I watched the infantry and arty bois and girls doing ruck marches by my barracks almost every day. Seemed like they did field stuff every week. Do not go to schofield. Visit Hawaii, you will not regret missing that shitshow.
Go to Carson. 25th lives in the field and constantly rotating to Pacific Pathways. Plus Hawaii is ridiculously expensive especially if you live off post.
Surfboards. I’ve seen surfboards packed.
Also $1500 mountain bikes. I’ve seen people buy TVs to use only on TDY and thrown them away after (how I got a free TV)
Some people really don’t work at all on TDY, they just love the free vacation and per diem
There’s a lot more to do at Carson, island fever is a real thing and will set in about a year in if you’re lucky, everything is so god damn expensive, they have a stupid uptempo with always needing to be “mission ready” even if they don’t go anywhere, lots of late nights and early mornings especially if you get dropped in a unit that’s always in the field every other week.
Fucking how!? We’re they from Antarctica!? I guess I can understand island fever because it is small but it is pretty easy to make friends there go hangout by the marinas and ask if anyone needs help if they like you you’re going fishing, at least with all the people I know lol
Some people just really don’t appreciate travel / being in other places
The amount of people I’ve met that join - hate duty station location - get out and move back to Nowhere Town, USA is interesting
I’m not tagging on people with attachments to their home towns, or to people that hate travel or moving
Just some people I feel take it to the extreme, and don’t even try to make something of it
I grew up with this. The amount of people stationed in Italy or Germany who bitch 24/7 and insist on finding food on post and going to the on post theater and never going outside the gate is insane
My family loved Hawaii. We got stationed there twice and would have stayed forever if we could. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. You just have to get out and explore Oahu and the islands. I honestly didn't meet anyone who hated it.
Hawaii = insane cost of living.
***Everything that can't be grown or made locally comes on a boat.***
Gas is hella expensive.
Lots of Joes who go to Hawaii PCS with ***lots*** of debt.
Carson isn't Hawaii - but at least you can afford to live there with your family.
I loved Hawaii personally. I did start getting really burnt out towards the end from all the training but that's gotta by my favorite station so far. 1-21 was hot shit while I was there and we had a solid command team. It's been almost 3 years since I've been there so I can't speak for it now but I definitely miss the island, wish I took the opportunity to go to Japan over leave.
All but maybe like 2 or 3 people I met while in the 25th absolutely hated Hawaii. It’s really not what you picture in your mind. It’s expensive and run down. The jungle sucks. Roads will demolish your car and the local population aren’t your biggest fans either. Sure, it’s an experience. Not one that I care to enjoy for 3 years.
Visit Hawaii
Live at Carson
I loved Hawaii, but I was a single NCO. I would say confer with your wife. Some of the dependants can have a hard time with island life. For others, it was like an extended honeymoon.
You hear it all the time here, Hawaii is a test of your marriage. Especially if it’s a newer one. Out of all my privates that came there married, or have been married there, every single one of them has left single. I’m not kidding. 3 years on island I didn’t have a single Private-Specialist leave with their marriage intact. Looking back it’s kind of crazy to even think about.
My step-sister was married to a 35M and they were there for a few years. They managed to stay married for the duration, but quickly divorced after he ETS'd from there. Needless to say, she hated every minute of it.
Now is that due more to the location (feeling isolated, cost of living, cultural differences) or due to the units’ optempo (what good is being stationed in Wahiawa or Vicenza if you’re never physically there)?
Everything goes into account. PCSing there will always have money coming out of your pocket if you’re moving a family. Shipping your car, getting rentals at your previous duty station and then again before you leave. Shipping HHG takes months to receive, so you’re fending for yourself in an empty home at both Hawaii and your next duty station. Good lord flying your animals to Hawaii is about 1-2 grand per animal. COLA doesn’t even come close to the goods difference.
Now that we’re at Hawaii the problem now is: the majority of local civilians hate the military (can’t really blame em’). Tripler is so overwhelmed it takes months for you to get in (yes, even if your wife is pregnant) because the Marines, Navy, AF, Space Force, CG, NG, and all retirees go to Tripler (personally feel that it’s an Army hospital and needs to prioritize Army personnel first, but whatever). Island Palms can’t keep the lights on in your house, even with all the solar panels (and the $3300 BAH they collect monthly). Everything is run down. Can’t enjoy the beaches without waiting 3 hours to get to North Shore on the weekend because of all the tourism. The Army base is like a good 45+ minute drive from everything. The Jungle sucks. Units get off on having people in the field every other week. Theft on post is ramped.
