Posted on Sep 10, 2014
What do you base your first impressions on when arriving at an installation?
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Guards at the gate, size of PX/BX, architecture, housing, school, or others, what jumps out the most for you at a new installation? Positive and/or negative
Posted in these groups: 
Military Installations
Military Installations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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How the post is laid out and how easy/difficult it is to get around. Oh yeah, and the size of the PX..... ;o)
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LTC Paul Labrador
I'm single.....so I have to do all my own shopping.... ;o) And the PX here at Bliss is AWESOME....! ;o)
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PO1 (Join to see)
My wife got my wallet by the chokehold, especially at bases with big PXs. Early on I learned that happy wife=happy life, and leave her and her PX alone :-D
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SFC Mark Merino
It's not the size of the PX, but how the dependents use it PO1 (Join to see) LTC Paul Labrador
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After having been stationed at Fort Polk I've learned not to judge any post by the available/lack of amenities. Nor do I allow other soldiers experience affect my own. I don't even let the idea of working in a non-structurally sound building affect my time in any duty station. My family and I had a blast stationed in Louisiana, loved the food and I have a shirt that states I survived my time here. But then again I murder rocks, injure stones and have hospitalized a brick, so I'm good where ever I go.
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I arrived at Fort Hood directly after 9/11. Like, less than one month after. Pretty chaotic. I had no idea what was going on. I moved off-post shortly afterwards. I lived about 6 blocks from the gate. I had to leave an hour early to make PT on time. Traffic was unbelievable. Soldiers would ditch their cars and run to the PT field.
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SSG (Join to see)
I have to take it all in first. The good and bad before I can make a judgment. I don't want to jump the gun and make a false statement. I was at Hood from Feb 2007 to Aug 2010. While I can't say I had the best command ever I really liked the area. So, I would have to say that my first impression was I really liked it because it was warmer than where I had been.
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PO1 (Join to see)
Well, hope you're happy you didn't work base security. It probably sucked the worst for those guys
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
It was that way on allt he post, not just Fort Hood, I ended up giving up trying to get into work until it took about an hour to get there.
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Think it is a good question, much like people, first impressions are about the aesthetics of the outside, so yes the base upkeep, structures, grass, etc, but then the meat of the issue is what is on the inside, so then to the people who work and live there, their attitude and a smile, being friendly and helpful.
I can attest to two completely separate ends of the spectrum with regard to both......Fort McClellan being badddddd and Fort Riley being good. Funny how that is a first and to date last assignment locations.
I can attest to two completely separate ends of the spectrum with regard to both......Fort McClellan being badddddd and Fort Riley being good. Funny how that is a first and to date last assignment locations.
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PO1 (Join to see)
Thank you for your input, sir! So what affects base aesthetics in your observation? Is it just sheer size and personnel volume, weather, or other factors?
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
like everyone has been commenting, the condition of the buildings, is the grass cut and trash picked up. Are there abandoned cars in the barracks parking lots, how tall are the weeds? Condition of the ranges, an easy drive through can clearly show one from another. Having been on places like Camp Zama Japan and then compare it to Atusgi or another base. Size has nothing to do with it in my opinion or personnel volume, the true physical condition and maintenance of it is the aesthetic part, but the people are what matters, so basically reception through getting to the unit will set the real tone for the place.
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The age and condition of the facilities. The size of the PX. The proximity of living areas to work areas and amenities. Traffic is big too.
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FIRST first impression for me was generally formed based on the age of the structures and overall condition/upkeep.
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The professionalism of the personnel at the replacement center, this has lots to do with the integration of new Soldiers in an installation. They are representative of the command as they process new Soldiers. Then I look at the equipment and readiness, this has lots to say what are you about to work with. Then the physical aspect of the installation, this represent the responsibility of the leadership, it is everyone's responsibility to keep the installation to standards, leadership set the standards for other to follow. At last I look at the community
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PO1 (Join to see)
Great response, SFC! Professionalism and good bearing are indeed amazing elements to present to new check-ins!
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The gate guards. I am in the process of reenlisting in the reserve and have had to visit Ft. Jackson a number of times. The guards are civilian rent-a-cops who usually don't even question why I am visiting the base without a military ID. The guards in Norfolk would never have allowed an unescorted civilian on base.
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PO2 Tony Casler
Also, nobody stops for colors. I had a line of angry people honking at me one day when I heard retreat and stopped.
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PO1 (Join to see)
Tony, if you're serious about guards' letting you on base without checking your ID, that's a security violation and should be reported to base chain of command IMMEDIATELY!
God forbid someone enters with malicious intent, start DC Naval Yard shooting or worse. Please, report it to base authorities next time it happens. Veteran or not, remember Honor, Courage, Commitment. Thank you for bringing it up to our attention!
God forbid someone enters with malicious intent, start DC Naval Yard shooting or worse. Please, report it to base authorities next time it happens. Veteran or not, remember Honor, Courage, Commitment. Thank you for bringing it up to our attention!
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How well maintained the base/post/fort is kept. Then maybe the size of the PX/BX.
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