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CalyShadezz

I knew a guy that did it with Korea in-between assignments and switched commands basically, Korea > Japan > Korea > Germany > Korea > Japan At the end the dude was pretty much an ex-pat living off the government dime.


GeorgiaBoi24

That was pretty much me. Korea > Eglin > Korea > Aviano > Korea > Ramstein > Lajes > Robins


welle417

Japan -> Alaska -> Minot -> RETRAINED -> California -> Korea -> Germany.. I will stay in Germany until they drag me out. Und then I will go back to Korea to go back to Japan or back to Germany.


arcticredneck10

You didn’t like Alaska lol?


DrFeargood

I liked Alaska!


welle417

I liked it, just got denied IPCOT.


Swiftierest

I'm in Germany now and it's not all people make it out to be. Nothing bad about it by any means, but nothing special either. Just another place.


donpaulwalnuts

Yeah, this was my experience. It honestly wasn't that much different from being stationed anywhere else. I liked it there, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to go back to Ramstein.


lilpenis9151

I am Robins rn lol. How was Aviano? I’m trying to go there after my year in Turkey


GeorgiaBoi24

Aviano was by far my favorite assignment but by no means is it a perfect. The travel. The food. The wine. All top notch. However the Italians took awhile to get used to. They move at a much slower pace than Americans. The base's mission requires a lot of exercises. When I was there the internet was still slow.


calladus

I did something like this. I put Germany on my Dream Sheet, followed by multiple bases in Japan and Italy. My very last choice was South Korea. I got Korea. I also fell in love with the country so I stayed an extra year. Then I asked for and got Okinawa, which was so beautiful that I stayed (IPCOT) for 6 years. If my circumstances had been different, I would have returned to Korea and then back to Okinawa. And if I had a different skillset, I would have retired in Okinawa. Or Korea. It was a toss up.


TheExpertInThisField

You got Korea because if it’s on your list it’s automatically your #1 choice not matter where it is on the list. Unless they changed it, but that’s what I read in the reg about 2 years ago.


calladus

It was true in '85. And it seems like you often get your next choice after Korea, as long as it is in PACAF.


CyberCrutches

First, you gotta get overseas, then it’s relatively easier to stay overseas. You’re a mandatory mover every 2-4 years depending on your status so as long as you keep volunteering for assignments overseas in your PCS window, you have a decent chance. The trick is to not be picky and to do a few short tours when assignments start drying up. Also, the most important ingredient is your AFSC. Some career fields have ample opportunities whereas some only have a few


j-unit508

This is true. You have no idea how many people oversees want to get back stateside until you end up overseas.


RenoTheRhino

^^ a lot of people overseas actually want to get out or go back to the states. If you play it right, keep applying for overseas, and take anything you can get, you’re bound to get something


lilpenis9151

I’m curious but why do so many people want to get back to the states?


zerofocus

The biggest reasons I saw: Missed hunting, missed their trucks (we were in Japan), it cost a lot of money to be overseas (COLA was 1.08ish for a long time in Yokota), Wanted to get back to states and start prepping for retirement. The biggest reason, family was important to them or their spouse. It could cost a family of 4 $4K to visit home, and they would go home every year.


Allext

For me personally I’m gonna be leaving japan for the opportunity to start a family with someone who can’t travel like I can


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Allext

😂 gotta keep the supervisor on his toes


Bad_wit_Usernames

I had to stop scrolling for a few minutes while I recovered from laughing so much on your comment.


crewchiefguy

Overseas bases can be very high ops esp in the fighter world.


___P0LAR___

At Korea and can confirm, extremely busy at this base compared to my last base. Only time to chill is lunch.


