What is the best TDY you ever had?

I thought what happened on TDY stayed on TDY...

In 1972 the Marine Corps was trying to solve racial tensions. They contracted with a civilian who developed a Human Relations Instructor's Course. The intent was to have a team of instructors in each unit to conduct training one Human Relations and racial understandings.

I was selected as one of two instructors from my unit in Kansas City, MO.

I departed Kansas City on January 5, 1959 and the temperature was 5 Degrees Fahrenheit. Three hours later we landed in San Diego, California. When I got off of the plane the temperature was 59 Degrees Fahrenheit. \

I attending training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. I was a Sergeant at the time. Needless to say a Sergeant at MCRD who is not a Drill Instructor is one of the best duties you will ever have. To this day I say San Diego is one of the best secrets in America. I HAD A BLAST!

Last 3 years on Active Duty at Ft. Lee, Va. I spent 17 months TDY traveling to different stateside installations conducting a supply course. When at home station was an instructor for mostly officers/civilians.

My best TDY trip has been classified by those that were there with me until 2085. What happens TDY, stays TDY.

Spending time as a Guest Observer-Controller/Trainer at NTC and JRTC.
Since I was from FORSCOM HQ, I went under a different funding umbrella than all the other Guest OC/Ts in that I stayed in the hotel on post, had a rental car, and ate on my own.
The creature comforts weren't what made the TDY the best though. (The hours were very long and I was always on call with a radio at my hip). It was the opportunity to teach, coach and mentor signal leaders in the box while not having to stay at Ft. Irwin or Fort Polk longer than that rotation. I had the privilege of doing this twice at NTC and once at JRTC.

Go to the Army Ten-Miler in DC, run for an hour, spend a week in D.C. checking out the monuments.

Going to SOC in AZ for 2 and half months is amazing. You're in civilians the entire time you almost forget you're in the Army

FEMA HQ IV Conference in Las Vegas, NV

Lakenheath AB, England. Have been several times, for 2-3 weeks at a crack. I should probably get sent again to ensure that everything is still good to go. Would not want anyone else to be sent and have the area be substandard. Love England, London, the Tubes (mind the gap), the pubs (photo is of the Nutshell, smallest pub in the world-yes, we have a dollar bill on the wall!).

5 weeks at Aberdeen Proving Ground, 2 months fresh out of OSUT (AKA Basic Training), testing new commo/SA equipment. Per Diem plus regular pay; apartment style hotel with kitchen, private rooms, living room; post ammenities nearby such as bowling, gym, commessary, library; surprisingly good training; swimming & fishing in the nearby Chesapeake; free Toby Keith concert (not a huge country fan, but Toby is cool and you can't beat "free"!) within stumbling..er, "walking" distance! ;-)