forget, Branch maybe? That doesn't sound right. Maybe it is. They call SOMEBODY from the Army and say "hey, I got a 19D here transitioning, where are the openings?"

That person then looks on their computer and tells the career counselor what stations have openings for your MOS and rank. Usually, they let you pick. At least they did for me. I had the option of Hood, Bliss, Riley, Lewis and Drum. I chose Drum because screw the heat and the rain. But, they made me pick right then and there. The Army doesn't wait on you.

Then, they print your orders to your duty station and then give you a report date right there after you pick, if they GIVE you the option to pick (Pray they don't send you to Korea - they almost pulled that on me). It's honestly a 10 minute ordeal that lasts about 3 hours.

But everyone's experience is different. I transitioned right after my Guard contract was up. That DD Form 368 is a totally different obstacle.

Hope it all works out for you! Don't let them send you to Korea!