Why does Fort Riley get such a bad rep?

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 10:46:20 -0400

When I originally had Fort Hood as my duty station I was so happy, then I got Reassigned to Fort Riley KS, and I heard so many bad things about how Fort Riley sucks, how bad it is... Theres nothing to do... Etc, from SGTs and alot of other people I knew who had been here, Im here now and love it!!! Its perfect for my family and myself, wondering yalls thoughts on this and other bases with the same type of Reputation

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 10:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 10:49:47 -0400

Fort Riley, just like any other base, is what you make of it. If someone is not willing to look into the various activities around the base or in nearby cities, then that is on them. I have enjoyed every single one of my duty stations although I am slightly biased on Riley since I am originally from the KC area.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 11:09 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:09:34 -0400

I got orders for Ft. Riley in Jan '13 - every time I told someone I was headed there I got the "ewwwww... Riley. Dang." I've been here almost a year and I'm having a great time. I have a compelling mission with a straight-up A-Team of NCOs and officers. As SSG Redondo says, it is what you make of it. If you buy into all of the negativity, your experience may vary. Hope you enjoy the rest of your tour here - Duty First!

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jul 13 at 2014 11:13 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:13:16 -0400

Great point SSG Private RallyPoint Member.

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member you make your duty station what it is. There's a saying that misery loves company - and if you ask the majority of Soldiers they will tell you that Fort Polk, LA is a terrible place to be stationed but while we were there we really liked and it was the right place for us to be at that time. Fort Polk had a great Child Youth Services program and the military community was very close knit.....really, you can miserable wherever you are - my advice is to steer clear of those people that are miserable, make sure your attitude is right (and sounds like it is), keep yourself and your family motivated and be happy. My son PCS'd from Ft Lewis to Ft Riley, he thought he would not like it at Riley, he ended up enjoying it - especially the fishing at Fort Riley.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2014 11:37 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 11:37:07 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member you already heard the best advice you can get from SSG Private RallyPoint Member and CSM Michael J. Uhlig. Make the best of wherever you go. We are right where we are intended to be, we just don't always know it at the time. If I had not been in Fort Sill for 6yrs, I would not have taken that trip to New York with some good friends and I would never have met my wife!

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Sep 17 at 2014 6:53 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 18:53:36 -0400

Fort Riley is God's little gift to the Army, in my opinion. I met the finest NCOs, earned my stripes and rocker there with the 1st Sustainment Brigade and worked on a post where I truly felt soldiers and family were number 1.

You have wide open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, no traffic, an enormous pool with a splash pad next to it, the Warrior Zone, 4-day weekends every month.

The historic part of post is absolutely gorgeous and well-maintained. As a brigade-level PAO, I received a ton of professional development from the NCOs and officers at the 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office. I could go on and on lol.
Fort Riley was a wonderful experience for me and I hope you have the same PV2 Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 10:01 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:01:22 -0400

Maybe cause of that artillery or whatever they shoot off on the weekends? I lived in Manhattan for a few years while growing up. The windows rattled while I tried to sleep in on the weekends...

Response by SSG Angela Valtierra made Sep 17 at 2014 10:14 PM

SSG Angela Valtierra — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:14:37 -0400

I think it personally depends on the soldiers experience and attitude per base when I got orders to fort hood my current unit was like yeesh! But I loved it there and was so glad to be there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 2:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:04:57 -0400

PV2 Kinder, things have changed ALOT since some of the Soldiers who told you "Fort Riley Sucks, or they themselves just had a bad time here). You’ll hear a lot about how BAD Fort Riley is, there is nothing to do here/there or you have to travel to see things. Well, after coming here in 2003, being deployed multiple times from here and being Medically Retired from Fort Riley, I have seen it grown to what it is today. Yes, it does have the “Isum” attached to it, like any other installation, but it’s what you make of it.
There is great hunting, fishing, boating and a great many places to go and see from the installation alone! And now that Schlitterbahn Water Park has now opened (with the worlds tallest water slide, the Verruckt, 168‘7“ drop!), Gray Wolf Lodge, Bass Pro Shop and Kansas Speedway all in the same area. And about a 2 hour drive.
But this is about Fort Riley itself, yes you have the ranges going at all hours sometimes. But it’s the Army, stay sharp and keep on point. Right. Again, its what YOU make of it and how YOU push yourself through your career.

