I'm glad he got that choice! We are only about 30 miles - maybe not even from the Cleveland station so that wouldn't work for him. Fairport is about 2.5 hours from us so he would be able to go there but that isn't one of his first choices.

Just remember the numbers. Most small boat stations only have about 8 (plus or minus 4) non-rates in residence. If each non-rate spends an average of 18 months at the station before heading off to 'A' school, then each station only has an opening for a new non-rate every 8 weeks or so on average. And I do mean "on average". For example, Station Destin, where my son is stationed, hasn't had an opening for a non-rate since last April.

So, the odds of one particular station having an opening in the same week that one particular person graduates are not very high. So no one should be surprised if they don't get their top pick. In fact, if they get any of their 12 picks, they should probably be happy.

Recruits have also reported being told by their recruiter that those with guaranteed districts aren't assigned until everyone else has been assigned. If true, that would further reduce the odds of recruits with guaranteed districts getting their picks.

"they won't station you within 100 miles of home"

I would say that information is dubious at best. Personnally, I'd like to see the written policy on this. I've been in the Chicago area for a few years. I know more than one person whose career path started Chicago --> Cape May --> Chicago.

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

I don't know that it's "official" policy or not, but detailers are reluctant to send young recruits back near their hometowns anymore. Past CG studies have shown that the influence of high school friends, etc has a detrimental impact.Loss of military bearing, focus on their job and career, have all been cited for reasons why they are unlikely to receive their first assignment near home. Does it happen? I'm sure it does, but in most cases the CG prefers young recruits to be stationed away from family and friends until they have gotten their career started properly. Also, recruits used to receive 10-12 days leave after boot camp. That has now been modified to 5 days for many of the same reasons.

Gears, where have you been stationed in the Chicago area? My son spent 3 years at Station Wilmette Harbor. We lived in Rockford before moving down here to Nashville. It's warmer here!

Best wishes,

Pepper

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I was at Cal Harbor for a tour, and I've bounced around the US quite a bit before that.

You meke and excellent and justifiable point Pepperdoggie, however...

The point I'm trying to make is that lots of information is spouted off without anything to back it up. To tell people trying to make the ascension into the CG what Detailers will and won't do just isn't good practice. If you aren't privy to the policy, make sure statements reflect that. Passing any information 3rd hand is just setting up people for failure. IMHO, we should stick to what we know from experience, and if we have an opinion state that in a disclaimer.

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

Sorry to change the subject again... but what about animals? I know the CG reimburses you for moving, but what if you have to transport a large animal such as a horse? Do they do anything for that?

Oh, man, it was hard enough figuring out whether that guy's airplane was covered. Nobody ever asked about horses before...

Gears..point well taken. It has been stated in the past on several occasions by the active duty recruiters here that the CG endeavors to not station recriuits close to home after boot camp. I'm pretty sure they are in the loop as to current policy.Maybe Chukles or Cooch can elaborate. We try to pass along the best info possible to those considering enlistment. If a recruit thinks they can get a billett close to home after boot camp, they are likely to be disappointed with the result. Just trying to set expectations accordingly.

Cal Harbor and Wilmette does a great job on Lake Michigan, especially on BUI enforcement. There's that time my son was involved with a boatload of drunk lawyers. Didn't turn out well for them in court...especially when they didn't "recognize" the Coast Guard's authority to arrest them. ...but that's another story.

Thanks for your service

Pepper

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thanks for the clarification Pepper. i was just "spouting off" what my husband was told over and over again by his recruiter and people on this forum when he wanted to get stationed close to home in FL. the closest anyone in his company got to home was like 103 miles and everyone was shocked.

as for the horse question...they reimburse you for how many pounds of stuff you move with an official weight from a weigh station or somewhere like that...so if they had an official weight for their stuff including the horse...no one would know they were paying to transport a horse...right...lol

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Okay, let me clarify some things here for you folks. There is no such thing as a 100 mile rule. I as well have known MANY people who went from boot camp right back to where they were from. There is no mystery of how the detailers choose initial units. If you would like to see how this process works please feel free to visit the CG BM discussion forum on military.com. A real live detailer (yes, they are not robots) has given a very concise breakdown of how people are chosen for available billets.

As far as moving your horse. Wow. That's the first time I've ever heard that question posed. The JFTR (google it) states that the transportation of animals is the responsibility of the member and will not be paid for out of gov travel funds. If you do a DITY move you can trailer the horse yourself but if you want the horse (or any other animal for that matter) shipped it will be at your own expense.

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Well, on one hand, there definitely is no such written policy in the Personnel Manual and there is nothing posted about in on the personnel center web site, etc.

On the other hand, SK1/Couture, currently of the Greensville, NC, recruiting office said in this thread: "Yes, it is true that you won't be stationed within 100 miles of your home for your first assignment. This is done for many reasons, one being that it is in your best interest to get away from old high school friends that may or may not end up being a bad influence on you and undo all of your core values training".

Since I have no idea either way, I'm just going to sit back and see how it turns out. However, the Marquis of Queensberry rules must be observed at all times.

Pepper,

I am not questioning the integrity of anyone on this board. Especially not the two hard working recruiters that offer support to those looking for otherwise tough to find answers. I am however questioning a policy whether official or not that has been propagated time and time again without a reference to back it up.

The rumor mill is hard to grind to a halt. Unless someone can produce a reference I would treat it as such.

For the sake of future applicants, a dream sheet is a request. It is an opportunity to communicate to the detailer where and in what capacity you would like to serve. In my experience, detailers attempt to accomodate everyone during a transfer. Whether it be boot camp, "A" school, or PCS. But, what it comes down to is a simple need of the service. So, request whatever units you want whereever you want. The worst they can do is say "NO" and put you somewhere else.

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

hmm, well i guess there are a lot of people who believe in the 100 mile thing. it's all my husband heard about when he was in the recruiting process.

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Lol! I will keep the punches above the belt. I've been in the CG for quite awhile and I know my fair share of recruiters, many who are actively recruiting right now. There is no such thing as a 100 mile rule. My best guess is this 100 mile rule is a method used by recruiters to give new recruits a realistic idea of where they will and/or will not be stationed out of Cape May. If I'm wrong here, which I am 99.9% sure I'm not, perhaps the person/s who have been referring to this rule can let us all know what COMDTINST, the DTG of the msg traffic, or which AO they're getting this information from.

Cheers!

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Notice that I added the caveat "detailers attempt." I But, you Oldguard have said many times, the it ultimatley comes down to needs of the service. It looks like in that case "needs" prevailed.

But, I don't want to create a justification in your ex-husbands case. I wasn't involved in that particular decision. But, I know from experience that he isn't the first or only person to have that happen.

Makes a great story though.

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

So based on what you guys think to transport a horse wouldn't be covered? I would just hate to do it and someone turn around and say it wasn't covered or anything else and then I'm SOL!

Boatforces cited the JFTR (Joint Forces Travel Regulations) as a resource. Google it, and see what the manual has to say about it. That way you are acting based on fact not opinion.

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

Correction: Joint Federal Travel Regulations

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"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

Oh I missed that - I'll go google it now. Thanks!

One last question about this stuff - for his dream sheet is it his top 12 choices or top 3 from each district?

4 districts-top 3 picks from each.

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