A lot of people we know are PCS'ing, just PCS'd or are in the process of getting orders. So many of our friends are being spread out all over the globe and it is awesome to see it all unfold. In the midst of all this you see the different reactions that others have to the news, they are either extremely supportive and think it's a great place or you get those people who just choose to be negative.
During our last two moves all we heard was how we were going to hate Fort Bliss and then Fort Polk. Both of those statements could not be further from the truth. While Kyle's unit could have been better we loved Fort Bliss and would not be opposed to going back at some point.
I do have the say we got the worst reactions when we told people we were moving to Polk. However, 90% of those people had only been here for a JRTC rotation, so of course it sucked because they were in the field the whole time and being critiqued by those training them.
Here is a quick run down of why we love it here:
*It's not a traditional unit setup for OPS Group. Kyle is essentially his own boss, he makes his own hours and manages his own training time. He is able to get more done this way and it has been awesome for him, plus he gets to jump again.
*There is no FRG, now I loved being involved at Bliss and Bragg but man it's nice to have a break.
*The post is small! It doesn't take me 30 minutes to get from one end of post to the other.
*Everyone is extremely nice, it is truly the Southern way and it's nice to be back in this part of the country.
*I was able to get a job relatively quickly, this was a huge relief. With it being a smaller post it made going through the application process a lot quicker.
*I can get same day Doctor appointments without it being a fight, woo!
*We have a lot more family time, even though when rotations are here Kyle is in the field for 2 weeks we still have more time together than we did when he was in command.
*We are close to family which is a HUGE plus.
*We are close to family which is a HUGE plus.
*The weather! Need I say more?! Mild winters with hot summers....yes please! I'll even take humidity over dry heat (and I grew up with that lol)
You just can't beat the green!
*We love the small town vibe, we have realized over the years that we just aren't big city people anymore.
*The things to do within driving distance (Louisiana in such a cultural melting pot) are amazing, the festivals, fairs and other historical events just can't be beat.
We are happy to be here and can't wait to see what the next couple years have in store for us!
Hope you all have an amazing weekend!!
Cheers to a small town..especially with those doctor appointments. I have yet to be at an "un-busy" base. I've never been at a "mega-base" like Bragg or Hood, but I've never been at a quiet one. Traffic here is particularly bad.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome place!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt really is! We love it. :)
DeleteI love that your attitude towards what you're doing and where you're going is always positive. I can just feel how wonderfully supportive you are of your husband and his Army obligations, and I think it's wonderful that you bloom where you're planted (an overused saying, I know, but a really good one!).
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like it! I have heard so many negative things about Polk, but it is nice to know that people do like it. I want to visit Louisiana for the food. I love the food!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're loving the new town! Er, is town the right word? LOL
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a good fit for you and Kyle! And that's all that matters! :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it would also be a good place for the enlisted with families too? J is about ready to re-enlist and I mentioned Ft. Polk to him as it was an option last time.
ReplyDeleteI love your outlook! We are the same way when we move. Every place is a new adventure!
ReplyDeleteYou always have so amazing positivity! I am excited to see how you guys like the new area and all things that you do!
ReplyDeleteI do my best. :)
DeleteThat sounds like an amazing place to be! I love visiting other bases and seeing how different they are!
ReplyDeleteI'm truly happy for you that you enjoy your new location! I have learned that a major part of whether people love or hate a place are their own attitude toward it. If they are determined to give the location a chance and to like it, they oftentimes are happy there. In contrast, if one approaches a new place with negative feelings, they probably won't change. Keep enjoying Polk!
ReplyDelete:) I agree!!
DeleteIt's awesome how you are always able to see the positive in the situation. I'm looking forward to you sharing more about Polk.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest perks of Bragg were because it was such a huge post. But a small post probably has some of the same benefits! It's great that y'all have settled in so quickly.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you are enjoy Fort Polk. I guess a person can also make themselves miserable at any place they live or make the best of it and find things to do!!! I enjoyed the experience of England. Wouldn't trade that military experience for anything!!! We live in a small town now, as of 25 years. Sometimes I stay in town on a day off or travel elsewhere for shopping. I don't like big cities either. I try to avoid Portland at all costs, especially downtown. It's nice to drive thru it at night though as it is a pretty city at night!! Have a good weekend. We are finally having sun after a couple weeks of nothing but fog and cold!!! :0)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my home state! I warn you though...it gets beyond hot in Louisiana. It's kind of like lying on the sun. Consider yourself an egg lying on the sun, actually. I'm so glad you're enjoying the people. It is a super friendly place. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm used to crazy heat, we spent 4 years in North Carolina and I'm from Vegas haha.
DeleteMy husband was in North Carolina for some time too! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I'm following you now!
DeleteGreat list. I love small town over big too.
ReplyDeleteI love how optimistic you are being about Ft Polk!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds just like Fort Rucker, lol. All the same reasons we love it here!
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel about Ft. Sill, whenever people talk about how much they hated Oklahoma, it's usually because they were there for AIT or BOLC.
ReplyDeleteI just want to say thank you so much for your article. It is the only positive thing I can seem to find about Ft. Polk. We have been stationed at Ft. Lewis for 8 months now and this place is just NOT US. I will never feel at home here because of the people and the culture. There is no good food to be found on this whole side of the country lol. We were at Ft. Campbell, KY 10 years before coming here and I really got used to the Southern culture, the good food, and the sense of a military community. Ft. Lewis has none of those things. Instead it has hours of backed up traffic, a high cost of living, and extremely rude and rotten people! My husband talked to his Branch Manager and said the only way he can likely get us out of here in 2 years is to send us to Polk. I know there are many who would think we are crazy for that switch, but I miss a small town feel so much and the rat race of this place really eats away at you.
ReplyDelete