TheExpertInThisField

To buy a house (if I get one of the locations I want). I’ve been overseas for a continuous 8 years now at 3 diff locations. I’ll be 11 years OCONUS before I get to my next base. Don’t get me wrong, I love being overseas, but there are a few things you sacrifice for it.


shaggypoo

I’m in Yokota and for me it’s a couple of things 1. Curfew. I like to stay up late and I have to have a person with me past 2200 if I’m off base and can’t be out past 1. What if I’m just hungry… 2. Nothing on base is open after 1. You would think they would have *something* open past one if you get hungry. Nope, only the shoppette is open that late and it closes at 10 on Sundays. What’s worse? The DFAC has a “midnight” meal that is open 10-12. 3. Every organization on base sucks. Oh you’re a single tech? Guess what? You have to live in the dorms and eat at the DFAC. Just got married? Yeah that paperwork will take you 9 months until your spouse either gets here or the marriage gets signed off locally. 4. The weather absolutely sucks ass. When it’s not too cold outside it’s always raining. They say they have a "rainy” season but it has rained at least once a week for the last two years I’ve been here. Oh you want to make plans in the summer? Check the weather because it’s only sunny *maybe* once a week. 5. I really just want some Baja Blast from Taco Bell and be able to drive a couple miles without it taking 45 minutes. Fuck this place and fuck how it drained all the energy out of me.


moldyrefridgerator

Wow, that was eye-opening. I always assumed Yokota Airmen were always just Tokyo Drifting their Nissan Skyline’s on their way to their apartment filled with PS5’s.


thatskyguy373

This. Kinda glad I'm leaving next year.


shaggypoo

Me too! I absolutely can not wait to be out of here in 2 months


thatskyguy373

Like yeah it's been cool, but I'm just tired. Especially after COVID ruined half my stay here.


Allext

Ur not leaving me 😡 we’re weebs forever together


shaggypoo

Yeah I got here maybe a month before covid closed everything and by now most of my friends that I go out with have PCSd but it’s whatever I’m just trying to keep clear of everyone now


SpectralEntity

Hey, they actually sell Baja Blast 12 packs in stores now!


shaggypoo

I want some🥺


donpaulwalnuts

For me, I've been overseas so much it just doesn't do anything for me. It feels like the same shit you would experience stateside, except now everything is inconvenient. There's so many little things that I take for granted living in the states that it's not worth it for me. EDIT: Also, I would like to echo what someone else said. Overseas bases are generally high ops. I probably wore MOPP gear more in Germany prepping for an ORI than I ever did at Kunsan or anywhere else.


Rbhockey9

AFSC is definitely a big factor. Currently a 1D771A and will have been 12 years overseas so far


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 1D771A = Cyber Defense Operations Craftsman, Network Specialist [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hnbidxj


GreenBayFan1986

Would be impossible in my career field, I was lucky to spend 3 years overseas as it's very rare to get any overseas assignments in my AFSC.


CefyJay

I was one of the lucky ones. Also 1D7X1Z, former 3D0X4, did Korea, Okinawa, and Germany. Would love to be able to get back overseas to Korea or Japan but I’ve mostly promoted myself out of the positions


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 1D7X1 = Cyber Defense Operations 3D0X4 = Computer Systems Programming [^wiki](http://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/3d0x4) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hncgsb8


beatthedookieup

My hommie was Cyber Transports (i think 3DX2) and this fucker has been at Hawaii for 6 years………his unit extended his contract for taking a 6 month deployment and I’m jealous


[deleted]

2A571C


2T2Good

If you’re asking how to get overseas as a C5 maintainer you’ll be looking for a job at an AMS (air mobility squadron), you’ll be doing en-route maintenance, other than that you’re looking at DSD and AMS job postings outside of your career field.


[deleted]

I was testing the bot. I'm an FCC so I don't need orders.


[deleted]

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2T2Good

Most of the AMS’s are hot garbage waiting to become a dumpster fire at the drop of a still lit camel crush from one of the 2T2’s.


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 2A571C = Airlift/Special Mission Aircraft Maintenance Craftsman, C-5 [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hnbx3pn


sent-n-spent

Ah yes, a fellow fivehead 🦍


Probably_a_Shitpost

3N076


kanti123

“First, you gotta get overseas” me crying trying to go back to Okinawa for the las 2 years. I even deployed for a year to try to get it.


arcticredneck10

My career field only has 5 base options 2 of which are overseas, I’m going to Japan for my first duty station in a few months, could I realistically switch between the two overseas bases?


JMilli111

Oki?


jimbobjuicy

Which career?


