Well I graduate as a 15T around the first of April and I recieved orders to Katterbach Germany but I could get my orders changed to Ft. Riley kansas. The only reason I would be interested in kansas is I live in Colorado and it's close to home. Does anybody know what the barracks in Riley are like and if there is much to do there?Am I being crazy and just be happy with Germany?Any advice would be much appreicated. Thanks
I can't tell you anything about Riley, but my son is a blackhawk pilot, has been stationed at Katterbach since Jan 08, and really likes it. We have been to visit, country is beautiful, very close to Austria, Switzerland, etc. If you want some more info email me and I will give you his email address that way you can ask him directly. My email address is odiewh@verizon.net.
I'm from CO and was stationed in Germany and have been unfortunate enough to stay at Fort Riley a time or two. Don't do it. That's all I can say. You ARE being crazy. You should be ecstatic with Germany. If Fort Polk is the fetid tail end of military installations, Fort Riley is the stinking retched armpit... It's an 8 hour drive to Denver... that is a very painful drive for four-day weekends and you would have the following countries within 8 driving hours of Katterbach: France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, etc... Um... seriously. Fort Riley sucks.
Im stationed at Riley and have been for the last 3 years. We just got back from deployment to a BRAND NEW airfield. While we were gone we got new EVERYTHING (except helicopters), barracks are brand new 2 person "dorm style" rooms, you have a kitchen/common area then separate bedrooms. Its not bad here about 5hrs to CO but, ARE YOU INSANE?!?! GO TO GERMANY!!!
I got caught in a unit move when they shut down Giebelstadt. Ive been miserable since, the only place I want to go is back to Germany but, Ill never re-up to make it happen.
Originally posted by nwmountaintroll: You have an opportunity to get out and see the world and you want to move as close to home as possible? Crazy!!
Exactly!
Not many Soldiers get to be stationed in Germany these days. Take it and run! Once there, you can do weekend trips to any number of European countries!
One of my BCT Drill Sergeants once told us, "if you get Ft. Riley, just kill yourself. It'll be easier." Go to Germany!
Originally posted by AussieHelo: The only reason I would be interested in kansas is I live in Colorado and it's close to home.
Dude, you live where the Army sends you. You used to live in Colorado. Grow up, get a life with the Army and enjoy your new friends and family! Yes it's great to be close to where you grew up but you have to cut that cord sooner than later. Just saying, not meaning to sound like I'm talking down to you. I've been there done it when I was a new PVT in the Army more than 20 years ago. And yes, my first 4 years in the Army was spent at Fort Riley and then I went to flight school. Great opportunity to get alot of college completed at K-state. Good luck in your career and remember this. Us pilots depend on your knowledge of that blackhawk as well as our own knowledge. Pay attention to detail like you were taught in AIT. Don't take shortcuts to get the long job that nobody else wants to do on a phase bird, just do it and get it done correctly the first time.
The worst three years of my life, 1985-1988, were spent at Ft. Riley. My MOS was 67Y (Attack helicopter mechanic...Cobra's). I enjoyed working on helicopters but hated Kansas.
