US navy vet trying to re-enlist in Army going 14E. What are my chances of getting stationed in Southeast Asia?

PO3 Jesse Heras — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 12:43:02 -0400

I have 4 yrs prior srv. and trying to get stationed in (order by preference) Hawaii, Japan, or Korea so I can live closer to my girlfriend who lives in the Philippines. What are my chances of staying in the Southeast Asia permanently? Whenever people get their orders, is it possible to switch with another person? After first contract, can I choose where I can go? If I like a duty station, can I request to extend contract at that duty station?

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jul 7 at 2019 2:49 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 14:49:42 -0400

You do know that none of the places you mentioned are in SEA, right ?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 6:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 06:45:03 -0400

PO3 Haras, I would highly recommend that you change MOS to have a better option to get station where you want. I do know Korea is the closest to the Philippines and you can go on every 4 day weekend. I knew soldiers who had girlfriend in the Philippines and they flew to go see them every 4 days weekend they had. It is your choice and best of luck to you and your girlfriend.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2019 9:52 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 09:52:22 -0400

You can look on the ADA Wikipedia page and see all the Patriot locations. As a PO you should already be aware that you cannot be stationed OCONUS permanently and that OCONUS postings are limited to your DOD dictated tour length.
In the Army, you will not be able to switch your assignment. People will tell you that you can, but you can't. Once you're close to ETS you can reenlist for a duty station of choice. If you're OCONUS and want to remain there for another tour, it's determined by the strengths of your MOS. It's pretty easy for ADA to remain a second tour in Okinawa or Korea.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 11:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 23:32:41 -0400

Your chances are based on the needs or the Army. In my class last year, they split most of the people evenly across all duty stations for Patriot.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2019 3:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 15:07:43 -0400

As a 14E you have a decent chance of going to South Korea. When I went through AIT before my class was selected for an ASI 14 out of the 15 of us were supposed to go to Korea.