5 MUST have items at your 1st duty station in the Army

Here are 5 item that I think are necessary for you to have after Army basic training and AIT. Items you will need when you get to your first duty station on active duty Army.
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Christopher Chaos
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**DISCLAIMER:
I make videos on topics I have direct experience with as well as indirect experience with to help save some people the time to research the topic on their own. Be aware mistakes can be made as well as changes can be made by the Army. It’s best to use my content as a reference, but if needed you should always talk with an Army recruiter for more information on a topic. The content I create is my own opinion and experiences. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. I also do not represent the DOD and all content in my videos are my opinions.

[@jthavorn]

#3 is very important. Never ever buy a car you can’t or can barely afford. It’s tempting to get a flashy new car but most new solider can’t afford it even with free room and food. If you live within a few hours drive of your home area, I recommend buying a car there and driving it back to your duty station and register it there. If that’s not possible, buy a car as far away from post as possible as dealerships near army posts are horrible and rip off soldiers and if all possible, buy from a private seller and not through a dealership. And always always bring your squad leader or a more experienced solider if possible.

[@tristanmartinez2667]

#1 thing you must have at your first duty station is a good network. Seek out the people who are making effort to better themselves. If that’s people who are hitting the gym, completing online classes for further education, or just finding a way to spend their off time doing something constructive. This is the most valuable way you can spend your time.

[@tristanmartinez2667]

If you don’t do this then just get a dodge charger, that’s the next best thing 😂

[@golfery5119]

5:57 dodge charger is the official car of the army

[@jnicholas846]

I live near tinker AFB and realized when I drove into STL from OKC that I did not see 1 challenger at all in town.

[@liahnotleah]

Really? Every army dude I ever came across got a Jeep. Specifically a Wrangler.

[@golfery5119]

@@liahnotleah not many jeeps I've seen.

[@thebox4259]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED THANK UOU

[@thomasedwards2754]

Good day sir, in the Dark ages (1988-1992) we did not have the choices that the young folks have today. Our most needed thing to have were as follows, a good watch, some type of entertainment (TV and VCR and or a stereo system.) And transportation, Everyone that I knew had a weekly barracks inspection that included rooms too. All beds had to be made up as required by SOP. We did not have cell phone or PC. We wrote letters or called people. We did not even cook in the rooms. We did have Peanut Butter. If you could have a refrigerator in your room, it had to be a small table one and it always had to be clean. Good video

[@golfery5119]

I couldn't imagine having a bulky tv/vcr (with tapes) and/or bulky stereo system in the barracks. Just thinking how much better we have it in today's time where we simply use spotify on the cell phone and do blue tooth to a bluetooth speaker which is way way less space than a stereo system. Wow. " All beds had to be made up as required by SOP" That would be even more annoying to deal with. "We did not even cook in the rooms. " I have heard that, but something I find really crazy is supposedly you folks were actually allowed to smoke tobacco in your rooms back then (I don't know when it was outlawed). So you could smoke in your rooms (something we aren't allowed to do today even if we have window open), but couldn't cook???? The military (not just the Army, although the Army and Marines overall are the worst) loves to not make sense with a whole lot of things and time periods.

[@123ElectricMonkey]

⁠@@golfery5119I was in AIT in 98 and we couldn’t smoke in the barracks. Big red letters NO SMOKING and it was an article 15 if we did. But I also recall as a child it was unthinkable that a car didn’t have ashtrays and cigarette lighters built in. EVERY chair…barbers chairs…airplane seats…movie theatre seats all had ashtrays. Everyone smoked. It was gross but it just was

[@michaelparadigm7836]

My must have back in the day, was a game boy.

[@AdrianoTheOne]

I've been watching your videos for about a year now, Christopher, and nothing but respect for you! I'm Air Force, and my father was in the Army but still love watching your videos and listening to your advice and your stories.

[@rcole1981]

This advice is good for life in general.

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

Yes don't live beyond your means

[@dougtheeliminator1077]

Back in the 1980s, probably about 40% of enlisted guys owned a car. Most were E5 and above. Some brought their cars from home.

[@greenwalltree]

This is a modern time where pay is high that is a gone and lost stat

[@BlackIsBeautifullyMe]

Thanks

[@NghtMre-zn2bw]

I got an extra pair of boots issued to me in AIT. I thought that they looked awesome and were really comfortable. I got to my first duty station and all the NCOs were up my ass about where I got them from and I wasn’t allowed to wear them.