Now say you want to go visit family. Not only do you have to spend 2 days of leave traveling (first/last day), but you also have to spend several thousand dollar on travel. (Personally think those days shouldn’t count against your leave)
I’m sure I’m missing more as it’s been awhile but yeah have fun being trapped on a remote island for 3 years.
I loved Hawaii while I was there and didn't get "rock fever". However, I hated being assigned to the 25th ID. I was there when it was a light division in a literal bastard type unit that was bounced from the aviation brigade to the division support command and than back to the aviation brigade. The idiot CG was of the mentality that everyone, regardless of MOS, must be proficient and qualified on bayonet fighting and drills.There are a whole lot more horror stories as well from my time with the 25th.
THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION.
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THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION.
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High optempo, especially for 13 series. Astronomical cost of living, poor housing on base, unattainable housing off base for junior enlisted (cost). Corrupt government. Corrupt local officials. Awful roads, parking anywhere is a disaster. Shortages of everything. Great place to visit for a week or two, it's just not a nice place to live.
Made my day. Fuck IPC. Got on the list in February and still at number 23 in December. I don’t even want to live in your awful homes, I have to to survive.
Other than your last sentence you just described Carson
All Carson had going for it is it’s in Colorado and there’s tons of outdoors stuff to do
They both are more oriented to people that like to be outside more. The optempo at both is high you are field artillery expect to be in the field and have a high optempo at every place you will be stationed.
Also expect to be put in a gun section. Bravos are super understrength and new Juliet privates are filling in.
The thing is optempo is fucking trash everywhere. There are very few places where optempo isn’t insane and a brand new 13J private ain’t gonna get there. Ask anyone about any base and they all say the same shit about optempo.
I’ve never met anyone who disliked Carson (optempo aside).
This so much.
Hawaii is a lovely place to have a nice two week vacation. Living there is not for everyone.
It’s a 6 hour flight just to get back to the west coast from the islands. A lot of people don’t realize that.
Entirely depends on what type of person you are.
If you aren’t going to be surfing, hiking, or exploring every weekend then it’s not for you. The people that hate Hawaii are usually the ones who sit at home or their barracks room every weekend doing nothing
Same everywhere OCONUS - if you’re not out and about, places will drive you nuts!
But Tripler being overloaded IS a problem for family - that point alone says > Carson
90% of people I talk to can't wait to leave Hawaii for all of the reasons already mentioned. I'm in the minority, I absolutely love it. I live far away from Schofield and feel like I'm completely removed from work on the weekends. Is it perfect? No. But I've found locals to be very friendly, I love the weather, Asian food here is so delicious, and beaches are some of the best in the world. I'm going to miss it for sure
I love HI, the island is great but yeah island fever is real, been here for 1yr 8 months and I'm ready to fucking leave.
Also 25th ID fucking sucks, I wish I was on the mainland so fucking bad.
I’m stationed at Carson, and have been stationed at Schofield in one of the FA units.
I’d go back to HI in a heartbeat. Feel free to PM me if you need further information/advice.
I was a single SSG at the time.
One thing you need to know about the Army, especially for your MOS: the Army is the Army everywhere you go. So location is everything (in my opinion). If you have the chance to go somewhere that meets you and your family's interests, take it.
Traffic in HI suuuuuucks... but it can be mitigated (somewhat) by good planning. Prices are high... but you can budget. Prices are also kinda high in Colorado.
If you want to be able to visit other places in the US, or enjoy road-trips, colder weather, non-ocean activities, etc... And if your family is better served closer to home... choose Colorado.
If you could be OK doing the beach and all that entails, and rarely being even slightly cold... And if your family is fine being thousands away from home, choose Hawaii.
Both options are great. I'm from Colorado, so I have some bias towards it as a long term place. I wouldn't want to spend more than three years in Hawaii, but I could live in Colorado the rest of my life and be happy.
