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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
PCS
Fort Riley
Military Life
Family
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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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 (Join to see).
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 (Join to see).
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SGT (Join to see)
Hold on 4 day weekends every month? I think I need to request for fort Riley haha.
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SGT (Join to see)
I've never been to FT. Riley so idk how bad or good it is, but I do know someone that's part of Riley's PAO would have nothing bad to say about the unit on a public military forum lol..it's almost as if you were spam promoting Fort Riley
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
After being stationed there currently for the last two years, I cannot agree more with your assessment of the place, absolutely love it, but then that is coming from a veteran of a couple decades of Army life, the younger, lower enlisted type may find it a bit harsh and not appreciate the area unless they are avid outdoorsmen or something like that. The social life really doesn't exist for them, while KSU offers then hunting, it is not like Nashville by FTCKY or other post. It is the HIDDEN JEWEL of the ARMY.
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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!
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
I'd expect SGM (Join to see) to make the best of any situation, the definition of professionalism.
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SGM (Join to see)
CSM - this place rocks, but if I came down on orders to come back auf Deutschland, I wouldn't cry too loud!
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PV2 (Join to see)
HOOAH!!! 1SG, Im still getting used to it here, Im in the new QM Company under 541st
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Great point SSG (Join to see).
PV2 (Join to see) 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.
PV2 (Join to see) 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.
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SSG (Join to see)
CSM, hooah!!!! One of the things I really despise is the attitude of "This place sucks" or "There's nothing to do" from soldiers. Yet most of them are the same ones who sit in their rooms playing XBox, PS3, etc. Sheesh!!! Get out and DO something. Find something. So many of these places are replete with history, which is something I am particularly interested in.
As for Riley specifically, I got my diving certification while there.
As for Riley specifically, I got my diving certification while there.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
@CSM Michael J. CSM Michael J. Uhlig things never change, my middle brother, while at Peden Barracks near Wertheim in the 70s got so involved w/ trying to get the young Soldiers down the 'hill' and into town that he reclassed to being a Recreational Sp. On his last visit to the town, he cited his old age for not joining in a football match. Upon retirement he completed his degree and was in Turkey as a DoD civilian Rec sp when Desert Storm happen. Of course his request to go to Iraq was denied.
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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.
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PV2 (Join to see) you already heard the best advice you can get from SSG (Join to see) 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!
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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.
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I am convinced that for every person who doesn't like their duty station there are two guys who would love to go there.
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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.
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PV2 (Join to see)
So true SSG, Ive heard alot of bad things about Riley though, lol I like Fort Hood but Im bias because My grandfather Retired out of Hood, my fathers stationed at Camp Robinson, Little Rock AR, so Ive been to Hood a few times and loved it
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SSG (Join to see)
Exactly. There are some things I haven't liked about each place but the majority of it has to do with personnel and not the base itself. Each base has its own uniqueness but they all generally have the same thing: a website. Check out their webpage and it'll tell you a lot about the base and available agencies. Also check out their MWR page. TONS of great information.
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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.
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SGT Thomas Lucken
I am incline to agree with ya James, being since I am originally from Missouri! The good part of it, was able to be home within 6 hours!
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