Where was your first duty station after tech school and how long were you stationed there before your first PCS? Was it where you wanted?

2020-04-17T13:00:40-04:00

My first duty station was at Grand Forks AFB in ND after leaving Ft. Leonard Wood, MO after completing Emergency Management Apprentice Course. Arrived 4 Jan 2003 and PCS'd out on 1 February 2010.

Sgt Trevor Barrett PO1 John Johnson LTC Private RallyPoint Member PO2 Kevin Parker PVT Mark Zehner SSgt Private RallyPoint Member ] SGT John " Mac " McConnell SPC Margaret Higgins Jenn Moynihan SFC Private RallyPoint Member PO2 Peter Klein SSgt Private RallyPoint Member A1C Ian Williams SGT Robert George TSgt Melissa Post Susan Foster MSgt Private RallyPoint Member Maj Marty Hogan

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Apr 17 at 2020 1:00 PM

2020-04-17T13:00:56-04:00

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Apr 17 at 2020 1:03 PM

2020-04-17T13:03:06-04:00

SFC William Farrell 1SG Dan Capri SPC Mark Huddleston SP5 Mark Kuzinski TSgt Melissa Post SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth Cpl Private RallyPoint Member PO1 H Gene Lawrence SSgt Corwin Whicker MSG Andrew White TSgt Steve Waide Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Christopher Combs ] COL Lee Flemming SPC Mike Lake SGT Private RallyPoint Member Sgt Kelli Mays SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SGT Michael Thorin SFC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Apr 17 at 2020 1:04 PM

2020-04-17T13:04:21-04:00

Ft Bliss, TX. I wanted any where but NC. I love NC, just wanted something different.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 17 at 2020 1:05 PM

2020-04-17T13:05:34-04:00

Dowagiac, Mi, HHC 1st Bn 246th Armor 22 yrs. D Co 1st Bn 126th Armor 2 yrs. Yes it was.

Response by SFC Richard Williamson made Apr 17 at 2020 1:16 PM

2020-04-17T13:16:59-04:00

Camp Carroll Army Depot, Waegan, S. Korea. April 1972 - April 1976. I think it was better than Nam, which I knew nothing about, and almost went, but ended up in Korea.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 17 at 2020 1:22 PM

2020-04-17T13:22:02-04:00

Fort Hunter Liggett California. It was great training for the corona virus travel restrictions as there is absolutely nothing out there around the base. I had fun and learned a lot even though it was isolated.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Apr 17 at 2020 1:22 PM

2020-04-17T13:22:24-04:00

Thailand in Oct 1966 - 561st Engineering Company.

Response by MSG Andrew White made Apr 17 at 2020 1:28 PM

2020-04-17T13:28:19-04:00

MY FIRST DUTY STATION WHEN I WAS A MP WAS 515TH MP CO FT LEE VA, 555TH MP CO FOR A MONTH OR SO, AND THEN BACK TO THE 515TH MP CO, GREAT DUTY FOR A 18 YEAR OLD MP, LOTS OF WOMEN!! LOL

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Apr 17 at 2020 1:34 PM

2020-04-17T13:34:35-04:00

I was originally assigned to Shaw AFB, SC but got a slot to Air Base Ground Defense School. Wound up at 39th Security Police Flight Incirlik AB Turkey for 15 months as my first assignment, which I really did enjoy. Turkey was not my choice, but Shaw was probably in my top 5 CONUS as I had lived as a dependent at Charleston AFB SC. On my Dream Sheet out of Basic I had England as an option so that opened me up for anywhere in USAFE.
Once in USAFE you could select individual bases under that command on your Dream Sheet. Leaving Turkey I went to RAF Alconbury UK which was probably in my top 5. I selected 10 bases in UK based upon how close they were to London with the closest being number 1. Oddly enough my parents were already stationed at RAF Alconbury so I got to spend a year with them overseas before they PCS'd back to the States. My stepdad and I literally worked across the street from each other.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Apr 17 at 2020 1:49 PM

2020-04-17T13:49:27-04:00

Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I had enlisted for Fort Sill, and spent the rest of my enlistment there.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 17 at 2020 1:50 PM

2020-04-17T13:50:45-04:00

Langley AFB VA, 4 yrs

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 17 at 2020 1:52 PM

2020-04-17T13:52:51-04:00

Marine Barracks Washington DC. Arrived Oct 2001 - PCS’d December 2003. All Infantry contracts were screened at Boot Camp and everyone who passed the screening were given orders to be part of the several ceremonial schools at the Barracks to prepare for the 2002 parade season. Passed the school and spent my two years on the Silent Drill Platoon. It wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be after 9/11 happened but we had no idea it was going to last as long as it did. We were expecting it to have the lifespan of Desert Storm.

