PCS or request to stay put?

CPT Jacob Swartout — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:28:08 -0400

Do you enjoy PCSing to new places or would you rather just stay longer at your current duty station instead of going through the entire moving process all over again?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 8:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:35:14 -0400

I am all about visiting new places. However, I do want to stay where I am now to keep my company. After my time is up I am up for a PCS to ensure that I have promotion potential by tackling another new position that I hope will allow me to meet new people and grow as a leader as well as be able to mentor them as well. I also enjoy running into old friends and coworkers, as we all know it is a small army.....

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 8:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 20:40:10 -0400

I don't enjoy the PCS process but one of many reasons of joining the Army was to visit different places. My wife and I are travel-holics, and being a Soldier helps to cross most of the places we wanted to visit. So, PCS as often as possible.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 9:12 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 May 2014 21:12:32 -0400

Interesting question. I think this is more dependent on the individual. Some people want the adventure of moving to new places, others just want to settle down and grow some roots. I think your unit can impact this some as well, maybe it is not a good unit or not the kind of unit you want to be in. I know that the Commo guys tend to despise being in Patriot.

Personally, I just go with the flow. If the Army wants me to move, I move!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2014 12:40 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 May 2014 00:40:40 -0400

I have been trying to PCS for the last two years. I have been on station for a little more than 7 1/2 years. I'm ready to go. This is my first duty station. I also joined to see the world, but...

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 22 at 2014 7:54 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 22 May 2014 07:54:42 -0400

I never enjoyed moving, period. Having said that I agree with SSG Padilla in that I wanted to see as much as possible. As a result I managed to spend the majority of my career in Europe (Germany (2x), England, and Italy); and traveled extensively during my times there. Now that I'm retired, I have NO plans of moving again (but will continue to travel as much as possible).

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2014 8:49 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 May 2014 08:49:08 -0400

I always loved moving to new places and meeting new people. It was also fun starting new jobs and gaining different experiences. On part of staying put that I like is being able to engage in the community in a meaningful way! I love the thought of my kids growing up with their friends as well.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 22 at 2014 8:42 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 22 May 2014 20:42:57 -0400

Liked the whole, "join the army, see the world thing" PCSd 3 times and man, did I travel heavy. Being more of a home body, I went back to the National Guard. In doing so I did more deploying and traveling then on AD.

Now I'm PCSd to Ft Living Room and living the good life, but I do miss it all!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 12:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 00:33:28 -0400

There is a lot of personal preference involved here, some people like to move others do not. I for one, feel that unless there is a need to fill a specific position, service members should only be moved by choice. If you want an installation with a lot of interest you go on a waiting list. If you volunteer for a less desirable location, you get bumped up the list for the next one.

Not only would this provide for happier service members (how any time have you heard someone complain about where they are stationed), but also cut down on the services budget for shipping household goods.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 9:04 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 09:04:36 -0400

Personally, I have one of those MOSs that has duties that greatly vary from duty station to duty station. As such, as a Soldier I enjoy PCSing and traveling. Now that my children are reaching high school age, though, stabilizing is also something we are looking forward to.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 23 at 2014 9:20 AM

SFC Christopher Perry — Fri, 23 May 2014 09:20:13 -0400

CPT Swartout,

I did a whole lot of "staying put" as a civilian. Now that I have returned to the Army, I don't want to leave enough time for roots to even contemplate sprouting. After two years I am ready for the next chapter.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 10:39 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 10:39:07 -0400

My feelings depend on the amount of time and to a point the unit. My first AGR assignment I was in the same place for 6 years...I couldn't wait to put that location in my rear view mirror.
I got a short break from USAREC for 2 years and was completely heartbroken to leave so soon. I loved the location and the assignment.
I accept it is what it is but in most places 4 years would be the max time I'd want to spend in any one place.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jul 1 at 2014 9:26 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 09:26:38 -0400

I don't mind either, but HH06 wants to always stay put!