Does anyone know what it's like at Bethesda or Fort George Meade, for a 68W3O? What about for families?

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 19:24:05 -0400

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Nov 1 at 2016 7:27 PM

SFC Randy Purham — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 19:27:31 -0400

Give me a call.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 2 at 2016 3:06 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 03:06:07 -0400

Never Made it to Big Daddy Dirnsa FT George G Meade, MD although I worked for them for 21 years. I'm Jealous, It sounds like you are about to get the Keys to the Magic Kingdom.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2016 12:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 12:16:57 -0400

At Ft Meade you are working at a clinic, the hours are great and there is no ER. Bethesda is also known as Walter Reed! the Crown Jewel in Military hospitals. They have the whole nine yards. Housing is available at Ft. Meade, there is a large commissary, schools and everything else. Bethesda is more complicated and a lot more expensive.

Response by TSgt William Sheehan made Nov 5 at 2016 10:17 PM

TSgt William Sheehan — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 22:17:29 -0400

I'm stationed at Ft Meade but I live in Bethesda (married to a law student who attends GW in DC). It's pretty expensive as far as locations go (it's doable though) but everything you could possibly want or need is within walking distance, plus the metro makes getting to DC a piece of cake if you ever want to shoot down to see the sights and what not.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2016 6:44 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 06:44:28 -0500

TRAFFIC. I have worked at both, and I get to work at Meade (40 miles away) faster than I got to Walter Reed (20 miles away). Walter Reed is better for professional growth but you're in a shark tank as a W. Kimbrough would be a bit more laid-back and easier to stand out. SNCOs at Walter Reed are largely there to retire and give the reins to the E-6s, but the reporting senior is an O-7. You'll have to listen to Navy Corpsmen bitch about losing their "identity"...

Really depends on what type of experience you're after.

- Meade 95-96, 2016
- Bethesda 2014-16

Response by CPL Erika Waker made Nov 22 at 2016 5:15 PM

CPL Erika Waker — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:15:03 -0500

Nice area. Clean. It's rather expensive here in Maryland for Gas. Good Luck!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 5:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 17:43:44 -0500

I hear its really laid back and oppourtunities are for the taking. my battle went there and runs 2 clinics as a SGT and won NCO of the quarter. Also the surrounding areas are "great" just a drive away from VA beach and DC.. They swear by it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 10:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 22:15:07 -0500

I was at Walter Reed from '04-'08. If you've never been in a Meddac unit, you're in for a rude awakening. It's all politics. As a 68W3O you should be a shift leader or NCOIC of a clinic but it depends on what unit you're assigned to. I'm sure it's nicer at Bethesda now but you're the low man on the totem pole as a whiskey in my opinion