In good Army style, I'm going to place the Bottom Line (of this blog) Up Front. Known by the acronym BLUF, everyone joining the JAG Corps should get used to this style. So, this blog entry will do two things; (1) provide an update about how I just crushed a sample PT Test; AND (2) Discuss Duty Stations.

First, today at TAPT we did a "sample PT test" in which we had one minute to do as many push-ups and sit-ups and be critiqued by the 1SG or Chief. I made both my minimums within that one minute period, so when we have an actual PT test on Tuesday, I should CRUSH it!!!

Now onto the second purpose of the blog. I have received several comments from my last post regarding Duty Stations; what they are, the selection process, and so forth. So what I'm going to do is tell you all that I know, and walk you through the process as I have experienced it and expect to experience it once training is completed. I know there are a TON of questions based around this topic, and should I leave something out, I will be more then happy to supplement my blog with further answers.

The Process

The process of being placed at your first Duty Station begins with an email from JARO (Judge Advocate Recruiting Office) which provides you a list of "potential" installations throughout the country and the world in general. JARO asks you to select you TOP 8 choices in order of desire for placement. You then send that document back to JARO and a couple weeks later you will receive an email telling you where you will MOST LIKELY be stationed first. Along with the instructions are a couple of helpful hints to facilitate the process;

     1.  First, you CANNOT  choose an installation that is within the state of your Home of Record (HOR). For example, I am from California, so I would not be allowed to choose Ft. Irwin or the Presidio. I do not know why this is the policy, but luckily for me there were no California Installations listed on my list.

     2.  There is an instruction that informs you that there are six (6) installations that are the MOST popular. These include, Hawaii, Europe, the DC Area, Ft. Lewis, etc... These installations are referred to as the BIG 6, and it is "suggested" that you do not list these installations as your first six favorites, because everyone else in your class will wont these installations as well. Therefore, you are better off listing installations that are not as popular, but still acceptable, first and then the Big 6 interspersed throughout your list. My recommendation would be to put your number one choice first, even if it is one of the Big 6, and then think about changing your order to conform with the "suggestions." After all, you have no idea, you might get lucky and be placed there.

My experience tracks pretty much with those two pieces of advice. I wanted Europe first, so I listed it as number one, and then I placed Korea second because I wanted to be stationed internationally first because I am young, single and adventurous. Clearly I received Korea. Of the people I know who got placed in Europe, one has a German wife, so there is no surprise he was placed there. Another of my classmates was placed in Europe because of his particular skill set prior to becoming a JAG. Some of the others it would appear to be random and they just got very very lucky, or probably spoke the language of the perspective country.

After you turn in your selection sheet you do get a phone call from JARO who discusses with you potential considerations for where you will be stationed. This would include family, language's spoken, particular interests, etc... I am 27, single, and don't speak a language particularly well, so I was at the mercy of the Army. The bottom line is that the Army is going to send you where they NEED you, and unless there is a compelling reason to send you to one location over another, you will most likely get one of your choices that is further down your list, unless you list an installations that isn't as popular as others. For those of you who are going on to Active Duty, like myself, be prepared to be sent anywhere. There are people going to places that weren't listed on the list I received, so I stress again that the list you received and are currently rating isn't NOT all-inclusive.

What is a Duty Station

For those who haven't figured it out yet, your first Duty Station is the Fort or Installation that you will report to when you finish DCC (Direct Commissioned Course). Once you have been placed by JARO, you will receive your "orders." These orders will specify a number of things; (1) when to report to Ft. Lee, (2) when you will be in C'Ville, (3) when you will be at Ft. Benning, (4) where your first Duty Station is, and (5) the date you are ordered to report BY (I emphasis "by" because you should get there before, and you WILL use some of your leave if you wait till the last minute to report.)

Your Duty Station is where you will spend at least the first year of your Army life. You will be assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, and he/she will then place you in one of the 5 major divisions within the OSJA and you will get started.

What about Sending House Hold Goods (HHG) and Family

I am no expert with this, but my advice is to start THINKING about how and when you are going to do this, but don't take any affirmative actions without thoroughly discussing your options with the travel people at the JAG Law School in C'Ville. It can be incredibly confusing, and the staff here are incredibly friendly and helpful. Rest assured that the Army will provide for the moving of your HHGs and to some extent your family, they are very good at this and it is at little to no cost to you.

All you should be worrying about, is getting yourself to Ft. Lee on time, with your PT uniforms in hand, and all of the proper documentation that you are instructed to bring with you. I don't want to get into paperwork right now, but KEEP EVERYTHING you get in a separate, organized folder, and when you get your orders make PLENTY OF COPIES.

This brings up another good point, when it comes to uniforms.... UNLESS you know what you're doing and you have experience with Army attire, I would strongly suggest not even attempting to purchase your ACUs (Army Combat Uniforms, what civilians call Camos/Fatigues) OR ASUs (Army Service Uniforms, a.k.a. your formal attire). The Army is VERY specifics with what it wants and how it is to be worn, you WILL be briefed on it, and the PX at Ft. Lee SHOULD have enough available for you to purchase when you get there. Thus, all you need is your PT uniform and a pair of commercial running shoes, and of course civilian clothes for when you're off-post or not in school.

If you don't like your Duty Station, can you change it?

THERE ARE NO BAD DUTY STATIONS (or so I'm told), but even if there was, the answer is an almost unequivocal "NO."

I think that is all I have for you. The last two days of class have been a continuation on Criminal Law. Each evening we have received a homework assignment via email, which is annoying, but they are used to stress the information we learned that day in class, and apparently the hours of class time is reduced because of them, so I'm not complaining.

Our big Criminal Law final is Monday morning, and then we're onto Advocacy Week, which is where we get to do all the really fun practical stuff, culminating in a small bench trial!!!

Oh, and did I mention I'm going to crush the PT test? Thanks for reading and asking questions... Keep them coming...