What are your most vivid memories upon arriving at your first duty station (after training)?

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 23:34:00 -0400

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 16 at 2016 11:35 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 23:35:56 -0400

Here's mine:

I arrived at Yokota AFB (I know, I know. Join the Navy, get stationed on an AFB), mid-afternoon, and was met by my sponsor. He took me to lunch in the terminal, which had floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on the flight-line. He pointed out the window and said, "Look at that, that's the biggest aircraft in the world". He was pointing to a C-5 Galaxy (which in fact is a couple inches shorter than the Soviet Antonov) that was sitting on the tarmac. Since there was nothing around it, I had no frame of reference, and it didn't look any bigger than, say, a 747. Then, a truck -- I think it was one of the big Ford f-450's or something -- pulled up and parked next to one of it's wheels. The wheel DWARFED the truck, and my young eyes widened pretty significantly as I realized the sheer mammoth size of the thing.

How about you?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 16 at 2016 11:40 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 23:40:48 -0400

Arriving at Fort Campbell Kentucky in February or March 1975 I was amazed that all the MPs seemed to be Special Forces soldiers because they wore green berets SN Greg Wright.
Later I learned that the shade of green was a different shade than the Special Forces green beret. This was in the early days of the volunteer Army after the draft was over with many draftees still on active duty. At Fort Campbell there was an amazing variety of head gear shades and colors. the Combat Engineer battalion I was assigned to had a maroon beret that was a shade different that the maroon beret of the 82nd Airborne division.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2016 11:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 23:41:19 -0400

My first day at my first unit, I kept hearing explosions and the building would shake, but no one acknoledged it. After a few hours, someone told me we were down the road from a demo range. Shortly after, they told me what EOD meant and what they did. This is before "The Hurt Locker."

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2016 11:47 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 23:47:10 -0400

My first impression? We fell out after first formation, and I looked at my squad who were all looking at me. I was the only soldier not wearing a patch and combat action badge.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 17 at 2016 12:05 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:05:26 -0400

Florida's industrial strength bugs. And the snow-white sands of the Florida panhandle.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 12:14 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:14:23 -0400

SN Greg Wright After Field Radio Operator school, I went to my first duty station, which was at Camp Pendleton with the 4th Marine Division Nucleus. This was a Reserve Division with a core of 150 active duty personnel. I was only there a short time before going to Vietnam, but I remember it as the easiest duty that I had during my four years. Civilian like working hours, some weekends off with good liberty choices. It was like "Living the life of Riley."

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Apr 17 at 2016 12:46 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 00:46:31 -0400

SN Greg Wright LOL. First duty station--Dia Loc Pass --Quang Nam Province ,VN.
No idea of what to expect.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 17 at 2016 1:31 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:31:48 -0400

Out of A School, I was on tin cans. After going to the O side, started deploying to Antarctica. Both way different than growing up in SOCAL.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Apr 17 at 2016 1:57 AM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:57:07 -0400

Arrived on Diego Garcia , after a week long stay at Clark AB PI, our C-5 had "broken" down. I was forced to stay at a hotel out in Angeles City (oh the horror), transient quarters were full, but i digress.

Once i got off the plane DG was oppressively hot and humid. After leaving the airfield i felt like i was on Gilligan's Island, jungle or beach on both sides of the road. Kept expecting Ginger or Mary Ann to come walking out of the jungle, but that never happened unfortunately. Living quarters was a 12 man, long plywood shack thing with a corrugated tin roof and screen for windows. The area of these shacks was aptly named "Splinterville". One of the first things i did was buy a fan. The Filipino chow hall was nearby so that was a big plus. There was almost constant beer drinking 24/7. One of the watch sections was always having a party with beer and trash cans full of Mojo. Brits, Americans, Aussies and New Zealanders were always fighting somewhere when one of their ships were inport.

It was a very different time back then. I'm glad i went there! LOL

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 17 at 2016 2:02 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:02:06 -0400

Camp Pendleton. Wow them are some serious hills, maybe Motor T would have been a better choice than Infantry.

