I've been to a Marine and Army recruiters, but thought I should find this out so I can catch them if they lie to me when I ask them. Is it possible to get your first duty station in the enlistment contract?
I've heard it happening in the Army, and that you have to forfeit your enlistment bonus but that doesn't really matter. Under any circumstance, can you in either of these branches?
2007-12-01 07:44:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
The above answers are incomplete.
Yes, you can get your first duty station in your enlistment contract. No, you do not have to forfeit your bonus to do so.
The "wish list" is something you fill out after you've arrived at Basic Training. DO NOT COUNT ON THIS METHOD, BECAUSE THEY JUST WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A SAY IN YOUR CAREER.
The way to get both? Tell your recruiter that you won't join unless he gives you a bonus and puts you where you want to be. He'll say yes, but...
Make sure they are both written on anything you sign. The recruiter may try to screw you out of one or the other - I don't know why some do this - but it is possible.
You better get a bonus - you'll be kicking yourself later when all of your friends start getting theirs deposited. Don't settle for less than 10K, either. And pick a duty station you WANT. Remember, Uncle Sam needs YOU more than you need HIM... so look at this like a used car dealership: you're in a position to negotiate to get what you want (and you can't do that many more times in the Army), TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! Threaten to go back to the Marine recruiter if the Army says they can't give it to you - and say "don't call me, I'll call you." (Then, he'll call you before you even get home and tell you it's possible.)
It works. Trust me, I've done it.
2007-12-01 08:21:19 · answer #1 · answered by Ahhtchoo 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
In my experience, 25 years and about 25 years ago, the enlistment contract said that you served at the will of the service and wherever and however the service needed you.
You go into the service to serve your country.
The military is not in business to teach you to be a computer guru for Microsoft, a aviation mechanic for Boeing or Lockheed, a avionics expert for Raytheon, an EMT for your local fire department. The military is not in business to provide you a college education. And the military is not in the travel business to send you where you want to go. They're only business is to train you to serve your country and having done that, to have the best chance of coming home alive. If you don't learn the latter lessons, nothing else matters much.
I would suggest that you make your requests known. The recruiters can see that you apply for the programs you want, and that you request the duty stations you want. But, bottom line: you're serving your country in the military, and the military will determine, based upon your qualifications and its needs, how and where to best utilize you.
Enlistment bonus? My enlistment bonus was that I could select my service and the assurance that they'd try not to kill me in boot camp.
2007-12-01 08:31:38 · answer #2 · answered by gugliamo00 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I went to MEPS, I got the school that I wanted and my first duty station as well. Why I decided Ft Bragg was a good place to go still bothers me to this day. Just depends what pops on the computer when you are sitting there with the career counselor
2007-12-01 08:48:43 · answer #3 · answered by tallerfella 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
with the army you usually get one of your top 3 on what they call the "wish list"...you do not have to forfeit your bonus either...surprisingly enough i've heard of people getting both the bonus and their #1 choice for duty station...
good luck
2007-12-01 07:50:44 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Infantry Wife ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Camp Pendleton, CA 1988 accompanied by using ninety-ninety one Gulf conflict Saudi Arabia, ninety one-ninety two Camp Hansen, Japan ninety 4-ninety six Kaiserslautern Germany and fairly some extra. undergo in thoughts what i advised you to get out and notice Europe.
2016-10-18 12:25:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um....I wanted Italy. I got northern Japan. Its not called a dream sheet for nothing. The needs of the military comes first. With that said, stay open, you never never know what cool things are in your future.
2007-12-01 07:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
very very very rarely is first duty station EVER offered in an enlistment contract. and typically, you pay for it in other ways.
Additionally, you have to be realistic. If you ask for Hawai'i, but choose a job that is not available in Hawai'i, you aren't going to Hawai'i.
2007-12-01 08:48:56 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