What Army maintenance post would be a good pick for 15T?

2019-12-14T10:36:06-05:00

I'm going to MEPS this Tuesday to enlist in the Army as a 15T Blackhawk repairer. I think I will get to "pick" where I want my first duty station to be at. I'm just trying to get an idea of which duty stations are maintenance an which ones are flight. I really want to find a maintenance post because my goal is to become a crew chief at some point. With that being said, I've read in different posts here that the better crew chiefs started out in a maintenance unit before going to a flight unit. Which base can I be looking at to help me get an idea of possible locations for my family to move to. I've also heard that a lot of 15T's are sent to Korea once they are done with AIT so I imagine that could be a possibility.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 10:56 AM

2019-12-14T10:56:35-05:00

If you get a choice you will be able to go just about anywhere in the continental US. You will have options for Alaska, Hawaii, Europe and Asia. I was stationed in Germany and loved it. I’ve heard Hawaii is great. It all depends on where you want to be and what you make of where you are.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 11:15 AM

2019-12-14T11:15:12-05:00

Unless you get it in writing in your contract, then you will not get to pick your first duty station after graduating BCT & AIT. The Army will send you where they need you. With that being said, there are quite a few choices for Army Aviation. As far as preferring a Maintenance unit, what you learn and how you apply it depends entirely on you. I would personally rather go to a flight unit over maint. as you'll see how operations really work as opposed to working on phase birds 24/7.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 14 at 2019 12:28 PM

2019-12-14T12:28:54-05:00

How high was your GT score?

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Dec 14 at 2019 1:19 PM

2019-12-14T13:19:25-05:00

Don't believe everything you hear.. especially at MEPS or from recruiters..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 1:21 PM

2019-12-14T13:21:51-05:00

Typically you get to pick 3 locations during AIT. This is called a wish list. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll get your pick because duty stations are assigned based off the needs of the Army. Good luck in BCT and AIT. And welcome to the ranks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 1:30 PM

2019-12-14T13:30:15-05:00

You get a "wish list".

The Army takes that and throws it in the trash. If you stay more than one term, you can reenlist for a duty station of your choice.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 14 at 2019 1:54 PM

2019-12-14T13:54:55-05:00

Glad to see you got the recruiter issues worked out.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 2:55 PM

2019-12-14T14:55:15-05:00

Duty station is one thing, but unit placement is another. You *might* be able to preference a station, but you will not be able to pick the unit. As a 15T you will either go to the ASB, the AHB Delta company, or to an AHB flight company. Once there, you will have future opportunities to move and be reassigned in the BN or BDE. Just focus on learning your job. If you like the idea of high optempo and frequent deployments, come join us at the 101 CAB, Fort Campbell.

Response by SrA Zach Litgen made Dec 14 at 2019 7:32 PM

2019-12-14T19:32:22-05:00

Should have enlisted as a knuckle dragger aka Crew Chief....all about decisions and patience

Response by 1SG J. Shannon Lewis made Dec 14 at 2019 8:22 PM

2019-12-14T20:22:28-05:00

You should ask for 101st!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 11:35 PM

2019-12-14T23:35:55-05:00

In my opinion the best crew chiefs are those who were born and raised in a flight company. We do all of our maintenance, know all about the systems of the aircraft. As delta company and asb maintainers only know how to remove parts and put them on and don’t normally know what the system does or what components is interacts with. Just an opinion!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2019 11:37 PM

2019-12-14T23:37:16-05:00

You won’t get to pick your duty station, though. You can ask but it means nothing. Only needs of the army. Recruiters lied to you about that if they said you can choose.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Dec 14 at 2019 11:40 PM

2019-12-14T23:40:16-05:00

Hold up, flag on the play, time out. Previous postings you have indicated that you do not hold a High School Diploma and only hold a GED. The Reserves take GED's all day long but AD Army is picky and takes only a very few in. Did something change in the last few days in that you got a waiver or known acceptance into the Army with only a GED?

Next, you get a wish list which amounts to nothing. You go where the Army has a need for your MOS. If the two happen to overlap, great... if not... oh well.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2019 3:11 PM

2019-12-15T15:11:09-05:00

Camp Humphries you’ll be at your most busiest than any other post

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2019 1:48 PM

2019-12-16T13:48:13-05:00

When you get to an aviation BDE they will slot you at the needs of the BDE. You will either go to the Assault Helicopter Bn, the General Support Aviation Bn or the Aviation Support Bn. All three Bns have maintenance positions. The AHB and GSAB have both a maintenance company and flight companies while the ASB is strictly a maintenance BN with no flight companies. Each has positives and negatives for a young 15T. Flying is the ultimate goal of most maintainers but those slots are limited and therefore are generally hand selected. Every duty assignment also has positives and negatives but as has been stated here already it is usually needs of the Army unless you have it in your contract in writing as to where you will be stationed. If you have any other questions message me directly and I will answer what I can. Good luck.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2019 10:08 PM

2019-12-17T22:08:16-05:00

Congratulations on selecting one of the most rewarding MOS’s available. It’s kind of hard to give you advice without knowing your priorities. If you want to turn wrenches any of the big 3 will do. 101st, 82nd, 10th mountain. I would pick Korea because I love the culture(not drinking and playing). If you want to be a crew chief and start flying as soon as possible I would still pick from the top three. Korea is a short term assignment right out of AIT and does not provide for advancement.