Response by SPC Glen Spires made Apr 17 at 2016 4:34 AM

SPC Glen Spires — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 04:34:10 -0400

When I got to Ft Stewart reception, before getting to my unit. I remember going with the guys and gals from reception to a nightclub in Savannah called Ibiza! What a fantastic night!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 17 at 2016 5:23 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 05:23:24 -0400

Long time ago, Don't remember much. If anything probably would be my Cultural Shift from Boot Camp "Strict" School "Less Strict" to Admirals Staff "Relaxed". Remember the Single Personnel Inspection, I stood quite, tall and rigid, CINCPACFLT Adm Tommy T Hayward passed in front of me. Nodded an walked on then the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral stopped right in front of me, I started sweating bullets, He grabbed me by my belt and the thoughts running thru my mind (Is my Buckle not shiny enough, Is Something Wrong, This is not going to end well). He started to shake me by my belt "Relax Son, You'll Pass Out" then he just laughed at me. Yep that was CINCPACFLT, It was a whole nother world and probably corrupted me for the rest of my Career. Lots of Drinking and Luaus at the Admirals Boat House, Flying Coors beer in on the Admirals Plane. RADM Dixon Chief of Staff for Intel seeing if he could sneak up on you at your terminal without you noticing. Oh Yeah!

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 17 at 2016 9:12 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 09:12:20 -0400

Most vivid memory I have is sitting at the MAC terminal in Misawa AB Japan wondering what unit I was supposed to be in (didn't know how to read the orders at the time) and why my sponsor didn't show up to greet me. I had found a quite corner and was reading a paperback I brought with me when a pair of shiny shoes appeared at the bottom edge of my book. I looked over the top of the book to see a pair of bright silver Eagles staring at me. The Commander had personally come to greet and take me to the Squadron area. As it turns out, my sponsor had been discharged a few weeks earlier for misconduct and the unit failed to appoint a replacement. The Colonel felt responsible for the oversight. After chatting a few minutes he left me with the First Sergeant who took me where I needed to be.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 10:50 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 10:50:55 -0400

This is the sharpest looking company I have seen in my short time in.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 12:11 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 12:11:05 -0400

The long bus ride from the Dragon Hill Lodge to Camp Humphreys. I was a new Soldier, in a new country, and I had no idea what to expect when I finally arrived at my destination.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 17 at 2016 12:12 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 12:12:12 -0400

Gosh this unit must have a large budget.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 17 at 2016 6:49 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 18:49:05 -0400

Got bit by a spider on my eyebrow (I'm allergic to spiders) and one of my eyes swelled shut for 3 days while I was in receiving.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2016 8:27 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 20:27:35 -0400

My orders said I was to be assigned to the 1501st ATW. They said no, and sent me to the 1501st AB Group, who in turned said nope and sent me to the HQ Squadron.

I was beginning to feel unwanted.

Response by SGM Joel Cook made Apr 17 at 2016 10:12 PM

SGM Joel Cook — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 22:12:09 -0400

Upon arriving in Korea with orders to the 2ID I was surprised that I was first put through three days of In processing in Seoul prior to being moved to the 2ID, it was very pleasant in Seoul and seemed like good duty. In those days we were required to move in Class A uniform. We were bused to TDC and at the main gate was a huge sign that said "Welcome to the 2ID", but it looked just like the WWII German death camp sign that said Arbeit Macht Frei or Work will make you free. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Then we went to The Turtle Farm, 2ID replacement center. Our NCO platoon guide said you see those two buildings over there the first is in processing the second is out processing they are 20 feet apart and it takes turtles like you one year to get from the first to the second. After five days processing we got back into class A uniform for movement to our units the monsoon season was in full swing and it was pouring down rain. A five ton truck pulled up with no overhead cover on the back and the TC, a CPL said everyone going to 1/38 FA get on the truck. So we had about a 40 minute ride in pouring rain in our class A uniform. Everyone soaked to the skin cold and sick, one guy got pneumonia later. Then to the barracks which were being renovated. Eight bunk beds, 16 soldiers jammed into a four man room with no wall lockers barely 6 inches between bunks you had to crawl in from the end. I thought what the hell did I ever do to deserve this crap. It just went down hill from there. It was exactly like being in prison in every aspect that I could imagine. The unofficial unit motto was, when I die I know I am going to heaven because I have spent a year in hell. Worst unit ever, it could only get better after that 14 months at HHB 1/38th FA BN Steel Behind the Rock.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Apr 18 at 2016 2:40 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 02:40:19 -0400

