I'm currently stationed in Baghdad, but I live in Schweinfurt, Germany. This is my second year-long deployment over here in Iraq. When I get back I'll have about a year and a half before I PCS/ETS.

What I was wondering is if I could possibly get stationed at MEP's in Cleveland, Ohio when I leave Germany. I am a 68W(medic)and am going to get pinned SGT within the next 3 months. My home of residence is close to the Cleveland area, so that is why I'd love to get stationed there. Unfortunetly, there are no other Army bases in or around Ohio.

I've been deployed to Iraq almost my whole military career so far, so I was also wondering if that would help better my chances of landing at MEP's in Cleveland. Being a medic, would that help my chances as well? If I don't land Cleveland, I was also wondering if Ft. Sam Houston would be a good bet.

I heard it is hard to get into Ft. Sam as a medic, but would being a hardened young combat-veteran help my chances there as well? I would really love to nab Cleveland or Ft. Sam Houston if at all possible. Can anyone give me any pointers or help on these questions and if any of my dream duty stations have a chance at becoming a reality.

I'm in no way looking to "sham" out. I just prefer those two areas as places that I may consider living for the better majortity of my life, while in the Army, and after I'm out, plus I have family very close by. Thanks alot!!!
(PS-I accidently posted this same question in the Re-enlistment Forum. Sorry.)

Assignment Managers do look favorably on Soldiers that have served 1 or more tours in Iraq.

Ensure you meet the follow qualifications before talking with your Assignment Manager.

AR 614-200, paragraph 8–9. U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command assignments
a. Soldiers must be highly qualified and meet the following criteria:
(1) Be serving in the grade of SGT or higher unless the individual has a critical skill.
(2) Possess good military bearing, meet body composition requirements in AR 600–9.
(3) Be a high school graduate or possess a GED equivalent.
(4) Have excellent character and moral background.
(5) Have no current record of excessive indebtedness or a history of recurring indebtedness.
(6) Have no record of conviction by court–martial, of time lost during current enlistment, and/or nonjudicial
punishment under UCMJ within the last three years.
(7) Have no record of civil conviction other than those that normally are waived to permit the soldier to enlist or reenlist.
(8) Be financially able to maintain their families in communities where Government support facilities, such as hospitals, exchanges, and commissaries may not be available.
(9) Be able to read and speak English clearly without speech impediments.
(10) Be in possession of, or able to obtain, a civilian driver’s license and have no physical limitations preventing the operation of a military sedan.
(11) Must have enough time remaining in–service to complete the prescribed tour (three years) or be eligible under AR 601–280 to reenlist or extend.
b. Soldiers whose personal conduct or performance of duty warrant reassignment prior to completion of a normal tour of duty will be reported for reassignment under AR 601–270, chapter 4.

ArmyImp23

If your looking for Ft Sam. rememember that Fort Sam Houston, Brooke Army Medical Center, and The Institute of Surgical Research (ISR) are all located WITHIN Ft Sam. But they are considered 3 seperate assignment locations!!!!

Hey thanks alot to all who posted. ArmyReenlistment, I meet all of the criteria, or I will within the next 3 months(as I will be getting pinned my Sergeant). Is my next step to call branch before my PCS time is up, and ask them for help on getting in? Will I have to reenlist in order to get it(I'll have about 3 months after my PCS time before my ETS time comes around)?

Thanks for the info on Ft. Sam, Medic_Man. I did not know that their were three seperate assignments for that base.

Anytime.

It's ironic, b/c my first assignment was 3ID - Fort Stewart. (deployed to iraq also)

My 2nd assignment was Albany, NY (MEPS). I just came down on it too, did't even ask assignment manager.

Now...im AT stationed at the (ISR) Fort Sam. LOL

Also,

Ft Sam is TRADOC (im sure u know that)

Brooke Army Medical Center is MEDDAC/Hospital (but u can be Profis-ed out to deploy)

ISR MEDDAC also, and a seperate assignment/command WITHIN Brooke Army Medical Center, but ISR is non-deployable.

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyImp23:
Is my next step to call branch before my PCS time is up, and ask them for help on getting in? Will I have to reenlist in order to get it(I'll have about 3 months after my PCS time before my ETS time comes around)?

Submit a DA Form 4187 through your Chain of Command (to gain their support and recommendation) and then contact your Branch.

You will have to reenlist to meet your the 36-month service remaining requirement (SRR) for the MEPS assignment.

Once again, thanks Medic_Man. So sound like you've had some good fortune with duty stations so far. Lucky guy!

One more quick question to ArmyReenlistment: Can I opt out of my current duty station when I get back from Iraq to go to MEPS, or do I have to remain there until my contract expires(I currently am supposed to PCS from Germany in December of 2009)??

We are supposedly deploying soon again after we get back and I was just curious if there is any way at all for me to some how get orders for MEP's even though I'm supposed to remain in Germany until 2009. Ive already been deployed 2 times in three years, and I'd really like to find a way out of Germany(as are quite a few other people).

If I can't get MEP's, what do you suggest that I can do to get up out of Germany. I know I'm no more special then the guy next to me, but I'm going to do whatever I can to help be with my wife and family a little more.
Getting deplyed 3 times in 4 1/2 years is asinine when some guys havent even been deploed once yet(no offense to the ones who haven't).

Will a DA Form 4187 be all that I need to have signed off by my Chain of Command to PCS sooner than expected, or is there no way out what-so-ever? Advice please...Thanks!!!