How is it being stationed at Fort Hood? What information should I know about the base and the units with the 1st Medical Brigade?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 20:54:30 -0500

I'm looking at my options to PCS and was offered the 1st medical brigade. I was wondering if anyone has info on the base and the units with the 1st medical brigade?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2023 9:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:21:04 -0500

Contact one of these four gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jan 31 at 2023 9:35 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:35:51 -0500

You can bring up the unit's page on RP by going to https://www.rallypoint.com/units/1st-med-bde-1st-medical-brigade-fort-hood-tx. You'll see subordinate units on the left of the page as well as people that were (or are currently) assigned to the unit and discussions where the unit was tagged.

Regarding Ft. Hood itself, unless you have a specific question that someone might be able to elaborate on, your best bet for general info is to check out the installation pages on sites like the Army page for the base (https://home.army.mil/hood/index.php), Military OneSource (https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/fort-hood) and Military.com (https://www.military.com/base-guide/fort-hood) (plus the many, many other sites you'll find through an internet search).

RallyPoint

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2023 9:59 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:59:38 -0500

"The Great Place" my ass. That's all I have to say about Hood.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 8:11 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 08:11:29 -0500

It is like your on riding a bike... but the bike has no seat, and the bike is on fire, and the road is on fire, and the whole world is on fire... and you realize you are in hell.... But I mean other than that, it is great.... However, non-combat jobs experience may differ... but I have never heard a single person say... "man, can't wait to go back to Hood" ...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2023 9:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:50:42 -0500

Have you not seen the news about Hood the last 3 years alone? It's...yeah. I've never been there but anything I've heard about it I'm glad I never went there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2023 11:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 23:23:12 -0500

Former Combat Engineer turned Intel Nerd here. I was with 2ABCT "Blackjack" 1CAV when I was at Hood a few years back. The unit I was with was a t__c piece of S__t. And top enlisted leadership was a f__c__g joke. I will just keep it at that. You can fill in the blanks if you like. My favorite part was the decent training, taking care of my Soldiers, and shielding them from the BS.

However!! You are not going to 2ABCT. So you should be solid. Fort Hood is a pretty decent post, and the surrounding area(s), especially Harker Heights (Where we lived), Belton, Temple, Roundrock, Georgetown, Austin, and San Antonio, were absolutely outstanding. So many lakes and wildlife everywhere in the surrounding areas. Texas and the people are really fantastic. Soooo much to do. And great food. I miss Texas, but do not miss Fort Hood. Best of luck.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2023 6:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:45:15 -0500

It’s really not as bad as people say it is. Ben here since 2017. I’m now stationed at the college here in town. Whether you are married or single. There is plenty to do out here. A few hours from San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. And only about an hour and a half from Austin. Lots of land which means a lot of hunting and fishing if you’re into that. I will say that Killeen is kind of ghetto. Shootings every week. But most of that crime is centralized in north killeen. So with that being said, if you come here and decide to live off post, check out harker heights or even copperas cove. You can go farther but depends how far of a commute you’re willing to drive. Main gate gets pretty backed up in the mornings for PT. If you have any questions specifically you can shoot me a message. Good luck.

Response by SP5 Charles Gould made Feb 5 at 2023 7:24 PM

SP5 Charles Gould — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 19:24:51 -0500

When I rotated back to The World, I was stationed at Ft Hood, in 1967. Reported late, as I had a relapse of Malaria, and got hospitalized in Waco just before getting there driving across country. Shipped by ambulance to Hood’s hospital. When I was cleared, I reported to my unit, which was just being formed from returning Nam Vets. That was cool, but the other units on base seemed very suspicious and resentful of us. A lot of the officers in the non- combat units acted like a-holes towards us. They quickly learned, however, not to jack up the returning Nam vets. I had returned from a recon patrol where several guys died, or were wounded, including my best friend in the unit. From eating bugs and critters, blood-n-mud, to a dysfunctional Garrison where the OCS officers were battling with the ROTC butter bars. A complete clusterf! A year plus trying to make sense of the world, and the unfamiliar military. For some odd reason, that base in the desert screws with normal peoples heads. Was a circus, and based on fairly recent events still is. Good luck!
And stay the hell out of Killeen!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2023 9:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:52:02 -0500

It's Fort Hood. No place in Army like it. It will leave a lasting impression