what is the best international location to be stationed at?

Question

this one is mainly for folks who have served or are currently serving in the army. (anyone is welcome to tell me about the areas where there are postings as well though, just wanted the perspective from someone through the services eyes). i'm joining soon, that's why i'm asking. i'd like to be stationed in italy, japan or germany. (and please for any wise-guy out there who thinks he's a genuis or thinks it would be clever to pop off and say something about the war you don't remind me and everyone else of what the entire world already knows it's not going to sound clever and no one will be impressed).

Answer 1

Well I liked South Korea and Australia myself......U.S. Marines...

Answer 2

VanessaW:

The only down side is that you will serve where ever you are needed most, and with all respect to some "answerers" there are NO US military bases in Australia.

Germany would be my recommendation. It is a magnificently beautiful country. The climate is mild to moderate. The people are warm and friendly, and most of them can speak English. The cities are clean and modern while the villages retain that old world charm. Shopping is great and prices are competitive with the rest of Europe. German food is good but a little calorie heavy. If you like to "imbibe" you will find a different brewery in every town.The transportation system is excellent and reasonally priced, which is good because those other European countries you want to visit on leave are right next door. If there is a bit of a thrill seeker in you , you can rent a Mercedes and drive 140 mph on the Autobahn (and have cars passing you). Its just a fabulous duty station, but I'm sure there will be someone tell you the same thing about Japan.

One other thing VanessaW; "Thank You" for your sacrifice and service to the country. It is comforting to know there are so many fine young men and women, like your self, willing to keep watch over the country. My family and I sleep safe and sound at night because there are people like you out there. The things you do, the places you go and the people you meet while serving in the Army will help you to grow into a more responsible, confident, and capable individual. Good Luck on your military career.

Answer 3

This depends mainly on you vanessa w. are you a history freak you might want to go to Italy. I found japan some what limiting as a lot of japan is exclusive or biased against foreigners in certain establishments. It was also very expensive I had fun despite these handicaps. I've never been to Germany but did hear it was a blast. As for cost of fun there I don't know. Hawaii is fun but expensive. If you join the army you will end up in Iraq area places like Qatar and Bahrain, and Dubai are best for fun and shopping . Dubai and Bahrain allow booze not sure about Qatar. Everywhere else is restrictive except Oman great shops there too. If you're a computer geek then japan and south korea will be nirvana for you. If you like to drive fast then the Persian gulf is good long straight as an arrow highways also Germany autobahn is good for that but less and less of it have no speed limit damn suburban sprawl. If you want details on any place in particular feel free to E-Mail me.

Answer 4

Germany,it's a beautiful country, lots of things to do and places to see, and I miss the Ockober Fest in Munchen or Munich. The food is great and the beer is the world's best. I served in Germany off and on for 9 1/2 years
during the "Cold War", but it was still a very good duty
destination. I was in Goeppingen, Schwablish Gmund, and the Mannheim and Stuttgart area. The best part of Germany is Bavaria.

Answer 5

Out of those 3 locations you just mentioned you proably would end up in Germany. There is one Army duty station in Vienza Italy but it is only one brigade and there are no full time active duty Army units in Japan. Doesnt mean you cant get sent there it just means it would be very diffcult. The Air Force is best chance for both Japan and Italy there are multiple bases in both countries.

Answer 6

I was stationed in Sigonella Sicily, in the Navy. I found that to be pretty good. The city was kind of cheap, good food and stuff.

If I could go any place I would go to Australia, the girls there really liked American men. Other great places I saw people stationed were Singapore, and Guam.

Guam is an island with an Air force and navy base. Its small but tropical and the beaches are very clean and nice.

I went to south korea it was cold and raining or hot and humid, like Virgina weather.

Now I am near Rota Spain, this place is cool, but my top favorite would be Australia, but its next to impossible to get stationed there.

Answer 7

I'm hoping to get stationed in Japan (boyfriend(air force) being half Japanese and being born in the yokota base)
But I had a friend she and her family were stationed in the Italy base and said no joke that she would drop everything to go back there. She said the culture shock was magnificent! Said it's about an hour away form Venice too. Housing was off base though so her family became really close with their neighbors.
Whatever you pick. I wish you luck!

Answer 8

I was in the Army on Active Duty and went to Germany. My husband is still in the Army now. We were stationed in Germany for 5 years and finally came back to the states. Germany is a great place. the people are nice and the land is beautiful. you can take advantage of traveling in Europe. I loved Germany and would like to go back some day. It is easy to learn the language and to travel. The schools (for kids if you have any) are great. they are American schools on base and taught by Americans. The hospitals there are great, some of the best in the world. the Dr's are so nice (both my children where born in Rothenburg ob der Tauber) and they speak English very well. Germany is great, I would recommend it to anyone as a duty station.

Thank you for doing your part in fighting for our country and our freedom.

Answer 9

Germany is nice. I prefer it over Italy or Japan, but that is simply a personal preference. Your choice should reflect your own preferences....

Personally, I prefer Thurso, Scotland, but that is a Naval base.

Most any post in Europe can be exciting. It is what you make of it. Enjoy your time there. See the sites. Travel to local areas, and beyond. Learn a bit of the language, get a taste of the culture. Make the most of your time there, where ever "there" may be....

Answer 10

I take it that you're thinking of medical services, since you're obviously not going into combat arms.

(1) Japan - unless you're going into MEDDAC-Japan, chances of you going there on another MOS are slim to none. Camp Zama is a nice place just west of Tokyo. Lived in Japan half my life, know quite a bit about that area. Email me if you manage a miracle and get assigned there.

(2) Germany - plenty of installations, from Landstruhl to Wiesbaden. Plenty of MOS choices as well. Unfortunately for you, that downsizing means that you're not going to have many installations left. If you do get orders to Germany, but no pinpoint orders to a duty station (say, Mannheim) yet, email me. I know a few people that can help.

(3) Italy - I hear good things about Vicenza. Same as Germany above, without the horror of being downsized (they are moving I hear to Aviano, but can't confirm that). Another deploying installation, home of the 173rd Airborne. Can't help you with this one, though I have close friends who spent years there. They can help you out with details on living.

All the choices you mentioned are expensive, but they're also relatively crime-free and offer lovely tourism besides. It really depends on what MOS you're going to have and what exact duty station you're going to, in order to give you better information on what to expect. If you're going to Germany, the difference between going to Landstruhl in a medical position and being assigned to some Stryker unit as a supply clerk is huge.

Regardless of your choices, all the best getting the MOS you want and the duty position you want. If you need help, feel free to email and I'll contact whatever friends I have in a specific duty station you have in mind.

Good luck.

Answer 11

As a single guy I REALLY enjoyed Seoul and Subic bay Pi. Tokyo is great as a married with children guy. Hawaii was just too damned expensive. and don't tell me HI is not international we all know it really is. Even the hawaiians themselves don't consider themselves as american.