in the military do i get to have input concerning where i will be stationed?

Answer 1

You used to get to submit a 'wish list'

Getting your choice is not very likely though, unless you are really choosing a station where there is a great need for your MOS

Answer 2

Sometimes. You do get to fill out a wish list, which the detailing office (assignment office) will try and use when fulfilling their needs. The higher ranking you are, the more this is able to be taken into account. It can also depend upon your job specialty - if your specialty doesn't exist where you want to go, you aren't going to go there.

There are generally incentives to performing better that can help you get to decide where you go. For example, in the Navy, typically the top 10% of a class gets to call and actually talk to the detailer to choose among the assignments they have available for your rank and specialty - or what's available for that class. What you and the other top students don't pick gets assigned to the other class mates.

The higher your performance ratings are (reviews), the more leverage you have to go where you want as well, particularly if you are near the end of term of service. If you're a top rated performer, your unit and commanding officers are typcially going to step up to the plate and try and keep you happy by negotiating with your detailer.

All that said, it can be completely out of your control, particularly if you are low performer or for some reason the detailer doesn't like you - I once had a detailer that didn't like the choice assignments I had managed to land myself for most of my military career, and he was intent upon sending me to the worst ship the Navy had. That basically ended my career, because I was right at the end of a term, and I chose not to reenlist. Even my Captain who tried to step in and renegotiate with the detailer on my behalf wound up calling him an *-hole.

If you haven't joined yet - DO NOT JOIN THE MILITARY WITHOUT A GUARANTEED JOB SPECIALTY. Those people who join without a specialty wind up in the worst assignments for the first years of their tours. If you have a job specialty, you at least know the basics of what you'll be doing.

Answer 3

The choice is based on the Military's needs, instead of your choice. If they can meet your request, they will, but if you ask for Hawaii and they need you in Iraq--you go to Iraq. Same holds true for jobs in the military. If they have 50 applicants for communications, and you're the 51st, you drive a truck and dig ditches. B.

Answer 4

My husband enlisted in January of this year... The recruiter told him that they have a wish list that allows you to choose your top 3 bases... None of the ones he chose were available... And now we're stuck in WA.. We wanted South Carolina, California, or Missouri... They pretty much laughed at him... You'll go to whatever Base/post they need you at... And that'll depend on your job... Now the higher you get in rank the higher your chance of actually getting a base you want... So good luck....

Answer 5

yes when you enlist you should have that written into your contract they have to follow the contract for at least yourfirst enlistment unless your unit as a whole changes duty stations then you go where they go

Answer 6

In the Army you get to put together a "wish list". But that doesn't mean that is what you are going to get. You can re-enlist to go somewhere particular but in general, you will go where they send you.

Answer 7

Sure,,, if you want to be stationed on the east coast, put in for the west coast

Answer 8

When you go to MEPS you can have a option to choose your duty station, it depends on where your job is. I picked 21W so I could go to Hawaii. You have some imput.....

Answer 9

Officers can apply to certain assignments, but their commanders have the final say. If you're enlisted, I dont think so.

Answer 10

Only if you choose Iraq or Afghanistan.