What was your best and worst duty stations/assignments, and why?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:56:25 -0500

Would like to know each other's experiences in different units to connect how different units run and operate wether it would be OCONUS OR CONUS

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 27 at 2013 10:23 AM

SFC James Baber — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 10:23:47 -0500

Fort Sill in the mid 80s, at that time there was nothing there accept businesses looking to take a Soldier's money, I have heard it is somewhat better today, but not sure how much better it could be there is nothing around to go do for at least a 2 hr drive.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Jan 5 at 2014 9:42 AM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 09:42:19 -0500

Fort Belvoir- tons of places to ride.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 5 at 2014 9:52 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 09:52:35 -0500

Fort Huachuca AZ has some great weather and great places to ride motorcycles. They have a great VFW in Sierra Vista also.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 12:49 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:49:01 -0500

Either Ft Carson, Colorado, FT Hood, TX, or Ft Sam Houston, TX

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 12:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:54:00 -0500

The optiions are endless. If you are looking for an area that has many things to do you can look into the DC area. Thet have the Pentagon, Ft Belvoir, Ft Meade, Andrews Air Force Base that are all located pretty close to each other. They all have assignment oppurtutunities for 42 series. I was born and raise in Illinois, when I joined I got assigned to Ft Campbell, which was nice because I could easily go home on 4 day weekends.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 16 at 2014 1:17 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:17:49 -0500

<p>Great responses here already with Fort Belvoir, or anywhere in the Military District of Washington, for the "big city" feel, and Fort Carson, which is a beautiful area.  I have lived at both and enjoyed both locations.  </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Get out there and experience the world.  It is all in what you make of it...</p>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 3:15 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:15:26 -0500

Make a bigger move and see Europe. I PCS'd from Germany just over a year ago and really miss it. My plan is to reenlist while on my up comming deployment with PCS orders to return to Germany once I return from deployment.

It was the best 3 years I had there and hoping to have 3 more great years.

Dont just restriced yourself to staying stateside if you can. See what you can see of the world as it might be the only chance you will have.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 3:28 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:28:23 -0500

There's plenty of great opportunities overseas in Europe and a good number of installations next to good cities or better ones up the road. I enjoyed Fort Benning because Atlanta was up the road or if I felt the need for a beach I hit Florida, someone said Carson it's pretty good as well with Denver and all the ski resorts but would not recommend Fort Stewart, as Savannah gets old fast and if you want the better Texas experience ask for Lackland AFB or Sam Houston stay clear of Hood. Good luck with your decision and thanks for your continued service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 3:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:32:03 -0500

I feel as an adult moving away from home is very important and helps you develop as a person. with that said get the hell out of chicago and start living your life

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 16 at 2014 5:34 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:34:11 -0500

England or Belgium either would be great.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 5:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 17:47:09 -0500

since I am from Poland, I'd love to be stationed there however I know it will never happen lol.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 6:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:08:39 -0500

Only a handful of Soldiers can get stationed at the remote USAG-KA/RTS (US Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site), in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It's about 2100 miles southwest of Hawaii. I had worked out there as a civilian contractor several years ago. I had learned to SCUBA dive out there. It also has a lot of history since it was where the major fighting of Operation Flintlock occurred 70 years ago.<br><br>http://www.smdc.army.mil/RTS.html<br><br>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Flintlock_%28World_War_II%29<br><br>Here's a couple of my many pictures of my time on Kwajalein. I included one of an old Japanese bunker.<br><br>Anyway, if I was still in, I would have to say Antarctica.<br><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Alabama-iii.jpg/300px-Alabama-iii.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Flintlock_(World_War_II)">Operation Flintlock (World War II) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Operation Flintlock was the campaign against the Marshall Islands in the Pacific campaign of World War II, from January to February 1944. The operation involved the invasions of Kwajalein and Eniwetok...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Alabama-iii.jpg/300px-Alabama-iii.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Flintlock_(World_War_II)">Operation Flintlock (World War II) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Operation Flintlock was the campaign against the Marshall Islands in the Pacific campaign of World War II, from January to February 1944. The operation involved the invasions of Kwajalein and Eniwetok...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/RTS/RTS_banner.gif"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.smdc.army.mil/RTS.html">Reagan Test Site</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">
The mission of the Ronald Reagan
Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS) is to provide a Major Range Test
Facility Base (MRTFB) activity on Kwajalein Atoll & Wake Island to support...</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 6:58 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:58:26 -0500

