Army - Did not get one of my top 10 base locations

[waveride6]

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[krmower]

I did not get one of my top 10 choices for base locations. At this point, I am looking for any advice, mostly for my fiance (soon to be wife). Her licensure for her job will not work in this at this base and I relayed this to the LTC in charge and it still didn't help me. Does anyone have any advice? I am having a difficult time understanding how I did not get my top 10 - I created this list from what was already available (and most of my top choices weren't the greatest locations).

I realize this is what I signed up for and I'm willing to make sacrifices. However, I want my family to be around too..She worked incredibly hard to get a license that won't work.


Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

You can try contacting the LTC to see if there are any other options or ask to be considered for another assignment if something opens up later.

I understand your frustration, and although this won't make you feel let me explain a few things.

1) Each year around 140 new dentists come into the Army. In addition there may be another 100+ dentists already in the Army moving around that same summer. This can creates many moving pieces that have to try to be coordinated. Some individuals coming back from overseas or going to a base where they will start a specialty program the following summer (snow birding) will always have priority placement at particular bases over other individuals. There may be other individuals moving for medical reasons (either for themselves or family members).

2) Certain bases/assignments have a higher priority to be filled and must be filled first.

3) Some bases only have a few openings, so if 15 people all request that location and it can only accommodate 1 or 2...not much you can do about that.

4) Although assignment officers will try to accommodate requests, making assignments based on the job needs of civilian spouses/significant others will likely not be a factor in determining where to place someone. Many individuals will make requests for certain locations explaining extenuating circumstances, and these have to be evaluated individually and compared against the needs of the Army.

Being the assignments officer is a job that is tough. You will never make everyone happy, and in fact you may have many people upset at you. They do the best they can.

 

[waveride6]

You can try contacting the LTC to see if there are any other options or ask to be considered for another assignment if something opens up later.

I understand your frustration, and although this won't make you feel let me explain a few things.

1) Each year around 140 new dentists come into the Army. In addition there may be another 100+ dentists already in the Army moving around that same summer. This can creates many moving pieces that have to try to be coordinated. Some individuals coming back from overseas or going to a base where they will start a specialty program the following summer (snow birding) will always have priority placement at particular bases over other individuals. There may be other individuals moving for medical reasons (either for themselves or family members).

2) Certain bases/assignments have a higher priority to be filled and must be filled first.

3) Some bases only have a few openings, so if 15 people all request that location and it can only accommodate 1 or 2...not much you can do about that.

4) Although assignment officers will try to accommodate requests, making assignments based on the job needs of civilian spouses/significant others will likely not be a factor in determining where to place someone. Many individuals will make requests for certain locations explaining extenuating circumstances, and these have to be evaluated individually and compared against the needs of the Army.

Being the assignments officer is a job that is tough. You will never make everyone happy, and in fact you may have many people upset at you. They do the best they can.

Thank you for the quick response and advice. Worst case scenario is that we will be in a long distance relationship. If this is the case, am I able to transfer after one year?

Thanks again.

 

[krmower]

Thank you for the quick response and advice. Worst case scenario is that we will be in a long distance relationship. If this is the case, am I able to transfer after one year?

Thanks again.

Not unless you are doing a 1 yr AEGD, in which case you will move upon graduation.

The cost of moving individuals is so high that moving someone before they have been some place for at least 3 years is rare.

I would keep in touch with the assignments manager, but don't be annoying. Let him know the situation, tell him you are willing to move and take any last minute openings...even at the last minute, and then ask him how often he would like you to check in with him to see if there have been any changes. Individuals not graduating from school on time, medical issues, etc... are things that can change assignments.

 

[tingting]

That is unreal, and I feel bad for your situation. I would persist. There's a saying- "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". I'm in the Navy, and our detailer was very accommodating to this type of situation. I don't see how he can't find room for you somewhere.

 

[umkcdds]

so, i see no one told you.... what the assignments officer does it take your "wish list" of "top choices," and then gives you something not on the list.

if you are in a relationship serious enough to be getting married, i'd think that your fiancee obtaining a license in the state where you are going to be stationed, for three years, would be a no-brainer.

the needs of the army come first.

 

[AirborneDentist]

so, i see no one told you.... what the assignments officer does it take your "wish list" of "top choices," and then gives you something not on the list.

if you are in a relationship serious enough to be getting married, i'd think that your fiancee obtaining a license in the state where you are going to be stationed, for three years, would be a no-brainer.

the needs of the army come first.

This is not an accurate statement. The assignments officers go down each request...person by person to try to accomodate everyone. However, as KMower mentioned, there are a TON of moving pieces that are never understood until you actually see how it works.

This year, approximately 75% of people coming out of school got something in their top 10. Also consider this, someone may want to go to DC...so they pick Fort Myer, Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, and maybe even Fort Meade. They just used 4 choices right there...and there may only be a slot or 2 available. After that, they pick Lewis, Carson, Hawaii, Germany, Italy and Japan. They just used all 10 choices....and guess what, almost all of the others coming in have the same choices. Not many people had Polk as #1.

Therefore, 75% is pretty darn good. We didn't even get into Exceptional Family Member program, Married Army Couples Program, and a myriad of other things.

To say that HRC strives to give something not on the list couldn't be further from the truth.