I re-enlisted for 3 years with 18 months stabilization on JBLM. Can I request where I’d like to finish out this contract?

2019-10-17T04:35:32-04:00

I re-enlisted in January for 3 years with 18 months stabilization. July my stability will be up and I’ll have 18 months left before this contract is up. Would I be able to request to finish this contract in Drum? Would I have to re-enlist for it? Just about everyone I’ve seen stabilize ends up on orders to Korea after. Honestly don’t care to see Korea, has anyone done this or similar?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 4:45 AM

2019-10-17T04:45:37-04:00

I’ve called Branch no joke, probably 25 times and left 6 messages on several different answering machines over the course of a month about this question and not once has anyone answered the phone. I always make sure to call during their business hours and take the time zone difference into consideration as well

Response by SFC David Drury made Oct 17 at 2019 4:45 AM

2019-10-17T04:45:53-04:00

After you're stability is up, you're pretty much needs of the Army. If you're about ready to deploy, you'll get more stabilization. You can reenlist to stay there, or get your duty station of choice, when the time comes. Keep a low profile and hopefully Korea isnt in your future. Korea is a good experience though. It is what you make of it. I had a good time (1999-2000) good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 11:01 AM

2019-10-17T11:01:30-04:00

You could call or email your branch to volunteer foreign assignment at Fort Drum. Your contract would have to be extended to reach 2 years after your report date. However, at 18 months from ETS like you are now your branch will most likely tell you to re-enlist for the duty assignment, since you will have to re-enlist anyway. It takes the workload off of them and it allows the assignment to be your choice.
You also have to consider that since you are in a low-density MOS your branch has a very difficult time trying to fill Korea assignments. As soon as someone arrives in Korea your branch manager has to find another replacement. Korea is always a high priority assignment meaning that your branch manager is required to fill those slots before filling other slots.

Response by CPL Sheila Lewis made Oct 17 at 2019 11:05 AM

2019-10-17T11:05:50-04:00

There is nothing wrong with being "needs of the Army."

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2019 1:35 PM

2019-10-17T13:35:16-04:00

Finally got a hold of branch and they told me what I expected they’ll send me to drum to finish out the last 6 months I’ll have after spending a year in Korea lol. Kinda expected that just hoped against it