Response by SGT Kevin Adams made Sep 18 at 2014 9:22 PM

SGT Kevin Adams — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:22:45 -0400

Fort Riley is a post I would love to go to. For me my reasons is mostly cause I would be much closer to mine and my wife's families. Also from what I have heard it has a small town feel to it and that's what I'm looking for as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 4:16 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:16:13 -0400

I agree with you completely, T! When I inprocessed there in Jul of 2011 the DIV CSM Champagne told us you are in the finest Division in the Army, and promised that if you deploy your families would be in great hands. Well I deployed a year later and I did not have to worry about my family at all. It is an amazing family friendly installation. Get out and see some of the history and sites around you.

The bad thing was the drive home to Detroit!

GO MOTOWN!!!!!!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 20 at 2014 10:10 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 10:10:48 -0400

I was never assigned there but I stopped by several times driving across the USA. The housing in beautiful, albeit 1/2 underground. The airfield was full of smiling helicopters. Colleges down the road...I could have done 4 years there easy. Glad you love it PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Make the best of every situation.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Sep 20 at 2014 11:07 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:07:15 -0400

I enjoyed my time at Camp Funston. Hell, it was within walking distance to the Ogden Gate and the Rock House... ;)

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 11:27 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 11:27:12 -0400

Riley was the Bomb for me and my family. We all liked it there. The ones that don't like it there are the ones that love to party hard (like the big cities), so they would have to drive to KC to get that. Riley is a peacefully place. A lot to do if you get out and do it. As for family support, I believe Riley has top notch family support. I deployed from Riley three times out of my six years there and my family never had an issue, never skipped a beat. We really didn't want to leave, but I had to get ahead of branch before they made me leave (high schooler). Make the best of any place.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Sep 20 at 2014 12:16 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 12:16:24 -0400

I think a lot of people believe that since it is in the middle of Kansas and (granted Junction City isn't much, but Manhattan isn't a bad little college town) that it must suck. I've been to Riley several times, and I've always enjoyed the time I spent there. I've never been stationed there, but I've done a few ATs, deployed through there and spent time there as my husband deployed through there. Being a midwesterner and a small town girl, I'm not going to complain about a post in the midwest because I know what the people are like in surrounding communities. :-)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 2:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:59:12 -0400

Ye dude the same thing they said about fort Hood once I finish AIT. Turn out I love fort Hood except for all the lock down and constant auto accidents. Been here 3 years and love it. Don't let the place, people drag you down just make the best out of it

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 12:04 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 12:04:14 -0400

I am convinced that for every person who doesn't like their duty station there are two guys who would love to go there.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 11:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 11:52:44 -0400

They probaly think Ft Riley is "too" country for them. I personally think I would like it there. I was born there, and will most likely be stationed there after Im done with Korea. I personally hated Ft Hood, but thats just me

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 12:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:29:17 -0400

I believe there are a few reasons why Fort Riley gets such a bad rep.. For one, those who were lucky to have Fort Riley as their First Duty Station (like myself), were held to a standard, my experience with NCOs there demended discipline, while maintaining a level of friendship without crossing any lines. I think it begins with the Senior both Enlisted and Commissioned. They pass down a working enviornment that says, lets get the Mission Complete, respect each other, and handle each situation the best, fastest, and intelligent way we can. My problem was I didn't know what I had until I lost it. I thought PCS'ing was best, and I noticed that I don't like my current Duty Station nearly as much as I had expected, perspectively. Though there are noticeable differences, don't get me wrong, 101'st is my Home and in my Heart, but the Big Red One is the 1st Infantry Division :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 4:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:18:47 -0400

