This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Obviously they weren't budging so I thought I was about to hoof it down All American with my MapQuest printouts. Answer: The answer to this question is both TRUE and FALSE. Gen. John Cushing, the deputy commanding general for operations at U.S. Army Recruiting Command in the statement. Churches, mosques and synagogues are community hubs. He holds a Bachelors in Arts in Communications and hosts a weekly podcast featuring candid interviews with members of the military. Learning where all the facilities are on the base from the PX, Commissary, Base Hospital, where morning "sick call" is held, where all the AAFES gas stations are, and where the base gyms are only a few of the things to know. Do you get to pick your duty station in the Navy? We have eaten cheap steaks in a basement restaurant in London and the biggest hamburger in the world at the foot of Mount Rainier. Military housing options are about as diverse as those who serve in the military, but it all comes down to availability and desirability. About the Call Center. A follow-on assignment is an assignment after a remote tour. If you're asking for just wanting to switch I doubt it, still doesn't hurt to request it, most they can say is no. There are special considerations and you may be allowed to rent a place in town. The content on The Military Wallet is produced by Three Creeks Media, its partners, affiliates and contractors, any opinions or statements on The Military Wallet should not be attributed to the Dept. The military will try to assign spouses together, but there are no guarantees. For standard overseas tours, one can generally increase his or her chances of being selected by volunteering for the extended tour length. Japan was it for me. For example, growing up in the South, I knew nothing about ice fishing. When I found out that subzero temps and snow drifts were typical most of the year, I thought I was the most unlucky person ever to enlist. Based on 2 documents. 5 Where are the best military stations in the United States? This may be why the rent for the 4-bedroom house youre looking at is higher than your BAH. Roberts and his family recently moved into base housing after a permanent change of station to Tyndall. Now the day has arrived, and you are reporting to your first unit. 1,730. You only have to put the effort in to be that person the unit and the military needs. Yet they all had one thing in common. By But do you know enough about all of your options to make the best decision? Mileage will be based on the official distance from your home of record to the Each branch has specific rules for who is required to live in the barracks, and at which rank they are allowed to move out of the barracks and receive BAH. For most employees, this will be the location of the employees regular worksitethat is, the place where the employees activities are based, the location of the employees desk or work station, or the place where the employee normally performs his or her duties. First of all, there is a cap based on rank, dependents, and the average rental cost for the area. Ive learned through experience how to make the most of a duty station. I'm excited, this is gonna be like Van Wilder and the barracks parties are gonna be insane. Does it snow in Switzerland all year round? While the barracks will range in sophistication and structure, you can compare them to the sleeping arrangements you may have had at summer camp or in college. Calculating a Federal Annuity FERS and CSRS, Retirement Eligibility & FERS Minimum Retirement Age (MRA), Higher Special Rate Pay for Some Federal Jobs, LWOP Leave Without Pay in Federal Government, Law Enforcement Retirement Countdown Clock, Webinar: Your Federal Retirement Benefits, Public Service Loan Forgiveness (Sponsored), Report: Federal Employee Benefits & Divorce, Military Service Credit for Federal Retirement, FLTCIP Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, FEGLI Federal Employees Group Life Insurance, Dual Employment in the Federal Government, Like this article? He says cool. Each time you have to make a decision on housing, youll want to work through the decision-making process. I text him and he says he's on staff duty and can't leave. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Justin Fisher is a currently serving with the Arkansas Army National Guard. You are now able to pick where you want your first duty station to be in the US Army! Lucky for me, there was a group of plain clothes service members watching me be a private from afar, so one of them was super nice and said, "hey man we'll get you yo reception you can chip in for a cab with us". Men in combat. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. All Rights Reserved. Its also offered more opportunities for the one thing all soldiers can enjoy cash to spend, interest rates on Dodge Challengers be damned. It's also known to have anti-slip properties, for industries, like food processing firms, can use . Typically, your unit will assign a service member of similar rank and family make-up to help you learn the ropes at your new duty station. When you graduate technical school, the military will pay the authorized costs for you to go to your next duty assignment or, to the port of your military flight for overseas assignments. While it may not cover the entirety of your rent or mortgage, BAH is in place to offset 95% of your rental costs. Single people, even though they don't have dependents can use the follow-on program, as well. Moving into government housing is one of the easiest moves to make. The bottom line is this, you are in the real world now, you are at a unit. Your orders include important information related to your authorizations and entitlements. The keys to success at a unit is work hard, be a team player and do not quit. The following document is broken up into two section, your first duty station and station to station move. Are you curious as to when you find out about your first duty station in the Army and what is it like when you get to your first unit? Admittedly, it was out of frustration with the Army. Coming out of tech school you will have learned the basics of your specialty an. Drum, NY. You have some restrictions and curfews, but you have . First-term (those in their first enlistment) enlisted members assigned to a continental (CONUS) U.S.location must have 12 months time-on-station before being eligible to move to an overseas location and must have 24 months time-on-station before being allowed to move to another continental U.S. location. In this video ill breakdown from when you find out what your first duty station will be to actually showing up to that very first unit. Click here. Since the government has given over the responsibility of managing these houses to private companies, there have been both positives and negatives. Look at the homeowners association or the local rules regarding what is allowed on the property. