My First Duty Station in the U.S. Army

This is a "second episode" of my Army career story. Here, I talk about my first duty station experience, getting married and having kids, promotions and getting ready for a deployment with my first unit. Obviously there are some things I won't be able to talk about for OPSEC reasons, but I'm more than happy to talk about more experiences!
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***All views and opinions on this topic are my own, and are not representative of any of the US Army’s official policies.
#usarmy #soldier #military

[@jonbroadsword7572]

Riding a Greyhound bus from Florida to Washington state is definitely the civilian version of Ranger School. 😁

[@Unknwn-_]

What brought me to your video was that Im looking to join the military soon. Im trying to get completely sober and healthy so when the time comes, ill be as physically and mentally ready as I can be. What out the cherry in top of your video was the fact your ship date is my birthday. I pray to become half the man that you were Sir. Lastly thank you for your service and god bless 🙏🇺🇸🫡

[@GrittySoldier]

Good luck on your journey!

[@achilles2536]

Keep ‘em coming bro, thanks for listening to your viewers! ❤️

[@GrittySoldier]

🫡

[@MBwelding]

Man this brought me back to the best and worst times of my life it’s amazing how we survived it all and todays women couldn’t live like our wives did back then I lucked out my bride was raised by a marine and he was still active when I met her so it was just a normal Tuesday to her but I miss those days in a small way it was the foundation of our life we found out who we are and what we can take every moment of trial life tosses us now is just maintenance strife no sweat thanks for making me take a moment to think on the important things this morning you forget it sometimes when you are focused on the daily things you have going on

[@GrittySoldier]

I can’t thank my wife enough for sticking with as much as she had, and still does. She deserves far more praise than she gets.

[@MBwelding]

Mine as well I was raised in a logging family so my side hustle was cutting firewood and mechanics but she slugged it out right next to me in pouring rain and blistering sun and did it all with 4 daughters in tow she’s more man then I am I just can’t let her know or she might take my pants from me lol

[@grinch45]

Fort Jackson with two months of common basic electronics training after basic. We marched two miles and passed all there other schools such as Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic and Supply. They had a plan as if you failed electronics, no transfer to the signal school at Gordon. I did well and promoted to E4 in nine months. Years later I find a "Cav" guy making fun of my Job in Grenada at a GI bar in Korea as he was infantry on patrol. My job signal was I operated a 50000 watt AM station called radio Grenada and he ended up on the floor as I forgot to tell him I was SF now as the best 90s 18E. My biggest career luck was I did phase one of the Q course with a LTC(P) who secretly was to become the training group commander who them helped me go to 1SFG so I also lived in Lakewood. The secret club in the 90s was the Korea Wives Club and you could meet a whole lot of new friends down at the Fayetteville Korean Church.

[@stewarttrains98]

Being 19d myself, I totally understand the combat arms life. Even though over half my career was in the guard, I still can relate to alot of this video. Especially first duty station and being gone and your experiences where some of what I went through as well. I survived through all the deployments and other to retire at the end of last year. Definitely didn't want to but sadly being guard, I didn't have that choice. I will miss the people but not always the job. It's the people who we work with that make or break most alot of people from being a 4yr or 20 yr.

[@michaellivanios6497]

That’s crazy I came across this video I just finished osut and got orders to fort Lewis too 2nd ID just got here yesterday night and I all ready love it here

[@Richard-lu8ck]

The smoking you got for missing a formation though was a very good thing - and is the mark of good leadership in my opinion. I was in an absolute shit unit once where you would have gotten an instant Article-15 for that. No questions asked, and no choice of either/or.

[@GrittySoldier]

It sucked, but it was effective.

[@michaelw2263]

NGL, I'd take a smoke session and be a little beat up, than something on my record which could have hindered my career.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

@@michaelw2263 AGREED.

[@herchelskinner2497]

Great post. Currently struggling with recent events on why to continue supporting Soldiers when some are very hostile despite my hard work to do my best for them.

[@bpron836]

Been a fan since the beginning….this is your best/most important video yet. Thank you.