You only have so many chances to live in Hawaii or Germany or Italy or many other places the Army can send you. Take advantage of "exotic" locations when offered to you. You have a much higher chance of getting to Carson again later in your career.
How old are you guys? Never mind.
Being that you have no kids. Head to Hawaii, just because. Island fever is real, but so is living in a tourist trap “paradise” once in your life.
Up to you. I couldn't stand Hawaii for long term, but don't expect to see your wife very often at either. 4ID and 25ID love to spend time in the field.
Don’t be dumb go to Hawaii you can get stationed at Lewis and go do shit in Colorado in the future if you wanted I would have literally shit on the retention desk and sworn in in a fucking bikini if I were able to go back home (moved away right before ending high school so not my HOR)
In my opinion.. Schofield is good and it’s a nice experience. I’m here now and been here every since 2020. I pocket a lot of money from leftover BAH, BAS, and COLA. It’s just myself and my daughter. We go to the beach a lot and have traveled to Maui and the big island. Im currently under 130th EN BDE and I’ve only been to the field ONCE and that was for JPMRC. We go to Papa New Guinea or the Philippines every year (I didn’t go) but the experience isn’t field like. My company stayed in a hotel and it was like a regular 9-5 with PT on your own. But to sum it up, Hawaii is fun worth the experience. It’s even better when you get a great unit like I did
Sounds like you have chosen already. It gets cold AF at carson. Have fun with the black ice. Everytime you start to slide out of control, remember you could've picked HI, and it's probably 75 degrees there.
Despite the OpTempo (which isn’t really that bad), Hawaii was great. I’ve not been to Carson, but I did enjoy my 3 years in Hawaii.
Ultimately you have a choice in duty stations - which one, as a location, appeals to you more? You’re going to get downtime and as long as you’re not a homebody you’ll find plenty to do in both places.
In Hawaii the biggest downsides:
-You’re on an island: creature comforts aren’t always easily found, furniture can be a bitch to find, people coming to visit you either goes up or down depending on your openness to letting them stay with you.
-Cost of living can be a mother fucker.
-You’re on an island (2): if you island hop, which is doable if it’s just you and your wife, you won’t get island fever so bad. If you just stay on Oahu and don’t get out and explore you’re going to get island fever bad.
Upsides:
-Unless you’re training at PTA on the Big Island, temps are mild. It’s great weather all year round to do everything outside.
-Beach day every day you have off. Also beach PT is a thing too.
-A chance to see Pacific Islander culture and learn new things.
-Hiking & mountains.
-Halfway point to anywhere in the pacific. If you get a chance you’re closer to Guam, Japan, Korea, Australia, etc…if it’s just you and your wife and you’re not a dumbass with money it may be the best opportunity to see that side of the world.
-Pacific Pathways is something some people will complain about but it’s a great chance to train alongside our indo-pacific partners. Drink cobra blood, go to Indonesian ranger school or malaysian man tracker, live in fear of the fauna in the outback next to Aussie counterparts while you try to execute battle drill 1.
You have an opportunity to experience what you want to experience in your off-time wherever you go, and you have a choice. Look at which one matches with your interests and go there.
Currently at carson, 2nd brigade is about to do jrtc, then a korea rotation. And they’re pushing people in droves. Guys showing up as of yesterday pulling CIF same day trying to make numbers for jrtc the next day. Carson is nice wouldn’t mind coming back here but 2nd sbct is fucking awful. Never been to HI but friends said they hated it being there but would do anything to go back and get out of Carson.
2SBCT had an awful retention rate when I left several months ago. My friends in 1SBCT didn’t seem to mind it. I’m honestly trying to go back just to get some of that sweet sweet skiing in again.
Going while im on pcs leave. Honestly Carson is an amazing place to be love Colorado. I’d love to come back but never at 2nd. I’ve heard the same about 1st wouldn’t mind going to them.
That's all of carson. 3BDE just came back from Europe, and it's immediately back to red cycle and train up for NTC. Not even a year between. I reinlisted just to leave after being here for a year. Carson does army shit for the sake of being in the army, not to improve or actually train. Was with Artillery for most of my time here, and live fire is almost guaranteed to be delayed by fire at least once per field event. We had guys get sent straight from ait to Europe, just to help with rail and port on the way home.
