Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Can i get stationed where i want?

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/9/2009


Question
Hi i joined the U.S Army and im waiting to ship to basic and A.I.T in Ft. Lenordwood Missouri for all of my Military Police training. Im from Oklahoma and would like to be based here at Ft. Sill once i get done. I dont want be reserves but id rather stay in Oklahoma. What are the chances of that happening and how can i improve those chances? Thanks for the help.

Answer
Timothy,
Somewhere in the fine print of all that paperwork you signed says you agree to go wherever the Army needs you.  After you've been in a few years you'll learn how to "work" the system and discover when there are openings for Security Forces at Ft. Sill.  But for a first-term soldier there's basically nothing you can do (without damaging your future in the Army.)  The Army wants/needs mature individuals who are adventuresome enough to travel and see the world and can work anywhere in any condition.  They're not interested in those who wish to stay in familiar surroundings.

Same way in your job.  The Army doesn't care if you're the best small arms instructor in the world, they would much rather have somebody who knows a little bit about about every aspect of Security Forces.

You've already seen Oklahoma.  There's a whole big world out there, why not check it out?

Good luck,
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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