Duty Stations
Duty Stations
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When you talk with your branch manager about your next assignment, many times the first topic is WHERE you want to get posted. Which places are the best to get stationed at, and which are the hardest to actually get?
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Duty Stations
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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I've always started the conversation with my branch manager with what job(s) do I need to do next and where can I go to best get that job and be set for future jobs.
I went to Hood because there were lots of tanks and I needed to be a Tank PL. I went to Riley because there were more Company Commands available at the time. I went to Boise/Twin Falls, Idaho because AC/RC was a good career choice and that was the most interesting location for us (one of my only times asking for a specific location, however it was still related to the job first). I went to Polk because I had the best chance of getting an XO/S3 job more quickly. I went back to Hood because the job I was offered was the best choice at the time and I knew there were plenty of other opportunities folowing that one. And I'm at Jackson because that was where I was offered a command.
Next, I may be more focused on location, however I will still be asking about the right jobs first, then location.
I went to Hood because there were lots of tanks and I needed to be a Tank PL. I went to Riley because there were more Company Commands available at the time. I went to Boise/Twin Falls, Idaho because AC/RC was a good career choice and that was the most interesting location for us (one of my only times asking for a specific location, however it was still related to the job first). I went to Polk because I had the best chance of getting an XO/S3 job more quickly. I went back to Hood because the job I was offered was the best choice at the time and I knew there were plenty of other opportunities folowing that one. And I'm at Jackson because that was where I was offered a command.
Next, I may be more focused on location, however I will still be asking about the right jobs first, then location.
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, what if branch just assigns you to a specific location and knowing the assignment will not benefit you at all. But a requirement that was needed to fill?
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LTC (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) - This is a tough one. I have never had that happen to me. My Armor Assignment Officers have always seemed to be interested in my professional development as we discussed assignments.
I recommend asking them what you should be doing professionally at that assignment and laying out a multi-year plan and have a frank conversation with them. Sometimes I guess we need to fill billets "for the good of the Army" but never should be at the expense of the individual. Maybe there is more to it that either the assignment officer or you don't know.
Frank, open conversations always worked for me.
Good luck!
I recommend asking them what you should be doing professionally at that assignment and laying out a multi-year plan and have a frank conversation with them. Sometimes I guess we need to fill billets "for the good of the Army" but never should be at the expense of the individual. Maybe there is more to it that either the assignment officer or you don't know.
Frank, open conversations always worked for me.
Good luck!
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As the old saying goes, "It is in the eye of the beholder". What may be a great place for one may be terrible for another. If you don't like beaches and warm weather year-round, Hawaii would not be good for you, while many others would love it. Same for Alaska, if you don't like fishing and hunting and cold weather.
Also, locations that may be great places to live may not be the best places for your career. Decisions on where to be assigned need to be weighed with both duty implications and personal life implications.
I was blessed in my career to have been assigned in some great places, both for duty and personal life. Hawaii; Colorado Springs; Naples Italy; Germany; etc., etc... We never went any place my wife wanted to go. Regardless of where I was being assigned, she did not want to go there and was upset about it. However, when it got time to leave, she did not want to leave. Once we got there and got settled, it became home and leaving was always tough. My point is that any location is what you make it. It becomes home.
I used to tell my assignment officers that I would go to a good place for a bad job or a bad place for a good job, but that I would not go to bad place for a bad job. Luckily, I always would up going to good places for good jobs (or, at least, they turned out that way).
Also, locations that may be great places to live may not be the best places for your career. Decisions on where to be assigned need to be weighed with both duty implications and personal life implications.
I was blessed in my career to have been assigned in some great places, both for duty and personal life. Hawaii; Colorado Springs; Naples Italy; Germany; etc., etc... We never went any place my wife wanted to go. Regardless of where I was being assigned, she did not want to go there and was upset about it. However, when it got time to leave, she did not want to leave. Once we got there and got settled, it became home and leaving was always tough. My point is that any location is what you make it. It becomes home.
I used to tell my assignment officers that I would go to a good place for a bad job or a bad place for a good job, but that I would not go to bad place for a bad job. Luckily, I always would up going to good places for good jobs (or, at least, they turned out that way).
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