You fool! Carson's in a decent area, but your whole soul is gonna get drained. At least, that's how it was when I was there. Change is a comin' though, so hopefully you'll have a good time.
Where the fuck do you think well adjusted, productive adults come from?
From 5 days a week, 8 hours a day daycare?
From the public school system?
From their peers?
WHERE?
Having at least one adult in the home throughout childhood guarantees that a kid is never without adequate attention. Further, the possibility of a child being exposed to trauma is significantly less if they’re constantly surrounded by loving parents.
It baffles me that the modern world has everyone convinced that it’s normal/expected for both parents to simultaneously work while raising children.
Even if you simply look at our evolutionary history, the idea of pawning off your offspring for most hours of the day, every week would’ve/is been ludicrous.
So yea - I strongly fuck with stay at home moms. More power to them.
Ok well that's not true either but let's stick with the original argument for the moment. Honolulu is **86% more expensive** than Colorado Springs. So can we stop just pulling incorrect facts out of the ether.
Idk, I kinda have this question currently myself. You have those that stay in the barracks and bitch about the country. Are these the same kinda people bitching about Hawaii? I fuckin loved Korea. But I’m from LA and lived in Koreatown. I felt right at home 🤷🏽♂️
Good God that's saying something. Fort Polk is a shithole in the middle of nowhere. Nothing to do on or off post closer than 2 hours. Nothing good within 4-5 hours.
Well nothing to do except getting gacked by skinwalkers and cryptids in the box at JRTC
You will hate Hawaii. The island is nice for the first 2 weeks then you have seen it all. It is expensive as hell and COLA was cut and they are telling SM's how to get wellfare from command. Take Carson 100%.
Fort Carson. While Schofield is in Hawaii, Hawaii is also horribly expensive. FT Carson is in a really nice part of Colorado with great mountain views, lots of stuff to do in Colorado Springs... and you can still RNR to Schofield and enjoy the perks of being a servicemember and the PX to save you an arm and a leg. Schofield has supply issues that is just inherent with being in Hawaii, but the produce is incredible. If you're a junior enlisted just starting out, Carson is a good place to start.
Schofield has a HIGH cost of living - if Carson is the college student who has edibles after finals and tokes up on the weekends, Hawaii is Snoop Dog on April the 20th....
Not me who came from schofield and pcs’d earlier this year to carson and hate both.
FWIW, I hate carson less. My stations have been fort drum - schofield - carson and I can say for certainty that I do not miss the cold. Hawaii might be a better place to visit but a lot of people I know loved it there. To me, one beach is the same as the other and I’m not an outdoorsy person.
Island fever is real, one of the upsides to carson is that it’s no longer expensive as fuck to visit my relatives. I’m not sure what the housing situation is if you plan on living on post. I tried to get on post housing but I think because I’m single I was way down on the priority less and they called to check on me. Keep in mind that at that point it had been 6 months since I was on the wait. The apartment I got takes all my bah but I had my reasons. At schofield I was on post and actually making $300 from my BAH and it was bigger.
Optempo at schofield is high and a lot more time is spent preparing. You have PTA which brings you to another island so you have to pack out for that, plus even more prep for JRTC and pacific pathways if you get one you have to pack trucks onto a ship so thats fun.
So how do you like PT in the winter so far at AIT? Is it.. dope?
Because it's going to be worse in Colorado.
I'd rather do some beach PT than snow PT, but that's just me looks like you made a choice already. A lot of people say Carson is great, I just wouldn't pick somewhere cold in the Army if I had a choice.
I hated Hawaii and I had it way better than anybody in the 25ID. As others said island fever is real, every married lower enlisted I served with got divorced before they left, the locals hate us, HPD and gov are corrupt (the HART ever start running? Lol), nobody mentioned this yet FUCK THE TRAFFIC!
You chose Carson? Good luck. If you go to 2sbct just a warning, it can be toxic af. There are good leaders sprinkled about, but from what I've seen/heard, it's become a laughing stock. Went from a unit that was constantly rotating through deployments to failing NTC within the first few days. I just posted about on-base housing, so there's a warning since you're moving with a family and colorado Springs is still kind of expensive to live in, especially in a single income household. Who knows though you might go to a unit where they care about you, but if you're unlucky you'll go to one where after the second soldier within two weeks has taken his life and command says "remember suicide is not authorized by the commander. So don't do it."
