How do you make new friends when you PCS?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 17:28:12 -0500

I have only PCSed twice in my 6 years, and I always have trouble meeting new friends at the new location. At my first, it took me nearly 2 years, and now at my second, I've been here 2 years and still not really developed any really close friends. So how do YOU do it... how do you find that close friend or group of friends after you arrive and your new duty station?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 5:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 17:38:16 -0500

I PCS'd to work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in March of 2010 and was a CPL at the time, when my sponsor took me to the area that I would be working in one of the contractors in the area took one look at me and said "We don't have room for anyone else to work in this room."

We've been friends for the last 3 years. #TrueStory

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 8 at 2013 5:50 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 17:50:39 -0500

I don't make new friends...I just keep my online friends where I go. ;) Join a running group or get involved with local 5k/10k races.  You'll meet a lot of different people and they mostly an encouraging group.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2013 5:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Dec 2013 17:54:46 -0500

Why bother, you're just going to PCS in two years anyway.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 12:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:14:11 -0500

The best and fastest way to meet people is to take advantage of your social hobbies. Do you bowl, play darts, shoot pool, then join a league you will meet tons of new people this way. Do you have a hobby like playing cards Poker, Spades, Magic you can usually find people with these interests if you search for it. Another good way is to take a class either a college class or a learning something like pottery. Any thing that gets you out of the house with a group of like minded individuals will definetely get you making freinds. Other than that going to the same social place over and over again such as Starbucks or a bar will allow you to meet people. Just be friendly and talkative work your magic.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 12:22 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 00:22:15 -0500

Have you considered church? When I moved to Columbus, GA 5 years ago, from the Atlanta area, I never thought I would make any friends. The first 6 months or so, I was burning up gas on the road to go "back home" to Atlanta. For various reasons, we started church shopping, and found one that fit. We felt at home immediately. To this day, outside of the people I work with, all of the people I know in Columbus are a result of my church family.

The downside to the church thing is that my husband and I don't have kids, so there are some "family" events that we get left out or forgotten about. I may not have kids, but DANG I wish they would invite me to the birthday parties of their kids.....

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 9 at 2013 6:01 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 06:01:31 -0500

I throw myself into volunteering in the community (ACS is a good resource for getting started). It immediately expands my "sphere of people" that I interact with, helps me get to know the area, and it starts you off on the right foot with a lot of people, and it makes a great first impression. The key is to do all kinds of different volunteer work, so that you meet all kinds of different people.

Response by SFC Nicolzie Russell made Dec 9 at 2013 9:51 PM

SFC Nicolzie Russell — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 21:51:58 -0500

How about the 1st Fridays at the Officer or NCO club /restaurant on post, that is where we NCOs normally socialize.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 9 at 2013 9:53 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 21:53:49 -0500

I hand out friendship bracelets to everyone I in-process through. We wear them in uniform under our sleeves and its our secret club.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2013 10:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 22:04:13 -0500

SGT O'Neill,

I always meet people easily during volunteer activities. You're bound to meet someone that has similar social interests. From there just swap information and meet up. Try a variety of volunteer actives for best resutls :)

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 10 at 2013 12:53 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 00:53:46 -0500

SGT O'Neill - I think that a lot of it starts with the unit sponsorship program. That sponsor should be gathering all that requested information for you and your family to help the transition to your new unit. With that being said, here are a few tips that have helped me and my family through our numerous moves. Ask around at your current unit to see if they know anyone at your next duty assignment. We have gained many friends that way. If you are part of a club or group at your current duty station, see if they have a chapter or similar group/club at your next duty station. Online forums such as this is also a great way to link up with new people at your next duty station. And of course, nothing beats just going out and trying something new. Good luck!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 7:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 19:00:55 -0500

Being introverted, I tend to make friends only with the personnel I work with. My wife is the extrovert, so most of the friends we have that are not from my unit come from how she associates with people on and off post.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 7:35 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 19:35:24 -0500

Join local Meetup clubs and find people with similar interests. Church is another option of a softball league. Meetups are everywhere by the way but that is how you can do it, plus VA events.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2014 8:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jan 2014 20:13:58 -0500

I guess I go TDY to get out of the house. If I didn't have that I would need to meet people.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 2:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 02:10:19 -0500

SGT O'Neill ll, I'll be be pcsing to Vicenza in a couple of months, here you have a new friend.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2014 5:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 05:38:59 -0500

Are you putting yourself out there SGT O? Meaning, are you the introvert and staying inside, or are you going to your favorite places, enjoying your dinner for 1, and living life??? I find a lot of times, people will keep to themselves because theyre comfortable, nervous, and scared. Me, I LOVE my company (lololol) and go many places by myself and I get in the habit of taking pics with everyone around me and that's how I've met a lot of people. I have been in Korea now for about 3 weeks, before I got here I hopped online via FB and connected with a lot of civilians and Soldiers who were already in the area. I linked into what was going on in and around my area, some fitness and dance classes and now am just counting down til my vehicle arrives and plan on just simply "getting out there" and connecting! Have fun!!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2014 11:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 11:20:43 -0500

I try to build a good relationship with my new peers and good understanding and communication with my subordinates. Afterwards, I simply look to network with anyone with valuable resources, skills, and information.

Response by SSG Doug Mclain Jr Sparky made Jun 3 at 2015 11:12 PM

SSG Doug Mclain Jr Sparky — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:12:41 -0400

SGT it is not your job to make friends. Meet your soldiers and learn your mission. But you still want to find women? Go to church on or off post. Always worked for me.