My first duty station will be Fort Irwin. What is it like for a 74D?

74D eh? Here's some practical advice.
1. When you're initiating Smokepots stand up wind.
2. Get familiar with the Nuclear Simulators.
3. Go MOPP2 because NBC suits are warm in cold winters and summer nights.
4. You can run your heater on High for half the winter OR on Low all winter.
5. Carry extra water so buy a large Camelback.
6. Get familiar with camouflage.
7. Get a MGRS GPS w/carry extra batteries and your own map.
8. Learn how to find water.
9. Keep that vehicle working, hot-rodding breaks things.

Boring lol

Your prob gonna come to 1/11 and take over the cage in hht because there’s nobody to fill the slot currently but you’ll pretty much never be at work aside from quarterly layouts and to sign out promask when there’s a range going on that needs them. All and all you literally won’t do anything and be off by 1300 once your task are done. Maybe help out at the motorpool if absolutely necessary but that’s it so your chillin

Doesn't matter what MOS you are. Fort Irwin is the worst duty station in the entire army.

You are going to have a great time. Irwin has improved vastly since my time there. You will probably end up in either 1/11 or 2/11. I know that isn't much of a narrowing down, but one of them (or both) has a Troop that has a Smoke Platoon filled with CBRN folks that deploy smoke screens and what not. You are in the desert. It gets damn hot in the summer, and the winters are cold and windy. Vegas is about 2-3 hours drive north. LA and San Diego are 3 hours or so south. Stay away from Barstow as much as possible as it is a crap town. Otherwise, the assignment will be what you make it. Welcome to the Blackhorse and ALLONS!!!!