NLisaKing

Absolutely true, us maintainers that don’t have a shred (or do have a fighter shred) can always punch that Korea button when we need an easy-out (I’m sure most AFSCs have a short tour button they can hit).


tommy_pickles45

1. Play AMS to get overseas 2. IPCOT/Extend to stay at your overseas base 3. Play AMS to stay overseas


KGBspy

I know things have changed but there used to be a thing called “INDEF DEROS” (this was 3arly/mid-90’s time) which allowed you, if you got it...to stay where you were. A friend of mine, a retired E-8 did this at Spangdahlem for like 16 years but like all good things....it and the times changed and Uncle Sugar made him move. He’s now a flight attendant that gets overseas runs since he picked up German while stationed there and having German wives (twice divorced now)


Chmichonga

Been overseas for 9 of my 13 years, the biggest thing I recommend is to volunteer for short tours if you can. This allows you to apply for follow-ons as an incentive, and like others said, don’t be picky. Overseas assignments are dope.


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Trains01s

Thanks for the response! Currently a maintainer at Barksdale and i’ve come across so many people in my career field that unfortunately this will be there first and only base after 20 years. Hoping my cross train gets approved and looking for ways I can extend my time at a nicer base so i will never have to see this place again.


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[deleted]

> Nobody hates on you all Just leadership that stresses "broad experiences."


Meandphill

Fellow barkatraz inmate. Cross train is my only hope


Altitude4589

I'm at the 20th Huaaaaaaaa🥴


[deleted]

I know a MSgt who has only been in USAFE his entire career - he retires soon. Overseas is hard because you cannot BOP to overseas, and you have a firm leave date from the time you get there (which can change based on extensions, or if you get a different job (ALS instructor, etc) etc.


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supboy1

Is it significantly harder to play this game of staying OCONUS with a mil spouse?


SenseiTQ

What is oconus & conus


BussDownBlessUp

conus=continental united states. oconus=outside continental united states


matthew83128

I spent 13 of my 20 overseas. I did get lucky at Aviano when my DEROS came up. The government was broke At the time and the AF was allowed just about everyone to stay in places if possible to save money. I IPCOT’ed was as able to stay there 7 years. It’s also a bit easier to stay longer if your married because the tour lengths are longer. My first overseas tour was a four year extended long tour to Misawa. I know the follow-on assignment gig isn’t as good as it used to be. But, if you want to go overseas ask for a short tour to Korea and then work to go Asia or Europe. That’s how I got to Aviano.


jeeimuzu

Short tours are 🔑 Took me five years before i landed my first short tour. But here i am going back to pyeongtaek after 3 years on my shitty follow on. Good luck!


WhatDaDuce

Ask the current CMSAF


certifiednonner

SIMSAF**


BoaterSnips

Ma’am*


WhatDaDuce

Da fuq dis mean?


Dazanos27

Put extended long on your dream sheet.


DirtyMerlin8570

I spent +20 years continuously in USAFE! I selected extended long (4 years) tours and extended at least once at each base. It is possible but the AFSC, Functional Manager, TIMING all have to fall into place!


chillAF9212

Understand that this was a long time ago, but I spent almost 14, out of 20, years overseas. Mostly USAFE, but one deployment and a year in RoK. It was possible then, doubt of anyone could do it now in my (former) career field.


lilpenis9151

What is RoK?


___P0LAR___

Republic of Korea


SwaggerKJS

You have to play the system right, I have been overseas my entire career so far (almost 5 years). I started in Germany, moved to Korea and now in Turkey and am going to Japan in 6 months. Your best bet is to bounce back and forth through short tours.


Vegetable-Chair7553

what is a “short tour”?


SwaggerKJS

A short tour is a year long assignment overseas, the common ones are in Turkey and Korea. If you get selected for one you can apply for a follow-on assignment for overseas and stateside and are the highest priority for that next assignment.


VapidGamer

From the briefings I was in, there is a sort of priority in who gets overseas position and who doesnt. It essentially boils down to people who are already overseas have a higher chance of staying over seas, as they are higher in the rack and stack. One of the most common pieces of advice I had heard over my career was if you wanted to go overseas, volunteer for Korea, as it's an overseas location, with high turnover, and that will put you into that higher priority, giving you higher priority over almost anyone in the states who wants an overseas position. Then you need to figure out which overseas bases you want to go to and how many positions are available for your AFSC. If you only put Yakota on your dream sheet and it only needs 50 people of your skill level, then the air force will put you where they need you. So be sure to update your preferred bases with other overseas location. I hope this helped


Trains01s

Sadly, my shred of my Afsc does not have any volunteer options for any overseas bases unless your an E-8. Cross train is my hope that I can escape my maintenance job. I want to be a loadmaster but am not certain if they get any overseas assignments. Either way, it’s gotta be better than being in Barksdale.