I would PCS anywhere, if I could somehow manage to get into the Active side of the Army.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2014 10:06 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 22:06:43 -0500

Germany - been there for a total of 6 years and I love it there. Would not want to retire and live there but 3 years is just right. Once there you have so many places to go.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 9:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 21:08:39 -0500

I like Ft Sill, Korea, and Germany was a lot of fun,,, people would probably like more places if they would do more than spend all of their money getting drunk in the barracks. Can't get out and see the place if you're hanging over your toilet bowls.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 9:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 21:11:47 -0500

I've been at Ft Campbell for 5 years now, I like the base, it's really nice. The Clarksville/Hopkinsville area are pretty nice too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 10:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 22:12:27 -0500

another one for campbell. high optempo, but i learned more at campbell then anywhere else.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2014 2:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 14:00:26 -0500

I preferably like Schweinfurt, Germany. The post was horrible but the location was GREAT!!!!! I am stationed now in Graf, GREAT POST HORRIBLE LOCATION!!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 8:11 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 20:11:38 -0500

Can't say I've had a bad duty station. Ft Campbell, Ft Lewis, Hawaii, Ft Sam houston,  and Ft Carson; the only I haven't enjoyed is 3/4 at carson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 7:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 07:58:13 -0500

Best duty station was Germany, did 2 tours one in Friedberg the other in Grafenwoehr, so much to do and see in Europe. Worst was Ft Stewart Ga. this was back in the early 80s and Hinesville was out after the GIs Dollar. Had the worst Section Chief, all he wanted was PCS Orders.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 9:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 09:21:35 -0500

I love my current duty station, Macdill AFB and absolutely hated Fort Detrick, MD.  The weather, the drive, the traffic, the cost, the drive, the drive, and the drive were the worst.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 9:32 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 09:32:32 -0500

i would have to say that mountain home was my favorite base, i would always like to go back there and i would have to say Edwards would be a not as good base, but its not a worst base for me. it is a great place to get schooling done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 10:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:07:28 -0500

Best for me is anywhere but Fort Hood, worst is of course Fort Hood, Killeen is garbage, the base is crazy big, too many people, when I was leaving the new leadership had all this crazy new rules like you couldn't go to the gym in the morning by yourself, only if the whole unit was there, not even if you were on leave and wanted to work out; the only good thing I always heard about the hood was that Austin was 1 hour away or so, Dallas 2-2 hours, but never anything good about the post itself

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 11:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 11:18:08 -0500

My best duty Station was Camp Scwhab, Okinawa, Japan. Loved the sea and was a nice tropical paradise. Also a great hub to fly off to mainland japan.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2014 12:55 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:55:51 -0500

My favorite is Bamberg Germany, and worst is Fort Leonard Wood MO.

Response by SGT R J Imhoff made Mar 6 at 2014 4:32 PM

SGT R J Imhoff — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:32:52 -0500

Fort Jackson, SC worst ever... Fort Kobbee Panama was Best ever.. I did enjoy Fot Eustis, Virginia.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Mar 6 at 2014 4:34 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 16:34:00 -0500

worst... 29 stumps

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Mar 7 at 2014 9:19 PM

MSG Sean Milhauser — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 21:19:13 -0500

Hawaii was one of my best assignments.  Even if you have a bad day at work, you're in paradise! The units I was in during my time there were also close-knit.  Enjoyed Germany and Europe as well. But after several years in the Army, you learn to make the most of wherever you are stationed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2014 12:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:42:56 -0400

Despite what other people say, I really liked Ft. Drum. Yes, it was cold and it had a ridiculous amount of snow, but the summers were awesome. The fishing was fantastic! Canada was less than an hour away and I was only 5 1/2 away from home. There was  a lot of camaraderie with the folks in my unit. Good times.<br><br>On the other hand, Ft. Eustis, A.K.A. "Planet Eustis", was a different story. Very disappointing. Barracks life was terrible where you actually had to put two NCO's into a room. Morale was crappy; camaraderie was non existent. Planet Eustis left such a bad impression that I just finished up my degree, received my civilian credentials and ETSed back into the civilian world.<br>

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Mar 23 at 2014 9:18 AM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 09:18:48 -0400

