what is your first duty station like

I figured I could high-five whoever and some salty SSG just left me hanging. An employees official duty station is the duty station that is documented on the most recent notification of personnel action (for example, on a Standard Form 50) for his or her position of record. 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. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Congratulations! PDF Permanent Change of Station (PCS) - United States Army Neighborhoods in government housing are generally sectioned off by rank. You may get to influence where you go after that, but if you don't reenlist you may separate after having only one duty station. However, I have been to places you have never had to figure out how to pronounceever heard of Kyrgyzstan? What is the biggest Navy base in the world? Another officer and I even ended up in a sweat lodge once, but that is another story! If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. It was at that moment I realized I what a clusterfuck actually looks like. What seemed like a grand adventure to him was merely survival to me. At unit level, Service Members can talk to their family members while they are at work, however some units may dictate that a Service Member can only talk during breaks or lunches. Just like the neighborhoods off of the installation. Departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs. I've seen it happen anyways. In these cases, the military will store the vehicle for you for free while you are assigned overseas. About the Call Center. The employee will receive the location-based pay entitlements associated with the new work location. It's also known to have anti-slip properties, for industries, like food processing firms, can use . Most of these neighborhoods are within the installations gates, though sometimes there are housing options maintained and controlled by the installation that are outside the gates. The location of an employees official duty station affects his or her location-based pay entitlements. Sometimes the homes are brand new, sometimes renovated, and sometimes historic. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. What was your first day like at your first duty station? The Army is now letting soldiers pick their first duty station of Veterans Affairs, please visit their website at va.gov. 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.). Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a58ddf9f976792e2585ba0161c8f679a" );document.getElementById("e335739449").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Get to know your installation. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Her days consist of CrossFit workouts, audiobooks, and pretending to cook while her Instant Pot does all the work. Myth#1: Everyone Will Immediately Like You Answer: FALSE. TLDR: Checking into barracks for room assignment, while EMT cart out soldier who successfully committed suicide. Afterward, where you end up stationed after all the subsequent training depends on the needs of the Navy. 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. Official duty station is defined as the area, or, in the case of large . As a young PFC, my first day after in processing, was a complete shitshow. Well, turns out that was a fucking fib. 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. I'm excited, this is gonna be like Van Wilder and the barracks parties are gonna be insane. Drum, NY. So, if military service and the heat and humidity of central Louisiana sound appealing, 2022 sounds like a great year to contact a recruiter. Sgt. During a PPM, you coordinate the move of your household goods yourself without using any military moving services. Due to a units operational security or mission, the Service Member may not be allowed to talk all the time or have their device on them. For more information, contact your local transportation office or ask a Military OneSource moving expert. You only have to put the effort in to be that person the unit and the military needs. Do you get to pick your duty station in the Navy? Your First Army Duty Station | What To Expect + Tips - YouTube 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. Keeping in mind that the BAH calculations are based on rank and not family size, you may be surprised at how much youll receive and how much rent or a mortgage is in the area youre moving to. How long are you at your first duty station in the Navy? Yet my fellow Soldiers would often be hesitant to explore the wild world the Army had placed us in at a duty station. First day in the real army and I'm already getting reamed by the 1SG. Once you log in to AKO, you will see Army Links on the right side of the page. Arrived with my ID card, my clothes, and that was it. If you own a vehicle and get an overseas assignment, the military will either ship the vehicle for you or store it while you are away. More Troops to Receive a Temporary 2022 BAH Increase, Managing Investment Property While Serving in the Military. Max Hauptman I call staff duty and the NCO says he'll send the runner to pick me up. Exploring Your Military Housing Options - The Military Wallet When looking at the options off of the installation, do a little extra research. When your on duty always do your best. By signing into the AKO and selecting "On Orders," you may also access your S1's orders. These briefings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis with your orders at the personal property office. These housing options range from apartments to duplexes (or sometimes 4 or 8-plexes) to single-family homes. #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. Stairwells are basically apartment buildings, with 3- and 4-bedroom apartments for families to live in. Arriving at My First Duty Station - Government, Military - allnurses Normally, an employees duty station is the city/town, county, and state where he or she regularly works, as determined by the employing agency. You can find more of her writing at, WhatRebeccaThinks.com. You usually don't get to choose your first duty station. Duty Stations In The United States Navy - ussjpkennedyjr.org This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your orders include important information related to your authorizations and entitlements. 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. 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. How many ships are there in Indian Navy in 2021? When I enlisted, I hadnt either. OCONUS: Outside the continental U.S. Includes Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories. If you are part of the general public, navigate to the public site. The military will try to assign spouses together, but there are no guarantees. 