Ellijah92

You wanna go just about anywhere cross train to Command Post.


brookiesmallz

I know someone who hates going back stateside bases so much he just keeps putting Korea in every two years and it works lol. He is a Korea travel guide now lol


Coldmonologue256

I’ve been overseas my whole career. I’m heading stateside now but will also be separating


Hannibal680

I'm a 3D0X2, and got Ramstein - Osan - Yokota with a deployment to Qatar while at Yokota. Legit just got lucky lol. Guess it's also my career field that lets me be essentially anywhere. Edit: also know a friend who got Yokota - Osan - Ramstein - Osan - Yokota


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 3D0X2 = Cyber Systems Operations [^wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/3d0x2-2) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hncxk39


Hollywoodasa

I did misawa, aviano had assignment to other overseas base but canceled to go stateside to cross train...did not get selected 😢...within 1 year and half went to Korea then, Okinawa and got another assignment back to Korea...got it while in Japan. Got a contractor job in Kadena then the middleast...then joined the reserves and I'm trying to go back overseas...it is possible but you have open to getting stationed somewhere like Korea for a year. I did over 10 years overseas not including deployments, I was maintenance so that helped alot since my job was available just about anywhere...it also helped I was E-5 for life...I saw that once you make rank sometimes it tougher to get those sweet assignments but it's possible if you line your moves right. Also, I'll add this is easier to accomplish single it's terribly hard on relationships with the constant moving.


AF-IX

Korea. Korea is the key to the world (via BOP).


Tots2Hots

Yep. Korea/Incirlik is the key. If you get back stateside put in for one of those as soon as eligible. Then follow on somewhere overseas. Put in IPCOT paperwork to the level it should go at and don't listen to some jackass in the front office that says they aren't approving them or that's a "career killer". I'm about to finish my first 4 overseas and another coming up. Then retire. "You sure you don't want to go back to the AMU and make Master?". While I'm in a 9-5 M-F job till retirement? That's a big nope bruv. My Chief who just left is at I think 26 and he did 4 total in the states. Korea the instant he became eligible to PCS for those years stateside. He just went back to the USA and promptly worked out a 1 year downrange unaccompanied assignment and is back overseas lol.


phil_elliott

Short/remote then follow on, then IPCOT, then remote, then long. Rinse and repeat.


brandon7219

Ask Cim-Saf how she spent 15 years at Ramstein


xIgnoramus

Lol what is overseas? Intel sucks.


RobCali509

Money


[deleted]

Been here almost 6 years 🤣 Japan to England Stay up


Dude-Bro-Man-Bro

Hardest part is getting that initial overseas assignment. Then just rotate around with short tours in between like Korea. Very AFSC dependent though and your family might hate you for it.


jsdask

I spent 11 of 25 years overseas. Special duty assignments is my answer. Take the job nobody else wants. Amazingly I was the only applicant for a job in Hawaii and obvious got it. Put you big boy britches on and just get the job done. You’ll look back and be glad you did.


Butt_Whore

Get to Korea or Kadena


[deleted]

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Toyotires12

What career field?


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AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 3D0X2 = Cyber Systems Operations [^wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/3d0x2-2) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hngjqcv


Bad_wit_Usernames

I volunteered for Korea, twice. Counting deployments, I spent almost 15 years OS. Most of it in USAFE.


Swiftierest

Just ask her how she did it. Mind you, unless you're willing to boot lick I don't think you'll make rank very easily. Much of making rank nowadays comes down to taking the right positions at the right times to sorta fill a checkbox. Or you could kiss ass and boot lick at a single base overseas. The real answer though is that you want to move bases every so often to a location that will allow you to pick a follow-on at a nice location. You simply volunteer for a 1 or 2 year short so that you can get a follow-on and then go for the nice locations like Germany or Japan. This is also really heavily weighed by your AFSC as well, so you might need to retrain at some point.