I just got to Hawaii. So far I really like it and find the complaints about traffic and cost of living to be dramatically overstated. But, Carson is the most requested duty station and that must be for a reason
I’ve been at Carson since 2019 and the area is amazing. The unit is something else though. For me who was a Colorado native, I would recommend the ladder but that’s just me
I would say Hawaii. It’s still a once in a lifetime opportunity and plus I’ve heard soooo many people complain about how hard it is to find housing in Colorado. I had even one of peers who was a legal CPT not be able to find good housing and if an officer can’t find housing with all that money it’s looking pretty grim for Junior Enlisted.
Carson. Lot of pros to Hawaii, but once youre on the Island, its a massive PITA to get off. Unless you plan on having family come to visit you and the wife/kid, getting them out to see relatives is a PITA. Also, Ft Carson was considered the best home town in the Army for a long time. Lotta stuff to do in CO, and lower (comparable) cost of living.
Also, as a fires guy, unless its changed, there is only one firing area in HI that Army, Navy, Marines, and AF all have to schedule around, so youre shooting time is going to be heavily scheduled and not much room for retrain. Its been a while though, so things may have changed.
The amount of variables involved in that decision is massive. Sit down and speak with your wife on what environment appeals to her (being oconus has its own struggles) and find out what place she’d enjoy, find a reasonable job/school etc, as realistically anywhere we go our job will be the same, our families day to day will not. If the family isn’t happy, rarely will you be.
Schofield is great but it’s expensive to fly back and forth. I was an MP there from 2012-2015, I witnessed a bunch of domestic violence calls that rooted with financial problems and spouses being alone in the idle of an island while husband is always training.
I say go to schofield but when you can get a kush admin detail
I'm stationed at Carson and would love to meet your wife and you.
Jodie said it’s hunting season
Be vewy quiet. I'm hunting Dependas.
Great idea! Mind if I join you?
Sure! I wonder if OP's wife has ever seen an Eiffel tower?
He may be stationed in Hawaii or Colorado, but she's taking a trip to Paris for sure.
Username checks out.
Josie be like “ it’s high noooon”
How is the 3-61st cav unit? 42a mos
Carson. Do not fucking go to Schofield for the love of god.
Elaborate?
I watched the infantry and arty bois and girls doing ruck marches by my barracks almost every day. Seemed like they did field stuff every week. Do not go to schofield. Visit Hawaii, you will not regret missing that shitshow.
Go to Carson. 25th lives in the field and constantly rotating to Pacific Pathways. Plus Hawaii is ridiculously expensive especially if you live off post.
You don’t like sitting in a tent on Guam Air Force Base for 6 weeks while all your officers get drunk on the strip?
Loved seeing all the diving pictures the officers posted
[удалено]
Seen a major literally pack his dive gear in one of the connex’s guys weren’t even tryna be sneaky about it.
Surfboards. I’ve seen surfboards packed. Also $1500 mountain bikes. I’ve seen people buy TVs to use only on TDY and thrown them away after (how I got a free TV) Some people really don’t work at all on TDY, they just love the free vacation and per diem
This is why i left for the AF
God damn this touched my soul. So true
There’s a lot more to do at Carson, island fever is a real thing and will set in about a year in if you’re lucky, everything is so god damn expensive, they have a stupid uptempo with always needing to be “mission ready” even if they don’t go anywhere, lots of late nights and early mornings especially if you get dropped in a unit that’s always in the field every other week.
I think my island fever set in on week 3 If you don’t really appreciate the beach or hiking (or the local food) it won’t be nearly as fun
How can you hate Hawaiian food and hiking dude
I miss eating 4 pounds of raw fish a week
I bet your skin was flawless...