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. Neither The Military Wallet nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. Imagine a Roman city, complete with bathhouses that have tiled mosaic floors from Roman times, that you can explore unhindered and for free. For standard overseas tours, one can generally increase his or her chances of being selected by volunteering for the extended tour length. Air Force recruiting is in the toilet and senior leaders are sounding the alarm. askFW Federal Government Policies Federal Employee Official Duty Station. Over the past 12 years, shes discovered she enjoys coffee, lifting weights, and most of the menial tasks of motherhood. Each year more than 400,000 service members make a permanent change of station. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". First Duty Station Sailors - Navy Prior to the end of your training at AIT, you can file the necessary paperwork to take leave after AIT. I finally get to reception and, no shit, turns out I'm technically AWOL. You know, if I could do it all over again, I would live more like you have, one of my best friends told me. Get Out: Making The Most of a Duty Station - Sandboxx Show/hide Credit, Loans, and Debt menu items. 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? After all my paperwork is done, I'm heading to the barracks to get assigned a bed. Its also important to keep in mind that BAH rates are based off an old assumption that single, young people entered the military. Justin Fisher is a currently serving with the Arkansas Army National Guard. Then CSM walks passed, see's a soldier out of uniform and starts trying to figure out what the hell is going on. 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". My wife Cait has found many places on Pinterest that make up the substrate of many of our memories together. Sample 1 Sample 2. Often people say that the military is one big family and although the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces seem similar, the types of jobs, geographic locations, environment, and cultures are often worlds apart. Almost everything above can be thrown out the window when youre looking at housing options for an overseas move. Her motto: work smarter, not harder. You must be willing to sacrifice many things, and most importantly it could be your life. Some Navy jobsallow your assignment to be based on your class-standing in "A-School." How do you write a good story in Smash Bros screening? Use your preferred relay service, or dial 711 then 988. Do I Need a Real Estate Agent to Buy a Home? Antonio. Show/hide Jobs and Making Money menu items. It was a complete shit show. They all say hi. Photo credits: Barracks (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman Anthony Jennings), Military Housing (U.S. Air Force file photo/Released), Overseas Military Housing (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chad Warren). Once I made Specialist (pay grade of E4), only then I was started to be liked by other members of my unit. So that was my introduction to my unit. Each branch has a variety of billets they must fill, so keep in mind you wont necessarily get your first choice. Yet they all had one thing in common. Usually, military personnel offices maintain lists of military people worldwide who are looking to swap. . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. They may vary significantly from the family living next door to you. Find out how much home you can afford today. And the Barracks AC is on full blast. This has to be approved, and the most common length is 10 days. Oil Tanker Truck Offroad Fuel Transporter on the App Store While it may not cover the entirety of your rent or mortgage, BAH is in place to offset 95% of your rental costs. For example, most of Europe and Japan are considered standardoverseas tours. Youll serve your country, but youll also have time for fun and exploring your new surroundings. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. There was a place she found in the Green River Gorge in Washington and an adobe we stayed at outside of Fort Huachuca. You have some restrictions and curfews, but you have . I got out and about. Want to know the place that I have never even been close to going to in the Army? I text him and he says he's on staff duty and can't leave. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The weekend you graduate from basic training is full of options to visit with family who visits, and to decompress after training. Reporting to Your First Duty Station Tips | Military OneSource Branch-specific guidance varies from year to year, but the rule of thumb is 12-18 months in one command and up to 24 months in two commands. If youre getting ready to pick your dream list for your very first duty station, you may be a little unsure of what locations to choose for your top choices. And, do you know where to look for this information? . 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. FORT KNOX, Kentucky -. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We have eaten cheap steaks in a basement restaurant in London and the biggest hamburger in the world at the foot of Mount Rainier. I thought my hair cut was sharp, my bearing was impeccable when I walked into my squad area and within 15 minutes, I was completely wrong about my place in life and was quickly reminded that everyone starts at the bottom. It has been a while since I have blogged, and I apologize for that! Since I had a well cultivated level of curiosity, we ventured to the shed to investigate. Army Recruits Offered Choice of First Duty Station: Near or - FEDweek This is a military requirement and there are standards to uphold. 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. I had never even heard of the place. You cannot report to a unit being out of shape, because then you will automatically start with your back against the wall. When one military member is married to another military member, both must apply to be assigned together. Military housing options are about as diverse as those who serve in the military, but it all comes down to availability and desirability. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. Duty Station Locator System - United States Office of Personnel Management Doing it all yourself can mean added stress and possible problems. The following steps are merely a start, not an exhaustive list. Of course, one can be involuntarily assigned overseasas well. Is paralegal higher than legal assistant? 