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Over the past 17 years, I have lived all over the world. So obviously I didn't plan ahead and had no idea who to call because I didn't even know staff duty was a thing that existed at the time, which was probably actually a blessing in disguise. The duty station of choice enlistment option currently includes more than 5,600 vacancies in 17 different career fields, based on the . You will also be provided a standup locker that is about 8" wide by 36" tall by 24 . He previously worked at The Washington Post as a Military Veterans in Journalism Fellow, as well as covering local news in New England. The fuck? Career (those who have re-enlisted at least once) enlisted members assigned to the continental U.S. must have 24 months time-on-station to move to an overseas location and must have 36 months time-on-station in order to move to another continental U.S. location. Remember, each duty station and therefore each house is what you make of it. Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items. More posts you may like. Knowing which service best fits your goals and personality will ensure you make the best choice for your personal situation; however, it can also lead to some conflicts. What is the biggest Navy base in the world? Drum, NY. The following weeks were a complete nightmare. And, do you know where to look for this information? CONUS: Inside the continental United States . Utilities are not included when living off of the installation, and only basic utilities are included in government housing. I was made the company mail clerk. It dictates where you will go when you will go there, and how long you will stay there. This includes shipment of personal property. Prior to the end of your training at AIT, you can file the necessary paperwork to take leave after AIT. Government housing will cost the same amount as the BAH you receive with a few exceptions. BAH Rate Protection also ensures your monthly BAH payment wont decrease while you are in the same location. I was often reminded that I was not infantry until I arrived and performed at my unit. You usually don't get to choose your first duty station. Duty Station Name: Country: State: County: To download all Duty Station Locations leave all filters blank, click the search button and then click on the export to Excel spreadsheet link that appears after the search is complete. Sometimes lawn care is also included. I didnt stay in my room, playing video games and watching movies all the time. This is called a joint spouse assignment. I never even knew they were possible, frankly. These are great ways to build lasting friendships with people outside of the military that will help you build a home away from home. Some Sailors do live onboard the ship. For each of the housing options, there are several things to keep in mind. There is some exceptions so let me explain how this new program that wa. Each year more than 400,000 service members make a permanent change of station. What your PCS orders include Unlike temporary duty assignments, permanent change of station orders are a longer-term assignment, generally two to four years. Part of me was worried it was a trap, but I had no other choice. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. My unit was in the field, someone help me put my stuff together and 8 hours later I was clearing buildings with my new team. First time and last time movers are required to attend a DOD mandated briefing. According to JAMRS, 50 percent of young people thought that joining the military meant it would be harder to stay in touch. When one military member is married to another military member, both must apply to be assigned together. So there I am, Private Fuzzy trying to haggle with the taxi folks to get me to Bragg on 20 bucks. Rebecca Alwine is an army wife, mother of three, and lover of her adorable pirate dog. You cannot report to a unit being out of shape, because then you will automatically start with your back against the wall. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You will need a copy of your orders to coordinate your military move. Over the past 12 years, shes discovered she enjoys coffee, lifting weights, and most of the menial tasks of motherhood. Your family's housing needs are today may not be the same as they were before, or will be in the future. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. They are also available for single service members living overseas or on a dependent-restricted tour. As one soldier said, "Don't live in your barracks." See what your installation and the surrounding community have to offer. You may still feel new to the military, but you should be filled with the pride of finally being able to practice your military profession. Myth#1: Everyone Will Immediately Like You Answer: FALSE. You must remember though that nothing is official until your orders are published. The Duty Station Locator System is intended to facilitate the Federal civilian personnel community's ability to locate duty station names and codes for use in processing personnel actions and reporting workforce information to OPM. Almost everything stems from that future address. The first place you will probably live as a service member is in the barracks. Stairwells are basically apartment buildings, with 3- and 4-bedroom apartments for families to live in. Reaction score. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". If your Current or New Duty Station is not listed in the drop down menu it could be because your ship has not yet been commissioned OR youre stationed on a command that is not recognized as Sea Duty (squadrons, isolated duty types, etc.). Some locations don't allow the shipping of a personal vehicle and others restrict this privilege to certain ranks. What is the best duty station in the Navy? Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items. I didn't know where in-processing was so I walked around until some dudes in a car drove by to ask me if I wanted to go to church with them. If you cannot uphold them or fail to meet them, you can lose your job or not be hired. But this doesnt really answer any questions about what is available. