74D needs Help with re-up and re-enlistment

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:29:37 -0400

I am a 74D who is married with two children looking to reup and PCS from Fort Hood to either Fort Stewart or Hunter Army Airfield and I am having no luck with branch as they are telling me my only option is Korea and my rentention office says that my only option is Alaska. Basically I am looking for advice since this is my first reup and its looking like i dont have much of and options. Thanks for all the advice!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 30 at 2015 10:42 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:42:42 -0400

I recommend you add more tags to your question to get a broader range of response SGT Private RallyPoint Member. Army may be too broad but consider tagging Army to get the widest response. You might want to tag the "Specialist" and "Sergeant (Army)" groups

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 30 at 2015 10:48 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:48:10 -0400

While it might not be the advise you are looking for SGT Private RallyPoint Member, I can tell you that almost everyone I spoke to loved being stationed in Alaska. If those are truly your own chooses that is what I would go with. Korea was okay but of course I'm sure you don't want to be away from your wife if you can avoid it. I would continue to talk to your rentention office daily since assignments can change. Best of luck and let us know what you decide to do!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:54 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:54:14 -0400

Keep bugging your Branch and Retention office, perhaps they will eventually cave. But, if you cannot get Georgia, then i recommend taking the Alaska assignment. I have known several people that were stationed there and no one had anything bad to say about that assignment, other than the typical "Its cold in the winter." Just remember, some times you can't always get what you want when in the Army. Always try to be Semper Gumby when it comes to assignments. But that doesn't mean to not fight for what you want.

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Sep 30 at 2015 11:34 AM

SFC(P) Jonathan P. — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:34:26 -0400

Have you considered reclassing to a different MOS, if so at that point you would have more options available. You will have to go to mos school but will deff have more room to search and look into.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:34 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:34:29 -0400

Keep hitting up branch daily/weekly for options, talk to your retention NCO see if they can do anything for you. Lastly if you have any contacts at either of those duty stations. Utilize them. Contact a unit there and talk with their 1stSgt, have your ERB good and squared away and could possibly 4187 over or back door in.

Response by SGT John Rauch made Sep 30 at 2015 11:54 AM

SGT John Rauch — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 11:54:51 -0400

possibly consider reclassing. I did because points for 5 were nearly impossible as a 92F. Reclassed to 13R myself, that was a good move as far as making points, broaden your horizons, you never know what you might find. And another thing, you must, by all means keep your family together though, that is more important than your military career, korea does not sound like your best option. this decision effects your whole family.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 12:03 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:03:47 -0400

Drum is always open to 74D lol

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 12:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:13:41 -0400

Right now as a 74D even at the 20 and 30 levels, assignments are limited. You may want to take a look at both places you are being offered and see which one will possibly put you in a position to advance your career better. Are you promotable yet? Sometimes having that promotable status opens up avenues that werent available to you before. When push comes to shove you have to consider two things, the advancement of your career and your family. These two things won't always coincide with eachother, but both are important if you want to stay in the army and be successful.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Sep 30 at 2015 1:24 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:24:58 -0400

Out of those options, Alaska sounds like the better deal. However, if those are the only assignments available and you don't care which you go to, you can always see about doing a reenlistment for school option. Then you at least have the opportunity to get something you want.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 1:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:29:32 -0400

Avoid alaska like the plague.

Response by SGT Kimball Bowers made Sep 30 at 2015 2:20 PM

SGT Kimball Bowers — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:20:20 -0400

You have two of the worst potential duty stations in the Army. If your choice is Alaska for Fort Richardson, that's a great post and a great area. The only other base is in Fairbanks Alaska and I'll just say you do not want that, I promise you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 3:15 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:15:12 -0400

Im from Alaska and am currently here albiet im in the guard but were mixed with the active guys all day long. as long as your not bothered by the cold its a great place all kinds of stuff to do here

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 7:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:42:54 -0400

Like many other people have stated, look at the options presented to you and see which is best for you. I advise you to make a choice quickly before the Army makes it for you. Granted your contract may be up shortly so the Army might not be likely to reassign you forceably, but anything can happen

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Sep 30 at 2015 9:35 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 21:35:03 -0400