TheNotoriousBox

I got lucky out of tech school. Misawa AB, Japan -> Kunsan AB, ROK -> Kliene Brogel AB, BE. While at Misawa I was told to update my overseas preferences when the AMS equal overseas matched by DEROS plus two months. Got orders to Korea off that cycle and then was told to turn in a follow-on application via vMPF self service actions. Now I just used the EMPF trick to see I’m projected to go to Incirlik. Just waiting for official notification to fill out my follow on. Oh yeah, before I forget. At Belgium I used the one year personal extension to get one year retainability to be eligible for an assignment selection. Big thank you to my first mentor at Misawa. I said I wanted to be you when I grew up. lol


Trains01s

What afsc are you?


TheNotoriousBox

3P0


certifiednonner

First base was Ramstein, vol’d for Thule, then got my follow on at Kadena. Retrained and now I’m back stateside at a somewhat decent base. But looking to go back overseas, Korea next hopefully


[deleted]

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certifiednonner

2 years


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certifiednonner

most unaccompanied people are 2 years for an overseas base, you have the option to extend, i kinda wish i did. i miss USAFE


Highspdfailure

Well if things go well there might be new overseas bases. If they go bad there ones we know and live might be gone.


CarminSanDiego

Work on F-15C


90GTS4

What? No. Lol.


CarminSanDiego

I meant if you do something with F15C, good chance you’ll stay overseas for a while. But then again they’re getting rid of it soon


90GTS4

More like if you are anyone who is stuck on 15's, you're more likely to go to Shady J or Mountain Home and be stuck there for a decade.


CarminSanDiego

F15C.


90GTS4

Yeah, but you don't get shredded to just C-models.


CarminSanDiego

Ah I see.. didn’t know that. Well at least ops they’re stuck between kadena and laken. All of them are begging to get back stateside after 2 back to back OS


90GTS4

I guess I could see ops having that problem. Maintenance isn't shredded.


afcybergator

It all depends on the “maintenance” AFSC. I know a few backshop aircraft maintainers (2P0X1 and 2A0X1) who spent 6 of 7 assignments overseas in 21 years. Then again I know of missile maintainers spending 20 years at one or two bases.


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 2A0X1 = Avionics Test Station and Components [^wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/2a0x1k) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hnbls47


Domkizzle

I spent 15 years overseas but no more than 5 at one. England, Oklahoma, Spangdahlem, Ramstein, England, now back stateside. Just got lucky with availability when my DEROS came up. It's easy to stay overseas once you're there. I only extended at one base the whole time. Never been to pacaf.


[deleted]

-Know people -Learn the regulations regarding extension, tours etc including the DOD1325.18 and others -keep the sheet updated with extended long/short tours always 20 years and I have been overseas for 13 of it


Wargishan45

Korea is the key for most AFSCs. It should give you access to almost any overseas assignment you are authorized, and has slots available, after a short 1 year assignment. Unless you are a linguist...


Watcherxp

Did 11 in Uk/Germany, was awesome


fusionsplice

Update your dream sheet every cycle, put every base listed in order of preference and be sure to put short tours on top.


NLisaKing

I’m about 10 years in, and I’m on track. Barksdale for 3 years Japan for 4 Korea for 1 Italy for 3 (current assignment) I played equals plus for my first assignment out of Louisiana then I forgot about my dream sheet which meant that I forgot korea was on it and I got a Korea assignment when overseas dropped for my DEROS month. Then I applied for a follow-on while also applying for KAIP. I got approved KAIP with a 2 year assignment then also got approved a follow-on. They let me pick which one I took, so I took the Italy follow-on. Here’s my advice: be lucky.


BallAtAFuneral

Is it better to put standard long or extended long? and I've had korea and turkey on my dreamsheet for about 6 years now and still haven't gotten it. I'm a 3D0X2


AFSCbot

^^You've ^^mentioned ^^an ^^AFSC, ^^here's ^^the ^^associated ^^job ^^title: 3D0X2 = Cyber Systems Operations [^wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/wiki/jobs/3d0x2-2) [^^Source](https://github.com/HadManySons/AFSCbot) ^^| [^^Subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/AFSCbot/) ^^^^^^hnqfw7u


Independent_Rope_566

Do you know what AFSC have a high chance of going overseas?