Are you getting to go where you want to ?

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

The transfer season is around the corner and I've been talking to alot of people who will be seeing new things next summer. I'm curious as to how many of us actually get to go to the places that we want to. I have always said that one of the greatest things about the CG was some of its locations and your opportunity to get one of them.
When I first joined the Army they asked for two "Dream Billets" one INCONUS and one OUTCONUS. I said Korea and Ft Hood Texas. I was sent to Germany, which is kinda like Korea, with alot less Koreans and alot more Germans, and Kansas, which is kinda like Texas, they both have two vowels and end in an S.
In the CG I have always, with only one exception due to someone else changing their orders, gotten something on my Dream Sheet. Usually my number one pick, always in my top four. I think that I only submit "realistic" dream sheets, of billets that I actually want. Are my experiences in this process, common, am I extremely lucky, or do I just ask for billets no one else wants ?

[BMCS MICHAEL PERKINS]

Stu,
Me think's its your sparkling personality. :eek:

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I am at my 8th unit. I have always gotten my #1 pick. 3 of the eight units were actually on my dream sheet. The others were after talking to the detailer and finding out what my choices were. Since this is my 2nd time at this unit (I did 1 year here before making Chief and being sent away), It counts as 2 #1 picks. I have to say though, every job that I have had has not necissarily been a bad one. When I made BM3 I got sent to a Group (needs of the service) which hurt my career, but I bought a house and made some dinero so that was a good thing. It is all what you make it.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

I also am on my 8th unit. The 1st through 7th, I NEVER got anything on my first dream-sheet. I was always the guy the detailer called late and said "Sorry, gave away everything on your dream-sheet, but you can have XXXX or YYYY. Fill out a new dreamsheet and let me know which you want." This happened when I got mediocre marks, and when I got outstanding marks.

Detailer even called me once and told me that since I was the only guy he hadn't written orders for yet, and was qualified, he was going to send me to an OIC job (nothing like scraping the bottom of the barrel!).

But the transfers have always worked out. Learned a lot everywhere I went, and was able to take what I learned with me to my next stations.

Finally, when transfering to my 8th and probably last unit (Sta Tybee), I got #1 on my dreamsheet.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Shawn, just wondering if you ever saw a difference when it came to your assignment preference ? I had a buddy of mine who seemed to be in your situation, always the last one called. He used to watch as his "realistics" picks went to others of a lower preference until he eventually needed to resubmit a new sheet. Regardless of his preference he always seemed to come up short.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

Nope. Did two WPB's and didn't appear to get any preferences for coming from afloat either time. All of my t-fers were (probably) with different detailers, so I can't chalk it up to the detailer not liking me. It probably was just plain ole dumb luck. I'm just glad that the dumb luck turned into good luck at the end of my career!

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

I guess I have been lucky. After boot camp, which I got what I wanted. I have transfered 5 times and only once did I have to go somewhere I did not put on an E-Resume. I have been on two 378's, one from boot camp and the other while an SK1. That is the one that I did not put on my E-Resume. All the other transfers have been one of my top 3 choices.

For those of you that have not got what you wanted. How did you go about filling out your E-Resume/Dream Sheet. Just curious.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I've been fairly fortunate to go where I've wanted. When I didn't get a pick from my ADC, It worked out for the best.

After boot camp I picked a station in D9.

When I made BM3, I left my fate in the hands of the detailer. I asked for any large cutter in D7 or D8. I was hooked up with a WMEC in D7.

When I left the WMEC, I didn't receive any of my 8 picks. The detailer convinced me that Station Oregon Inlet would be "Good" for me...turned out he was right.

When I left Oregon Inlet, I put in for 8 Cutters and recieved orders to my #4 pick (WLR). Best sea tour I've had.

When I left the WLR, my top 4 picks were cutters, 5-8 were stations. I received orders to my #2 or #3 pick...a WTGB.

When I left the WTGB, I put in for stations first and some cutters further down on the list. I received orders to my #1 and current unit...Station Portland, Oregon.

Every tour I've done has been in a different district (D9, D7, D5, D8, D1, & D13). I'm trying to keep the sreak alive...fingers are crossed for the CGC ELDERBERRY.

I've loved every unit for different reasons...You get out of it what you put into it!

