How do I fill out my "dream sheet"?

2023-03-14T23:59:31-04:00

I'm presently in AIT at Fort Huachuca, and I have heard about people going to Italy, Japan, Korea, Germany, and these other amazing places. I am wanting to increase my chances of getting my top picks to these places, but no one seems to know where to go to fill out the dream sheet anymore. A lot of people have said ASK, and some have said on the ISAPP website. I haven't been able to find anything of the sort on either of these websites and need help. I understand that many people don't think highly of the dream sheet, but I would still rather try than get Ft Hood and never have asked for anything better. Thank you for your replies in advance!

Response by COL Randall C. made Mar 15 at 2023 8:52 AM

2023-03-15T08:52:43-04:00

I'll defer to SFC Private RallyPoint Member or MSG Private RallyPoint Member if I'm incorrect, but I don't believe that is an option for you at this point. When you have a career manager (NCO, Officers and Warrant Officers have them), then you'll have 'preferences' that are considered. When you get access, then you can start putting preferences in ASK-EM*

At this point, you're a round peg that the Army looks for a round hole to put you in.

You do have the the ability to reenlist for a certain location and such, but those are contract items and not 'Soldier preferences to be used in assignments'.

Specific to MI, the Enlisted assignments branch gives a good rundown of their process at https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Military%20Intelligence%20Enlisted%20Module%20Interface
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* ASK-EM briefing - https://www.hrc.army.mil/asset/22506

HRC Homepage

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Mar 15 at 2023 9:46 AM

2023-03-15T09:46:41-04:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member any comments?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 15 at 2023 10:40 AM

2023-03-15T10:40:07-04:00

What do your instructors say? You are entry level and as such you are at the needs of the Army. There is generally a preference list that comes out towards the end of the training cycle before orders and assigned but with entry level assignments it isn't very detailed. You won't see the same type of options as you would if you were re-enlisting for duty station preference. Talk to your instructors because they are the subject matter experts at the moment.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2023 7:55 PM

2023-03-15T19:55:18-04:00

Per the newer systems, I am unaware of how to fill out the "dream sheet." I do know that when I was going from Reserves to Active back in the way way way bygone years of before cell phones, the sheet was given to me at MEPS when I processed. I put down Hawaii, Ft Carson, Ft Lewis and Ft Riley. I was sent to Ft Irwin.

I say this because you have to realize that in your beginning stages, you will be placed at the behest of the Army's needs. If you stay in long enough, come time to re-enlist, you can certainly re-enlist for choice of duty assignment. Another route, is that after you arrive to your permanent duty assignment and have had 1 year time on station, you could submit a DA Form 4187 to request reassignment to Korea (as an example). You may...or may not....be granted approval.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 16 at 2023 12:31 PM

2023-03-16T12:31:22-04:00

I don't think the "dream sheet" is a thing and that's ultimately ASK now - that's where you put preference for duty stations.

https://recruiting.army.mil/News/Article/2946486/us-army-guarantees-new-enlistees-duty-station-of-choice/

"The duty station of choice enlistment option currently includes more than 5,600 vacancies in 17 different career fields, based on the availability of the selected military occupation.

“The Army understands that having the option to stay closer to home and loved ones is a big deal, and it’s taking steps to make the decision easier on applicants,” said Brig. Gen. John Cushing, the deputy commanding general for operations at U.S. Army Recruiting Command.

For applicants in eight different states, the option provides the opportunity to stay closer to home and closer to family. It applies to a variety of military occupations like infantry, cavalry scouts, aviation or information technology.

A select few installations are available for the station of choice option: Fort Carson, Colorado; Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington; Fort Bliss and Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Drum, New York; and installations in Alaska. This list is subject to change based on the needs of the Army, and the option does not apply to overseas locations."

Did you ask your drill sergeants about it?

U.S. Army guarantees new enlistees duty station of choice

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.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 18 at 2023 9:37 AM

2023-03-18T09:37:48-04:00

PFC Private RallyPoint Member I thought only the Navy had "Dream Sheets". I Remember doing My First One, I wanted to Stay in Florida thought I'd be "Slick" #1 I Put Hawaii (No Way they'd send Me to Hawaii) #2 I Put Florida and #3 was another site in Florida. You Guessed it! They sent Me to CINCPACFLT Pearl Harbor, HI.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2023 3:59 PM

2023-04-03T15:59:17-04:00

From what I've seen through the school house it's luck if the draw. 3/4 of my class and sister class all went to Korea and none of them requested it.

Response by SP6 Harold Thomas Goodrich made May 4 at 2023 9:11 PM

2023-05-04T21:11:28-04:00

My First Sergeant helped me back in 1961. I went to him and asked if he could help me get a special assignment. He got the forms and we went through them, filling out what I wanted. My first choices were in the Caribbean, I don't recall my other choices but I know South East Asia was not a choice.
Apparently when it landed on the decision maker's desk in DC, whoever he was, mistook the Caribbean for Cambodia, a few months after submitting the application, Cambodia was my destination! By the way, thank goodness it wasn't in the heat of the Nam War. I did enjoy the tour.