[@GrittySoldier]

Wow thanks so much. You’ve been around a minute then huh? Thanks for the support. 🙏 👊

[@davidpowelson4817]

Ridding a bus from Florida to Washington DC... well that's love and commitment.

[@elbowdestruction9691]

Sir, amazing video as always, please make more videos similar to this. You could make a video series talking about your story. People need to hear it. I need to hear it. I just got to the 82nd and I feel like my world is upside down, I miss my wife, I’m scared of NCOs… please man if you could make more content like this that would be very beneficial for all of us new guys. I got smoked all day Thursday and I don’t want it anymore 😂

[@GrittySoldier]

More is on the way brother, and don’t give up. The army can be hard especially the first couple years, it gets better though man, promise.

[@elbowdestruction9691]

@@GrittySoldier Thank you sir. I’m not gonna quit. Just gotta keep going. Anyways thanks again, you are the best resource on the internet for Army info/advice.

[@Brett33]

Went into healthcare instead of military , but have lots of family members whom have served in all branches of service. Still find it fascinating information you are able to relay about your experiences .

[@PETIVOYAGER]

Very informative from a future soldier

[@tysonazure6168]

I’m just watching videos to see other’s experiences, I leave to Fort Bliss tomorrow, my first duty station. I’m also a 19 Delta👍🏽

[@gonojo]

Keep up the great work and great videos! You’re the real deal laying it out there!

[@easyy376]

I remember from another video you talking about selling the furniture people leave out. #got2hustle2makeit

[@tonyk1amt806]

Great content, thanks for doing this trip through your history, looking forward to next chapters, inspiring!

[@scottwischmeyer4928]

I'll never forget getting to Ft. Lewis as a private. 5/20 Infantry. 4000000000 years ago...

[@creamychalupa8392]

Keep the personal videos coming!!!

[@GrittySoldier]

🫡

[@carsongrover9924]

I'll be going into the Washington Army National Guard soon into the 1-161st Infantry Regiment to make my way through college. I'm gonna do 8 years of that and then make my way into RTAC and then into Ranger School

[@geraldmantanona6116]

Great story. It seems every one of us Army guys have all the reasons why we joined. Well that’s really interesting is the stories when we were serving. I’m not just talking combat deployments, But also the crazy Army stories in garrison. 😜😆👍🏾

[@bnxsteve1213]

Brother love these videos. You definitely were on the SF track through the lessons you learned trying to make ends meet as a young married enlisted. 😂Keep ‘em coming. 2/75 RLTW 17:51

[@johnernst6458]

Upvote for marriage talk

[@GrittySoldier]

Got it 🫡

[@Rnx-lt9hw]

The axe reminds me of James Reece! Sweet setup, man. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story.

[@jm8997]

Infantry or scout opportunities after the military are security guard or police officer. Intelligence MOS or Cyber MOS earn 100k after the military. Work smarter not harder. Only need a 60 on the ASVAB

[@JMIKE_JMIKE_]

Bro all I have to say is thank you for doing this series🙂

[@TheJoeyboots]

Wow you fell in love and the woman had three from a previous marriage. Dude you are a freaking holy man. I am humbled soldier, truly humbled. Outstanding!

[@melvincepeda543]

Ft. Lewis was my first duty station as well. 2001-2003. D Co., 29th SIG BN.

[@barryrohrmeier2399]

I really enjoy your videos. Stay Gritty Brother and thanks !!!!!!!!

[@GrittySoldier]

🤜 🤛

[@wallacemcnish7681]

Can’t wait until the next video. Keep them coming

[@dwayne4257]

Great story! You were the definition of “Joe”

[@CowboysCreed]

“Welcome to America’s joint-base.”

[@GU_671]

I gotta say , you give great advice on all things army , but I would like to ask , what mos’s would be most suitable if I’m only interested in dealing with weapons & going out to the range , primarily combat focused , thanks again for pushing out great content for all of us to learn from 🙌🏽‼️

[@GrittySoldier]

Infantry, hands down. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, go Option 40 or 18x

[@Richard-lu8ck]

So you've told us how you hurled after your first run in basic training, and how you smoked a pack a day, but how did you make the transition from that to where you are now? What got you to start really getting into PT?

