What can I expect in Vilseck, Germany?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:16:57 -0400

I'm currently in AIT training to become a 13 Fox. My orders are to go to Vilseck.(I assume 2nd CAV. We were only told a location) I am just curious as to what the day to day life would be. Along with the weekends and what there is to do as a 19 year old in Germany. Also any tips. Thanks in advance

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:28:15 -0400

Prepare to have your mind blown. I spent 5 years with 2nd CAV in Vilseck from 2006-2011. It was the best unit I've been in and you'll have an amazing time in Germany. The unit trains hard, but you will have plenty of down time to enjoy Bavaria. Make sure you get out of the barracks on the weekends and you will have a great time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:33 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:33:11 -0400

I wasn't at Vilseck, but at Landstuhl many moons ago. When you get there, as soon as you are stable and have the money and the European drivers license, get yourself a car. When you are not in the field and have weekends off, get in said car and travel around to many places. If you don't plan on getting a car, learn the Bahnhoff (train station) system well. Don't stay on base. Leave base. Travel. Do things. Visit your local MWR office for trips and events. If you intend to drink over there (you can be under 21 and drink in bars off base) DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT drink and drive. If you EVER come into the crosshairs of the Polezei, be polite and courteous at ALL times. Don't do anything stupid with them. Those cops DO NOT mess around. One place I recommend is the monastery called Kreuztberg (or burg). I can't remember exactly where it is, but I think it is somewhere between Schweinfurt and Wursburg. GREAT BEER. And as soon as you can, get to a German Restaurant and order the Jagerschnitzel. SO SO YUMMY.

Response by SSG Toryn Green made Sep 29 at 2015 9:57 PM

SSG Toryn Green — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 21:57:31 -0400

Germany is AMAZING!!! You will love it! Make sure you catch a few soccer games (I'm not a soccer fan in any way and I thoroughly enjoyed it), be sure to travel throughout the EU and see everything you can. You're young and you have an opportunity to visit many places that most people never get to experience. You will create memories that you will carry with you forever.

Response by SSG Shawn Ireland made Sep 29 at 2015 10:16 PM

SSG Shawn Ireland — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 22:16:24 -0400

Vilseck, for me was where I did my NCO courses. I didn't get to see to much there but the train will get you all over the country in short time. Bamberg, and Schweinfurt are where I was stationed and they were hot! Check out Nurnberg and Frankfurt, as they are large cities and have plenty. If you like music, concerts are hot as well. You'll love Germany! It gets cold and rain and snow are the order for the day! Enjoy yourself soldier!

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 7:14 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:14:33 -0400

I was a fox for 3 1/2 years. Best job in the Army. Period. Listen to you NCOs. If you don't, FSNCOs have very physically ways of getting you to listen. Hang in there the first few weeks and ask plenty of questions. Foxes expect you to know ALOT and fast. If you choose not to study you will be getting very strong during the week. My buddy spent 3 years in the unit your heading to and he loved it.

Fisters are the proudest group in the Army and we have the best damn job in the world. Stay curious. Study your ass off. And be in shape. You'll be squared away. Message me if you need anything else.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 7:54 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 07:54:54 -0400

Your day to day life is pretty simple. PT in the morning. Motor pool Monday and motor pool close outs on Friday. Expect a lot of field time and a lot of 30+ days of field time too. I worked with a lot of the fisters in 2CR and they're a great group of nutters.

Like I tell everyone getting stationed in Germany. Make sure you go out and visit Germany and Europe. The regiment will give you the oppurtunity and the time to do it. Make sure you do.

