What are the pros and cons to having my first duty station be OCONUS?

Cadet LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:05:42 -0400

Response by CPT David Gowel made Jun 22 at 2017 9:30 AM

CPT David Gowel — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:30:19 -0400

Especially for folks who never lived abroad before the military, I think one's leadership skills become more refined if your early duty stations are OCONUS. Living with a different culture in / around garrison helps you prepare better to work with different cultures in hostile situations while deployed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 10:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 10:10:34 -0400

One of the obvious pro's is being able to travel and explore parts of the world. I spent 3 years in Germany and loved every moment of it. I can't think of any specific Cons to your first duty station being ONCONUS. There is always going to be the typical Military crap to deal with.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2017 11:47 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:47:16 -0400

Cadet LT Private RallyPoint Member I spent two months at my first duty station, 4th Marine Division Nucleus, at Camp Pendleton. The easiest duty during the four years that I served. I requested to be sent to Vietnam and they granted my request. If I had not volunteered to go, I probably would have gone within a month, since I was the boot. Being exposed to different cultures and conflicts helped develop my leadership skills.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Jun 22 at 2017 12:41 PM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:41:41 -0400

Expand your view of the world by experiencing it.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 22 at 2017 2:30 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 14:30:47 -0400

You gotta be kidding? (Sounds derisive, but I don't mean it so). You've been here your whole life, get out there and see the world. It'll expand your views, your experience, and make you a better leader. Not to mention being fun and fascinating. You'll learn more than you can possibly imagine. My advice is that if you have the choice, OCONUS all the way.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 22 at 2017 9:40 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 21:40:41 -0400

Cadet LT Private RallyPoint Member Stay Outus as Long as You Possibly Can, If You make a Career Out of the Military Soon Enough they will put you 5 sided Funny Farm (Pentagon). You Join to See the World. Learn from Other Cultures. Do It! Pushing Papers in DC Sucks.