[@mikedehn8654]

There were two things that I bought right after AIT. They were stay Brite brass and patent leather shoes

[@sieveman]

1st entertainment item I purchased when I got to my 1st duty station was a TV. Then I got Sega Genesis. Dating myself here (1992, first duty station). I did get various boots, my company did a lot drill & ceremonies for I got a pair of "Airborne Boots" with the shiny heels and toes. I was stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco and there was the west coast version of Arlington National Cemetery nearby where we did Taps, and 21-gun salute. I did have a pair of Gortez boots. Nice when the weather was cold and or wet or snowy. No so nice in warm, hot weather, feet sweat. Very nice for my 2nd duty station Vilseck, Germany, Similar weather to Iowa/Minnesota.

[@evanswinford7165]

I was riding my bike behind the barracks one day in the Presidio and saw some troopers sneaking ladies in or out of a side window. That place has changed very much now.

[@jeraldbottcher1588]

My first duty station in the 70's was in Korea. At that time you were not allowed to use your own bedding, army issue only. TV, Ha! Only one channel anyway, no VCR's yet. Enlisted were not allowed to own a car, but you could have a bike (I did). Boot only choice was the basic combat boot or jump boots. (Jump boots are NOT comfortable, but they are tough. basic combat boots were fairly comfortable, but looked like shit) The troopers today have a lot more choices that I had at that time.

[@karenstein8261]

I served in a foreign army -. A first-rate, modern army sure, but one whose “infrastructure” is basic at best. My “ duty kit” included: -Shower head - Mosquito coils & holder - Cigarette lighter / long-reach BBQ lighter - “Starter” for fluorescent lights - A coil of fuse wire - Brandy, in plastic bottle - Multi-tool - Gun lube & “bore snake” (improvised) - Candle - Small flashlight - 5” Channellocks - Pruning shears - Toilet paper (in waterproof bag) - Bar soap - Sweat suit - Portable shortwave radio - Fingernail brush - Denture tablets (for cleaning canteen) - Shower shoes - Paperback book (also served as stove fuel and TP) - RTV Silicone & kerosene heater wick

[@MiguelDLewis]

Why'd they give you brandy? What was this, the foreign legion?

[@vanceevans3293]

The first thing i bought was a new car. I did not buy an expensive car, but new. I researched the payment and insurance. I had in mind my monthly payment. I did a 4 year loan. The same as my enlistment. It worked out great.

[@golfery5119]

Definitely get a computer and also a CAC reader for the computer so you can look at sites like IPPSA on the computer. I'd also say some aluminum pan for cooking and baking because you might not want to eat from the dfac all the time or order out all the time.

[@flyingturret208thecannon5]

Bedding, multitool, beater car or bicycle, booooooots, entertainment.

[@JamesDavis-jo9tk]

To me, paperback books 📕 are the cheapest way to occupy the mind when first starting out and building up your money. It took me close to two years to save for an okay car without getting a loan, and if you really get bored, the local MWR has all kinds of free activities you can get involved in.

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

I was in the late 80s so TV and VCR.

[@golfery5119]

I couldn't imagine having a VCR and video tapes or even a DVD player and DVD's in the barracks now. I don't even have a television in my barracks room.

[@RegularGoon]

I saw so many recommendation for boots. Is there a best brand for boots ? Thanks

[@heavymetalsuperhero]

So I come a military family, I already kinda knew what to have and what to avoid. But the first thing I bought was a laptop as I was looking at schools at the time

[@golfery5119]

You would think somebody in your case would just either avoid the military altogether or avoid the Army if you did still want to join especially since you know what its like to have your parent not only gone in the field for weeks or longer, but also the fact that they can't call for all that time since they are in the field which is the woods in the middle of nowhere.

[@patrickmambo3836]

How do you deal with loans over there in the states?? are they subsided by the government or the DOD or do you take normal loans from the banks??

[@cageygamer41]

My top two were transportation then entertainment

[@NghtMre-zn2bw]

I got issued a Gerber when I got to my first duty station

[@Eaa-jz2wj]

I would of loved internet it didn't exist yet .I had a nice stereo and collected albums a roommate had a TV and VCR .Getting good boots are nice will make your experience better.We went out a lot played pool in day room it was the 80s .We still found things to do though.

[@golfery5119]

@1:30 Nope. Maybe some barracks at some duty stations but not too common. There's a good possibility that the barracks you go to won't have linen and you'll have to buy your own anyway.

[@GrantWaller.-hf6jn]

Wow we had clean ones issued weekly. Back in the 80s

[@kevintappe797]

Good job! Boots should be higher on the list.

[@christopherchaos]

Eh, it's not really in any particular order.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

If you get a new/used car get something good on gas, for all the countless trips to and from the motorpool. The army likes to make it almost impossible to use an actual miltary vehicle.