SPC Nicholas,
I would suggest you to go to the Special Operations route if you want to have a good (chances are pretty high) chance of getting assigned to Fort Stewart or HAA as a 74D. In addition, you will have the opportunity to attend more specialized training that will enhance you as a 74D. This will technically improve your skillsets and put you ahead of your peers. Also, you will experience more things outside your MOS.
I personally know a lot of 74D's that have made it to E-8 and E-9. All of them had in common one thing...Special Operations background. Always look for things that most of your peers are not doing or not willing to do!. Good luck and look at SORB Recruiting when you have a chance.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:48 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 22:48:17 -0400

Reclass to an MOS that you don't need to have 798 pp , like medic haha

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 11:06 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 23:06:32 -0400

SPC Nicholas Jones, Yes, most of us have faced the same situation after our initial tour. My choices were Korea or Germany at the end of my first enlistment. Even today as a Master Sergeant, I have limitations on where I can go. My last PCS I was offered Arizona or Fort Gordon ( Fort Gordon only after I asked if there was anything available on the east coast). I'd recommend Korea, you get to take your wife, if you have one, now. Is it Camp Casey? I enjoyed Camp Casey. Although I hear Alaskas great if you like the snow.

Response by SPC Nathan Acreman made Oct 1 at 2015 3:19 AM

SPC Nathan Acreman — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 03:19:24 -0400

My advice to you is don't let a lack of options be the reason you don't reup. First having been stationed in Korea twice I think it was excellent duty, but I did 10 years because I loved to travel. I have also heard great things about Alaska.

After my first four years, I really learned how to control my duty assignments. I can tell you though that even when you are able to take control, a lot of times the roll of the dice is a better outcome than what you had been wishing for.

As someone else said, be flexible. Make the best out of any assignment and take what you learned from your last duty to your next.

Good luck to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 5:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 17:32:53 -0400

For your first re enlistment you are usually given your choice of duty assignment. problem is there has to be an opening on the mtow for your rank and position. Just because your reenlistment window is open doesnt mean you have to hurry up and re enlist. Ypu can have your hr person keep checking for openings at the location you want. When he finds it , re enlist then.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Oct 1 at 2015 8:24 PM

SGT Scott Henderson — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:24:50 -0400

If it's your first reup you should still have all 4 reenlistment options available. One of them is "Choice of duty station. Hold out until your window is almost closed if you have to. Other than that I'd be checking out what the BEAR program has to offer.

Response by SPC Joseph Blas made Oct 1 at 2015 8:33 PM

SPC Joseph Blas — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 20:33:40 -0400

can a 60year person re-enlist in the army again???????

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 9:02 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:02:32 -0400

When do you have do reenlist by? I say check periodically & see what open but don't sign until you get what you want. My husband was a 92Y so maybe more options for him since they're everywhere but he had choice of duty station when he reenlisted.

If not & Alaska & Korea are you're only options, I hear such good things about Alaska! A friend of mine & her husband pcs'd from Alaska to Bragg and requested to go back to Alaska they loved it that much!

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Oct 2 at 2015 9:17 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 09:17:42 -0400

This suggestion is contrary to most of the other advice that I have read on this thread. Your retention NCO may not have a choice in what to offer you. If you are up for reenlistment, you may not have much of a choice, though it sounds like your branch is giving you a way out of the Alaska choice by giving you a choice that on the surface is unpalatable - Korea. One thing that I found out on one reenlistment was actually a pleasant surprise. I wanted to reenlist to go to Panama, but found out that I did not have a choice because I had been selected by a DA board for another assignment, what the retention NCO and I did not know is that it was for an assignment to Panama, so I got what I wanted after all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2015 4:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 16:15:21 -0400

Alaska ain't bad man

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 5 at 2015 6:54 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:54:02 -0400

This may be a little outside of the box, but have you thought about going WMD-CST?

1SG First Sergeant at 4th WMD-CST, JFHQ - GA | 31B: Military Police | RallyPoint

View the full military profile of 1SG (Join to see), First Sergeant at 4th WMD-CST, JFHQ - GA | Marietta, GA | RallyPoint professional military profile.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 11:58 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 11:58:31 -0400

I'm in alaska on richardson. It's not bad at all...but you do not want fairbanks....

