We don't really like our current base...we're Air Force. My husband is thinking about an unnaccompanied tour. Just trying to get some info on if it actually gives you a base of preference or if it is worth it. If it's an 18 month tour, would he be allowed time to come home? Anyone with experience, help is appreciated!
2007-10-25 08:22:49 · 8 answers · asked by bcyouletme 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Not really,
I did a non volunteer unaccompanied 15 month tour in Guam, and wasn't given any base preference upon the completion of the tour.
But from my perspective, if you really don't like the base your at now, more than likely, you won't like your next base either.
There are very few bad AFB's, and even those like Minot, there are alot of people who really enjoy being stationed there.
You can always try a base swap with another airmen in the same AFSC, same skill level and same rank.
Both commanders have to approve and you have to take leave and pay for your own moving expenses.
But it will get you where you wanna go.
2007-10-25 15:02:20 · answer #1 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did an unaccompanied tour to wonderful, scenic Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. The views of the rice patties were breath-taking. No really, they were breath-taking because of the smell. I did not volunteer for it, and found out I had the assignment while on an overseas TDY for the Air Force (how kind of them). So a few months after I got home I left for Korea.
If you husband volunteers for an unaccompanied tour, and he gets it, he will fill out a form (dont know the name of it) of where he would like to be assigned upon completion of the tour. He will do all of this well in advance of his departing for the unaccompanied base, and he should find out if he got his follow on assignment before he leaves. That is pretty much where the guarantee ends. They guarantee you will have a follow on assignment, but like the person said above all that can change while he is gone depending on the needs of the
Air Force. Most likely he will get his follow on, but there is a chance that it will change. It happens, so just be prepared in case it happens. Now, if he fails to fill out that paperwork before the deadline he will have to try and find a follow on while he is on his tour, and that could have some bad results.
Where are you at, and where do you want to go? I am in the Air Force and have spent 13 of my 18 years on Army posts.
Good luck on getting to the base you want.
Edit:
Base Of Preference is a totally different animal, and not related to a follow on assignment.
2007-10-25 15:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We've thought of doing the same thing. We've been at our base for 6 years and I cannot wait for the list to come out in December!
For 18 month tours he gets to come home every 6 months. Depending on where he's going, you may be able to visit him (like Korea, Guam, Azores, Turkey.) He may even be able to take you with him on a short tour (which you'll have to be there for at least 2 years.)
It does not guarantee your base of preference, but if you pick from the list of what is available you do you picked first out of all people putting in for that location. So look at the equal listing, of course it changes every cycle, but if you ask for something not on that list when it comes time for him to request, then you most likely wont get it.
However, he most likely will get a follow on attatched to his short tour orders if you do not accompany him.
2007-10-25 16:57:59 · answer #3 · answered by Just me 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't speak for the Air Force, but in the Army, we were promised our base of preference upon return when my husband went to Korea. My husband was cut orders for Bragg and while he was in Korea, they decided they were moving the whole unit to Lewis to start the "new" (at the time) Stryker Brigade. His orders were changed, and off we moved to Lewis 2 weeks after he returned from Korea.
So, no, nothing is guaranteed. Its all needs of the military.
2007-10-25 18:13:11 · answer #4 · answered by Jill C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO guarentee but you more than likely will get it. It really depends on your AFSC and his; and you'll skill level. Go on to AMS and look a the oversea returnee list to get an idea of what is being offered... Last time I look NOTHING really good was open but you have to check like twice a week for about a month or two to really get a feel for the listings.
2007-10-25 15:27:51 · answer #5 · answered by beau0021 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
usually if they go to korea they get a "mid tour" where they come home for 2 weeks...you can request a follow on base and they usualy try to give it to you IF there will be an opening for you.
2007-10-25 16:01:04 · answer #6 · answered by CRmac 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
while not 100% written in stone, chances are that accepting a remote you will be able to negotiate follow on orders.
all remotes have the opportunity to take leave about half way through.
2007-10-25 17:36:39 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends if he is an officer or not
2007-10-25 18:06:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