Which are the best places to get posted?

2013-09-17T11:17:12-04:00

When you talk with your branch manager about your next assignment, many times the first topic is WHERE you want to get posted. Which places are the best to get stationed at, and which are the hardest to actually get?

Response by CPT Brian Hughes made Sep 17 at 2013 11:25 AM

2013-09-17T11:25:43-04:00

Schofield Barracks, HI is phenomenal if you're able to live off post and don't mind being far from CONUS. You can't beat the beaches, and the training OPTEMPO is pretty reasonable.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2013 1:50 PM

2013-09-17T13:50:54-04:00

I've always started the conversation with my branch manager with what job(s) do I need to do next and where can I go to best get that job and be set for future jobs.
I went to Hood because there were lots of tanks and I needed to be a Tank PL. I went to Riley because there were more Company Commands available at the time. I went to Boise/Twin Falls, Idaho because AC/RC was a good career choice and that was the most interesting location for us (one of my only times asking for a specific location, however it was still related to the job first). I went to Polk because I had the best chance of getting an XO/S3 job more quickly. I went back to Hood because the job I was offered was the best choice at the time and I knew there were plenty of other opportunities folowing that one. And I'm at Jackson because that was where I was offered a command.
Next, I may be more focused on location, however I will still be asking about the right jobs first, then location.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2013 12:47 AM

2013-09-18T00:47:48-04:00

Every place is what you make of it... (canned response I know, but very true) Its really a personal preference, I would rather be in the one of the western states but mainly because of weather, Beale AFB, best assignment... good people, cool mission, lakes, great weather.

Response by CPT Benjamin Faw made Sep 18 at 2013 2:22 PM

2013-09-18T14:22:23-04:00

Hawaii. As hard as it may be too get HI as a post - I still think it is an awesome pace to live for a while.

Response by MSgt Ryan Tanner made Sep 18 at 2013 6:58 PM

2013-09-18T18:58:57-04:00

For the Air Force, Alaska is actually one of the best assignments. If you can get over the darkness and cold during the winter months, it's a blast!

Okuma Japan is another, which is basically a DOD Resort in the South Pacific. You get an 8hr shift of patrolling the beaches wearing Polo Shirt and Shorts.

Response by CPT Andrew Kletzing made Sep 19 at 2013 10:03 AM

2013-09-19T10:03:37-04:00

Fort Carson - the mountains never get old!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2013 1:48 PM

2013-09-20T13:48:14-04:00

Another vote for Hawaii, though I think the Marine Corps has the best base location on the island. It's hard to top living in Kailua or Lanikai as a young 2ndLt/1stLt, and with the high BAH and COLA you can afford nice housing if you're willing to live frat house-style with 2 or 3 other guys. Training availability is pretty crappy though--it's hard to do much at K-Bay or Bellows so about 98% of your live fire training will have to be on the Big Island or at 29 Palms.

San Diego/Camp Pendleton is a close second.

Response by CMSgt Rich Harrold made Sep 20 at 2013 3:01 PM

2013-09-20T15:01:45-04:00

Never had a bad assignment...overseas in Greece, Korea, Italy, Japan, Germany, Scotland, and stateside in TX, CA and finished here in CO. They are indeed what you make of them. All had great missions and fantastic people to work with!

Response by SPC David Sherman made Sep 22 at 2013 2:21 AM

2013-09-22T02:21:14-04:00

All my assignments were good. My last was a bad unit, unfortunately. Thats all in the past though. I got out after the 1st Gulf War. Ft Hood, Tx (2AD), Friedberg (3AD), Darmstadt and Ascaffenburg (130th Engr Bde), Germany.
Hanau (3AD), Germany for the Gulf War.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2013 11:55 AM

2013-11-28T11:55:11-05:00

I think I can be happy anywhere.

I have a theory that for everyone who hates where they are stationed there are 2 guys trying to get there.

I have never got the location I asked for but I have had some good times and good locations.

I asked for Europe and got FT Hood, I asked for Iraq or Leonard Wood and got Atlanta, I asked for FT Carson and got Campbell, and most recently I asked for Alabama and got Detroit.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2013 5:39 AM

2013-11-29T05:39:14-05:00

Fort Lewis/JBLM. End of story!

Response by MSgt Ryan Tanner made Dec 18 at 2013 8:50 AM

2013-12-18T08:50:46-05:00

Alaska and Colorado are awesome!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2014 10:06 PM

2014-02-22T22:06:53-05:00

I've been to Fort Campbell, Okinawa, Fort Riley, Fort Lee, Korea and Fort Hood, in that order. I have enjoyed every single base because I have tried to maintain a positive attitude towards every single place I go regardless of the personnel. Yes, I have met and dealt with many bad people ranging from junior enlisted to seniors but overall each place was what I made it to be.

I think the best one though was Okinawa since it is a foreign country and I got to see something many in the military will never see.

Response by SFC James Baber made Feb 22 at 2014 10:09 PM

2014-02-22T22:09:10-05:00

Hawaii for the exotic local and great activities for family, but the duty is sometimes very rough.

Hood for the promotion potential and varying duties that will benefit you deeper in your military career and possibly when you leave the military, but many deployment and field duty assignments that keep you gone quite a lot.

Anywhere in Germany for the discoveries of old world Europe and the great explorations available to you and your family, but very cold climates in winter and many field exercises, but good training and skills attained.

I can think of many more, but I figure that is a good start.

Response by SSG Dave Rogers made Mar 24 at 2014 6:57 PM

2014-03-24T18:57:09-04:00

Depends on your MOS..