PV2 Kinder, I'm really happy to hear you like Fort Riley. That post is one of my favorites. It is rich with history and tradition. The area is beautiful and there is plenty of entertainment within a reasonable drive. If you haven't taken a trip to Abilene to see the Eisenhower Museum, I highly recommend it. Abilene is about 30 minutes west on I-70. I hope you continue to enjoy your time at that wonderful post. Take care, best wishes to you and your family.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2014 4:33 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:33:05 -0400

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member, I think it has to do with what someone likes to do there. I was stationed there for three years and personally did not like it. It's in the middle of nowhere, you have to drive so far to get anywhere, it's cold (including camp function), you have to deal with the traffic on the loop and Junction City needs some work. Manhattan has improved, but you have to understand that most of the big stores there have recently been built. The olive garden built there is from 2009.

Fort Riley can be good if your an outdoor person, try to explore some of the college campus area, and prefer peace and quiet. Those are just my thoughts.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 22 at 2014 4:35 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 16:35:26 -0400

I am not sure why you have heard it and I will let you know once I show up after the first of the year. I personally have never heard anything bad about Fort Riley in my 27 years of service to date and I will spare those in the other assignments to which I have heard negative things.

I will say that I have found that usually the best unit you have ever been in is the unit you just left. Just seems folks always show up saying "we did it this way". I am looking forward to Fort Riley, I had choice of three assignments and had retirement papers ready for the other two if they had came through on my RFO. See you in December Fort Riley!

Response by SSG Rafael Sanchez made Jan 26 at 2015 12:10 PM

SSG Rafael Sanchez — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 12:10:46 -0500

Listen Fort Riley is not bad as people think it is, I was stationed at Fort Riley, KS myself and my family. We bought a home in Ogden KS, just outside the base. The only thing that was wrong about Fort Riley was this ass hole of major who we knew that he was smoking weeds when we left to go too Germany and train. We caught his ass smoking in Germany one night, and also fucking around his wife, while we were training in Germany. And when he found out that I and others new he wanted to come down on us, but we beat him fast by requesting a transfer over seas. Maybe the old baster is dead by now. I hate to talk bad about any of my fellow soldiers, but as an E6, this major should of been deleted from the Army.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 10:16 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 10:16:52 -0400

Great post and close to Manhattan,KS which has a great selection of restaurants. I am a big fan of the "Chef", try the eggs Benedict and corn beef n hash. One could do a lot worse that Fort Riley.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 1:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 13:13:43 -0400

It's like that for every Post/ military installations.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 2 at 2016 1:30 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 13:30:27 -0400

How good or sucky a post is, is largely in the eye of the beholder. The people there have much more of an effect than geography.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2016 1:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 13:54:48 -0400

I was at ft Riley and thought it sucked. I am elsewhere now and wish I could go back!

Response by SPC James Anderson made Oct 2 at 2016 8:34 PM

SPC James Anderson — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 20:34:21 -0400

The only reason I hated Riley was I was from Iowa, I wanted to actually see the world a bit while in the Army and was extremely disappointed. It has its positives. If your single its a college town with tons of hot women. Aggieville in downtown Manhattan is an awesome 4 or 5 square blocks of bars and clubs. The post is very up to date with an amazing historical story. If you like camping in your free time there are some awesome small lakes in the region to camp at. And basically your in the center of the country. You or someone you serve with will only be a few hours from home. Enjoy your 3 or 4 day weekends by leaving post behind and spending time with your family or a new adopted one. And you will get to run the HILL or the Golf course all the damn time. Check out "Fast Eddies" Pool Hall in Manhattan for a great time. Rent a table by the hour and enjoy a 32oz frosty mug with your buddies!!! Wish I could join you there.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Oct 3 at 2016 1:03 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:03:07 -0400