Response by SFC Randall Atchison made Oct 6 at 2015 12:00 PM

SFC Randall Atchison — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:00:09 -0400

Reclassify to another MOS! Better opportunities! Retired 54E40L5. Crappy career field!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 1:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:10:36 -0400

SPC Jones i just reenlisted and there was a lot of assignments open for 74D are you talking to your battalion retention or company?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 1:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:32:50 -0400

Alaska was of my best assignments over my career, it's not for everyone.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 3:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:00:42 -0400

I am a 74D I have been to both places. Find out where in Korea you would go because if they send you to Area I there is no more command sponsorship (meaning your family can not go with you) . Alaska I must say I enjoyed it out there definitely different but your family can go with you. Now if you do not want to go to either all you could do is hound branch I think your branch manager is Mrs. Monroe. Good luck either way...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2015 4:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 16:10:18 -0400

Check out the National Guard Civil Support Teams. They are all AGR positions and each team has 6 74D positions ranging from E-5 to E-7. I am a 1SG in a CST and it is a 74D position as well. There is a CST in every state and territory and are constantly hiring.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Oct 6 at 2015 7:15 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 19:15:19 -0400

SPC Jones, I just left Alaska, JBER and can't wait to get back. If you need to talk about specifics hit me up. Ms. Monroe may not be looking at all your options. By the way, I am a 74D, my number is [login to see] .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 12:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 00:10:32 -0400

SPC Jones,
Try to see if you can reenlist for a school option or if your Unit would pay for you to go to L6 that portion of our mos has more assignments available also bonus available. However branch a your retention NCO I correct at this time those are the locations for the most part we are short th most in 1O level positions. You may be able to ask I they have a pinpoint to a certain Brigade in both locations to see what you may be able to be slotted as. Try to match that up with your career map.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 7:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 07:41:11 -0400

Talk to your career counsellor, look up availabilities via unit UMRs. Sometimes units have openings but just don't advertise them. I just left the 188th in Stewart a few months ago. Maybe they have an opening? Get proactive brother. -Dragon Soldiers

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:28:09 -0400

Unfortunate for 74D that Alaska and Korea it the Hot assignments right now. I am also a 74D and those are the only to places I was given after and another 74D in my unit just got orders for Korea this winter

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:28:53 -0400

Talk to your S1. There's a system called EDAS that some 42As have access to. This system can tell you where you can go based on you MOS, rank, or identifiers that you have. At one point I checked EDAS with my S1 and my only option was Korea but I needed to be L6 qualified. Worst case scenario is you go to Korea for a year and then you get stationed at Stewart.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 9:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 09:42:31 -0400

With the army down sizing, you might not have much of a choice. Just be glad you even have an opportunity to reenlist. You can also check with S1, they have a system called EDAS and this system has all the jobs that are available for all MOSs by rank, and identifiers (L3,L4,L5,L6). I am sure that your reenlistment NCO has access to this same system as well. I heard both Korea and Alaska are good assignments. My suggestion is to try to go over seas for a bit, then try to get GA, if that's what you really want.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2015 11:45 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:45:43 -0400

As you know, the Army has been aggressively downsizing for years now, and the downsizing process is far from over. The Chemical Corps will never go away, but right now higher is keeping it bare bones, since we haven't been a key player since WWII. If you love it then you could always take Alaska or Korea, but chances are after your time is up there you'll just face more limited selections, if 74 series is even allowing any more re-enlistments at that point.

If you are determined to stay in the Army, I recommend reclassing to something more marketable, such as medic or intel. If you are open to options outside of the military, I strongly recommend looking at either fire departments or state police HAZMAT teams. You have received state of the art training at the CBRN schoolhouse; if the Army doesn't care to put your training to use, I promise you there are many agencies on the outside that will gladly take you for much higher pay and much kinder hours than you would find anywhere in the Army. This isn't meant to sway you to leave the Army if you want to stay in, but you deserve to know all your options.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 9:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:04:24 -0400

Thank you all for all the advice and help with my question... I ended up doing training of choice for L6 school and will be heading out for that in April!! Also got a nice little bonus.

Response by SPC Lucky Willis made Nov 19 at 2015 10:04 AM

SPC Lucky Willis — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 10:04:57 -0500

Haaf was my favorite duty station. I hope u get it. Savannah is a great town.

Response by SPC James White made Nov 19 at 2015 5:57 PM

SPC James White — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 17:57:06 -0500

Poetry Helped me " I came upon two roads on the path....." Yet when I turned around...I saw that other road..I call it Veteran!! Talk to a College Counselor if you dare to take the road less travelled....again. Station 55..dits & da's..out.