Posted on Jan 30, 2019
What are the things that concern you, you find confusing, worrisome or difficult as you arrive at your first duty stations?
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For the junior enlisted members who are new to the military, what are the things that concern you, you find confusing, worrisome or difficult as you arrive at your first duty stations?
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
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AB Tharanga Nuwan the phrase I absolutely despised while in processing and getting settled "...I wish you would have called us ahead of time. if you had only <insert a non-intuitive function>, we wouldn't have to do all <insert paperwork intensive scavenger hunt task>..."
Otherwise, it's not hard, it's the Army....or in your case the Air Force. I've never in processed an Air Force base. Don't they have a concierge service?
The Army at least made this process easier by aligning the functions. FMWR does their set of services. housing does theirs. In and out processing does theirs. Then it is a matter of physically finding the buildings. The big installations have a one stop in and out processing. You leave ready to,start at your unit, to include a basic issue from the Central Issue Facility CIF and Soldier Readiness Processing and a round of shots.
My wife would get a full tank of gas in our new town and intentionally get lost just to figure out what goes where and what is out there. She'd manage to find a lot of local gems like burger places etc.
Most of it is just the unknown and the anxiety of being uprooted before you are re-rooted in familiarity, relationships, and places. Get yourself a base map and just drive around.
Does the Air Force do sponsorship? The Army has thrown their shoulder into this, its not perfect but better than it ever has been as of 2016. It at least gives a you a peer belly button to help you out.
If you are going to your FIRST duty station, it's initial entry training...the folks in the round hats will help you out. You won't have time to worry about a new base. You'll assembly line in and out. You'll barely have time to have your feet hit the ground. It will be just you and your duffelbag.
Otherwise, it's not hard, it's the Army....or in your case the Air Force. I've never in processed an Air Force base. Don't they have a concierge service?
The Army at least made this process easier by aligning the functions. FMWR does their set of services. housing does theirs. In and out processing does theirs. Then it is a matter of physically finding the buildings. The big installations have a one stop in and out processing. You leave ready to,start at your unit, to include a basic issue from the Central Issue Facility CIF and Soldier Readiness Processing and a round of shots.
My wife would get a full tank of gas in our new town and intentionally get lost just to figure out what goes where and what is out there. She'd manage to find a lot of local gems like burger places etc.
Most of it is just the unknown and the anxiety of being uprooted before you are re-rooted in familiarity, relationships, and places. Get yourself a base map and just drive around.
Does the Air Force do sponsorship? The Army has thrown their shoulder into this, its not perfect but better than it ever has been as of 2016. It at least gives a you a peer belly button to help you out.
If you are going to your FIRST duty station, it's initial entry training...the folks in the round hats will help you out. You won't have time to worry about a new base. You'll assembly line in and out. You'll barely have time to have your feet hit the ground. It will be just you and your duffelbag.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
"If you are going to your FIRST duty station, it's initial entry training...the folks in the round hats will help you out. "
Love this Statement. Isn't that the truth, the guys in the Smokie Bear hats are more than willing to make sure you know exactly when to go, where to go, and what to do when you get there.
Love this Statement. Isn't that the truth, the guys in the Smokie Bear hats are more than willing to make sure you know exactly when to go, where to go, and what to do when you get there.
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LTC Jason Mackay
CPT Lawrence Cable definitely not an abundance of choice. If they could have breath in unison they would
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As I commander, I made it imperative incoming soldiers had a sponsor to show them around.
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Airman,
Do they still use the sponsor system in the Air Force? If so I would recommend that you utilize it and listen to your sponsor. They are a great help for in processing purposes and in helping you establish friendships that can be long lasting. In fact when I arrived at my first duty station the airline lost my duffel and subsequently all of my uniforms. My sponsor helped me report to my squadron commander in my civies and also helped to ease an otherwise difficult situation with humor!
Do they still use the sponsor system in the Air Force? If so I would recommend that you utilize it and listen to your sponsor. They are a great help for in processing purposes and in helping you establish friendships that can be long lasting. In fact when I arrived at my first duty station the airline lost my duffel and subsequently all of my uniforms. My sponsor helped me report to my squadron commander in my civies and also helped to ease an otherwise difficult situation with humor!
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