[OSC Donald McClain]

I have to say I've also been lucky or fortunate - I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Lets see - out of boot camp got a 95ft PB out of Woods Hole (wow that was awhile back) - great CO and crew

From RM school - got my number one request - CAMSLANT - help me get started in the rate - what more could you ask for?

Early transfer out the the might RUSH in Hono - wasn't a request - but pushed to get it through the command (personnal reasons) - learned even more

Got my #1 from there - Group Moriches

From there got #1 - did a Precom on the Dependable as a 2nd - 1st made E7 - I made E6 at the same time - got offered and accepted to stay O/B as TCIC

From there again #1 pick - ESD Baltimore - Not really a good choice since I didn't stay on the IT side of the house -

Departed ESD early - got the job when it was solicatated for over at the White House for the Office of Homeland Security - Great job - but still out of rate - then bounced over too the Department of Homeland Security HQ building for a few months - and now detailed over to the FBI - but under
G-OPF - so the last 3 years have really been ok - out of rate hurt on the SWE last May - but

Got my #1 pick for AY 2005 - will be heading to the Dallas in South Carolina - need to / want to get back into rate

So all in all - other than the last three years - I've been just about everyplace I've listed as #1 on my requests.

[OSCS Mark A. Pearson]

I too have been fortunate. Usually given my first choice. I believe this is because I have often requested billets on Guam. The one time I wasn't given my top pick (The Mustang in Alaska was #7 on my dream sheet) it turned out to be the best job I have had in the Guard.
Mark

[PACS Steve Carleton]

For the most part, I went where I wanted. There were two assignments that I wasn't thrilled about, but I did have them on the dream sheet and the detailer simply fulfilled my "request" you could say I learned a lesson there.

With only three billets for PACS, we have pretty much figured out where everybody is going to go anyway.

[BMC Matthew James]

Here's hoping this doesn't come across as sour grapes...

Thus far in my career, I have always gotten something resembling my first pick. Either geo location of type of job. That is until yesterday...

I am confused. Back in 2002, just prior to ADAK's deployment to the NAG, I submitted my E-Resume for my post-deployment job. As a young QM1 anticipating the merger, I put in for 87' XPO jobs. Lo and behold, the AO calls me up and suggests that even though an XPO job would be the logical next step, I should consider going to a station so that I could get UTB/MLB certified and be eligible to compete for STA XPO and OINC jobs. To quote the great Steve Mcqueen, "It seemed like a good idea at the time." So, I took the bait and walked across the parking lot to STA Sandy Hook when I got back from the holy land.

So, here I am, seventeen months later. A newly minted (and Initiated) BMC, looking forward to moving on into an STA XPO job...

WRONG!

Apparently, in sacrificing my post-afloat, post-NAG assignment priority to get standard boat qualified, I have also sacrificed my shot at XPO because I am now a priority FIVE. Had I known this was going to happen, I would have told the AO no and continued my string of back to back afloat tours. Because, in the end, making the effort to "fully integrate" in the rating and qualify as a coxswain was not in my best interests.

So now I'm bummed. I am very much looking forward to going back into the fleet. I definitely miss sea pay. But with my low assignment priority, I might not even get to go back to an afloat job.

Fellow BM's, I am soliciting advice. I turned down orders to OCS so that I could move into a command position sooner and eventually earn an OIC job. I still plan to sit for the OIC board this spring...I wary of how I will fare with no XPO job in my past.

Semper Gumby...

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

Matt: Don't worry about not having the XPO experience before going in front of the board. I was the BM1 on the Adak a long time ago. Went from there to Sta Coos Bay, and then short toured after a year (wife delivered triplets) to the Group where I played GDO for 2 years. I sat for the review board as a BM1 without ever having an XPO job. Then I got an OIC job at Sta Southwest Harbor, again without ever having an XPO job.

Go for the OIC certification, but I would recommend against asking for an OIC job without having an XPO tour. I didn't ask for my first one (detailer was literally skimming the bottom of the barrel and found me), I was asking for an XPO job.

Don't sweat skipping on OCS. 95% chance you would be behind a desk at a MSO/Group/District office right now dreaming about going to sea, but knowing that your chances were virtually nil.

[BMC Matthew James]

Senior Chief,

Thanks for the input. It's always nice to hear from other ADAK Alumni.

I have studied this issue further. My findings should be posted on the "Inflating Marks" thread soon.

Have a good holiday.

V/R,

BMC Matt