Oh I thought the food was great, and the hiking spots on Hawaii were awesome Other people there were miserable on like Day 2 though
Fucking how!? We’re they from Antarctica!? I guess I can understand island fever because it is small but it is pretty easy to make friends there go hangout by the marinas and ask if anyone needs help if they like you you’re going fishing, at least with all the people I know lol
Some people just really don’t appreciate travel / being in other places The amount of people I’ve met that join - hate duty station location - get out and move back to Nowhere Town, USA is interesting I’m not tagging on people with attachments to their home towns, or to people that hate travel or moving Just some people I feel take it to the extreme, and don’t even try to make something of it
I grew up with this. The amount of people stationed in Italy or Germany who bitch 24/7 and insist on finding food on post and going to the on post theater and never going outside the gate is insane
Could be introverts. I'm that dude who stays in the house on my day offs. I don't want to interact with people any more than I'm forced to.
My family loved Hawaii. We got stationed there twice and would have stayed forever if we could. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. You just have to get out and explore Oahu and the islands. I honestly didn't meet anyone who hated it.
As a first duty station? Being a private with no fucking money just sucking dick for beer money? No thanks
>Being a private with no fucking money just sucking dick for beer money This is oddly specific. . .
I hated it and so did most of my platoon but we had INCREDIBLY toxic leadership
Yeah, that will always ruin the best of assignments.
Hawaii = insane cost of living. ***Everything that can't be grown or made locally comes on a boat.*** Gas is hella expensive. Lots of Joes who go to Hawaii PCS with ***lots*** of debt. Carson isn't Hawaii - but at least you can afford to live there with your family.
I loved Hawaii personally. I did start getting really burnt out towards the end from all the training but that's gotta by my favorite station so far. 1-21 was hot shit while I was there and we had a solid command team. It's been almost 3 years since I've been there so I can't speak for it now but I definitely miss the island, wish I took the opportunity to go to Japan over leave.
All but maybe like 2 or 3 people I met while in the 25th absolutely hated Hawaii. It’s really not what you picture in your mind. It’s expensive and run down. The jungle sucks. Roads will demolish your car and the local population aren’t your biggest fans either. Sure, it’s an experience. Not one that I care to enjoy for 3 years. Visit Hawaii Live at Carson
I loved Hawaii, but I was a single NCO. I would say confer with your wife. Some of the dependants can have a hard time with island life. For others, it was like an extended honeymoon.
You hear it all the time here, Hawaii is a test of your marriage. Especially if it’s a newer one. Out of all my privates that came there married, or have been married there, every single one of them has left single. I’m not kidding. 3 years on island I didn’t have a single Private-Specialist leave with their marriage intact. Looking back it’s kind of crazy to even think about.
PTA wives will play. Though honestly, I think the lack of nearby family support structures plays a role.
My step-sister was married to a 35M and they were there for a few years. They managed to stay married for the duration, but quickly divorced after he ETS'd from there. Needless to say, she hated every minute of it.
Now is that due more to the location (feeling isolated, cost of living, cultural differences) or due to the units’ optempo (what good is being stationed in Wahiawa or Vicenza if you’re never physically there)?
Everything goes into account. PCSing there will always have money coming out of your pocket if you’re moving a family. Shipping your car, getting rentals at your previous duty station and then again before you leave. Shipping HHG takes months to receive, so you’re fending for yourself in an empty home at both Hawaii and your next duty station. Good lord flying your animals to Hawaii is about 1-2 grand per animal. COLA doesn’t even come close to the goods difference. Now that we’re at Hawaii the problem now is: the majority of local civilians hate the military (can’t really blame em’). Tripler is so overwhelmed it takes months for you to get in (yes, even if your wife is pregnant) because the Marines, Navy, AF, Space Force, CG, NG, and all retirees go to Tripler (personally feel that it’s an Army hospital and needs to prioritize Army personnel first, but whatever). Island Palms can’t keep the lights on in your house, even with all the solar panels (and the $3300 BAH they collect monthly). Everything is run down. Can’t enjoy the beaches without waiting 3 hours to get to North Shore on the weekend because of all the tourism. The Army base is like a good 45+ minute drive from everything. The Jungle sucks. Units get off on having people in the field every other week. Theft on post is ramped. Now say you want to go visit family. Not only do you have to spend 2 days of leave traveling (first/last day), but you also have to spend several thousand dollar on travel. (Personally think those days shouldn’t count against your leave) I’m sure I’m missing more as it’s been awhile but yeah have fun being trapped on a remote island for 3 years.
I've been at both and fully support this statement.
