The Military Wish List

Summary

The content discusses the reality of the military "Wish List" for duty station assignments, emphasizing the importance of research, realism, flexibility, and preparation.

Abstract

The article titled "The Military Wish List" on the undefined website debunks the common belief that military personnel have significant influence over their assigned duty stations. It highlights the discrepancy between the expectations set by the military's promise of considering service members' top three choices for assignments and the actual process, which often results in assignments based on the military's needs rather than personal preferences. The author advises military members to conduct thorough research on potential duty stations, considering factors such as job requirements, climate, cost of living, and opportunities for education and recreation. The article suggests being realistic about one's chances of receiving popular assignments, focusing instead on career progression and the needs of the mission. It also encourages flexibility and preparedness once an assignment is given, advocating for proactive planning and information gathering about the new location.

Opinions

The author views the military "Wish List" as misleading, considering it one of the biggest lies in military culture.
There is a clear sentiment that the military's primary concern is its own operational needs, not the personal preferences of its members.
The article implies that expecting to receive one's preferred assignments is unrealistic due to high demand for desirable locations.
A pragmatic approach to the wish list process is recommended, with an emphasis on aligning career goals with potential assignments.
The author stresses the importance of adaptability and advance preparation to make the most of any assigned location.
The piece encourages engagement with the military community through the publication "Uniforms Unite" and invites contributions from past, present, and future service members.

When Did Italy Turn Into Utah?

If you aren’t a member yet (and, I mean, what are you waiting for?!), you can read my post here!

The Military “Wish List” is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard told in the military.

Just give us your top three places where you would want to go…you will at least get your third pick.

Okay! Great!

Hawaii

Florida

Italy

The orders come out: you’re going to Hill Air Force Base in Utah!

HUH?! When did Italy turn into Utah?!

The simple fact is that everything in the military will be for the benefit of the military.

You go where they “need” you to be. If you get one of your top three, that’s great!

But it won’t be because you asked for it.

Honestly, if you want to make the most out of your wish list, you need to do the following:

Do your research. Consider things like your job, the climate, cost of living (especially if you have a family), opportunities for education and recreation, as well as safety and security.

Be realistic. Everyone wants to go to Hawaii or Florida or Italy…which means your chances of getting them is about equivalent to zilch. Think about your career progression and how the next location will work best to get you where you want to be in the long run.

Be flexible. As I said, you will probably not get one of your picks. But part of being in the military is flexibility. Always needs of the mission first!

Lastly, be prepared. Once you know where you are going, get to know where you are going…meaning living arrangements, best restaurants, things to do, etc. We live in a world where information is at our fingertips, literally.

So there you have it! The military “wish list”. I hope you didn’t fall for the lie when you signed up, but if you did, maybe this gave you a more realistic approach to it!

Make sure you follow along with the publication, “Uniforms Unite”, and let us know if you want to write for us (all uniformed heroes invited, past, present, and future). And then be sure to subscribe to make sure you are receiving an email when I post something new! You know you don’t want to miss out!