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 24 at 2014 7:39 PM

2014-03-24T19:39:53-04:00

Diego Garcia BIOT, Sugar Grove, WV, London and DC in that order as far as my favorites that I had.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 7:43 PM

2014-03-24T19:43:49-04:00

Okinawa; best kept secret in the Army

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 7:50 AM

2014-04-16T07:50:13-04:00

Admittedly being biased, Hunter Army Airfield, GA. Not too many cities that are around Army bases can survive if that base closed. Savannah can :)

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 16 at 2014 8:04 AM

2014-04-16T08:04:12-04:00

I actually have two answers to this and I'll explain. The best LOCATION for me was at RAF Menwith Hill in England. Great people, great location, wonderful travel opportunities, the whole family loved it (and very hard to get for an Army member).

My best DUTY ASSIGNMENT (though not the location) was the time I spent as an Instructor at Ft. Jackson, SC. Some of the longest hours I've ever worked (in a garrison environment), some of the biggest challenges I ever had the opportunity to face, some of the hardest counseling sessions I have had to perform all happened while I was an Instructor; but with all that it was the most personally rewarding assignment in my career. Just something about seeing your students graduate and knowing you had a small part in shaping the future of our nation. It's humbling.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 1 at 2014 8:27 AM

2014-10-01T08:27:11-04:00

As the old saying goes, "It is in the eye of the beholder". What may be a great place for one may be terrible for another. If you don't like beaches and warm weather year-round, Hawaii would not be good for you, while many others would love it. Same for Alaska, if you don't like fishing and hunting and cold weather.

Also, locations that may be great places to live may not be the best places for your career. Decisions on where to be assigned need to be weighed with both duty implications and personal life implications.

I was blessed in my career to have been assigned in some great places, both for duty and personal life. Hawaii; Colorado Springs; Naples Italy; Germany; etc., etc... We never went any place my wife wanted to go. Regardless of where I was being assigned, she did not want to go there and was upset about it. However, when it got time to leave, she did not want to leave. Once we got there and got settled, it became home and leaving was always tough. My point is that any location is what you make it. It becomes home.

I used to tell my assignment officers that I would go to a good place for a bad job or a bad place for a good job, but that I would not go to bad place for a bad job. Luckily, I always would up going to good places for good jobs (or, at least, they turned out that way).

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 1 at 2014 12:10 PM

2014-10-01T12:10:36-04:00

I fear the enlisted side doesn't get accomodated as well as the Officers CPT Aaron Kletzing. I got love from branch one time and it was huge. I just returned from Iraq in 2004 and once we got back to Fort Carson, CO, I immediately had orders to report to Fort Rucker, AL and had to report within 60 days. The CG there kicked everybody off post who didnt have a combat patch and had 3 years on station. In other words.......99% of the "homesteaders". It was horrible there for us. Keep your TRADOC, non-deployable assignment! My kids were always sick, breathing problems, fevers, etc. Turns out they were allergic to peanut dust (most likely). I was in the hospital for 2 weeks with a 2 year ld with 106* fever and had to do spinal taps, and they even flew antibiotics in from FL (some "cure all") and that didn't work. Once his fever was down, and all the doctors were stumped, the allergist came in and looked at the chart, he said leave now by car and DO NOT DRIVE! The now-ex took the family and drove off and within 100 miles, they could breathe and were asymptomatic. Long story short, branch PCS'd me the second I had 11 months on station and submitted 30 days leave (1 yr on station minimum by regulation) because they denied my compassionate reassignment to leave a NON-DEPLOYABLE post. The deal I worked out was that I went back to Iraq with Fort Lewis, WA. I had been trying to get assigned there all my career. Fort Lewis, WA is awesome! They pulled my beloved OH-58D's out of there now, but I would therwise say it is a fantastic posting. My second choice is Fort Carson, CO. My worst assignments were Fort Irwin (NTC) as OPFOR, followed by Fort Drum, NY. Too much hit and too much cold! I did a 180* temperature change in 5 months!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2014 1:01 PM

2014-10-01T13:01:02-04:00

Fort Sam Houston...It's in the middle of San Antonio!!...Austin is close, Dallas is about 4 hours away...Lots to do!!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2014 8:27 PM

2014-10-01T20:27:58-04:00

I've been in Germany, fort Riley ks, Japan, fort Polk and now fort bliss. But I can honestly say I learned the most from Fort Polk. I have never been anywhere that soo many rules were broken, but I perfected my craft (administratively) and learned to research tons of regulations to protect my soldiers and my career. Most importantly, we (family) enjoy discovering all that Cajun food. Made our time there worth it.

Response by CMSgt Bill Campbell made Oct 2 at 2014 9:25 PM

2014-10-02T21:25:17-04:00

I'm not sure if it was the place or the time, or both. But, my first tour at RAF Chicksands, UK (Dec 78-Jan 85) was, without a doubt, the best assignment of my career. I still keep in touch with many of my friends from the day and we get together every 3 years or so. Unfortunately, the USAF returned the facility to the UK in 1997.

Response by SPC M F made Aug 9 at 2017 1:25 AM

2017-08-09T01:25:45-04:00

Ft. Hunter Liggett, Ca. Awesome place. Got to actually train. The weekends leaving and traveling all over Cali. was awesome. I was only there for 14 months but loved it. Also Ft. Carson was ok. if you like cold and snow. Which I don't..

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 28 at 2018 10:58 PM

2018-12-28T22:58:53-05:00

Looking back,

I enjoyed Ray Barracks Germany, about 20 minutes north of Frankfurt Germany. Currently closed.

Camp Darby, Italy located in the Pisa region. 36 months of amazing culture, food, wine, and travel. Hard to get as it is a very small base.

Fort Richardson Alaska, now JBER for Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. This is where I retired.

Cairo, Egypt was an amazing diplomatic tour. Hard to get. 18 month without the family, 2013 revolution, amazing experience nevertheless. Very hard to get.