<p>Minus basic training and AIT I've only been in two units. One was at Ft. Bliss, TX and the other is here in Okinawa, Japan. I went through a lot at Ft. Bliss. Some was good some was not so good. Overall I wouldn't be completely upset if I had to go back there but I would prefer to go elsewhere and see what else is out there. With my MOS there are only 4 duty stations I can go to CONUS and 3 OCONUS so the chances I end up back at bliss at some point in my career are pretty high. </p><p><br></p><p>However, I've been here in Okinawa for almost 2 1/2 years and I love it. The island of Okinawa is beautiful. There is always something to do. The "winter" here is pretty warm compared to most places. I don't know if it's ever dipped below 48 degrees my entire time here. The Summers are pretty humid but not too bad. There is always some sort of festival going on. The Japanese love fireworks, especially in the summer. So it's really easy to catch some of the best fireworks shows you've ever seen. They have Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines here so the MWR's for all the branches are always having events and concerts for the personnel stationed here. The Japanese culture is great to learn about and the people are so nice to Americans. Its overall just a wonderful place. One that will be hard to say goodbye to in 7 months when I leave and one that I would definitely want to come to again in the future if I'm given the chance. </p>

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2014 6:46 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 18:46:48 -0400

The one you are about to go to followed by the one you just left!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 1:01 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:01:07 -0400

Every duty station will be different for each person. I spent 13 years in Germany and absolutely loved every minute of it. I am now in FT Lee VA which is also awesome, because after being in Germany for 13 years I am now only 4 hours from home. Close enough to go see family and them come see me, but far enough away that they will call before they waste a "surprise" trip to see/bother me! LOL

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 3:50 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 15:50:16 -0400

Best duty station was Heidelberg, Germany (now closed). I loved it so much and even met my wife there. Germany as a whole is beautiful and there's endless things to do and see. I might retire there when it's all said and done. I am currently in Hawaii (schofield barracks) and I have mixed feelings so far. I know I'm in "paradise" but it's overrated if you ask me. I've only been here 6 months though so there is still time to change my mind. The traffic is the worst I've ever experienced.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2014 1:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 May 2014 13:59:41 -0400

I went from Stewart to Lee to Riley. I was at Stewart before the big transition began to modernize it. Lee, and Riley are good posts. The best one of the 3 is Riley. It is an excellent family post. CSM Champagne(DIV CSM at the time) promised during the in-processing that 1ID will take care of your families. There was never a disappoinment.

I am now in Italy. It is not as glamorous as everyone says it would be.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2014 2:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 May 2014 14:57:53 -0400

It's what you make out of it. You could make it boring or fun everything depends on your attitude

Response by MSgt Timothy Gann made May 31 at 2014 5:38 PM

MSgt Timothy Gann — Sat, 31 May 2014 17:38:06 -0400

Best was Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
Worst was Edwards AF, CALIFORNIA

Response by SSgt Marshall Douglas made May 31 at 2014 10:07 PM

SSgt Marshall Douglas — Sat, 31 May 2014 22:07:43 -0400

Best was Bitburg AFB, Germany. I did not have a worst. I loved every place I was stationed and wish I was still on active duty

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made May 31 at 2014 10:20 PM

GySgt Joe Strong — Sat, 31 May 2014 22:20:54 -0400

My best was every single one of them except the worst one, & it wouldn't have been bad except for getting caught up in some drama caused by a Senior NCO. If we're just talking about location I thoroughly enjoyed the Tampa Bay area (when I was in town) on my Joint Assignment.

Response by SrA Linda Kearbey made Jun 1 at 2014 3:41 AM

SrA Linda Kearbey — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 03:41:31 -0400

Best job was Water/Waste Treatment.
Worst job was being assigned to deployment group.
Only base assignment was Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, MO.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2014 12:21 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 00:21:38 -0400

Having spent my adolescent years in a third world country, I have yet been stationed anywhere I didn't like. This has served me well in that I see the positive in every location. This is not to say I loved the jobs at every location but the assignments were always a positive experience. The common denominator, however, has been the level of dissatisfaction by many members for things that are not really important.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 23 at 2014 4:52 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:52:56 -0400

Fort Irwin (NTC) was both. At the time it was just miserable. The heat, the field time, the heat, and then there was the heat. 10 years later, we were going to fight in the desert. All those lessons learned came paid dividends.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 4:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 04:26:05 -0400

As Far as It Goes , Leonardwood,Hood Have been the Worst , Leonardwood cause it's boring ,Hood due to Leadership and can be boring , But Iv Enjoyed Korea Too The Max and im Encouraging people to take oversea's tours . Ive Enjoyed my Soldiers and have been properly mentored to be better leader.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 2:56 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:56:06 -0400

As of right now all I have experienced is Bragg for the last 7 years. I am hoping to get out of here soon as Fayetteville gets boring. There are things to do but you have to drive west a couple of hours to go the mountains or two hour drive east to the beach.

