About getting the desired permanent duty station

[JayCRivera]

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Hey all,
I am interested in serving in Germany, Korea, Japan, Italy, or Hawaii, preferably through the Army. What are my chances of getting a permanent duty station in one of those? Any ideals or thoughts?

 

[colbgw02]

7.3%

In all seriousness, your question is ridiculous. I would guess that you don't know very much about military assignments.

 

[AF M4]

Well, there's always a chance, but you might have to do a few unpleasant favors.

But seriously, that's a list of very coveted spots, and you're behind a lot of people who have put in a lot of time to get those. I'm in the AF and I put some of them at the top of my rank list in a "Hail Mary" sort of way, but I'm expecting to spend a lot of time out in the Midwest during my tour of duty. Good luck.

 

[JayCRivera]

so, you guys don't recommend me doing the military med?

 

[colbgw02]

Objection, your honor. Asked and answered.

That topic has been covered ad nauseum on this site. I suggest you begin with the threads tacked to the top of the page.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

Korea is relatively easy to get because people hate it. Hawaii, Italy, and Germany are tough to get on a first tour....but if you're a doc willing to sign on for more time, odds are pretty good. Japan can be tough depending on specialty, but not as competitive as Europe in general. If you're willing to go to Korea for a year (without your family) you can probably go anywhere you want for your next tour.

 

[JayCRivera]

Are you sure you can't bring your family to Korea? Wtf? Korea is not Afghanistan or Iraq, although the duty there isn't as "easy" as the European ones

 

[chaser08]

Are you sure you can't bring your family to Korea? Wtf? Korea is not Afghanistan or Iraq, although the duty there isn't as "easy" as the European ones

It depends on where you are and the nature of your job. Korea is considered a hardship tour and since the Korean War was never officially declared over, there is the possibility of something starting up. Depending on where you are, this can mean monthly mobilization exercises and multiple trips to the field. Hence, the unaccompanied tours. When I was there a few years ago, if you did an unaccompanied (without family members) tour in Korea, you could go for 1 year. If you did an accompanied tour, you had to stay for at least 2 years. I was close to the DMZ, so there weren't a lot of people with family members around. However, it is my understanding that a lot of those units have gone away so you may be further south where it is more common for people to do accompanied tours and less mobilization exercises and field training exercises.

Do they even still do UFL anymore?

 

[IgD]

An important consideration in detailing is time in service. When you are the junior guy right out of residency you pick from the bottom of the barrel.

 

[i want out]

An important consideration in detailing is time in service. When you are the junior guy right out of residency you pick from the bottom of the barrel.

the reality is that you don't pick at all, you send a preference list to a detailer who then promptly throws it in the trash without looking at it. Then they assign you where they need to send a body.

Maybe, just maybe, the detailer will look at your preference list, but only if he or she really needs a laugh to brighten the day.

i want out (of IRR)

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

the reality is that you don't pick at all, you send a preference list to a detailer who then promptly throws it in the trash without looking at it. Then they assign you where they need to send a body.

Maybe, just maybe, the detailer will look at your preference list, but only if he or she really needs a laugh to brighten the day.

i want out (of IRR)

I would take that one a little further. They look at, give you the EXACT OPPOISTE of what you asked for, THEN throw it in the trash. 🙂

 

[DiveMD]

so, you guys don't recommend me doing the military med?

NO

 

[sethco]

so, you guys don't recommend me doing the military med?

What?????!!!!!! Yeaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!! (Best Dave Chappelle impression)

 

[edmadison]

What?????!!!!!! Yeaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!! (Best Dave Chappelle impression)

I asked for Germany, was told I was going to Germany and then got sent to Kansas. Good news, I wasn't in Kansas long, bad news, its because I got deployed (greetings from Kuwait, btw).

Ed

 

[Homunculus]

I asked for Germany, was told I was going to Germany and then got sent to Kansas. Good news, I wasn't in Kansas long, bad news, its because I got deployed (greetings from Kuwait, btw).

Ed

army peds in kuwait? i thought the sweet kuwait and qatar gigs were for the navy peeps . . or are you doing that trainup business prior to being sent into the mix? were you able to take boards??

keep us posted on your doings. i'll probably be in a similar situation before long.

--your friendly neighborhood combat pediatrician caveman

 

[The White Coat Investor]

army peds in kuwait? i thought the sweet kuwait and qatar gigs were for the navy peeps . .

You better let the AF know I'm not supposed to be here in Qatar. But it is a "sweet gig" as deployments go, except there is no trauma....if you're into that sort of thing.

 

[JayCRivera]

had anyone here volunteered for a tour to Kuwait?

 

[Heeed!]

the reality is that you don't pick at all, you send a preference list to a detailer who then promptly throws it in the trash without looking at it. Then they assign you where they need to send a body.

Maybe, just maybe, the detailer will look at your preference list, but only if he or she really needs a laugh to brighten the day.

i want out (of IRR)

Ha Ha!