PCS’d to Camp Lejuene, arrived in January 2004 and was in Afghanistan before May.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Apr 17 at 2020 2:32 PM

2020-04-17T14:32:51-04:00

Mine was Fort Ord, CA after leaving Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN - it was in my contract TSgt Joe C.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 2:43 PM

2020-04-17T14:43:45-04:00

My first duty station was with the 4th Marine Division Nucleus, at Camp Pendleton, CA. This was a reserve division consisting of 150 active duty Marines. I was there for two months. I volunteered for Vietnam, and the next day, my orders were cut. This was the easiest duty that I had during my four years served.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Apr 17 at 2020 2:44 PM

2020-04-17T14:44:57-04:00

I enlisted at Boston MEPS in 1992, went to Leonardwood for basic then APG, MD for AIT. I still remember my Drill Sergeant asking me where I wanted to go? I asked for Ft. Devens, MA or Germany, she laughed and told me I was going to Kansas! Fort Riley, KS, from 1993-1996. I had to re-enlist to get station of choice, I picked Fort Lewis. Riley was okay, middle of nowhere and they sure lived going to NTC each year, sometimes twice!

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 17 at 2020 2:48 PM

2020-04-17T14:48:37-04:00

D’ya think that’d be any better than why-not-Minot(Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha)... I was there at G.F. In fall ‘76 and got sent to go train on
L.F.s. But never got started .. went deployed with 6 others to P.I. When I returned .. was in bad accident between my truck and a freight loader (hi-lo) to much to explain. Anyway air-evacced to Univ N.D. In G.F. Then brought back and then evacced to Scott and then to W-P in Ohio. Boarded out at W-P and returned to G.F. and retired on T.D.R.L. For 2-1/2 yrs total.. returned to duty . Back in for 4yr .. had a stroke related to that prev accident
And retired again .. permanent !.. took some time n got back on my feet more voc-rehab.. more rest mgt but front of the house .. Guest interactions, Lounge, Ordering , etc.,...

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Apr 17 at 2020 3:44 PM

2020-04-17T15:44:38-04:00

My A school instructor told me I was "lucky" I was the only one who had a choice of duty stations, Diego Garcia or Gitmo. I chose Diego Garcia. My fellow classmates went to Kami Seya Japan, Rota Spain, NSGA Northwest Va, London and Wash DC. DG was a great learning experience and overall I enjoyed it very much.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Apr 17 at 2020 4:25 PM

2020-04-17T16:25:21-04:00

My first duty station was Randolph AFB, TX. I was there 15 months and then PCS'd to Rhein Main, Germany. I went from basic at Medina (Lackland AFB, TX annex) to tech school at Sheppard AFB, Witchita Falls, TX to back to San Antonio.

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 17 at 2020 4:29 PM

2020-04-17T16:29:09-04:00

I had all northern tier and overseas bases on my dream sheet. When I graduated EOD School I had orders to Moody AFB, Georgia. Opposite end of the country from what I asked for. Go figure! I was TDY from Moody for almost 4 months total and had PCS orders for West Germany 13 months from the time I checked into Moody until I out processed.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 4:42 PM

2020-04-17T16:42:30-04:00

Castle AFB, CA. Closed now. Was there for 13 mo and shipped out to Korea. California was great, beaches in the summer, skiing at Tahoe in the winter, Yosemite National Park ...the list goes on.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 4:54 PM

2020-04-17T16:54:39-04:00

1. Ft. Bliss
2. 5 years
3. Absolutely not, but it wasn’t that bad.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made Apr 17 at 2020 4:56 PM

2020-04-17T16:56:26-04:00

My first duty station? Griffiss AFB in Rome NY. 2 years there with 416th SPS. Then over seas to (West)Germany and enjoyed the life of a GLCM warrior at the 38th FW. Had a great time. Any GLCM warriors out there? (1989-1991.) no “GAMMA” guys.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Apr 17 at 2020 5:11 PM