Hopefully next assignment would be Alaska, Lewis, Carson but I am not complaining about anything at this point.

Response by SFC Jacob Hinkkanen made Jul 22 at 2015 12:49 PM

SFC Jacob Hinkkanen — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:49:05 -0400

I've been pretty lucky in my career. I started out in Vicenza, Italy before the 173rd was restructured into the current BCT format. I had a great time there.
After Italy I went to Fort Richardson, AK. We stood up 4th BDE (ABN) 25th ID. The location was great but Anchorage grew up too fast. I'm now at Fort Wainwright, AK and it's by far my favorite location. So much to do everywhere.
The worst duty station was Fort Benning. Mostly do to Columbus and the politics of being in TRADOC.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 19 at 2015 7:52 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 19:52:09 -0400

Best Fort Bragg Nc / Worst Fort Hood Tx

Response by Esther Dacanay made Apr 20 at 2017 6:56 AM

Esther Dacanay — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 06:56:24 -0400

Best:
Ft Monroe VA -- only Army base in the US that was right on the water and surrounded by amazing historical territories
Camp Zama, Japan -- Located between Tokyo and Yokohama...Japan is an amazing country

Response by SPC Beto Tellez made May 16 at 2017 11:53 AM

SPC Beto Tellez — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:53:03 -0400

Any place I was in Vietnam. LZS without running water, real toilets, non stop monsoon rains and billions of mosquitos munching on me.

Response by CPL Emanuel Douglas made May 16 at 2017 6:39 PM

CPL Emanuel Douglas — Tue, 16 May 2017 18:39:20 -0400

Best - Lee Barracks, Mainz Germany.
Worst- Ft. Polk.

Response by SGT Mike Mullins made May 17 at 2017 6:12 PM

SGT Mike Mullins — Wed, 17 May 2017 18:12:24 -0400

Ft Bragg

Response by PO2 Michael Shores made May 19 at 2017 4:22 PM

PO2 Michael Shores — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:22:22 -0400

32nd St Naval Base

Response by 1SG Blayne Gower made May 21 at 2017 8:32 AM

1SG Blayne Gower — Sun, 21 May 2017 08:32:41 -0400

Best by far Field Station Berlin. Worst was Ft. GORDON, Ga.

Response by SFC Joe Kirk made May 21 at 2017 11:34 AM

SFC Joe Kirk — Sun, 21 May 2017 11:34:10 -0400

Huckleberry Creek Mountain Training Camp.......

Response by SPC Kyle Wilson made May 26 at 2017 8:32 PM

SPC Kyle Wilson — Fri, 26 May 2017 20:32:09 -0400

2nd div. South Korea

Response by SP5 Michael Ronsiek made May 28 at 2017 7:35 PM

SP5 Michael Ronsiek — Sun, 28 May 2017 19:35:22 -0400

Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia

Response by SP5 Joseph Lowndes Jr. made May 29 at 2017 1:07 PM

SP5 Joseph Lowndes Jr. — Mon, 29 May 2017 13:07:49 -0400

NTC

Response by MSgt Herman Hill made May 30 at 2017 10:57 AM

MSgt Herman Hill — Tue, 30 May 2017 10:57:02 -0400

So many good assignments but best was Athens, Greece and West Germany. Lots of history in both places. Always something to do. It's true about the Greek Islands.

