What is it like to be stationed in a TRADOC unit?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 14:46:21 -0500

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Nov 26 at 2022 3:02 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 15:02:36 -0500

At your paygrade and with your MOS, there’s not much difference, then in a FORSCOM unit aside from the fact that TRADOC you are likely not to deploy. More than likely when you’re off you’re off with this being said you need to not get too comfortable in TRADOC especially early in your career. It will be very easy to except the wonderful life on a TRADOC Post but it’s not conducive to your development as a combat leader

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2022 10:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 22:03:59 -0500

I am currently in a TRADOC unit. I don’t know how it is for everyone but for my MOS specifically, we’re treated like adults. You’re pretty much left alone if you can pass your ACFT/H&W. You only do PT if you’re an instructor attached to a class. We have CQ 2-3 times a month, we do a ton of funeral details as well as static displays. I currently have 4 additional duties on top of instructing. It is a lot of work but I enjoy it!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2022 8:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 08:36:30 -0500

The best things about a TRADOC unit is the predictability. Because classes are in ATRRS you will know at least 1 year out, usually 2, when all your leave times will be. Once you know how the class you support runs you will have a pretty good idea of your day to day schedule too.

Response by CPL Chase Hobson made Nov 27 at 2022 2:18 PM

CPL Chase Hobson — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 14:18:21 -0500

I was stationed at FLW, MO as an E1-E4 directly out of basic as a 31B(MP). I thought it was okay at the time, but once I left and went to other posts, I realized how good I had it being at a TRADOC post. The leaders there were exemplary and the training was awesome. Of course this was in 2012 so times we're different, I'm hoping you have the same experience.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 27 at 2022 6:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 18:59:56 -0500

Little or no deployment activities.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 28 at 2022 7:12 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 07:12:49 -0500

One would need more information to help paint a picture for you. MOS, training environment, pay grade, married/not, etc.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Nov 28 at 2022 10:09 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:09:45 -0500

I was in one for a couple of years at Ft Gordon. We were field evaluators for the AIT, and BNCOC students. We did a few static displays for special events and participated in other community events. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience. We were all Signal, except for supply and mechanics, so education was stressed since we had the time. Most people were taking college classes or correspondence courses, or a combination of the two. I did both plus I took a GT improvement course and went from 110 to 123. My biggest 'Monday morning quarterback' moment came when I went to Germany in early December. My TRADOC unit didn't have any weapons so we didn't go to the range while I was there. Trying to zero and qualify within a few days of being in Germany was tough. I was a lousy shot as it was so I really could have used some range time while I was at Ft Gordon.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 29 at 2022 4:55 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:55:23 -0500

You will see no difference from any other unit as you will work out of a shop in a motor pool. You will have PT, unit requirements and operational requirements. What you likely won’t do is deploy, unless of course we enter another conflict where TRADOC occasionally backfills deploying units with low density personnel.

Response by MSG Lonnie Averkamp made Nov 30 at 2022 1:37 AM

MSG Lonnie Averkamp — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 01:37:02 -0500

I got married at about the same time that I was assigned to a TRADOC unit, and it was much easier on the family life. You knew your hours, and you & your spouse could reasonably plan your life. It was my last assignment of my second tour in active duty, so it was a bit of a nice transition to civilian employment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2022 11:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 11:21:38 -0500

169th? I was an instructor there; what I saw was that permanent party who weren't DSGs/ Instructors had PT around normal time (0630-0730/ 0800), and they seem to leave at a decent hour (1600ish). You might get tasked to be on staff duty once a month. If you are going to live in the barracks, I will tell you that the barracks there are pretty nice. They are like small apartments. You get a room to yourself, share a kitchen and bathroom, share a washer and dryer, no barracks CQ. If you are single, you are going to be living the "good life" relative to other places you could be. Also, FLW also has BLC, so you should easily get a slot to that while you are there. Use what time you have off to start/ do college classes if you haven't already. You should have plenty of time for that. Good luck.