PCSing to Fort Riley - What should I expect?

2015-04-30T12:04:59-04:00

Been in 17 years now, not new to what to expect military wise, what does Riley have to offer, housing, things to do etc...?

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 30 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-04-30T15:16:17-04:00

Although I cannot answer your question about what units are currently at Ft Riley or specifics about housing, etc., I nonetheless, wanted to share my experience about Ft Riley with you.

When I was a brand new LTC and about to take command of a battalion, I was notified that I would be going to Ft Riley, KS, instead of Ft Bragg, where I wanted to go, as the battalion at Bragg was open the following year. My boss, a USA LTG (0-9), offered to get me deferred a year by refusing to release me, which I was seriously considering. Although I had never been to Ft Riley, I had never heard anything good about it.

An Army BG (0-7), who worked for my boss, took me to lunch for a heart-to-heart discussion and told me that he had been assigned to Ft Riley twice and that he considered those assignments as the highlights of his career. He recommended that I simply go ahead and take the command at Riley, as scheduled.

I listened to him and I have to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life. My family and I loved Ft Riley and still consider it as one of our best assignments. I have never been assigned to a post where the civilian community supported soldiers like the community of Junction City, Kansas, and, to a lesser degree, Manhattan, Kansas. Fort Riley is a very traditional post and is a great place to soldier and the area is a great place for families.

My battalion deployed to DESERT STORM while I was there and our families got phenomenal support from the local merchants/community and the Ft Riley support services.

The quarters were old, but wonderful, and post facilities were more than adequate.

All in all, I loved Ft Riley and would have welcomed a follow-on assignment there any time.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-04-30T15:24:19-04:00

Here's who is there now, SFC Private RallyPoint Member:

https://www.rallypoint.com/locations/fort-riley-ks/current

http://www.riley.army.mil/

http://www.kansastravel.org/fortriley.htm

Servicemembers at Fort Riley, KS | RallyPoint

Connect with military members and veterans around Fort Riley, KS. Share advice and learn from others with your experience.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 30 at 2015 3:28 PM

2015-04-30T15:28:46-04:00

Manhattan KS is where civilization begins, its like 20 miles from post. There is a large reservoir near Manhattan if you like water sports.

Response by SPC Carl K. made Apr 30 at 2015 6:54 PM

2015-04-30T18:54:57-04:00

I was there for almost a year while working for Dyncorp on the RESET program with the Blackhawks. Like MAJ Ken Landgren said, you have to go to Manhattan to get any decent stores or anything. Junction City does not offer much. However, you have to go an hour away to Topeka to really find large malls or anything. It is cold as hell in the winter, with constant 30 knot winds, and single digit temps. Otherwise, it was pretty good.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 9:08 PM

2018-06-26T21:08:34-04:00

Well, I has been to Ft. Riley in 28 years but I was told by one of my best friends that it has not changed much. Just get use to the open plains and no ocean. Milford lake is the hang out for some soldiers. Junction City has changed a little. Lawrence is ok Manhattan is a college party site. You have town called Ogden, which is a half of city block long and on cop. Beware of Barney Phife