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made May 31 at 2017 12:02 PM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Wed, 31 May 2017 12:02:37 -0400

I have loved every assignment I had except two because I was away from family, like people say, "It is what you make of it."
27 SPS Cannon AFB, NM 1983-1986 Became a Desk Sergeant as a just out of Tech School A1C because I could type. Had two great trainers, SSgt John Clark and SSgt Ken Raver. 39 SPF Incirlik AB Turkey 1986-1988 Great people
2803 ABG/SPD AGMC/SPD Newark AFB OH 1988-1993 Great little base lots of TDYs
645/88 SPS/SFS WPAFB OH 1993-1998 Great mission for a LE guy back then before the merger. (Worst thing they did the SP career field, IMHO)
569 USFPF Kaiserslautern Germany 1998-2000 It's Germany
621/721 AMOG Ramstein AB Germany 2000-2002 Only SF on staff, lots of TDYs around Europe and SWA. Loved the people I worked for and with, first time being out of cop units
819 REDHORSE Sq Malmstrom AFB MT 2002-2005 Again only SF on staff. Loved being out of the career field still.
380 ESFS Al Dhafra AB UAE 2005-2006Away from family for a year, hated it.
Air Force Research Laboratory Headquarters WPAFB, OH 2006-2009 (retirement) Again out of SF units. Still great, again only SF on staff, working with all Civilians

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 8 at 2017 10:55 PM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 22:55:19 -0400

Best Marine Barracks Bangor - Because of my Commanding Officers
Worst - Company F, Marine Security Guard Battalion, Nairobi Kenya, Last year of the tour - Because of my commanding Officer

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jun 9 at 2017 9:38 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 09:38:54 -0400

It's like every week some is interested in where we have been and this time a WHY?
GERMANY-19 Years old, met my first real love while I was there and went to DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, lot's of muddy field exercises.
FT. CARSON (2) became member of SAMC and deployed 3 times to Kuwait and did some cool Snowboarding. Went to the field in the winter a lot. A little bit of SALUTE BATTERY on the side for VIPs.
KOREA (2) REAL ARMY, Very HIGH OP TEMPO, as real as it gets.
FT.SILL- All My Artillery Schools and just shithole in general.
FT. Lewis WA- Lots of field time and even got chance to work at JLM military Museum and pulled off making SFC/E7 list while I was there.
FT. Riley KS (2) - Deployed to IRAQ OIF 1/2 and (3) times to Kuwait, a lot of training on Paladin M109A6. Had some shitty jobs there but they look good modified on resume today:)
New Cumberland, PA/ Fort DIX NJ- Deployed to Iraq help write book for the CALL, was S2 NCOIC and OC/T, ARMY Instructor, A lot time away from the family TDY. Security Manager School, and 1 SG Course.
Walter Reed ARMY Medical Center WTU, Treated for PTSD, INTERNSHIP with Defense Security Services (DSS), Wounded Warrior Program.
RETIRED! 31 Oct 2008

Response by Sgt Richard Hardesty made Jun 10 at 2017 1:07 AM

Sgt Richard Hardesty — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 01:07:01 -0400

Best was Rhein/Main AB, Germany (gone now...only a fond memory). Places to visit ... spent a lot of time in Heidelberg. I was also flight crew there, so yeah, it was fun. Second best was Karamursel CDI, Turkey. Ground site, but we traveled a lot and saw sooo much. It, too, was a fun place, although the duty there was not as much fun as in Germany.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2017 10:10 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 22:10:47 -0400