Showed up to Scott AFB in Illinois with a jam packed car and made my way to the BX parking lot (only place I could find that I could relay to my sponsor so he could meet me). Once we met up he brought me to the dorms and showed me where my room was, then took me on a drive around the base to show me where the important places were to include my squadron building. Being in weather I expected a building to ourselves with an observation point on the roof like we had at tech school but it turned out to be just a plain Jane brick building with a few windows that you couldn't see much out of. Then he took me back to the dorms and left while I unpacked and brought all of my crap to my room and laid down to rest after driving for so long.

I also remember my first day actually going in to my squadron building to in process. I went to the room where our CSS person was and out walks the commander (a LtCol). I was expecting people to go to attention and no-one did. He just walked up to me, shook my hand and made some small talk before going else where to do commander stuff. I was not used to how relaxed everyone was around rank after Tech School.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 8:22 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 08:22:17 -0400

Not understanding how much traffic could pile up at 0400 (Norfolk, VA). That was a huge wake-up call for me.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 12:40 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:40:32 -0400

No story about my military career can be told without retreating to the very beginning. First, as I recall, I didn't know that anyone could yell as loud as the fellow standing at the door of the bus we took from the airport in San Diego. Second, I brought too much stuff. Actually, a handkerchief would have been too much. Third, I wasted the money I spent on that great looking haircut before I left home.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 12:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:48:54 -0400

I remember my 1st duty station where I arrived on a Thursday. I was picked up by my new unit and placed in a barracks room and was told that someone will come get me Tuesday morning after a 4 day. My room had a bed and that was it. I had to find where the PX was and get a pillow and sheets

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Apr 18 at 2016 12:55 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 12:55:41 -0400

Best feeling ever at Beale AFB, 2005: Seeing the my first Dragon Lady (U-2) on takeoff. Never saw an aircraft climb so quickly. Realized immediately that this was the right career decision for me.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 18 at 2016 2:19 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:19:29 -0400

I got off the bus at HQ Fort Hunter Liggett CA. The middle of absolute No Where. The PSGs driver picked me up in an M151 jeep. The guy had long hair and a walrus mustache asked me if I was cool (I was an Eagle Scout, had no idea of the drug connotation to the question) I said yes and he whipped out a joint and started smoking. I nearly had a heart attack, told him thanks but I didn't want my Greens to smell of smoke so not today. Got to the unit, open bays, one platoon per bay and the platoon bay central hallway was like glass and lined with beer bottles, They called it the landing strip and under no circumstances was anyone to walk down the center of it Monday to Friday. Then he took me to the Demo range, still in my greens to meet the platoon. The PSG SFC Eaton through a block of unprimed C4 at me hitting me in the chest as I got out of the jeep (thought sure I was going to be blown to smithereens). Long story short my first day was nothing less than traumatic.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 6:30 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 18:30:18 -0400

"Holy crap look at all these combat patches. They are gonna think I'm a know-nothing little turd."

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Apr 18 at 2016 11:49 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 23:49:17 -0400

It was cold and very late at night. I was told I had to wear my class A winter uniform in route. I had lost so much weight in boot camp, my skirt waist was hanging on my hips. Good thing the uniform comes with a jacket. I stepped off the bus in pumps and stockings to drop into a puddle of freezing slush and old snow. Welcome to NAVSTA Great Lakes ILL.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made May 27 at 2019 1:33 PM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Mon, 27 May 2019 13:33:52 -0400

Believe it or not, after my med training at Sheppard AFB, I got to pick Andrews AFB as an ER medic at Malcolm Grow Med Center. It allowed me closer proximity to my very favorite girl friend who I subsequently married. Paula and I gave birth to our daughter there for only $5 bucks! Turned out to be a great fit and I am very grateful for this experience.
Rich

Response by SP5 Leo Fitz made Jun 7 at 2020 6:52 PM

SP5 Leo Fitz — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 18:52:19 -0400

Leaving Ft Eustis,a small place, and driving the road to the Ft Benning guard shack, I couldn't help but think, this place is to big for me.