How does the US Army determine where a soldier will be sent?

Question

I am the mother of a US Army soldier that just got out of advanced training. My son just got his orders and will be going to Fort Carson, CO. I am so thankful that he will be here in the US, but had done as I was told early on by his recruiter and prepared myself for Iraq. I was just wondering how the Army determines what bases to send the soldiers to. Everyone else within his unit got sent to Germany or Korea. It was only he and one other that got to stay within our borders. How do the bases differ with regards to what they have in mind for my son?

Answer 1

Usually it's determined by a combination of the soldier's occupational specialty, his rank, and the needs of the various units at any specific time. Just because your son is in Colorado doesn't mean he won't go to Iraq, though.

MANY units from US bases have done 2 or more tours to Iraq, and more will do so. The unit will still be officially based at Ft (name a base here) but is on an extended deployment to (name a location here) for 3 to 12 or more months.

The thoughts of the Army for your son are that he's now prepared to learn to do his military job, done through training exercises in his new permanent unit. He may be "in the woods" at Ft Carson, go elsewhere in the US for additional training with his unit, or be deployed to another location for either training or war purposes.

This is simply the fact of military life. Please understand I'm not adding ANY value judgment to it. However, his JOB as a soldier is to protect and defend the US as determined by the needs of the service by his superiors. I thank both him and you for his service, and pray for his safety both in his training and any deployments.

Answer 2

Usually the Army will look at anticipated needs for the current operations. From that it determines what types of units (size and jobs) that will be needed, then they project mobilizations of these units. Most of the time it is the unit the will get mobilized; not just an individual Soldier. If the unit does not have the required personnel, they may transfer Soldiers from other locations to fill it up.

Answer 3

My husband is in the Army and when he joined we lived in California they stationed us at Fort Drum NY. Of course I threw a fit about going so far away from home but my husband told me the way that they pick is there is someone who reviews all the needs and postions available for what the soldiers MOS is and what base needs it the most. He wont get sent to Iraq straight out of training. He will get to his unit here in the states and if that unit is deploying he may be going with them. My husband just missed going with his unit to afghanistan when we got here. So it pretty much depends on what his MOS is.

Answer 4

Based on the needs of the Army and his specialty.

The CO's of the varying commands put in the personnel requests to the Army (I don't know what department), and they just pull up who is due for a change of command and send them that direction. You should feel very fortunate that he is in the States for the time being, but always be prepared for the Iraq call.

Answer 5

I am military widow. I do not know for sure. But I think your son must go through a battery of Army testing. These testings involve several components like personality trait, speciality of interests, skill development etc, etc. i do know that my deceased husband had to take them. He was in the US Air Force. He did each test and it brought him closer to his goal. I think that's how they decide where he fits the niche for the Army. Good luck. The possibility will be more likely once he is done with the training he is in, he too will ship out over seas. It's just a matter of time. usually the air bases arround the country, is where they round the soldiers up and they get specialized training. Than they get their orders. Good luck and thanks to your son for serving our country and keeping us save.

Answer 6

I would think they fill positions based on needs. The same way a civilian company does. You send them where you need the most help. Since he's going to Carson then he'll probably be assigned to the 4th Infantry Division. They regularly rotate in and out of Iraq.

The 4th is in the process of moving from Ft. Hood Texas to Colorado. Here is the web site: http://www.hood.army.mil/4id/

Answer 7

Good Afternoon ma'am,

I'm a Vet of the Army and they based where I was stationed on what my job was in A.I.T, as well as the score that I'd gotten on my ASVAB test. As an Ammunition Specialist before 9-11 I was going to be sent to Redstone, Alabama. However I got injured in my A.I.T so I was unable to finish the job. Just know that your child is in good hands and he will be taken care of.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

I spent 25 years in service and even though I was briefed on the enlisted personnel assignment process - I still think the whole system is based on random chance.

Answer 10

There are thousands of tasks, jobs, missions, actions and what not. People are sent where they are needed. Many times its the luck of the draw if there are many in the same job type.