Posted on Jan 12, 2020
What should I do about not having a vehicle for awhile during my first duty station?
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I do not currently have a car. I’m curious on the transportation between basic training and AIT? Is it provided for us or do I arrange something with family? And once I get to my first duty station will it be an issue not having one for a little bit?
Also when I get to my first duty station, how do I get my personal items? (Small things like clothes, skin care items, shoes, laptop). That may come off as a silly question but I didn’t know if it’s something that should be pre arranged or if it’s all on the soldier to get it themselves. Thanks.
Also when I get to my first duty station, how do I get my personal items? (Small things like clothes, skin care items, shoes, laptop). That may come off as a silly question but I didn’t know if it’s something that should be pre arranged or if it’s all on the soldier to get it themselves. Thanks.
New Soldiers
Duty Stations
Transportation
Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
7
7
0
Transportation is provided or reimbursed according to your orders. Your cadre will likely give you instructions when you go.
- taxi or bus to the airport.
- airport to duty station. Linkup with the Liaison NCO at the air port. If no one is there, you take a shuttle or taxi to reception and sign in. Assuming you will not be traveling with your family.
- if you have your family, you'll need to arrange for a shuttle. Question is to where? Have you made a reservation at guest lodging? If they are full you'll need a standment of no availability and they can refer you downtown.
- how do you get around? Initially your unit sponsor. In reception, you'll be walking
- buying a car. Many options. Lemon lot, private sale, or a car lot. Before you sign anything get the terms of the sale and/or loan and work with your first line supervisor to ensure you are not getting hosed. Verify it is in good working order, has four decent tires, and isn't hemoragging oil.
Read your orders. There should be contact info and or a website. Look at the installation web site and look for a link for newcomers. If you are going overseas, reception will take your entire family to guest lodging, then it is on your unit sponsor.
After you leave AIT, your personal need items are all you. You won't a have a battle buddy. You are on your own. PX, Commissary, Walmart, Target, where ever.
- taxi or bus to the airport.
- airport to duty station. Linkup with the Liaison NCO at the air port. If no one is there, you take a shuttle or taxi to reception and sign in. Assuming you will not be traveling with your family.
- if you have your family, you'll need to arrange for a shuttle. Question is to where? Have you made a reservation at guest lodging? If they are full you'll need a standment of no availability and they can refer you downtown.
- how do you get around? Initially your unit sponsor. In reception, you'll be walking
- buying a car. Many options. Lemon lot, private sale, or a car lot. Before you sign anything get the terms of the sale and/or loan and work with your first line supervisor to ensure you are not getting hosed. Verify it is in good working order, has four decent tires, and isn't hemoragging oil.
Read your orders. There should be contact info and or a website. Look at the installation web site and look for a link for newcomers. If you are going overseas, reception will take your entire family to guest lodging, then it is on your unit sponsor.
After you leave AIT, your personal need items are all you. You won't a have a battle buddy. You are on your own. PX, Commissary, Walmart, Target, where ever.
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Ashley Nicole
Do I get all of my items shipped to me from home? Does the military handle that? Or do I drive and get them myself?
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LTC Jason Mackay
Ashley Nicole - you have two choices. You can move your own things to the Duty station once you get settled, or you can coordinate a move through jPPSO. Talk to your first line about a DITY or PPM.
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During initial entry training you will not be able to drive. You’ll be carried around. Once on your 1st duty station, there are post shuttles around the installation to get you around wherever you need. Now, to and from work, you’ll have plenty of rides since all of your single junior enlisted coworker live in the same facilities. I didn’t have a car until my 3rd year in the Army. I bought a nice used car for few hundred bucks which lasted until 2 years after getting commissioned. 7 years in my hands. No need to rush on a car. Take your time, save money, analyze your needs not your wants, and then don’t spend the money. Be frugal. But not crazy frugal!!!!
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Ok, I will try to answer as best I can so it makes sense.
At basic you will not need a car. I am going to assume that your basic is not at the same location as your AIT so the military will transport you from one to the other by whatever method is cheapest and fastest for them, usually flying. You MAY have the option of having leave en route to your AIT to visit with family.
As to your first duty station, that will depend on where it is and what the facility is like. You will be living in the barracks until such time as you either get married or attain the rank of E-5. Most posts have some sort of transport to job locations or they are within walking distance. If not, you can always test out in that state for a drivers license and see if the post has a lemon lot and buy one of those vehicles.
Most posts have PX's and Commissaries within easy walking distance so getting the basic things is easy enough.
At basic you will not need a car. I am going to assume that your basic is not at the same location as your AIT so the military will transport you from one to the other by whatever method is cheapest and fastest for them, usually flying. You MAY have the option of having leave en route to your AIT to visit with family.
As to your first duty station, that will depend on where it is and what the facility is like. You will be living in the barracks until such time as you either get married or attain the rank of E-5. Most posts have some sort of transport to job locations or they are within walking distance. If not, you can always test out in that state for a drivers license and see if the post has a lemon lot and buy one of those vehicles.
Most posts have PX's and Commissaries within easy walking distance so getting the basic things is easy enough.
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