I've never been stationed there, but have heard bad things about that place. In the 21 years, I've been serving, I've only been stationed at two different post. Fort Campbell 1995-1997, and Fort Bragg, 1998 until present. There is a lot of people that don't like Fort Bragg, and I didn't either when I first got here. But, I've made it my home, and have been lucky to stay in one place for 19 years. Home is what you make of it. Do not focus and having a great time. Focus on how to be a better father, husband, and Soldier. Everything is easy from there on out. Good luck buddy.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2016 1:13 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:13:39 -0400

I was stationed there from 1992-1994. I had good and bad experiences there.

the bad were; my son's godfather was killed on post after a storm uprooted a tree that was over a 100 yrs old smashed his car pinning him in there while he suffered to death before anyone could get him out. he had just returned from inpatient alcohol and drug treatment too. he barely got to know my son before he was taken away from us.

the good: Manhattan has football, bars, and places to hang out and have fun. you can just be yourself and not have to worry about what's going on. they have plenty of restaurants to eat at and lots of people to meet. you just have to get out of your comfort zone and be social able.

Junction City: was a little different; it had a bar that had 2 sides to it...one country one rock....it was ok...but fights would always happen. further up the road was a bar that in a house and I think apartment on top and trailers for rent behind. we knew the owner of the bar, we would go in shoot pool for a few rounds after I had my baby and she would have him in his carrier sitting on top of the bar. nobody would mess with her, the baby or us. her bouncer made sure of that.

things have changed since then. I would love to go back up there and spend a few days just going through each town and Fort Riley just for the memories. Especially to sit and remember SSG Connor.

49th Ordnance Company deactivated not long after I left. So the Ammunition Supply Point where the civilians took over. I hope they are treating you guys right up there.

55Bravo Ammunition Specialist
PFC Joyce Montgomery

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 6 at 2016 8:30 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 20:30:21 -0400

1984 to 1987 I was station there! I went back to Korea in 87 to get out of Riley!!! But when out Riley, was with the best damn unit there: 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry!!! The Quarterhorse!

"If you ain't Cav............................"

Response by SSG Terry Back (Martin-Back) made Oct 27 at 2016 12:37 PM

SSG Terry Back (Martin-Back) — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:37:38 -0400

I was stationed there from 90-94, my wife and I had a great time... If someone decides a place has a bad rap before they get there and makes up their mind they are going to be miserable there, chances are they are going to be miserable. Where ever you are, it is up to the individual to find something to keep themselves active. I found a lot of history and places to explore within a short drive of Ft. Riley, great fishing in the nearby lake... You can make the best of where ever you are or you can sit in your space an be miserable, the choice is yours.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 9:36 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:36:09 -0400

Only spent 4 months there for MiTT, but definitely enjoyed my time there. Great place!!

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Nov 12 at 2016 1:57 PM

SGT Frank Pritchett — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:57:44 -0500

I served eight years at Ft. Riley from 2008-2015 and loved it my only issue was the command. the NCO leadership is the worst that I had ever seen, but Ft. Riley is a fantastic post with alot to do and people actually do care about the family. It is a great place to be stationed.

Response by SPC Aedian Fall made Jan 24 at 2019 11:42 PM

SPC Aedian Fall — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:42:07 -0500

I was stationed there 96-99 and really did not like it, Ft Riley barracks were sub par at the time I lived there, It felt more like a prison if you were single soldier and put into the subpar barracks at that time. The post itself was fine and there was plenty to do however my bad experience wasnt limited to just the living conditions where we hung our heads but our chain of command namely a bad NCO who loved to torture anyone lower ranking than himself, he was the reason I left military instead of continuing to retirement as planned. The COC can have a huge impact on moral and even keep people in, had I had a better NCO I probably would had still been in but this NCO was so bad that 20 years later I still have nightmares of the treatment we got from him. I wish I would have had a different post to start out, looking back I regret leaving to an extent, It was what I wanted to do, but that base was a living nightmare because of him. Go figure that an army cook would have that bad of an NCO that he would drive nearly all the new recruits who came into his control not keeping a single one of us (we all left at end of our terms)