Should you get to pick your last duty station before you retire?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:43:00 -0400

Although I have a few years left before I retire, I would just like to know what others think about getting to pick the last duty station or not before you retire.

Response by CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2014 9:55 PM

CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 21:55:46 -0400

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 6:38 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 18:38:59 -0400

Being able to pick your last assignment would be nice, but there are a lot of variables that go into where you are assigned. On top of that, when you retire the Army will move you where you want to live. With that being said, it would be nice to be able to pick my last duty station, but it's not really a high priority on my list.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jun 12 at 2014 7:39 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:39:20 -0400

Be great to choose your last duty station except when the flood gates open the positions would fill up quickly. I called a BDE in JBLM about 7 years ago and they were around 150% over strength on the position at that time.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 21 at 2014 8:53 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 08:53:10 -0400

You would think but I can't see that that would Physically work out. How many Senior Enlisteds or Officers can be in London, Germany or Hawaii at the same time. You got to have some Jrs to accomplish the Mission. LOL!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2014 9:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:12:25 -0400

I would agree that you should be able to choose your final duty station IF:
-They actually have your MOS there or an immaterial position that you can fill
-They have room for you (if everyone wants to go to Hawaii for their final duty station, who will there be to send to other places)
- It makes sense to send you there (IE: they are going to BRAC the post within a year and you would have to PCS again)

I think it may make sense for you to be able to choose from what is available for your MOS/AOC, paygrade, and duty assignment for your final duty station. To just be stuck somewhere that has no need for you because you want to go there is not going to be the best for the Army or the Soldier.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jun 21 at 2014 10:43 AM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 10:43:06 -0400

Long story short a Soldier should be able to influence their last assignment before retirement just like they influenced every assignment throughout their career but they should not be able to pick their last assignment. I say this for several reasons:
- There is no way the Army would be able to fulfill this promise for every Soldier.
- The needs of the Army should take greater weight in determining assignments than the desires of the individual. Weighting the assignment criteria different than this would result in a less ready, capable, and trained Army.
- What happens if a Soldier states that this is their last assignment, they get their pick of assignment, and then they change their mind and decide to continue their service? Soldiers would game the system to get what they want for an assignment.
- I say the above as a Soldier with 22 years Service who can retire at any time.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Jun 22 at 2014 4:04 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Sun, 22 Jun 2014 04:04:32 -0400

you should get some say in all of your assignments, needs of the military come first always, but often times the needs of the SM can fit with that easily.