[@GrittySoldier]

Next video that will happen 👍

[@Richard-lu8ck]

@@GrittySoldier Woot!

[@warrenreid6109]

Thanks for sharing that.

[@demonchompy]

Your story is literally almost the same as mine….first duty station, gf from east coast, lakewood, proposing, courthouse etc 😂

[@GrittySoldier]

😆 🤜 🤛

[@jasonjust-jason9489]

same-same but different, brother... Congrats on your successful marriage, good stuff.

[@jdones5475]

Keep it going! It’s great !

[@Brett33]

With all the money that gets wasted by the Government , people serving in the military should not be so underpaid for the service they provide this country . Although I guess there is a component in using low pay when you start as a tool to motivate you to push yourself to advance in your career .

[@RIV0405_]

The 87 million each week our current Government sends to the Taliban and additional stipend payments to the relatives of dead Taliban Terrorists should be going to US service members. The majority of Americans do not understand and can not even comprehend the level of evil and corruption that exists in DC. The Taliban is funded and better taken care of than our own active military and our Veterans. Disgusting and Evil

[@armyranger4403]

Fort Benning Georgia Sandhill Charlie 2nd-54th Infantry Regiment 3rd Platoon. 1988

[@BrickTemplar]

22:31 things to be inspired by.

[@survivetolife]

Good stuff!

[@jamesmaclachlan6595]

Really inspiring

[@thomasbeck6102]

My dad was in 1st special forces group so I’ve lived in Washington all my life…………Lakewood is still ghetto asf😂

[@jonm3518]

Mine was Fort Polk

[@joiebiden35]

Hey man question, did you go officer ultimaley? ROTC cadet here

[@savatarx99]

How old were you when you went into BCT?

[@Xaviier9090]

Hey Gritty Soldier your thoughts on kissing the homies good night?

[@GrittySoldier]

Haha, if that’s your thing bro

[@sarharoshell7583]

I think you need you prepare the biggest wedding to give her. Without her you could have failed to get to where you are today.

[@Realitycheck327]

🫡

[@deadshutternyc]

Damn that shit hit when you said "till this day I have not given that woman a proper wedding ceremony" lol. I got married 9 days before shipping out to Benning in 2016 and till this day, same thing. Mind you money isn't the issue, I got lucky her saying she does not want a wedding just an extended vacation. It's crazy how so many of us can relate within the branches. And FYI, nothing beats the Blue Cord. NOTHING!

[@richardexton816]

There’s only 2 Mos’s in the Army 11B’s an 11 wanna B’s 😂

[@GrittySoldier]

Lol I know 😉

[@germanstudent06]

I like the take of not judging the Army by your first unit, and just hating it. I started in an an armor unit as a pimple-faced teen with guys largely in their 30's and 40's. Guys were about to retire that were in Desert Storm and didn't really like the new guys. Then I ended up in a unit years later with more of my peers, but was more prepared for my first deployment because of the tough love from the previous unit. The Army was it's own institution of higher learning in it's own way. Great vid, Gritty!

[@EricTheSwede]

Found your channel yesterday and I'm hooked. I'm currently training to go into the Swedish military as my university degree is just about done, but weight has always been a huge problem for me. I'm down from 340lbs to just under 250 right now and I can see I'm going to learn a lot from your old videos during my prep, and hopefully my potential career! I'm going for the army infantry officer route as my biggest hero growing up was/still is Hackworth. Thanks for the great videos, and I look forward to part 3! 💪

[@GrittySoldier]

🫡

[@williamebrennan]

Best officers I knew were former enlisted. Made them better leaders by understanding their soldiers and being able to communicate with them as leaders--but also as fellow human beings. That's a quality that you have that comes across even in your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@GrittySoldier]

Thanks brother, I agree, and honestly im glad I came from where I did, and really it’s not like I had a choice anyways at the time 😆

[@johns8771]

At some point we need a tour of the office.

