Which post is better, Ft. Riley, Benning, Stewart, Campbell or Bliss?

2017-07-09T15:02:37-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 3:05 PM

2017-07-09T15:05:51-04:00

The one that you want to be at. What do you mean by better? They are all different.

Response by SGT Larry Michael Bleckler II made Jul 9 at 2017 5:09 PM

2017-07-09T17:09:30-04:00

Ft. Stewart or Ft. Campbell

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 5:21 PM

2017-07-09T17:21:44-04:00

Been to all except Riley. I did not like Bliss, and there is really not a lot to do there. I personally have to go with Benning, not just because I'm airborne and former infantry, but because of history and pride there. Also, they have one of the best military museums anywhere, the Infantry Museum right off post. Its amazing. However to be permanently stationed there is a whole other matter. To be honest for a PCS move, none of those posts would be my first choice if I was still active duty! :)

Response by SGT Robert Blair made Jul 9 at 2017 10:24 PM

2017-07-09T22:24:05-04:00

Some call it FT Stewart but I call it hell, naw Stewart was great..

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2017 11:17 PM

2017-07-09T23:17:35-04:00

I rather liked Ft Stewart. There was a lot to do if you had a car. Four hours to Daytona, two hours to Jacksonville, and close to Savanna and all the beaches. There was a small museum there for the 24th Infantry Division. There were a lot of clubs and restaurants in the area. If you don't like training in swamps, you may not like it.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jul 9 at 2017 11:25 PM

2017-07-09T23:25:01-04:00

Well, one question you have to answer for yourself is, do you want a training post or a combat post? Division or TRADOC? I found Campbell to be very pleasant (other than the training time, but THAT is supposed to be major suckage)

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 9 at 2017 11:25 PM

2017-07-09T23:25:20-04:00

I was told never to go to Bliss. Now Ft. Stewart it's a different animal. Almost every SSG and above think they are all SMGs.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 9 at 2017 11:27 PM

2017-07-09T23:27:22-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member thanks for asking an interesting question. I was assigned at Fort Campbell in 1975 as a 12B combat engineer and Fort Benning on and off from 1979 to 1989 as an 11A infantry officer [Jump School 1979, IMPOC, IOBC 1980, IOAC 1984, Company Command 1985-1986 and Chief Test and Evaluation [1987] and Scheduling officer [1988-1989] for USAITC.
I preferred Columbus, Ga and Phoenix City, AL to Clarkesville, TN and Hopkinsville, KY which were GI towns back in 1975.
Interestingly Fort Benning and Fort Campbell are both stationed on the border or crossing the border of two states while Fort Bliss is in Texas by El Paso and Fort Riley is in Kansas.
What are your thoughts? SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" CW5 Private RallyPoint Member CSM Charles Hayden COL Mikel J. Burroughs SFC William Farrell MSG Andrew White LTC Private RallyPoint Member MSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 9 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-07-09T23:56:53-04:00

Sorry about the profile views I need a mouse vs touchpad. Been out of the Army for a few decades but last time I was at Ft. Benning was 2007 for my Nephew graduating Infantry OSUT and last time at Ft Campbell was 2009. My personal opinion. Fort Benning frozen in time since about 1982 with very little investment or new facilities. Fort Campbell entirely redone from the time I was stationed there last in 1987. Fort Campbell seems newer. Fort Bliss has always been a hole but I have never been there, just know it because I live in Texas and know there is nothing out that way other than scorpions and rattle snakes. Can't tell you about Ft Stewart..........closest I ever got there was Hilton Head Island and I have to say HH Island is beautiful area..........the Spanish Moss is full of ticks though so don't put your hand in it AND if your wife collects it for basket presentations.........spray with insecticide.

Response by SSG Michael Hurd made Jul 10 at 2017 2:18 AM

2017-07-10T02:18:36-04:00

Born and had a civilian job at Benning. Did 2 tours at Riley. Just moved from Campbell to Germany. Trained at Bliss in the 80's. Would Take Riley any day of the week!!

