Would you prefer to stay at one post your entire career, or bounce around to explore the world?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 20:27:36 -0400

I have seen Soldiers stay in units like the 82nd ABN DIV for 20+ years straight. I've also seen Soldiers PCS 3 or 4 times in an enlistment or two. I can't personally imagine wanting to stay somewhere for my entire career with the military having so many opportunities for travel and to work with foreign populations. How does everyone else go about guiding their career in regards to location?

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Mar 31 at 2016 8:31 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 20:31:21 -0400

Good question SFC Horn. I personally prefer to move around. It gives exposure, professional and personal experience in life in general. I wouldn't oppose giving folks an option to stay at duty stations for extended periods of time for various reasons (personal or professional). But, it would be in their best interest to move around and meet new people and see different things.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 31 at 2016 8:32 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 20:32:24 -0400

My brother that did 20 returned CONUS from Vietnam and requested assignment to Fort Polk. He was then asked, what about your house near Ft Benning? He responded, "I have never been to Ft Polk before!"

Response by 1SG James Lampe made Mar 31 at 2016 8:37 PM

1SG James Lampe — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 20:37:36 -0400

I spent my first ten years in the same Tank unit in Germany, returned to CONUS for a short tour and returned to USAREUR where I retired from. I went from PVT to SFC in that first unit, and believe that the excellent leadership, training, constant deployments all made this possible. I had no problems with opportunities to attend all NCOES as well as Master Gunner School, Sling Load, etc. USAREUR was a very good career choice for me to remain and return to. Of course I was too stubborn to take a knee when I should have, so I'm paying for that now, but that's not uncommon in that MOS or any that spend so much time in the mud. And yes, I miss it. For me, it was a great career choice.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 31 at 2016 8:58 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 20:58:44 -0400

Other than training I have been to two bases in my nearly four year enlistment, 2 years at Scott AFB and almost 1 year so far here at Whiteman.

I don't mind seeing what other bases have to offer which is why I opted to take the PCS here but I will admit that if I was given the opportunity to move permanently to Grand Forks AFB or maybe Minot AFB I would take it and just stay. ND is my home anyway.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Mar 31 at 2016 9:08 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:08:47 -0400

When I was young and single I had no problem going from post to post. I have plenty of stories to tell when I'm old! But now that I'm married and have a daughter I would like nothing more than to homestead and give my family some stability.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 31 at 2016 9:20 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:20:55 -0400

If you want to bounce, I believe the Navy has more opportunity for the majority of its members. So bouncing is pretty much normal for us. I've been at (not just visited) all the continents, more spots in some vs. others. There does seem to be west and east coast types; both generally preferring to stay that side. Sitting on the promotion boards, I noted the term "camping out" to be a negative. Diversity of jobs and locations are a plus. So my take is you're missing out by not moving around. Exceptions like having special needs kids for which support is only at a couple locations does come into play. We made sure the SM wasn't penalized for being a good mom or dad.

I don't know if it is still true, but I recall British sailors could do an entire career on the same ship.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Mar 31 at 2016 9:25 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:25:52 -0400

One of the soundest pieces of advice a Gysgt ever told me was to take the opportunity to go to different units, and experience the Marine Corps in a different way at each one. He was right. I've been to three units thus far; all of them the same overall mission and MOS, but with a different Marine Corps experience. My wife would far prefer that we stayed at one station for the rest of my career, but I don't want her, more importantly my kids, to miss out on the travel opportunities.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 9:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:32:57 -0400

Ft. Campbell, KY!!! AIR ASSAULT!!!!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 31 at 2016 9:46 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:46:08 -0400

The Navy once had a program called Homeporting that, that was the basic idea. I don't know that it ever completely worked out for anyone. Annoying as PCSing is I think the Join the Navy See the World was Awesome. Made my Home in Florida, Hawaii, Alaska, West Virginia, London UK, Washington DC, Washington State and Diego Garcia British Indian Ocean Territory.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 9:58 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 21:58:49 -0400

I tried to stay in Germany... But the army said no.

Also it's best once folks hit the 82nd.., they just stay there... They warped humans after./

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 10:28 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 22:28:10 -0400

Having been at the same duty station for 10/13 years, I could use some more adventure. I just wish that EFMP would not be such a hassle.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 31 at 2016 11:16 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 23:16:51 -0400

I preferred to explore the world and the Navy was only too happy to indulge me. My first enlistment was spent overseas (Diego Garcia, Panama, Philippines). Then a stint in FL, then 6 yrs in Japan, then "homeporting" in San Diego until retirement. We all loved Japan. We lived in Yokohama in military housing, it was essentially "out in the communitiy", no gate or anything. My two oldest kids still speak conversational Japanese. I originally had orders to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) homeported there but orders were changed at last minute to USS Cowpens (CG 63) out of San Diego. Heck, if those orders hadn't changed the wife and I might still be there!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 1 at 2016 1:57 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 01:57:47 -0400

I prefer to bounce around. I retired with a number 9 on the OSR. Korea, Hungary, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Alaska, Afghanistan, Cairo, Alaska. Thank you Army for taking me around the world.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 3:53 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 03:53:42 -0400

I recently had a conversation about this with a general officer. His perspective, with which I fully agree, is that, in general, the Army needs well-rounded senior NCOs and officers who have had a variety of experiences in their Army careers to be of continued value to the Army. For example, a sergeant first class who someone managed to stay in one unit or at one post is probably not going to be of much value to the Army as a master sergeant or SGM/CSM, because said NCO will have such limited exposure to how the rest of the Army works. Same goes for officers. If a colonel spend 23 years or so at one post, what value would said colonel be to the Army as a general officer?

This perspective is fully grounded in the Army's conception that the purpose of NCO and Officer development is to produce a CSA and SMA once every couple of years.

It probably does not apply to NCOs through about SFC who serve in Special Operations units.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 1 at 2016 4:09 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:09:20 -0400

If you look at the BIO of most senior leaders you will notice a very diverse background encompassing many duties and duty stations. If you sit and speak to senior leaders they will also tell you that they look for well rounded leaders to place in positions of responsibility. The military is a very complex machine, understanding it in its entirety is impossible, but when you couple together leaders with a variety of backgrounds you usually get a great result, fueled by fresh ideas and outside perspectives. You speak to Ft. Bragg, well Bragg is fairly unique in this regard, Airborne operations require a special series of skill-sets, not just jumping/Jump Master, but unique operations, tactics, training mechanisms etc. It is true that one can climb the ladder (for the most part) without too many other assignments, but it is even rare for that to occur. Also, what do you want at 20, E-7/Maj, E-8/LTC or E-9/COL and above?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2016 10:56 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 22:56:42 -0400

Stay at on post. For sure.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Jun 24 at 2016 8:11 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 08:11:22 -0400

My first time in Korea...pretty nice so far!