[@GrittySoldier]

Yea I guess so huh 🤔

[@hugogarcia7409]

CPT Fayhey was doing side hustle before it was a thing! Inspiring that you have the perspective of a lower enlisted and that’s what’s a great leader is.

[@GrittySoldier]

Gotta get that $$ man…

[@michaellacy8510]

Just going to say it: military personnel should be paid enough to live. Kind of a disgrace that they aren't.

[@GrittySoldier]

Yeah it was pretty rough and it’s still not enough for the lower enlisted personnel IMO

[@Xaviier9090]

Can’t wait for part 3!

[@GrittySoldier]

🤘

[@michaelmoschitta174]

Totally loving this. Got married in the Army in 1980 @ 19. Renting crappy places until base housing was available and was even worse. Mice invested at Ft. Polk. Money was tight.

[@joseitsme]

Wow...starting from humble beginnings. Thank you for sharing that with us. Much respect! When I was a PFC at Fort Hood from 2004-2007, I was a single soldier, and I did live in the barracks. I would buy my own food, but every now and then I would eat at the DFAC. I was in the BDU, and ACU era. With the BDU's, we really needed to make sure they were pressed, with no strings hanging on, and clean, and of course, those black boots have them shinned. I was a jungle boot guy, it looked more badass with those BDU's. But, we the ACU's, it got simpler. I was in the Army only for 3 years. I wanted it for the experience. But now I do regret not re-enlisting. I had thoughts about going to Ranger school too. When I got out in late 2007, that's when the recession happened, and the unemployment was sky high. I almost was going to talk to an Army recruiter about reeenlisting. But, I did end up getting a job, and I got very lucky for getting that job during that time. I have great memories in the Army and Iraq deployment. Especially with the deployment, it feels so so surreal. One heck of an experience for sure.

[@zerne1000]

Great video you worked your ass off

[@GrittySoldier]

🙏 I want to get into so much more but it would make the video waaaay too long 😆

[@elliotm1341]

I'm 34 and my wife wants to kill me for doing it, but I go to MEPS on July 10th in hopes that I pass my physical. I need to do this for country and self. Wish me luck and thank you for your videos.

[@commosection]

I can't imagine being in the Army at such a young age AND having 3 or more kids. I was to busy being inde3pendant until age 29 when i met my future wife and said you better get married before you lose this women. I can see why you are a driven man in the Army and in life because of your responsibilities at such a young age. In my experience in the Army i guess 95% of E-1 to E-4's were single . I did have a roommate in Germany who married his German gf 3 months after meeting her and we all tried to make him wait at least a year but he didn't i always wonder how it worked out.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

Man TRADOC needs to add youth their SDAP and tag it as "Recruiter Pay" on your LES.

[@GrittySoldier]

😂

[@Xinthisis]

Builds character. We need to bring back the dog shit smoking.

[@PedroNCampos]

Thank you for opening your truth, that's not easy to see in nowadays were everyone is "superman"

[@aaronf9895]

Gritty, would u be interested in creating a run plan video? There's an ad that's trying to sell a run plan for $60 all over Facebook, but your content is what I've been sticking to. I am just having some trouble with how to effectively increase the difficulty as run plans do. Just an idea!

[@bcool9104]

Leaving your wife pregnant for twelve months is better than coming back from twelve months and her being pregnant!😆

[@GrittySoldier]

Oh yeah, much better option

[@jonwinship9099]

Leaving behind a pregnant wife for 12 months is better than coming home to a pregnant wife.

[@Acalltoservice03]

Man, a lot of parallels with my time and life. I reported to Fort Lewis on 10 July 2007. Deployed on 28 October 2007 to Iraq. What part of Florida are y'all from? I'm from a small town North West of Tallahassee.

[@milaap7455]

This is really beneficial. Please keep posting more of these. And your advice in the army and what you would do differently or if someone in the army and what they can do differently

[@levixsnyder]

I’ve been watching your videos since before I joined the army, and I really appreciate the perspective you share with your experiences. Thank you

[@JC-ju4bn]

Mine was Ft Carson, 4th ID.