[@strickersniper7909]

I am one of the few in my company that has a gerber and knife. I am asked by everyone if they can use my gerber or you got a knife

[@tae-007]

Got to find a good local massage parlor 😉

[@chrisacosta_1516]

Hi I am going to Korea next week and wondering if you have any tips for over seas?

[@christopherchaos]

All of this would apply minus a car. Don't need a car in Korea. The main tip though is to get out and be a tourist so you can see all the cool sights and experiences. You don't get opportunities like that very easy on the civilian side so take advantage of it and come home with some cool memories.

[@golfery5119]

Never been to Korea myself but have always heard how so many troops get into stupid trouble. If you don't mess with a Korean woman, you'll probably end up messing with a female soldier because apparently more female soldiers spread their legs easier when they're there, so make sure you don't knock anybody up if you do get some legs to open for you. You constantly hear about so much more partying and drinking, so don't do it too much.

[@futjay3424]

What if I had a dodge charger prior to joining :///

[@isaacgracia4525]

Chaos is it possible to do hometown recruiting after airborne school?

[@christopherchaos]

Technically you can do home town recruiting at any time. It just takes your leadership to approve it.

[@chevonferguson4738]

I need a video on how tall your hair can be as a male in the army

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Top of your drivers license about 2 inches.

[@jurban611]

Notification platoon

[@joshuacallaghan7611]

I’m planning on riding a bike every where I don’t want to drive because my insurance is high and I will be living in the barracks will that work out for me?

[@christopherchaos]

Depends on where you get stationed and where your barracks are located compared to where your unit operates out of. In some cases it can be done but in some the barracks are kinda far from where you will work or the weather can be bad and hard to ride a bike in.

[@golfery5119]

maybe get someone to give you a ride for things like CIF gear pick ups when you get to your duty station and turn in when you leave it/

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Plus you’re stuck wearing a doofy helmet.

[@CreachterZ]

So should I bring hygiene stuff or will they make me buy them again?

[@golfery5119]

you're asking this about when you go to reception/basic training? if so then they'll make you buy it there. When you get to your operational aka "permanent party" unit after basic/ait then you bring your own stuff and have the freedom to buy what you want when you are off duty.

[@bambidawg5376]

🤙🏻

[@campagnollo]

I would like to add to this list is to invest in is a double edge safety razor. The razor itself is pricier than the Gillette razors, starting at $30 and goes up, but the blades are ridiculously cheap, about $1 for a pack of ten. Also, the shaving is easier on your skin, especially if you are African American.

[@golfery5119]

Although with the last sentence, it probably (hopefully) wouldn't be that difficult to get a shaving profile anyway

[@campagnollo]

@@golfery5119 shaving profile??? As a former 68w, I've seen all people get shaving bumps and it's no fun. Unfortunately, AA are more susceptible to them due their tightly curly hair. This isn't saying they are weaker or dumber or disadvantaged by any other means. All races, including white, have some sort of respective physiological issues that can be a problem.

[@tombob671]

Any car should be purchasé with cash. Avoid debt.

[@georgemaxwell3467]

When I was stationed at Campbell in the early 90s, they had a bay with hoists for changing your oil and working on your vehicles!! They still have them on Army posts??

[@lelandgaunt9985]

Yes

[@georgemaxwell3467]

@lelandgaunt9985 thanks for the answer...

[@Donner906]

If you have a car, keep it secret and don't tell the unit.

[@drusmith3480]

I'll never forget the used Chevy Cavalier I bought when I was a PFC in the barracks. My buddy didn't have a car, so if I drove us, he would buy the food, beer, movie rentals, or whatever.🪖

[@kiefrivera143]

🫡

[@austinshannon4197]

JJ Mccarthy is the best football player in history, bar none, endo story.

[@golfery5119]

why?

[@austinshannon4197]

Well last year he went 15 and 0, undefeated season and won the national title, something Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels never did.

[@golfery5119]

@@austinshannon4197 okay

[@golfery5119]

first.

[@lelandgaunt9985]

To fight for the right, and to build the nations might!

[@golfery5119]

@@lelandgaunt9985 hi hi hey

[@NowYourMad]

Im going to save all of my money and not purchase a car. I plan to invest a piece of my earnings to Bitcoin and other cryptos to set myself up very nice for the future . I may purchase a very decent bicycle.

[@theenzoferrari458]

What about get a motorcycle over a car? Like a R1 or a BMW M1000RR?

[@christopherchaos]

That works. Some people do that too depending on the location. Can get tricky in the winter in some duty stations though.

[@theenzoferrari458]

@christopherchaos thanks Chris. Haven't watched your channel in awhile and I'm just now getting to watch your videos again.