Fort Hood, Texas

A

AlphalphaPB

Joined
Apr 29, 2002
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Hi everyone. I recently signed up for a 10-year commitment with the Army. For the next 5 years I'll be here in St. Louis working on getting my Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, then for 5 years after that I'll be a full-time civilian employee at the Operational Test Command (ATEC-OTC) located in Fort Hood.

Being an academic, I could be perfectly happy living in a shoebox on a desert island as long as there's internet access. Unfortunately though, my girlfriend prefers an urban environment. It's not really going to be a problem until I move there in 5 years, but I'm trying to think ahead.

I'll be visiting the Fort Hood area the weekend after next for an informal introduction to the OTC. I might have half a day to wander around with a few other OTC newbies. Is there anything we should check out or be aware of?
 
There used to be a Class III machine gun manufacturer in Copperas Cove (west of Ft Hood). The guy was a class act old gunsmith. He'd let people come in and watch while he built guns. I think he sold non-NFA weapons also. Too bad I can't remember his name. Brock's Gunshop is a great little gunshop also in the Cove on 190. I left in 1995 so I don't really know what's still around and what's gone by the wayside.

Killeen is one of your run of the mill Military towns. Or at least it used to. East gate runs onto Rancier which'll take you to bars, surplus stores, pawn shops, and tattoo parlors. Speaking of which Dave's Tattoos right off post was cool place. Anyone who looks like Wayne Newton, dresses like a cowboy, has tattooed Ozzy and through Motley Crue out of his shop is cool.

When you do finally get assigned permanent party, take advantage of the location! You're about 1 hour north of Austin (live music capital of the world). 1 hour south of Waco (never did much there but they did a pretty decent zoo as I recall). To the southwest is the famous Texas Hill Country. San Saba is a pretty area west of post. If you like football you're in easy driving distance from A&M, UT, and Baylor.

Also Dallas and San Antonio within a few hours drive, so you'll have limitless ways to spend your time. Problem is you probably won't have much time.
 
I want to say on Rancier is a place called Fararris.....it is a sandwich shop....on the right if you come out of Ft. Hood....I swear the guy is in the witness protection program. Best place to eat in a hour there. DON'T go to Stars....total nudity....you will see things that humans shouldn't see. Move to Copperas Cove, Kempner and if you don't mind a little drive, Lampassas. DO NOT live in Killeen. Bayou Pawn off 190 had the most selection, but not always the greatest price. Like McCord said, go to Austin...the Alamo Draft House, Hoovers, Texas Land and Cattle. 6th and Congress is a great party area, like New Orleans, but without the piss smell and fear of your life the entire time. Longhorn State Cavern around the Marble Falls area is beautiful. North about 2 hours is Dallas....many things to see and do.....avoid Houston.

drop me a line, I can rattle about that place all day long

jason.anderson8@us.army.mil
 
Memories....

There used to be a pool hall in Harker Heights, I think it was called Shooters but I could be wrong. Fun place on a Friday night. Also there was this hole in the wall Bar B Q joint in the Heights close by the public library. For $5 you got a styrofoam container that wouldn't close.

Gravelface, is "The World Famous Stetson Saloon" still open? It was out towards where Killeen turns into Harker Heights on Business 190. That was platoon's unofficial second home. It was managed by one of our guy's wife.
 
I believe it just goes by Stetsons now.......same location that you are talking about.
 
Gravelface said:
I want to say on Rancier is a place called Fararris.....it is a sandwich shop....on the right if you come out of Ft. Hood....I swear the guy is in the witness protection program. Best place to eat in a hour there.
Click to expand...

That's funny!! I remember thinking the same thing when I usd to eat there.
He even drove a black Cadillac.
He also had all kinds of odd stuff posted all over the walls. Great sandwhiches to. Too bad it was only open for lunch.


Regards,

Nick
 
Fort Hood was known as Fort Hole in the Ground about 30 yrs ago. Do they still have the spped traps in Harkeer Heights? Check out Mother Neff State Park near Austin.
 
Harker Heights was okay 13 years ago when I lived there. Don't remember much about the PD except that they all seemed fairly young.
 
AlphalphaPB said:
Hi everyone. I recently signed up for a 10-year commitment with the Army. For the next 5 years I'll be here in St. Louis working on getting my Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, then for 5 years after that I'll be a full-time civilian employee at the Operational Test Command (ATEC-OTC) located in Fort Hood.

Being an academic, I could be perfectly happy living in a shoebox on a desert island as long as there's internet access. Unfortunately though, my girlfriend prefers an urban environment. It's not really going to be a problem until I move there in 5 years, but I'm trying to think ahead.

I'll be visiting the Fort Hood area the weekend after next for an informal introduction to the OTC. I might have half a day to wander around with a few other OTC newbies. Is there anything we should check out or be aware of?
Click to expand...

Ticks and chiggers, dude.
Have a decent car so you can drive to Austin on the weekends.
Get a swimming pool, and expect to spend a lot of time in the mall (it's air conditioned).
Make sure the GF can defend herself. Army posts are dangerous. A lot of combat arms types are rapists and murderers. Not because of combat experience, but because the Army lets in a lot of scumbags.
Lots of speed traps in the local towns. Those soldiers provide a lot of revenue for said towns.
Get a CCW, and carry always. Army towns are not too safe. (The Luby's Restaurant Massacre happened in Killeen. This fruitcake was a civilian. He was able to kill a whole lot of people, because no-one in the place was armed besides himself.)
When camping, watch out for rattlesnakes, scorpions, and tarantulas. Shake out your boots in the morning. At night, what sounds like large animals crashing through the bushes is just armadillos. Probably.

I rains like h*ck Summer nights, only to have scorching hot days. Around the beginning of September, you will get the famous flash floods of Texas. This brings the crickets by the dozens seeking shelter in your domicile.

If you visit any Mexican border towns, be back in the U.S. before dark. Tell cab drivers, "No whores, no drugs. Just take us downtown, please." It's true what they say about the water. :(

Learn to like country music and line dancing.

Have fun. :)

P.S.: Alpha, marry that girlfriend of yours! (I overstepped, but I don't apologizefor it, in this case.)
 
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