[@doom4067]

In Intel we don't really look down too much on people without deployment patches. The people that duck deployments, however...

[@najwanalobaidi4833]

you didn't buy a charger with a high interest rate... that's amazing

[@richardreyes6119]

Love this video .. good shit

[@TheArizonaRanger.]

Any advice for trying to stay out of the "this is dumb I am going to get out" mentality? I've been out once and rejoined again and quickly as the dumb stuff compounds I am already having the thoughts of "Maybe the civilian life was preferable" Then I have to try and ground myself and focus.

[@nicholasboucher3911]

Great video Sir please do a video on what motivated you to become a better soldier thanks 🙏🏿

[@GrittySoldier]

🫡

[@charlesh777]

Great story. Thank you. I'd like to get another "Exceed the Standard" shirt. I didn't see one. Are they still available?

[@kingja2000]

Great video, looking forward to the deployment video! I would absolutely love a video about marriage life. Been through 1 deployment and I'm away a lot as it is. It's definitely tough on the relationship sometimes.

[@bigmac3236]

Dam to me . raising children that aren't mine . Probably hardest thing you did in your life . Did you go to college. How you make Sergeant with no degree.

[@BrickTemplar]

I believe the enlisted don't need a degree. Officers do.

[@jeromeencarnacion6280]

Air assault!!!!

[@friendofenkidu3391]

Wonderful video, especially hearing your thoughts about what you did right and what you did wrong (or failed to do) during this phase of your military career. I'd also like to hear more about the physical conditioning that you did back then.

[@ourlordtachanka3775]

I was just wondering what your experiences are with other world militaries and what you think about each one (Germany, Uk, Aus).

[@heythere1115]

A Griitty story? Heck yes!

[@HumbleDishwasher]

Ya ya Gritty we know "cav scouts are basically infantry" ;D a tale as old as time

[@GrittySoldier]

😂

[@valoranderson3755]

i just got to my first duty station im up here in Alaska at one of the worst duty stations in the army, fort wainwright but i wont let that get to me my main goal is to get my acft score up goto ranger school i have alot of work to do but i absolutely believe i can do it thank you for all the great videos.

[@BJ229-z9t]

Thank you for sharing your story. It’s motivating for Soldiers and potential applicants.

[@turtlesoup8989]

hello sir, is it possible to do emergency leave from your loved once and what will be the process? and How to know the other party is real or fake army, is video calling banned in most of the military areas?

[@stevenharris5054]

Your story is awesome and my wife and me had a very similar experience with her having kids Pryor to our marriage and us getting married while I was a PFC, and now her being pregnant while I’m on rotation. Awesome video man

[@chrisowen7209]

Looking forward to the next one!

[@reddevilparatrooper]

You are lucky because you both just clicked together.

[@Blair0227]

My first duty station is JBLM and I made the mistake of living in Lakewood as well!

[@doom4067]

I started out in Germany. We drank a lot. Didn't deploy until I was at Hood in 2006. 12 months turned into 15. Good times.

[@GrittySoldier]

Yep I saw that happening all around me, just got lucky it didn’t happen to me like that I guess

[@doom4067]

At least they ended up giving us the extra $1,000 and day of admin leave for each extra month. At one point they planned to not do either of those.

[@gersonhernandez3929]

I’ve been in for 8 months and still under TRADOC do to some unfortunate circumstances but i want a deployment patch

[@Anthony-be6tl]

Great job in relating your personal experiences with your audience. As a former marine I can relate how difficult it was to have a family especially when your just starting out in your military career. But brother it just makes you stronger, more determined and committed in the pursuit of your goals and it makes for a stronger marital and family relationship working together as a team. Again great job and thanks for sharing!

[@GrittySoldier]

🙏

[@Will-nh4lm]

Idk if you already made a video about this and at the same time it may be just a little too personal but I really can’t think of what it’d be like raising any kid(s) while in the military

[@rangerminiaturesandgaming3647]

For fuck sake I feel like this is a why not to join the army…

[@markcornelsen6613]

I'm getting to relive my time in the service. I miss it. Thanks!