What advice do you have for someone going to the 101st for their first duty station as an infantryman?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:44:37 -0400

Finally came down on orders for Campbell, this will be my first duty station as an infantryman i know the guard is way different so any advice would help. (i.e: How are the barracks? Any deployments coming up? etc)

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 19 at 2020 6:53 PM

SFC Michael D. — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 18:53:08 -0400

Get in real good shape.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Apr 19 at 2020 7:12 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:12:20 -0400

Learn how to climb ropes if you don’t already know how. Other than that, it’s easy. Do what your told.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 7:14 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:14:57 -0400

Hope you like running...Rakkasan!
You're gonna deploy, you're gonna run, you're going to AASLT school, you're gonna ruck. Nashville is awesome.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 7:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:56:51 -0400

Learn how to climb a rope Air Assault will open doors to ranger school and pathfinder. Deployments are there but not what you’re expecting. Also if you’re not a Rakkasan I’m sorry. Feel free to message me if you have any questions that need detailed answers. when all else fails, LET VALOR NOT FAIL!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 19 at 2020 9:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:10:49 -0400

Air Assault school is not hard. I was there 20 years ago. The infantry was in the field a lot.
The city of Clarksville is right outside the gate. I don't think it really geared for young folks. Nashville is maybe an hour and half away, but you make sure and don't get a DUI. Do you like to fish?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 3:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 03:26:21 -0400

The Guard isn't that different. Just make sure your discipline game is on point and get / stay in shape.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 12:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:36:10 -0400

"Orders are not orders;
they are not chiseled in stone;
the UCMJ quotes “lawful orders“.
If following an order gives you
an actual crisis of conscience,
ask yourself if it is lawful.
You may legally find it is not.
Should you decide against following
that order, know your decision
will be meticulously scrutinized.
Save this right for an existential issue;
use it only sparingly, and with
great caution."

-Unknown instructor at a UCMJ class in BT, anno 1980 Ft. Knox, KY.

Response by SGT(P) Abner Lozano made Apr 20 at 2020 4:46 PM

SGT(P) Abner Lozano — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:46:10 -0400

Be in tip top shape. Don’t get lazy with PT. The 101st loves their PT. Be ready to attend and graduate from Air Assault School. You WILL be sent. This is my second time back to Fort Campbell and I love it here. Clarksville is a really nice town and they just added a new hang out spot with arcades, laser tag, go karts, bowling and much more. Its pretty cool. Nashville is about an hour away so there’s that. If you have any questions, let me know.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Apr 21 at 2020 7:15 AM

1LT Peter Duston — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 07:15:46 -0400

Listen - Listen - Listen

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2020 8:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 20:24:24 -0400

I spent some time with the Rakkasans and can attest like others here are that if you're not a good runner now you will be soon. Every unit and platoon is different, but I was running ~4-6 miles every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Not joking, spend the money and get good running shoes. As of a decade ago Air Assault School slots weren't exactly handed out like candy, but if you pushed your leadership your desire to go you'd eventually get sent. Right now to my knowledge all "deployments" are related to CONUS operations, beyond that I won't say.

The 3rd BCT barracks are neither the worst nor the best I've ever seen in the Army, but I'd rank them among the better. Two bedrooms with their own unique lock that share a small kitchen and bathroom common area, with a DFAC and AAFES shopette/barbershop/gas station all in the brigade footprint. Bo's Barbershop outside post though is where I'd recommend you get your hair cut at though, they were the best around when I was at Campbell.

If you like city attractions you've got Nashville about an hour down the interstate to your south, and if you're a nature lover you've got Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to your north, and Mammoth Cave National Park to your east. I forget what the mileage limit away from post is, but you might need to get permission to go beyond it to get to Mammoth Cave, but it's worth it.

Fort Campbell is a great post and I enjoyed my time there. Congrats and remember you'll always be able to say you served with the 101st Airborne, one of the greatest organizations in the United States military.