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a more intensive process and move period. Neither The Military Wallet nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. What seemed like a grand adventure to him was merely survival to me. My rep lets me stumble through a shitty explanation before saying I'd arrived late last night and wasn't on orders to report till the next day. They pay you for direct travel from your old duty assignment to your next duty assignment. When your on duty always do your best. My report date was ordered for Thanksgiving, but my recruiter had told me that I could just show up Sunday "because no one was gonna be working at reception anyways". Unlike temporary duty assignments, permanent change of station orders are a longer-term assignment, generally two to four years. During your training, you will earn paid time off at the rate of 2.5 days a month. Your first duty station 58,934 views Oct 25, 2018 1.5K Dislike Share Save Christopher Chaos 101K subscribers Are you curious as to when you find out about your first duty station in. However, I have been to places you have never had to figure out how to pronounceever heard of Kyrgyzstan? that base was run by free Masons. Sample 1 Sample 2. The VA Home Loan is one of the only home loans available today with no down payment required. No tables, rankings or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products. Of course, one can be involuntarily assigned overseasas well. I go there, sign in, and go upstairs to meet my NCO, my peers, and my CO in the S4. Three of us waited for a few hours till someone remembered about us. ABOUT; SERVICES; PORTFOLIO; dairy companies in spain; CONTACT; 438.398.6940 These little things are some of the many things that get taken during your time. So, if military service and the heat and humidity of central Louisiana sound appealing, 2022 sounds like a great year to contact a recruiter. Barracks rooms are available for single service members through a specific rank and sometimes above that rank, as room allows. In retrospect, my time at Ft. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Here are 3 things you should know about your first duty station. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. #1 Naval Base San Diego, California As a result, its not shocking that Naval Base San Diego is by far the most sought after station for duty in the U.S. Navy. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It was at that moment I realized I what a clusterfuck actually looks like. In other words, a first-termer must have 24 months time-on-station to swap with someone at another continental U.S. location. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 2. Also was never charged for those 28 days so that was nice. The Duty Station Locator System is intended to facilitate the Federal civilian personnel community's ability to locate duty station names and codes for use in processing personnel actions and reporting workforce information to OPM. Technically that's correct. Flip flops, five oclock shadow, and no camo in sight was my recipe for a good weekend. Usually, military personnel offices maintain lists of military people worldwide who are looking to swap. You have made it through your initial and individual training and arrived at your first duty station. Max Hauptman Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I had never even heard of the place. What is your first duty station like? Once I got married, I learned that wives have this secret weapon for finding cool things. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You'll serve your country, but you'll also have time for fun and exploring your new surroundings. However, today when I sit around the dinner table at 36, everyone is on edge as I tell the stories of blizzards, the roads going black and discovering what freeze plugs were the hard way. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. 1. Military OneSource is available 24/7 anywhere in the world with expert moving consultants and online tools and resources to help you get organized and settled. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The government must then pay again to relocate the dependents from where they are living to the newassignment when the member returns from the remote tour. If you are part of the general public, navigate to the public site. Found out a few days before we showed up that one of the senior ncos wife was involved in a love triangle with two junior females. And ofcourse, it goes without saying that assignments are based on valid vacancies. At your first duty station, you'll have more responsibility and more freedom than you did during training. They will also vary in style, size, and age based on the installation you are assigned to. Your BAH is here to help! Skype, Facetime or any of the other many video-chatting services have given deployed service members around the world the ability to be in touch with their families and friends at any time of day in some of the most remote areas of the world. But it is 2020, everyone. For more information, contact your local transportation office or ask a Military OneSource moving expert. Start with MilitaryINSTALLATIONS. The following steps are merely a start, not an exhaustive list. Learn and follow them to the letter. For example, if they are on a training exercise at JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center) or a fleet deployment, they may go an extended amount of time before they are able to contact their families. He drives me back to base without saying a word to me on the way there and drops me off at the barracks. See a November 12, 2021 memo to agencies at www.chcoc.gov/transmittals. First-term (those in their first enlistment) enlisted members assigned to a continental (CONUS) U.S. location must have 12 months time-on-station before being eligible to move to an overseas location and must have 24 months time-on-station before being allowed to move to another continental U.S. location. times a day. Advertiser Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the authors alone. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Three Creeks Media, LLC 2023. 811. The length of time one spends on an overseas tour depends on the location. That whole place was a orgy fest . One day in upstate New York, a friend and I came upon a frozen lake on a random drive designed to get us away from Fort Drum. Save big with our most popular military and veteran discounts on travel, retail, cell phones, and more! Before a military member re-enlists, he can apply to move to a base of his choice. Some types of orders qualify as Sea Duty. However, the unit will teach you how to conduct yourself as a Service member and as a professional in your respected branch. Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. How many Navy ratings are there? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. . The Military Wallet is a property of Three Creeks Media. Anyway, enough of my excuses. We were ushered into tops office and he told us there was a lot going on in the unit right now and he was giving us 28 days of leave starting immediately. Your unit is comprised of people from various walks of life and those differences in culture and attitude does not mean that it will necessarily mesh with your personality or yours with theirs. At the unit, regardless of branch, you have will unit members who have various levels of experience. U.S. Air Force Tech. I figured I could high-five whoever and some salty SSG just left me hanging. They also can serve in any . Or check out the latest stories on our homepage. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The Army now offers new active-duty recruits the ability to select their first duty station, giving many the option to go as far away from or stay as close to home as they want. Remember, each duty station - and therefore each house - is what you make of it. Contact the author here. At boot camp, everyone is mostly on an equal playing field.