2020-04-17T17:11:17-04:00

Baumholder, Germany. Stationed there for 2 years with about 3/4 of that time in Iraq. I wanted either Germany or Alaska when I went in, and I got half of that wish list.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Apr 17 at 2020 5:30 PM

2020-04-17T17:30:30-04:00

West Berlin, Germany (1980-82). United States Army Field Station Berlin (USAFS Berlin), Intelligence & Security Command (INSCOM), a tenant unit of the legendary Berlin Brigade. Not where I actually wanted to go as a lot of my friends from AIT (I was in the Army back then) were being assigned to Field Station Augsburg. West Berlin was indeed a unique assignment and looking back on it, wish I had experienced my time there a lot more.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Apr 17 at 2020 6:21 PM

2020-04-17T18:21:01-04:00

Well if you can count training at Ft. Lewis for ten months as a Tech school my first duty station would have been Vietnam,now if you count my ten months and fourteen days in Vietnam as a tech school then Ft. Polk La.was my second duty station ,there were similarities ,as some here on RP can attest!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 17 at 2020 6:36 PM

2020-04-17T18:36:21-04:00

My first duty station was Fort Campbell, Kentucky in March 1975 my friend TSgt Joe C. I was assigned as a 12B Combat engineer in 20th Engineer Battalion [Combat]. I received orders in the spring of 1975 to report to Fort Monmouth to attend United States Military Academy Preparatory School [USMAPS] in August 1975. I was pleased with that assignment.
After I graduated from USMA, West Point on May 28, 1980 I took leave and reported to Fort Benning for Infantry Mortar Platoon Officers Course [IMPOC] and Infantry Officers Basic Course [IOBC]. I had completed Airborne School the previous summer.
My first commissioned officer duty assignment was Warner Barracks, Bamberg, Germany. I was assigned to 1st Battalion 52nd Infantry [Mechanized] from February 1981 to June 1984. Then I PCSed to Fort Benning for Infantry Officers Advanced Course [IOAC and then company command.
I was pleased with that assignment as well.

Images:
1. 1975-03 Ft Leonard Wood, MO - AIT B-2-4 Steve with broken foot. I reported to Fort Campbell in a leg cast. :-)
2. 1981-08 Grafenwöhr August 198 [01]– 2nd PLT A 1-52 at OPFOR Vehicle Park – posed in front of tracked vehicle – SPC Correa, 2LT Ford, SPC Ballinger, SPC Reyes, SPC Frizzel, SPC Turner
3. 1982-10 Hohenfels A Company 1st Bn 52nd Infantry Regiment XO 1LT Stephen Ford (1)
4. 1982-03 A Co 1st Bn 52nd IN at Grafenwöhr Training Area in March 1982 – M60 machine gun ammo commercial - 1LT Andy Cruise, 1LT Mike Johnson, 1LT Stephen Ford

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 17 at 2020 6:43 PM

2020-04-17T18:43:23-04:00

Luke AFB AZ 1984-88- follow on to an Air Reserve Tech slot in the 917th at Barksdale AFB, LA 1988-99- then home to Sioux City at the 185th- drill at the 132d in Des Moines. I will hang them up in the next few years. So many place in between with deployments and long TDYs I could not begin to list them.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 17 at 2020 7:29 PM

2020-04-17T19:29:17-04:00

Was originally supposed to go to Tempelhof Germany but the site was slated for closure before I arrived. Instead, I was sent to Misawa AB Japan for three years. It became very clear why they called it the "dream sheet" because I didn't get any of the bases I wanted. The fact my AFSC (1N5X0) was only authorized at about eight locations probably didn't help my odds any.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Apr 17 at 2020 9:51 PM

2020-04-17T21:51:37-04:00

My first PCS assignment was as an Air Policeman with the 351st Combat Defense Squadron (SAC) at Whiteman AFB, MO From there I went to Vietnam with the 12th Security Police Squadron, Cam Ranh Bay then the 366th Security Polcie Squadron, Da Nang, Vietnam. My next three bases I got My first choice each time, First Hanscom Field, MA, Lowry AFB, CO and Hickham AFB, HI

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 17 at 2020 10:29 PM

2020-04-17T22:29:49-04:00

Ft Campbell for a year then OCS.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2020 11:23 PM

2020-04-17T23:23:12-04:00

Camp Pendleton, CA for Field Radio Communication School and stayed on Pendleton assigned to HQ Btry 3rd Btn 11th Marines as a field radio operator at Camp Las Pulgas (43 Area, Camp Pendleton) 1979 - 1982. Worked in the Battalion Fire Direction Center.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Apr 18 at 2020 3:36 PM

2020-04-18T15:36:38-04:00

Fortress Irwin CA. I’d requested FT Ord but it got BRACed after I did my preference sheet. CA is CA to Uncle Sam. July 1994 - Feb 1998. Good times...

