I was reading the flyer from when I went and talked to a recruiter and the bases it said linguists get sent too would be one of the following.
Elmendorf AFB Alaska Osan AFB Korea HICKAM AFB HAWAII Fort Gordon Fort Meade
I was wondering how often do people actually get stationed in Hawaii as linguists? Or even Elmendorf? I don't know but for some reason being based on an Army post like Meade or Gordon doesn't sound too great as a first assignment.
I wouldn't really mind Korea honestly just because it's a 1 yr tour(right?) and after a remote tour you get to choose your next assignment.... I will be swearing in next week. I'm very nervous but I'm very very excited. I don't even know if I'll get linguist but I'll be taking the DLAB before I process so I'll find out. If not I'm going to try for ATC or space comm. I figured Osan is in high demand for people but oh well. Thanks
No Korea sucks if your single too. The only thing to do is go to bars or clubs and get drunk period.... And yes you can travel but that gets old fast theres only so many budhist temples and trips to the dmz you can make before it all looks the same. Its not a terrible assignment now that my year is drawing to a close I might actually miss it a little.
Well it doesnt completly suck just not as cool as living over seas as you would think. I enjoyed my time in Europe alot more than here and a year isnt that long just dont sign up for KAIP.
The one thing all of you guys are missing is the fact that he doesn't know what language he'll be in. Theres no need for Arabic linguists in Osan! So in truth, you won't know till you get your language.
Pyro is 100% correct. Within the 1N3 AFSC, assignments are based upon one's language. No language has more than 6 different assignment locations (and that's world wide). Many of the low flow languages (very limited number of personnel in the language) only have one (1) assignment location.
As for Hawaii, it is possible during your first enlistment (again, depending upon your language), but unlikely. Also, realize that remote assignments don't guarantee a Follow-On assignment. And these assignments don't allow you to choose your next assignment, as you put it. The Follow-On program allows you to request up to 16 different locations (8 CONUS and 8 Overseas). AFPC will then review and approve one, if projected manning permits.
Hawaii is not likely if you're a Korean linguist. It's possible but you'll spend the majority of your career at Fort Meade and Osan. Fort Meade is one of the best places that you can be stationed in the CONUS im my opinion.
You can throw that dream sheet out of the window if your'e a linguist because the assignments are so limited.
I just left Hawaii, there were only a handful of slots for Korean Linguists, but about 98% of the linguists in Hawaii are Chinese. They are phasing out Vietnamese and there might be a couple Tagalog.
Alaska is Russian, and right now probable. Hawaii = Chinese and not hard to get.
I don't know about Gordon, but I started to complain about Fort Meade myself once and got corrected immediately.. I haven't been, but apparently it's pretty nice. I hear lots of good things about it.
On about.com it shows the languages with possible base assignments, but most likely out of date.
ahahahahha.. serves me right for talking about it - I'm going to Fort Gordon.
Wasn't even a base OPTION for my language.... ever!
Something fun that I think might work -- pick a language, pick a possible assignment for that language and look it up online. You'll see if there are any gov't job search postings in that area. For ex: "Russian linguist MD"
Originally posted by I_Heart_MREs: ahahahahha.. serves me right for talking about it - I'm going to Fort Gordon.
Good luck. I just finished my six and spent my entire time there. I don't want to taint your outlook, so I'll let you make your own opinions once you get there.
