What do you base your first impressions on when arriving at an installation?

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:08:28 -0400

Guards at the gate, size of PX/BX, architecture, housing, school, or others, what jumps out the most for you at a new installation? Positive and/or negative

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 5:10 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:10:40 -0400

How the base is presented, 1st impressions are very important. Is quality of life or equipment the most important issue for this base?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 10 at 2014 7:42 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:42:16 -0400

The general condition of the base as seen from outside the fence. That helps explain why CSM's get so worked up about their grass, police calls, paint, etc. You can only hear about it so many times from the CG before their defense mode kicks in.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 7:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:48:33 -0400

How well maintained the base/post/fort is kept. Then maybe the size of the PX/BX.

Response by PO2 Tony Casler made Sep 10 at 2014 7:53 PM

PO2 Tony Casler — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:53:36 -0400

The gate guards. I am in the process of reenlisting in the reserve and have had to visit Ft. Jackson a number of times. The guards are civilian rent-a-cops who usually don't even question why I am visiting the base without a military ID. The guards in Norfolk would never have allowed an unescorted civilian on base.

Response by SFC Nestor Nievesmoran made Sep 10 at 2014 9:03 PM

SFC Nestor Nievesmoran — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:03:45 -0400

The professionalism of the personnel at the replacement center, this has lots to do with the integration of new Soldiers in an installation. They are representative of the command as they process new Soldiers. Then I look at the equipment and readiness, this has lots to say what are you about to work with. Then the physical aspect of the installation, this represent the responsibility of the leadership, it is everyone's responsibility to keep the installation to standards, leadership set the standards for other to follow. At last I look at the community

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 10 at 2014 9:42 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 21:42:16 -0400

FIRST first impression for me was generally formed based on the age of the structures and overall condition/upkeep.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 2:43 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 02:43:16 -0400

I arrived at Fort Hood directly after 9/11. Like, less than one month after. Pretty chaotic. I had no idea what was going on. I moved off-post shortly afterwards. I lived about 6 blocks from the gate. I had to leave an hour early to make PT on time. Traffic was unbelievable. Soldiers would ditch their cars and run to the PT field.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 10:02 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:02:11 -0400

After having been stationed at Fort Polk I've learned not to judge any post by the available/lack of amenities. Nor do I allow other soldiers experience affect my own. I don't even let the idea of working in a non-structurally sound building affect my time in any duty station. My family and I had a blast stationed in Louisiana, loved the food and I have a shirt that states I survived my time here. But then again I murder rocks, injure stones and have hospitalized a brick, so I'm good where ever I go.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 11 at 2014 1:35 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:35:48 -0400

How the post is laid out and how easy/difficult it is to get around. Oh yeah, and the size of the PX..... ;o)

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 11 at 2014 1:43 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:43:25 -0400

"The politics of Saturday night"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 1:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:54:14 -0400

The age and condition of the facilities. The size of the PX. The proximity of living areas to work areas and amenities. Traffic is big too.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 11 at 2014 4:08 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:08:54 -0400

Think it is a good question, much like people, first impressions are about the aesthetics of the outside, so yes the base upkeep, structures, grass, etc, but then the meat of the issue is what is on the inside, so then to the people who work and live there, their attitude and a smile, being friendly and helpful.

I can attest to two completely separate ends of the spectrum with regard to both......Fort McClellan being badddddd and Fort Riley being good. Funny how that is a first and to date last assignment locations.