I have been offered a spot at Smith Barracks, Germany. Is anyone there who can offer some insight?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:50:33 -0500

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 29 at 2016 1:51 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:51:39 -0500

The Rock.....
What do you want to know? I was stationed there 03-07

Response by 1SG James Lampe made Nov 29 at 2016 1:54 PM

1SG James Lampe — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:54:28 -0500

I retired from there in '09, and I'm sure some things have changed but I'm also sure I can give you a good run down on what to expect in many areas. Connect if you want and I'll answer as much as I can. Happy to help.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2016 2:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 14:30:42 -0500

I was stationed there from 2009-2012. What information are you looking for?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2016 3:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 15:50:29 -0500

I was there from 2000-2003, and currently in Stuttgart, Germany. I visited Baumholder last year and added all the photos I took to the 40th Engineer Battalion Facebook page which was the unit I was with on ''The Rock'' back then. Baumholder is now part of USAG Rhineland Pfalz. It's not bustling like it used to be since the brigade moved to Ft. Bliss some years back, but it's exactly the same as when I was there. Just a ghost town now. Here to answer any questions you have.

If you have FB, here is a link to the pictures I took.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ [login to see] 0/ [login to see] 860711/?notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id= [login to see] 23287

40th Engineer Battalion Public Group | Facebook

40th Engineer Battalion has 489 members. Members of 40th Engineer Battalion, 1st AD

Response by SGT John Hogg made Nov 29 at 2016 4:05 PM

SGT John Hogg — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 16:05:04 -0500

Sergeant, if you're off to baumholder, the housing is apartment style if you're single. Enjoy your time there, I wish I was there this time of year.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2016 8:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 20:24:15 -0500

That is just a fancy name for Baumholder. I was in the 8th ID and there were much better stations like Mainz, Wiesbaden, and Mannheim.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 29 at 2016 9:05 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:05:56 -0500

Hope it's better than the 60's and 70's it was at best an arm pit... then...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2016 10:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 10:10:28 -0500

Thank you for all the responses. My main concerns are housing and schools. I have two high school aged children.

Response by MAJ Charles McAllister made Dec 1 at 2016 2:02 PM

MAJ Charles McAllister — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:02:03 -0500

Stationed there 80-82 and then again 87-90 with 2nd Bde 8th ID. Was a lot better the second time. Facilities were decent and housing was above average. Nice town and a nice area to be in - France and Luxembourg are close. Trier is a nice town. And Ramstein AFB is about an hour away. Good space-A, you can usually get out in a day or two.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2016 10:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 22:46:59 -0500

If you like running up and down hills then Smith Barracks is perfect for you. When I was there the standard company/battalion/brigade run included almost every major hill on post. The tank trails were known as the "ballbusters." Baumholder itself is a small town with several bars and restaurants. Drive a little ways to Kusel Castle and Idar Oberstein to find some more decent stuff. Since the 170th Infantry Brigade deactivated the actual soldier population has been small from what I've seen. One good thing about Baumholder is that it's a good starting point for roadtrips. France and Luxembourg are less than an hour away. Belgium is about 90 minutes away. Paris and Amsterdam are about four hours away. I wouldn't mind being stationed there again.