Response by SSG Ronald Bloodworth made Jul 10 at 2017 2:53 AM

2017-07-10T02:53:41-04:00

I've been to all but Campell so I can't give any details there.
Depending on preferences between TRADOC and Division, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Also, location is a factor since you did mention family....
I retired from Benning in 2014 and still go there from time to time even now. They just finished a brand new "state of the art" hospital in 2015-2016 and it has the latest and greatest of just about anything you can put into one. It's definitely NOT the Martin Army Hospital of old. Also building new housing from the ground up and have a new PX that resembles a small mall with all the fast food joints and the bells &a whistles to go with it. The commissary is still at the same location for now but I believe that's going to change. There is major construction happening across the whole post to include barracks, training areas, both old and new, and other things going on. The post is basically getting a whole face lift. Some of it is still the same though. Hunting and fishing galore if you're an outdoorsman. There's even a bounty on wild boars because of the damage they do to target platforms. If you like camping, there's a fairly new camping area just off post at Uchee Creek that's owned and operated by the DoD with cabins, RV slots, boat rentals, swimming pool, an archery range and an small event area with all the amenities.... The schools in and around Columbus have come a long long way since I went to school there as well. Most of the topleaa bars that used to line Victory Drive are gone now but they still have a very few holdovers. Even so, modernization is going on all around. If you prefer a TRADOC post for an assignment, I'd choose Fort Benning.
As for Bliss, I have been there a couple of times training up for deployments and I have to say that I didn't see much modernization going on. The training areas are far and wide, literally, and Mac Gregor Range is out there a ways. One thing for sure though, it's all desert, in every sense of the word.....
Stuart isn't bad if you like training in the swamps, pine trees, humidity, alligators, and everything else that comes with being in the coastal region of the southeast. I personally don't like extreme cold so I'm partial to this part of the country. Heat & humidity in Summer, not as much in Winter. We actually do have winter here for maybe a week ir so though. A lot of history in and around Savannah if you're interested. A short distance from the Atlantic and about 115 miles from Florida with the SC border not that far north. Can't say much for Hinesville or the surround communities though. Especially Hinesville is more like a typical army town in my opinion.
Riley has its own but if history, only not as far back as Stuart or Benning. One thing for sure is that it has more than enough wide open spaces. They have a lot of. Modernization going on there as well from what I've seen. Another place with hunting, fishing, & camping galore for outdoor stuff. They are building the area up a lot from what I've been told and the surrounding communities are growing some to accommodate the post. For colleges, if that is an interest, Kansas State University is right outside the post in Manhattan. Depending on your MOS, I think Fort Riley would probably be the most versatile because of the size and the fact that there are massive range areas and it can accommodate infantry, artillery, cavalry and engineers. One thing though again, it's big. But at least it's not desert....lol it gets hot in Summer, 105+ and can get down to -10* in Winter. The ice storms can be a royal nightmare for the unprepared so it's wise to have at least one generator in hand if they knock the power out. My brother and parents live just west of Salina, KS and they have had to break out the 5K's more than once because of ice storms. Another thing; wind blows year round so be prepared for that. Family housing is still deficient although there has been tons of work done to improve that in the last 20 or so years. If you don't mind a fairly long commute, a lot of the smaller towns in the area have pretty good deals on rentals. If you choose there, my advice would be to research and prepare for contengiencies. It's modern as anywhere else but it expansive so it's best to be prepared to be on your own for a little while if things go down. Living on post or right off post would be the best option for the more urban oriented.

All in all though, if I had to choose a TRADOC post, it would be a toss up between Benning and Leonard Wood. Of all the others I've been to, Riley is at the top of the list.
Just my opinion...

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Jul 10 at 2017 3:28 AM

2017-07-10T03:28:05-04:00

Ive only been to Riley, not much to do in the area. 1st ID has a weird way of doing things. Many experienced NCOs would say it was the worst post they've been to, mainly because of the terrible units. I've been out a year and new PCS soldiers are still saying it. Ive heard good things about Campbell and Stewart. I'm sure Benning is probably similar.

Response by SPC Anthony Ingersoll made Jul 10 at 2017 5:17 AM

2017-07-10T05:17:13-04:00

I loved my time at Fort Benning, that is where I took my basic training and AIT for Infantry 11B in 1989.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 7:15 AM

2017-07-10T07:15:15-04:00

Campbell for location or Benning for school opportunities.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 10 at 2017 7:50 AM

2017-07-10T07:50:02-04:00

Interesting question, I've been to Lee, Knox and Leonard Wood only.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 8:58 AM

2017-07-10T08:58:58-04:00

I was at fort benning from 06 to 15 I was in TRADOC to FORSCOM I watched the place change from old to new. Every school you could ever want is there. With your MOS you will more than likely go to the task force. I loved benning and would love to go back

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 9:50 AM

2017-07-10T09:50:24-04:00

I've been to Riley, but not the others. I did not enjoy Riley.

Response by SPC Randall Pendley made Jul 10 at 2017 9:52 AM

2017-07-10T09:52:41-04:00

Liked Benning better than Riley. JC is off post of Riley. It's a small place. That was in 78. So I stayed in the Jim. Han's Tae- kon-Doe school.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 10 at 2017 10:52 AM

2017-07-10T10:52:50-04:00

You are asking best with those options? What is the best, a kick in the groin, ball peen hammer blows to both hands or crawling across broken glass?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 2:20 PM

2017-07-10T14:20:52-04:00

Thanks

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2017 8:15 PM

2017-07-10T20:15:24-04:00

I've been to Riley and Campbell, personally I loved Campbell. My unit was great and I loved the area around Campbell, specifically Nashville and the outskirt areas. Riley is ok, if you like outdoors. There is a ton of hunting areas and fishing spots. Units aren't so much on the bright side. The saying they have is "Duty First!" And as a reply we say "Family Second" (being a witty comeback). Work comes first at Riley, family is on the back burner.