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". Pick your first duty station in the army - 2022 - YouTube Availability, cost, and personal finances may also play into your decision as well. At one point in American social life, even nonbelievers went to church to simply connect with others in their community. Show/hide Identity Theft and Online Security menu items. Your family's housing needs are today may not be the same as they were before, or will be in the future. The bottom line is the military will take you all over the world and put you in situations that no one from your hometown would ever believe. Advertising Notice: The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on The Military Wallet; For any rankings or lists on this site, The Military Wallet may receive compensation from the companies being ranked and this compensation may affect how, where and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. These are great ways to build lasting friendships with people outside of the military that will help you build a home away from home. They may vary significantly from the family living next door to you. Learn more about the benefits of sponsorship in the short. 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. Look at the homeowners association or the local rules regarding what is allowed on the property. I had never even heard of the place. Anyway, enough of my excuses. Max Hauptman has been covering breaking news at Task & Purpose since December 2021. 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. I was fortunate enough to get to know a local family, my ex wife babysat for them . You'll serve your country, but you'll also have time for fun and exploring your new surroundings. First duty station selection is made (in either basic training or technical school/AIT/A-School), based upon your preferences, and the needs of the service. CFG: Main Menu Mega. Why in the world would he want my chaotic life? Enter your information to join our mailing list. Both members who agree to swap must pay for their own move. October 22, 2022 by Antonio. These are just the foundation of the things that made a difference to me when I was a young Soldier. Three Creeks Media, LLC 2023. The Army understands that having the option to stay closer to home and loved ones is a big deal, and its taking steps to make the decision easier on applicants, said Brig. Ft. Riley first duty station : r/army 2. Turns out a soldier hung themself with an electrical cord not but an hour before. If your new installation doesnt have housing available for you, or you have decided it is not the right option for your family, you can take your BAH and apply it to any other housing option youd like. CoD: Warzone 2 is an exciting battle royale game, and players looking for similar titles can check out these recommendations. Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. Research the schools if you have school-aged children, and make sure that you look at commute times and routes. You are eligible for a PPM when you have PCS orders, a temporary duty assignment, or face separation, retirement or assignment to, from or between government quarters. Showed up to Fort Polk and there was a tiger loose on post. Knowing how to use the AKO is a useful way to receive commands in the military. Are You Ready to pick your first duty station? In such cases, the military will reimburse you a portion of what it would have paid a contractor to move the vehicle. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is a more intensive process and move period. There is a vast difference between boot camp and unit life. Arriving at My First Duty Station. No shit, we had accountability formations six(6!) Oil tanker transporter truck game on off-road mode is trying to transport fuel from one oil station to the other gas station in off-road environment. As one soldier said, "Don't live in your barracks." See what your installation and the surrounding community have to offer. September 10, 2022 by admin. At unit level, a new service member is expected to perform and prove themselves before they are accepted and liked. 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. The following document is broken up into two section, your first duty station and station to station move. Being an active duty sailor means that the US Navy is your job- your day job, your night job, your real job. Answer: The answer to this question is both TRUE and FALSE. Sometimes lawn care is also included. Rebecca Alwine is an army wife, mother of three, and lover of her adorable pirate dog. Lest anyone think this is their chance to spend the next three years in Hawaii or Italy, the needs of the Army, as always come first. Here are some of, This column rounds up important developments in the military community for the week. Couldn't transfer me to another post as it was a enlistment guarantee. The bottom line is this, you are in the real world now, you are at a unit. I go there, sign in, and go upstairs to meet my NCO, my peers, and my CO in the S4. I really thought at first that this was a reference to the 82nd guys who stole the tiger statue during their JRTC rotation. May 17, 2016. Most installations have some housing for their service members. Single people, even though they don't have dependents can use the follow-on program, as well. Learn more about, Your military sponsor is someone from your unit who is assigned to assist you throughout your PCS. You must remember though that nothing is official until your orders are published. Fort story was crazy when I was stationed there 2010-2013 . This article covers more about the pros and cons of living off base. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Military members and their families have many housing options to choose from, including the barracks for single members, base housing, off-base housing and more. Its also offered more opportunities for the one thing all soldiers can enjoy cash to spend, interest rates on Dodge Challengers be damned. The Army has looked at creative ways to broaden its appeal, from looking for recruits in areas of the country that may not be hotbeds of military service to seeking a more diverse pool of applicants. The military, of course, wants this person to re-enlist, so they try to accommodate such base of preference requests. First time and last time movers are required to attend a DOD mandated briefing. But when you have time off get away and see things watch out for the woman/men on hotel street and there are areas you don't want to go. During your training, you will earn paid time off at the rate of 2.5 days a month. You can use your earned time to take leave prior to reporting to your first duty station. Fort Campbell | Moving and PCS | Household Goods Info Admittedly, it was out of frustration with the Army. But military moves dont have to be exclusively one or the other. Even the new private that arrived a month before you, has more experience and seniority than you, even if you are the same rank.