Response by SP5 Jim Shively made Apr 19 at 2020 12:23 PM

2020-04-19T12:23:26-04:00

I was sent to Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan for about 20 months. I really enjoyed it, except when it snowed without ceasing. But when it stopped, the skiing was fantastic.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Apr 19 at 2020 2:59 PM

2020-04-19T14:59:23-04:00

My first duty station, after Advanced Individual Training; in the Army; was Pirmasens, Germany. TSgt Joe C.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 19 at 2020 3:19 PM

2020-04-19T15:19:59-04:00

After AIT at Ft Leonard Wood, I went to Japan. I spent 19 months there

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 19 at 2020 4:20 PM

2020-04-19T16:20:48-04:00

Ha, that's funny, Grand Forks was my last duty station. Arrived there June 1988 and retired from there Nov 1993.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Apr 19 at 2020 4:23 PM

2020-04-19T16:23:26-04:00

Vietnam, 13 months, 23 Sep 68 to 22 Sep 69.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Apr 19 at 2020 4:28 PM

2020-04-19T16:28:07-04:00

My first duty station was Kincheloe AFB MI, arrived in Dec 1970 after completing B-52 training, left in April 1975 to go to FB-111 crew training. Wasn't my first choice, but loved every minute there, well all the snow could get old, but if you like the outdoors it was fantastic!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 4:55 PM

2020-04-19T16:55:05-04:00

AIT was in June 1972 at Fort Bragg 2/508 inf 82 ABN, the same year December, I was stationed on the DMZ Korea 1/31 2nd inf, and Yes, i wanted to be there.

Response by Sgt Jim Belanus made Apr 19 at 2020 5:12 PM

2020-04-19T17:12:26-04:00

I spent 16 months in 71-72 on Grissom in Ind, 72 to 74 on Kadena and last 7 months on GFAFB

Response by SSgt Kathy Ragsdale made Apr 19 at 2020 5:57 PM

2020-04-19T17:57:42-04:00

Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuscon AZ. Was there 2 1/2 years then sent to Incirlik AB, Turkey.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 19 at 2020 6:55 PM

2020-04-19T18:55:20-04:00

MAG 26, MCAF (it wasn't a Station yet) New River, N.C. after flight school in Pensacola. Checked in Dec 68 and was detached to a Carib cruise in Feb 69. Cruise brought me back to New River toward the end of July 69, went on leave and reported to ProvMAG 39, Quang Tri, VN the end of August. You had to love it!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 7:06 PM

2020-04-19T19:06:30-04:00

My first duty stattion was Travis AFB and I there for exactly one year.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 8:51 PM

2020-04-19T20:51:58-04:00

Naval Air Facility Sigonella, Sicily PWD 1972.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 12:56 PM

2020-04-20T12:56:08-04:00

first duty station was Eglin AFB. Not where I wanted, tried to swap with a guy who got Germany but didn't want to go but Uncle Sugar knows best. No idea what kind of base Eglin is because I was Red Horse and TDY 90% of the time. Spent most of my first tour at Shaw, Tyndall, McDIll, Langley, and various latin American countries plus a stint in Yellowknife Canada. My next tour was even better....Keflavic...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 2:19 PM

2020-04-20T14:19:43-04:00

MCAS Cherry point, MALS-14 was there for 8 1/2 years 2002-2010. but I know old prowler guys that spent an entire career there.

