Posted on Sep 17, 2013
Worst duty stations -- what's your Bottom 3 list?
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I've heard these are the worst places to get stationed in the Army. If you've been to any of these places, why do people hate them so much, and are they really that bad?
List of Worst 3 Army bases to get stationed at:
1. Camp Casey, Korea
2. Fort Polk, LA
3. Fort Irwin, CA
List of Worst 3 Army bases to get stationed at:
1. Camp Casey, Korea
2. Fort Polk, LA
3. Fort Irwin, CA
Army
Planning
Military Installations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 177
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I've always believed that the assignment is what you make of it and it is mostly about the unit and the people rather than the location.
Being an Army Brat for 23 years, followed by over 20 years of my own service, I have not had a bad duty station. Some have more amenities, some have more outside the gate, and some have units that have better leaders (not related to the location of course). Wherever I've been, we find a way to enjoy it and to get involved and make it better.
Duty Stations (As a Brat and on my own):
Hunter AAF (2 years), Ft. Campbell (2 years), Ft. Knox (3x for a total of 1.5 years), Ft. Hood (3x for a total of 9 years), Ft. Leavenworth (3x for a total of 6 years), W. Germany (3 years), Ft. Polk (2x for a total of 7 years), West Point (2.5 years), Ft. Riley (3.5 years), Boise/Twin Falls, ID (4 years), Ft. Jackson (1+ year).
Being an Army Brat for 23 years, followed by over 20 years of my own service, I have not had a bad duty station. Some have more amenities, some have more outside the gate, and some have units that have better leaders (not related to the location of course). Wherever I've been, we find a way to enjoy it and to get involved and make it better.
Duty Stations (As a Brat and on my own):
Hunter AAF (2 years), Ft. Campbell (2 years), Ft. Knox (3x for a total of 1.5 years), Ft. Hood (3x for a total of 9 years), Ft. Leavenworth (3x for a total of 6 years), W. Germany (3 years), Ft. Polk (2x for a total of 7 years), West Point (2.5 years), Ft. Riley (3.5 years), Boise/Twin Falls, ID (4 years), Ft. Jackson (1+ year).
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SFC (Join to see)
Whenever this conversation comes up and I mention my fondness for Ft Riley, KS I get the craziest looks. I will admit I was alittle bummed after leaving Germany and going to KS. But once we got there and I got involved in activities and met people..there's no place like home(yes, I know it's corny but true). For some reason I still can't convince my branch to send me back.
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SGT (Join to see)
So glad to see the love for Ft Riley! We've been there twice. The first time, I got my BS. The second time, I got my MS. I joke with the department heads that if we go there again, I'll start my PhD. I love Manhattan, go Wildcats!
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SGT (Join to see)
Its funny, I've been at Riley for almost 3 years now. While its not terrible, I honestly just don't like the mid-west. I would gladly trade for Lewis, or somewhere in the south-east. However, my branch would rather I just stay here.
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SGT (Join to see)
I'm at Lewis right now. I'll just say this. I fought tooth and nail for Riley in my reenlistment. In growing up with 2 career military parents and being in for 4 years, Lewis is by far the worst and Riley is by far the best installations I have ever been to.
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<p>I came to the defense of Korea earlier but didn't post my bottom 3. I've always told my wife, the main places I'd really try arguing with branch if they wanted to send me there are:</p><p>1) FT Polk (horrible weather/station)</p><p>2) FT Irwin (middle of nowhere)</p><p>3) FT Drum (not a fan of the cold and not close to major cities)</p>
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CPT (Join to see)
Those would be bottom three also. Ft. Bliss used to be on the list ahead of Irwin but they have really improved the facilities there over the past five years and it is a much nicer duty station now. My biggest complaint for Bliss was the sand storms but you get those at Irwin and, as you said, it is in the middle of nowhere!
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SPC Padraic Lukowski
I only did 2 years plus change on Drum. First at DSTB, then in 10th Sustainment. Did my basic and AIT (9 months total) in Georgia. I have visited half a dozen other bases, both before and during my 4 years. Now, it might be because I am from the Northwest. It might be because TRADOC was not good for me. But this I will say for Forts Benning and Gordon: I miss the people I met there. Fort Drum? Best part of being part of 10th Mtn. was being deployed, then spending my first year as a married man with my wife and daughter. Otherwise... I didn't care much for Drum, either. It is what you make of it, provided you don't get crap for units.
One more thing, though, as I am sure my Alaska veterans can attest to. It is better to be cold than be hot. You can always warm up, put on more clothing. It is really damned hard to cool down in a Georgia summer.
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SSG (Join to see)
Fort Drum is cold. It snows like crazy. It's in New York state. With that being said, I loved it there because of the friends I made and 10th Mountain being a great unit. Bring a shovel!
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1SG Frank Boynton
Why is Ft. Polk horrible weather/station? Personally, I trained there for Vietnam. The weather wasn't nearly as bad but it did get extreme. Back then believe it or not, the barracks had swamp coolers. Forget about air conditioning. Can you imagine, a place that has 85 to 100% humidity 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year with a huge swamp cooler running. But seriously, it was known as little Vietnam. But from here it's way up North so it's not nearly as hot as it is in New Orleans.
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I am currently stationed at Camp Casey. It is not a bad post, but it isn't a good place to bring your family. If I was single, or had come here unaccompanied, I would appreciate the post better, but then I'd be missing out on other things. Korea is beautiful though and I love the people here.
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SGT (Join to see)
I'm currently on assignment to go to Korea and I've heard many things about it. I'm going over there unaccompanied. I'm glad to see from everything I've read and heard that I made the right decision.
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SFC Steven Harvey
Anyone that says Korea sucks probably is not making the best of it. I would not in a million years bring my family here, but if your single or unaccompanied Korea can set you free.
(Education, Volunteerism, Military Schools, Physical Fitness, Training, etc.)
(Education, Volunteerism, Military Schools, Physical Fitness, Training, etc.)
I will probably leave Korea with a Bachelors, Volunteer Medal, various other awards, great training and at least 2 major schools like EO, MRT, SHARP, etc.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Ditto SSG Harvey. Korea can be a great tour. The folks who seem to hate it fall into one of three categories:
1) Barracks rats who never get out and see what a wonderful country it is
2) Folks who don't like being the "foreigner" because unless you are a Korean-American, you ARE the minority
3) Folks who can't stand to be away from their family
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SSG Theodore Scherer
I was in Yongsang back in 08 and recently went to Casey/Hovey/Mobile for an exercise. If I had to choose between the two, Yongsang would be my choice. Since you are right there in Seoul, it can't be beat. Casey on the over hand, from what I saw, having never been to Area 1 previously save for a DMZ tour, there is nothing there. I am just glad they finally realized how important it is to get people to out and see Korea and offer free bus rides to Yongsang from Casey/CRC. Hardly any place good to eat off base, the "strip" is about all there is outside of the gate, saw many Soldier's acting a fool and plenty of fights at Popeye's (only place open at curfew)
Yongsang though, there is an absolute ton of things to do there. The war museum right outside the gate is so massive itll take you several days to see everything in there. There is a lot more to see in Seoul than just Itaewon. Just talk to people, you will find the best things to do. I enjoyed my time there immensely, best assignment I have had so far.
Yongsang though, there is an absolute ton of things to do there. The war museum right outside the gate is so massive itll take you several days to see everything in there. There is a lot more to see in Seoul than just Itaewon. Just talk to people, you will find the best things to do. I enjoyed my time there immensely, best assignment I have had so far.
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