Response by SGT Anna Kleinschmidt made Jul 10 at 2017 11:33 PM

2017-07-10T23:33:19-04:00

Between Stewart and Riley gotta say Stewart. Just more to do around Stewart. Close to savannah and the beaches, not far from Florida. You have the entire coast right there.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 9:46 AM

2017-07-11T09:46:22-04:00

I did five years at Campbell and five at Stewart. They both have pros and cons.

Environmental:
Campbell if you enjoy four seasons a year and prefer under 85% humidity
Stewart if you hate cold weather and don't mind a little sweat

Off duty:
Campbell has Clarksville as its parent city. You could realistically spend the duration of your tour there without leaving Clarksville. It has everything you need. You'll also be nearby Nashville for the city life, and land between the lakes if you're into outdoors stuff
Stewart: Hinesville is right outside the gate, and while the town grew significantly in the last five years you may find certain amenities lacking. However, you'll be in close proximity to Savannah, the Georgia and Florida beaches, Jacksonville, and to a lesser extent, Atlanta.

Training:
Campbell has many opportunities for training, from air assault to Pathfinder to rappel master and fries and spies.
Stewart: with fort Stewart moving back to being a fully mechanized division, there is less focus on sending guys TDY to bending for any cool guy schools, but you'll spend plenty of time in the field. I became extremely proficient in my job while there at levels beyond what I anticipated when I got orders to go there.

To sum it up, I loved both assignments and would go back to either in a heartbeat. The soldiers I served with at both posts were exceptional and made the assignments more fun than they had any right to be. That said, if I could choose one to be reassigned to this instant I'd choose Campbell. If I were to choose one to retire to, it would be Stewart.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 1:02 PM

2017-07-11T13:02:18-04:00

Fort Riley was by far the best post I was ever at.

Response by CPL John Taber made Jul 11 at 2017 1:44 PM

2017-07-11T13:44:22-04:00

Fort Bliss

Response by SPC Paul Rook made Jul 11 at 2017 2:49 PM

2017-07-11T14:49:57-04:00

1 - Stewart, Why? Savannah
2 - Campbell, Why? Nashville
3 - Benning, Why? Columbus? Meh
4 - Bliss, El Paso, anyone...anyone??
5 - Riley, Where? Crickets...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 10:32 PM

2017-07-11T22:32:28-04:00

I would say Benning, it's a great post and has a lot of training available. Also you can visit anywhere in the south within driving distance.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2017 9:00 AM

2017-07-12T09:00:29-04:00

Parris Island was a nice place to visit, but not much longer than 11 weeks. The best part of it was the view in the rear-view mirror. Camp Lejeune if you're the outdoor type. Camp Pendleton if you like a more fast-paced life. Okinawa if you love scuba. 29 Palms if you like the desert. Quantico if you like metro and DC. I can't speak for the Army bases except that I've been to Ft. Campbell a time or two. My daughter was born at Ft. Belvoir while we were stationed at Quantico in 1981, and it was a nice base.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2017 10:07 AM

2017-07-12T10:07:38-04:00

I would say that SSG Howell is on the right track. They are all different:

Ft. Riley is indeed in north-central Kansas, primarily a rural area, but it is near Manhattan, home to Kansas State University & home to about 50-60K people. If you enjoy college sports it has a lot to offer & hunting/fishing/golf is enjoyed by many in the area. It has quite a bit of land for Army mechanized training & live fires. They've done a lot of military construction within the last 15-20 years since the Big Red One HQ returned from Germany.

Ft. Campbell in southern Kentucky, is near Nashville (about 45 min) so there are lots of thing to do there if you enjoy country music & music in general. Never done any Army-tactical training there, but my SF brother-in-law was stationed there. Seemed like a nice post the last time I was there.

Ft. Benning is in south-central Georgia is of course the home of the Infantry. Many would-be infantrymen have cursed the ground of Sand Hill during Basic. It does get hot there, but I have not done any tactical training there since I am a Field Artillery basic-branch officer (Ft. Sill - been there many times!) so I don't know what the training is like there. It is a TRADOC post, but it seemed to have nice facilities when I visited there.

Ft. Bliss, I haven't been there since the late 90s, but I lived in El Paso when I was in high school and I would say that it is definitely a culture change, as the post is right near the border. There is a fair bit of crime in the area, but most off-post houses have bars on the windows & doors to deter theft. If you like Mexican food, you can get plenty good food down there. I recently spoke with an Officer from there and they have done millions if not billions of military construction on post in the last decade. The training areas are some of the largest in the Army especially with White Sands Missile Range right down the road. Done a lot of live fires there- plenty of room for rockets and missiles there! I enjoyed my time there, but was glad to get back home when I left.

