Duty Station & More Questions

Since finding out my branch last week, (third choice Active Duty MI, BD: IN), I know that I'll be at Ft Benning for a while (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) and then I'll go to my first unit. I've been trying to finalize my assignment preferences sheet and still have a few questions.

• How long are you typically at your first post?
• Out of the posts that have IN, which is the "best" overall? ( I know this is subjective)
• Should I be basing my decision more on post location (Beautiful Hawaii or Germany) or the actual unit (10th Mountain, 101st Airborne, etc) that I'll be going to?
• Would it be worth it to ADSO for post? I didn't have to for branch
• How long will I be at Ft Benning for? (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) if, God willing, I were to make it through without recycling?

Also, because I'll be Infantry I've been trying to research more about light vs mechanized and it just seems like light humps more while mech does more vehicle maintenance, which seems pretty obvious. Anything else?

Thanks for any input!

I thought location assignment preferences were entered at the same time as branch preferences in September?

mariner116 said:

I thought location assignment preferences were entered at the same time as branch preferences in September?

Click to expand...

They were... but after we received our branches my PMS did a short counseling session with each of us and said that we had until 10DEC to finalize everything before it had to be submitted to CC by 13DEC. I greatly appreciate the ability to look at everything again with the knowledge of branch instead of choosing blind like I did before.

Well lots of posts have mech, light and airborne. I suspect we will see less Germany slots in future years but Korea might still be a nice overseas option and Italy still has some very select slots.

Stryker brigades are the with the 2, 25 and now 4th ID which would include Lewis, Carson, Alaska and Hawaii

Obviously light with the 10th at Fort Drum

Airborne at Bragg

Mech in Texas and Kansas.

Obviously my examples aren't comprehensive but there is certainly room to strategize between unit type and post but personally I'd much prefer the milder weather of places like Lewis and Carson (Carson sometimes...) then the muggy South which holds more of the well known units.

In short it's up to you and the needs of the Army. Some posts will have more 2LT needs than others.

Personally I don't think ADSOing for post is worth it but to each their own.

PrideOfPA said:

Since finding out my branch last week, (third choice Active Duty MI, BD: IN), I know that I'll be at Ft Benning for a while (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) and then I'll go to my first unit. I've been trying to finalize my assignment preferences sheet and still have a few questions.

• How long are you typically at your first post?
• Out of the posts that have IN, which is the "best" overall? ( I know this is subjective)
• Should I be basing my decision more on post location (Beautiful Hawaii or Germany) or the actual unit (10th Mountain, 101st Airborne, etc) that I'll be going to?
• Would it be worth it to ADSO for post? I didn't have to for branch
• How long will I be at Ft Benning for? (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) if, God willing, I were to make it through without recycling?

Also, because I'll be Infantry I've been trying to research more about light vs mechanized and it just seems like light humps more while mech does more vehicle maintenance, which seems pretty obvious. Anything else?

Thanks for any input!

Click to expand...

How long are you typically at your first post? Tough to answer - When you arrive from Benning you are usually placed in Staff pool until a PL spot opens. This is generally about unit needs and timing.

Out of the posts that have IN, which is the "best" overall? ( I know this is subjective) - Many famous and noteworthy units but you should figure out what you want to do in Infantry - Mech, Light, Airborne, etc. Answer is up to you.

Should I be basing my decision more on post location (Beautiful Hawaii or Germany) or the actual unit (10th Mountain, 101st Airborne, etc) that I'll be going to? - Answer is up to you.

Would it be worth it to ADSO for post? I didn't have to for branch - Up to you but you will have limited opportunites to change posts near the end of your stay at Benning.

How long will I be at Ft Benning for? (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) if, God willing, I were to make it through without recycling?
IBOLC - 16 weeks
Ranger School - 61 days
Airborne - 3 weeks

There may be days or even weeks between these schools. An injury in any or recycle can end up making you spending a long time at Benning. IBOLC will require you to get an offbase apartment and you will need a car. Connect with others at your school or elsewhere to find roomates to share rent.

BTW, Branch, Station and training are what you make of them. Best wishes and congrats.

NorwichDad said:

How long will I be at Ft Benning for? (IBOLC, Ranger, Airborne) if, God willing, I were to make it through without recycling?
IBOLC - 16 weeks
Ranger School - 61 days
Airborne - 3 weeks

Click to expand...

You may also be required to take an additional school(s) depending on assignment. Mechanized Infantry are I believe required to take Mechanized Leaders Course. Some others may take Pathfinders course. Though after all the fun in Ranger School the last thing many want is to go out in the woods again. Some may take language courses. It may add up to another month or so at Benning. If you are there and have the opportunity to take these courses I would advise you do so. It is so much easier than coming back later. You also may not have that opportunity again.

Just some thoughts on this. Since your Branch Detail I would pursue whatever it is that you want to get out of the Infantry experience to set you up for MI. If that is go to an Airborne/AASLT/light assignment don't request Hood or Carson or Riley. If you see yourself leading a Bradley platoon stay away from Bragg or Campbell or Drum. Your posting options will open exponentinally in MI branch so if there is some cool location you want it will be much easier when you cross over. I will also add as an officer with 12 years and the first 9 of which were at the 101st if you want to do light anytime in your career it seems easier to succeed for the guys that start out as light in their 2LT time. In part because your body absorbs it better and you can demonstrate more physical leadership when you're younger with your 21 year old hooahs as a 23 year old 2LT than you will as a 34 year old Major. That is not a hard and fast rule but just something I was told as a cadet and have seen as a generalization which held true.