BEST:
1. Ft. Richardson, AK: It was the 172nd Inf Bde (Sep)(Arctic) then (73-78). Awesome unit with great mission. Worked very hard, esp. in winter. Loved it there. Told people I spent my first five years in the Army in Alaska and my next 17 trying to go back!
2. Ft. Ord: 7th Inf Div then (78). Great unit. I could see the ocean from my office. What's not to like! Worked hard, lots of PT, many deployments. Still all good.
3. The Netherlands: HQ Allied Forces Central Command then. Incredible country. Living conditions were awesome. Assigned to SHAPE with duty at AFCENT. Terrific work with lots of travel all over Europe. International crew that was great to work with and to get to know. Learned a great deal about other NATO nations' military operations.
4. Ft. Meade, MD: 902nd MI Group. Battalion Sergeant Major for Counterintelligence (Security) BN. Large BN with HHC and one line Co. at Ft. Meade, one Co. in Atlanta, one in San Antonio, and one in San Francisco. 42 detachments at literally every major Army installation in the Continental U.S. Great mission with great Soldiers!
5. Korea, Yongsan-gu: SSA, 524th MI BN, 501st MI BDE. Horrible Brigade, Terrific Battalion, Unbelievable Unit. Best mission I ever worked as a leader (Det SGM) and extremely talented people. Loved everything about Korea: people, food, language, culture, countryside, all of it.
WORST:
1. Ft. Monmouth, NJ, 513th MI BDE. When the Brigade first activated, the barracks were literally so full of trash we had to push it out with shovels, showers and plumbing didn't work, it was all nasty. Although the basics were working, the barracks never did get much better, with huge bays, gang showers, poor plumbing, broken tiles, and other problems. We had so many bad leaders at Brigade and Battalion level it was impossible to take care of troops as a Platoon Sergeant and then as a 1SG. I did finally have a good Company CO and a good BN CSM who helped keep most of the monkeys at bay so the NCOs could do their work, but it was a constant challenge. MI Officers at LTC and above are the worst leaders I ever encountered, with about 1 in 10 having passable leadership skills at LTC, and they are worn out or kicked at at COL and definitely before GO selection. Just MHO after years of first-hand, close-up observation.
2. Ft. Devens, MA: I didn't like the area much, but I know many did. A huge difference for a small-town Oklahoma boy. Biggest problem was it was a TRADOC School job by 1978. That is the worst MACOM to ever work for (even worse that FORSCOM or INSCOM, if you can believe that).

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Jan 12 at 2018 3:11 PM

SSG Karl Fowler — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 15:11:32 -0500

the best for me was Iceland , then Germany. the least favorite was fort Riley

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2018 4:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 16:38:42 -0500

Best: Fort Lee and Camp Hialeah, Pusan, S. Korea
Worst: My unit at Fort Ord, CA. I liked Fort Ord, but hated my unit. Too many assholes who liked causing trouble. I was glad when I got out.

Response by TSgt James Hadley made Jan 5 at 2019 12:52 PM

TSgt James Hadley — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 12:52:06 -0500

Kunsan AB, ROK, was only bad because it was a remote, unaccompanied; the worst, Osan AB, ROK, the squadron leadership was horrible.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Jan 6 at 2019 5:11 PM

Cpl Bernard Bates — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 17:11:18 -0500

I was at Parris island (Bootcamp) ITR camp Geiger part of camp Lejune then to Camp Lejune Maine side. Quantico Va. to Ammo Tech School, Then on to Okinawa Camp Kinser then Sukiran. On to San Diego where I got discharged. In the Army I was at Ft. Ord awaiting orders to Ft. Knox then on to Vietnam came back to Ft. Dix. NJ. where I got discharged. Okinawa was my favorite. Didn't think about the worst one they were all about the same. I would have stayed in the military But General Motors was hiring when I got out and they paid a lot better so I stayed for 35 years. Semper Fi.

Response by SFC Laurence Anderson made Jun 22 at 2019 8:54 PM

SFC Laurence Anderson — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 20:54:46 -0400

My best duty assignment was at Ft Bragg with the HQ/A 407th FSB lasting 4 years. It was a hard duty assignment but discipline was required of everyone. Especially when it came to PT.

Response by SGM Woody Keels made Nov 10 at 2019 7:18 PM

SGM Woody Keels — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 19:18:48 -0500

My best assignment was Fort Ord,Calif / Hunter Liggett. I arrived April 73 and was pcs Oct 84 I was promoted to E-7 and E-8.

Response by SSG Alford Pouse made Feb 9 at 2020 4:40 AM

SSG Alford Pouse — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 04:40:15 -0500

Strange how places that seemed so bad once now don't seem that bad now. Best assignment as an MP Sentry Dog Handler was a Nike Herc site, HM-40, on Key Largo, Fl. It is now more known as a home for very large snakes. After switching over to Armor, 7 years in Germany were good as was a year at Ft Hunter Liggett with Experimental Command. Guess the worst was the first 12 weeks of my 20+years was in Basic at Fort Polk was the least enjoyable but even there some of the time wasn't bad.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Feb 16 at 2020 8:58 PM

CH (LTC) Robert Leroe — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 20:58:07 -0500

I would have gladly spent my entire military career in Germany. Best US duty station for me was Fort Story, Virginia Beach.

Response by Sgt Brad Davis made Feb 3 at 2022 3:09 PM

Sgt Brad Davis — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:09:18 -0500

MSG duty station Stockholm Sweden