Every post has good and bad sides. Just have to focus on the good, rather than the bad- especially if you are posted somewhere you don't care for.

Response by SPC Angel Emilio Perez-Hernandez made Jul 12 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-07-12T13:18:28-04:00

Ft.Benning,AIT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2017 9:16 PM

2017-07-12T21:16:38-04:00

I like Bliss out of those options.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2017 10:32 PM

2017-07-12T22:32:42-04:00

Campbell. No doubt.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 13 at 2017 12:07 AM

2017-07-13T00:07:54-04:00

Bragg or Drum...

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2017 11:14 AM

2017-07-13T11:14:24-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member, it depends on what you like in the local area. For me personally, I liked Stewart. I've been to all of those and without a doubt my least favorite is Bliss due to the location and the surroundings. Next to last is Campbell. Same reasons. Benning and Riley are similar to me, but Benning is closer to a larger city, while Riley is in the middle of Kansas. If you haven't made the drive from Denver to Kansas City...don't. So that leaves Stewart. The base is heavily wooded, which I like and Savannah is right up the road and it's a great town.

Response by MSG Wayne Allies made Jul 16 at 2017 4:51 PM

2017-07-16T16:51:52-04:00

Ft. Campbell

Response by SGT Brad Baier made Jul 16 at 2017 9:50 PM

2017-07-16T21:50:24-04:00

There use to be a saying the two posts you don't want were Fort Polk or Fort Riley

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 21 at 2017 3:09 PM

2017-07-21T15:09:48-04:00

I am partial to Campbell - Land between the Lakes is just amazing

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2017 5:07 PM

2017-07-21T17:07:29-04:00

SFC Palmer the best answer I can give is take advantage of what that base and surrounding cities areas offer. I have been to Benning, Stewart and Bliss but not to Riley or Campbell. Benning is close to Columbus, ga it is around 1-2 hours to Atlanta and 3-4 hours to Destin, Florida. Stewart is right by Savannah and 4-5 hours from Orlando, Florida. Lastly Bliss is in El-Paso the next town anyway is like 2-3 hours away...

Response by SSG Steven Mangus made Jul 21 at 2017 6:44 PM

2017-07-21T18:44:26-04:00

During my time in the service, Campbell was the best duty station. However, one must judge for themselves. Listen to all sides, watch for yourself, weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2017 9:10 PM

2017-07-21T21:10:49-04:00

I would hate to be stationed at FT Bliss or Fort SILL there is nothing there or anywhere around.

Response by SGT John Hutzel made Jul 25 at 2017 2:26 AM

2017-07-25T02:26:39-04:00

Only went to Bliss TDY it sucked hard.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Jul 31 at 2017 7:31 AM

2017-07-31T07:31:48-04:00

Texas dry heat, Georgia humid. I'd probably pick Kansas. Benning isn't all that great, I think Bragg is better.

Response by SSG Kasius McCall made Aug 17 at 2017 9:36 PM

2017-08-17T21:36:14-04:00

NOT STEWART, I repeat, not Stewart. Bliss or Campbell I'd have to say. Really liked Bliss.

Response by SPC Matt Standiford made Aug 27 at 2017 2:15 PM

2017-08-27T14:15:23-04:00

1st INF DIV. 1st Engr Bn was a great home

Response by SSG Carlos Ramos made Oct 19 at 2017 6:14 AM

2017-10-19T06:14:08-04:00

FT. Benning

Response by SGT Mark Friedman made Oct 24 at 2017 2:57 AM

2017-10-24T02:57:38-04:00

Trained at Benning...it was ok. Lived at Campbell for almost 2 years and LOVED it. Nashville is an hour away. The Kentucky twin lakes are just to the north east and provide great outdoors opportunities. Lots of fun. There is a small University in Clarksville Tennessee

Response by SGT George Ferrier made Jan 12 at 2018 5:29 AM

2018-01-12T05:29:02-05:00

Ft Stewart

Response by LTC John Griscom made Jan 29 at 2018 8:24 PM

2018-01-29T20:24:30-05:00

Depends on what you like to do. Stewart has Savannah and close to the beach at Tybee. not to far to Charleston; Benning is less than two hours to Atlanta and Callaway Gardens is close, Destin and Pensacola not too far; Campbell has Nashville less than two hours away and Kentucky Lake about the same. Don't know much about Riley or Bliss.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2019 6:31 PM

2019-12-07T18:31:55-05:00

Bliss hands down

Response by SP6 Steven Wright made Aug 18 at 2021 12:12 PM

2021-08-18T12:12:13-04:00

All are shit holes lololol