Legal drinking age is 18 being stationed in Germany. Enjoy the culture food and beer. If you get their soon you'll enjoy ocktoberfest for this year as well. That said drink responsibly, do it in moderation, and be safe about it. Being American and further more being a service member you are and always will be a target of oppurtunity. Enjoy yourself but be safe.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 8:17 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 08:17:59 -0400

vilseck is very relaxed... get out and travel while you are there

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:22:14 -0400

I was stationed in Vilseck for five years (2003-08) and loved it. There are plenty of bars and clubs in Nuremberg, Munich and surrounding areas. You can travel all over Europe by train or cheap airlines. Make the best of your time there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 7:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 07:33:51 -0400

I'm not posting this to be funny or to disappoint you, but you should know what to expect here in Field Artillery Squadron. You'll be in HHB. There are 4 FiST Platoons that support the maneuver Squadrons and one Platoon for Regimental FSE. If your lucky you will be assigned to a FiST platoon and not stuck in the S-3. Day to day life will consist of many details such as: cutting grass, sweeping the motorpool, raking leaves and shoveling snow. Not to mention a lot of Cq/ staff duty. You will get your time in the field to learn your job. You can also expect to be on a rotation to Eastern Europe for Operation Atlantic Resolve at some point. Enjoy your weekends and put in 4 day passes to avoid getting duty on four day weekends.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Oct 1 at 2015 11:00 PM

SGT Felicia King — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 23:00:12 -0400

That was my first duty station back in 2000. I'm sure it changed a lot since. One thing to do in Germany is to enjoy the rich history and beautiful sites. Germany is a beautiful country, and very clean. Don't waste your time drinking beer and messing with German females.

Response by MSG Alfred Aguilar made Oct 2 at 2015 12:12 AM

MSG Alfred Aguilar — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 00:12:37 -0400

You can expect to see hell freeze over...

Response by SSG Willis Baker made Oct 2 at 2015 3:19 AM

SSG Willis Baker — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 03:19:47 -0400

Good Beer.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 9:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 21:45:44 -0400

Germany is great. I left there in April. I was in ansbach. Go to all the fests. Drink age is different and so is the beer becareful. Graf is just right up the rang road. And the best dfac is out were wlc is lol. Have fun.

Response by SGT Ian Williams made Jun 9 at 2016 5:22 PM

SGT Ian Williams — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 17:22:05 -0400

Honesty, from reading the responses that have been listed they have pretty much nailed it. I have been here since 2006 and still am currently in vilseck. It is as fun as you make it, get out and travel, don't be a barraks rat. Utilize the BOSS program.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Mar 16 at 2017 2:17 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 14:17:25 -0400

expect to be cold as hell during the winter lol... lots of history to get out and see.. lots of castles.. and travel to other countries.. to the west lies England.. to the north Denmark... south Italy and france.. get out and experience your surroundings

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2017 12:37 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:37:48 -0400

Vilseck is the most chill duty station that i have ever had

Response by CPL Charles Parisano made May 17 at 2017 5:06 PM

CPL Charles Parisano — Wed, 17 May 2017 17:06:30 -0400

Expect the weather to change quickly in Vilseck. As for Germany there is beautiful scenery, beautiful women and plenty of beer. Do yourself a favor and take an intro to German course if they don't offer upon inprocessing. Until then memorize -"Eine bier bitte"

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Jul 28 at 2017 3:44 PM

1SG Frank Boynton — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 15:44:36 -0400

Wow, I can't believe all the comments about how great the duty assignment was for so many. In the mid 80's I came down on order for the 2nd ACR. That was before the Berlin Wall came down and the 2nd ACR's job was 24X7 border patrol. I didn't know a single person who "loved" the assignment. I was fortunate enough to get out of the assignment as got Wiesbaden Air Base instead. That is/was the best kept secret in the Army. I stayed at that assignment for 7 1/2 years, doing a COT and then frozen the last 1 1/2 years because of DS/DS, which I deployed to. Sounds like maybe the mission for the 2nd ACR has changed quite a bit after the wall came down. That being said, enjoy Germany, I did a total of 10 years in Germany, not to mention 4 1/2 when I was a kid (Dad was stationed there). Enjoy the culture and experience it. You will never forget it, and it may be the best time of your life.

Response by SFC Byron Perry made Nov 25 at 2017 11:34 PM

SFC Byron Perry — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 23:34:54 -0500

Mainly don't drink and drive.

Response by SPC Christopher McClain made Jun 19 at 2018 7:00 PM

SPC Christopher McClain — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 19:00:29 -0400

Stay away from the Alcohol and go on trips with the Chaplain, site seeing!!