Response by SP5 Tom Manning made Apr 20 at 2020 3:53 PM

2020-04-20T15:53:02-04:00

AIT was at Aberdeen Proving Grounds with 63H MOS. Sent to VII SC 29th Trans Co DS aircraft MT. Spent the rest of my enlistment feb 68 to Feb 71 on Stuttgart Army Airfield . It was an Air Force Post as Stuttgart was USAEUR HQ and a ton of Stars were around all the time flying in and out . Had one of the best guest houses outside the back gate which was 100yds from my barracks . Germany was my second choice after Hawaii. Cant bitch about my enlistment at all.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2020 4:52 PM

2020-04-20T16:52:15-04:00

Coast Guard you usually have go to the fleet first and do some time as a non-rate then you get to apply for specific job training Class "A" (tech) schools. I was given two choices for my first unit. One was an isolated duty Long Range Aid to Navigation Station (better known as a LORAN station) with only about 10-15 other guys assigned (mostly electronic tech types) for duration of one year on the island of Iwo Jima (yes, that Iwo Jima, where the Coast Guard and Navy landed the Marines in the famous WW2 battle). The other choice was USCGC MACKINAW, an icebreaker on the Great Lakes. For several reasons I chose the "Big Mac". I think that I ended up making the right choice. I learned how to break ice. When the weather decks get all iced up you take a big mallet and beat the ice until it breaks up haha! I departed after approximately one year to go to Yeoman Class "A" school.

Response by TSgt Ronald Kozon made Apr 23 at 2020 6:34 PM

2020-04-23T18:34:54-04:00

I did not attend technical school. After basic training I went (DDA) direct duty assignment to Loring AFB. Maine. I was put on (OJT) on the job training as an Apprentice Administration Specialist. I was there Jan 69 - Jan 70. My second PCS was to (SEA) as a volunteer for overseas with reporting during the month of Feb 70. Yes it was!

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made May 3 at 2020 7:33 AM

2020-05-03T07:33:24-04:00

First duty station after tech school was Minot AFB, ND. I was there for 6.5 years before my BOP to Moody where I am today. Time has flown since I took the oath the first time.

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made May 10 at 2020 10:45 AM

2020-05-10T10:45:40-04:00

After Radarman A school in Great Lakes, Ill I went to the USS Tokeka (CLG8) in Long Beach, CA. Great duty. 2 years later I went TAD to an Admirals seagoing Staff for a big exercise. I worked out a permanent transfer to the staff and avoided an unexpected transfer to Norfolk, VA by extending by enlistment to return to Vietnam. I got out for a year and returned to the same job right before they again deployed back to Vietnam.

Response by CPO Michael Huff made Jun 26 at 2020 11:30 AM

2020-06-26T11:30:53-04:00

I went to boot camp, 'A' school, squadron (VA-204) and discharged all at NAS Memphis, Millington, TN. 1971-1974

Response by SP5 Derick Johnsohne made Jul 2 at 2020 8:40 PM

2020-07-02T20:40:20-04:00

sent to Ft Hood, Tx . new environment, new universe . discovered the space, the history, culture and ... (ahem the titty bars), korean restaurants off-post for the first time in my life, plethoras of blood banks for extra income ... i oberved local police departments generating revenues from thru traffic, thus the extent of the bail-bond industry . the sharking in the car sales and real estate and rental businesses going on around a military post ... military exercises in the Texas boonies were an interesting experience for my survivalist mind . i loved the two seasons : one hot one and the 3-months long fall/winter/spring . then i got what i could never have dreamed of : Uncle Sam sent me 50 mi from my hometown for 3 years, from where i did european exploring on official business, couldnt have been better .

Response by Cpl Ed Casala made Jul 4 at 2020 11:25 AM

2020-07-04T11:25:56-04:00

Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Right out of Infantry school. I really needed to get away from it all, and is that the place to do it. As a young E-2 who had just broken up with his fiancee, it was perfect for me. As we used to call it over there, Sexual Disneyland!

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Jul 5 at 2020 11:30 PM

2020-07-05T23:30:32-04:00

Camp Pendleton, CA followed by a flight to Viet Nam!

Response by SMSgt Ed W. made Aug 11 at 2021 11:43 AM

2021-08-11T11:43:56-04:00

Things have really changed since I was a youngster 60 years ago. When I graduated from Tech school at Lowry AFB, CO I was assigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa for 18 months. I believe my orders called it a PCS. Upon completion of my assignment, I received another set of PCS orders for McConnell AFB, KS. Never once did my dream sheet show either of the bases as a potential choice. I thought all orders were PCS except for the TDY orders to complete mission requirements.