Army first duty station

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I am trying to decide where I would like to be stationed. If anyone would like to give imput on anyplace they have been stationed it would be appreciated. I basically would like to know what the environment is like, in and outside of work. Thanks for any imput you have for me:rolleyes:

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Hunter,

My understanding is entry nurses get stationed at 1 of 8 medical centers: walter reed, fort lewis, hunter, landstuhl, bragg, bliss, tripler or houston.

General time line is that your first year you typically work med/surg and after about 12-16 months head off for your specialty course..then return and work that until you need to leave for cpt career course..generally about 3.5 - 4.5 years into your career.

If you are a fan of texas - easy decision. Otherwise you have east coast: bragg and walter reed.. or you have tripler in Honolulu, landstuhl in germany or fort lewis in wa. You are almost guaranteed to get one of the top three of your choices.. and fairly likely to get your top choice.

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I can't comment on the workplace since I'm not in the ANC yet, but l'll share my personal experience anyway. :-)

I have only heard wonderful things about living in San Antonio. I actually re-enlisted to get stationed there a few years back but didn't go because I had gotten married and my orders changed. :-(

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I happened to visit a friend who lives outside of Ft Lewis, it was my first time in the Tacoma/Seattle area. Very beautiful, from the neighborhoods to the water. It had a feeling of being very 'clean' if that makes sense. I'm from NYC so that may have had something to do with it. I wasn't there when it was snowing though, so I can't comment on that. I would have probably put that place on the list of cities I'd like to live if it possible to pick the area up and move it to a warmer part of the USA. LOL

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I have been at Bragg the longest out of any duty station. It's ok- not exactly beautiful. You'll have to travel to Wilmington/Outer Banks for that. Traffic is still decent- morning rush hour moves pretty well. Evening rush hour is a bit slower, but not bad. It may be kind of bad if you are from a small town I presume. The hospital is centrally located or at least positioned on the more populated area of the base- so it is easy to use one of Bragg's numerous gates to get there easily.

Fayetteville doesn't have as much to do as Raleigh or Charlotte, but it is growing rather well. I first went there in 2000 and whenever I visit I am surprised to see all the new construction and stores. Apartment complexes and housing are going up like crazy. On other forums I know people say the crime is out of control, but I hardly see much of it. Just steer clear of the bad areas and hopefully you won't be a victim. The most crime you may run into is an accident (many of them around here it seems but that is a relative) or car break-in.

The base is changing also, single soldier barracks (NCOs) I don't know how popular that is in other places though or something new, 2 PX's, lots of gyms, horse stable, chain restaurants I haven't seen in other bases, etc. Always new people to meet if that is your thing.

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I'm sure there is much more than I have listed. I've always been wierd in a way, I like being off post as opposed to being 'on' it. I know people who would never leave Ft Bragg itself if they had the choice. I'm sure a few don't LOL but that's not me.

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was stationed at fort lewis, wa for 4+ years... it's great... i highly recommend it - great for families as well~ i'd be happy to answer any specific q's. ;)

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Hunter,

My understanding is entry nurses get stationed at 1 of 8 medical centers: walter reed, fort lewis, hunter, landstuhl, bragg, bliss, tripler or houston.

General time line is that your first year you typically work med/surg and after about 12-16 months head off for your specialty course..then return and work that until you need to leave for cpt career course..generally about 3.5 - 4.5 years into your career.

If you are a fan of texas - easy decision. Otherwise you have east coast: bragg and walter reed.. or you have tripler in Honolulu, landstuhl in germany or fort lewis in wa. You are almost guaranteed to get one of the top three of your choices.. and fairly likely to get your top choice.

Do they no longer offer San Antonio as one of the residency sites?

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lifeafter, Yup I think you are 100% correct, that san antonio is an option. Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)

... I'm an east or west kinda guy and overlooked big tex! (I do not consider it a fly-over state...) I'm just partial to the east and west! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

I have nothing but good things to say about Fort Carson, CO, Fort Lewis, WA, Fort Bragg, NC, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, Tripler hospital in HI and Landstuhl Germany. If you want critical care experience try for Walter Read or landstuhl! NC has the mountains and the ocean. DC is fun with lots to do inside and out. HI gets old after a while, at least it did for me. CO and WA are great if you love to do anything outside. Landstuhl is a blast!!!! Good luck, Army nursing is better then anything I have done on the civi side of things!

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, Cath Lab, ICU, ICUSD.

Ditto that for Ft Carson.

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When it comes to Landstuhl (Germany) is it true the BMW's are cheaper to buy over there? Do many soldiers partake in that?

Sorry for the hijack Hunter- I'm just a dreamin' future Beemer owner. Hopefully.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.
When it comes to Landstuhl (Germany) is it true the BMW's are cheaper to buy over there? Do many soldiers partake in that?

Sorry for the hijack Hunter- I'm just a dreamin' future Beemer owner. Hopefully.

Yep lots do come back with BMWs,Audi's and other nice cars. They are a bit cheaper but not much. Personally I buy USA made!

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