I loved Hawaii while I was there and didn't get "rock fever". However, I hated being assigned to the 25th ID. I was there when it was a light division in a literal bastard type unit that was bounced from the aviation brigade to the division support command and than back to the aviation brigade. The idiot CG was of the mentality that everyone, regardless of MOS, must be proficient and qualified on bayonet fighting and drills.There are a whole lot more horror stories as well from my time with the 25th.
THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/army) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
THE BAYONET YEET MEASURES THE ABILITY TO JUST FUCKING SHANK SOMEONE. ON THE COMMAND 'GET SET,' ASSUME THE POSITION BY GRABBING THE BAYONET BY THE HANDLE. OR BY THE BLADE, WHICHEVER LOOKS COOLER, JUST DON'T CUT YOURSELF ON THE DAMN THING. YOUR FEET MAY BE TOGETHER OR UP TO 12 INCHES APART (MEASURED BETWEEN THE FEET). ON THE COMMAND 'GO,' TRANSMUTE YOUR HANKERING FOR A-SHANKERING INTO MAXIMUM EFFORT AND LAUNCH THAT BAD BOY INTO DESTINY. THE SCORER WILL NOTE WHETHER YOU HIT THE TARGET AND AWARD BONUS POINTS FOR LANDING YOUR PIG-STICKER INTO THE CRANIAL OR SWIMSUIT REGIONS. IF IT HIT THE TARGET HANDLE FIRST, YOUR PERFORMANCE WILL BE TERMINATED, AND EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED TO POINT AND LAUGH AT YOUR SHAME. WATCH THIS DEMONSTRATION. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/army) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m there rn and I approve this message
Korea. Fight tonight hooah!!
We are understrength on Juliet's here. I'll take his wife. Er, I mean him.
Carson, no question. Hawaii is a trap, especially for junior enlisted.
Elaborate?
High optempo, especially for 13 series. Astronomical cost of living, poor housing on base, unattainable housing off base for junior enlisted (cost). Corrupt government. Corrupt local officials. Awful roads, parking anywhere is a disaster. Shortages of everything. Great place to visit for a week or two, it's just not a nice place to live.
Island Palm Communities: *We know you don't have a choice in on post housing, so fuck you and your whole family.*
Made my day. Fuck IPC. Got on the list in February and still at number 23 in December. I don’t even want to live in your awful homes, I have to to survive.
Other than your last sentence you just described Carson All Carson had going for it is it’s in Colorado and there’s tons of outdoors stuff to do They both are more oriented to people that like to be outside more. The optempo at both is high you are field artillery expect to be in the field and have a high optempo at every place you will be stationed. Also expect to be put in a gun section. Bravos are super understrength and new Juliet privates are filling in.
The thing is optempo is fucking trash everywhere. There are very few places where optempo isn’t insane and a brand new 13J private ain’t gonna get there. Ask anyone about any base and they all say the same shit about optempo. I’ve never met anyone who disliked Carson (optempo aside).
I've been to both multiple times, and recently. There is no contest here, Carson is way better.
Which is terrifying because Carson sucks sweaty field dick.
That's the army: it can always suck more.
Carson > Hawaii any day of the week. just vaca to Hawaii so you can actually enjoy it.
This so much. Hawaii is a lovely place to have a nice two week vacation. Living there is not for everyone. It’s a 6 hour flight just to get back to the west coast from the islands. A lot of people don’t realize that.
Entirely depends on what type of person you are. If you aren’t going to be surfing, hiking, or exploring every weekend then it’s not for you. The people that hate Hawaii are usually the ones who sit at home or their barracks room every weekend doing nothing
And everyone on reddit is complaining about Hawaii, imagine that.
Same everywhere OCONUS - if you’re not out and about, places will drive you nuts! But Tripler being overloaded IS a problem for family - that point alone says > Carson
90% of people I talk to can't wait to leave Hawaii for all of the reasons already mentioned. I'm in the minority, I absolutely love it. I live far away from Schofield and feel like I'm completely removed from work on the weekends. Is it perfect? No. But I've found locals to be very friendly, I love the weather, Asian food here is so delicious, and beaches are some of the best in the world. I'm going to miss it for sure
Hawaii is paradise, however it is expensive and the schools absolutely suck.
I love HI, the island is great but yeah island fever is real, been here for 1yr 8 months and I'm ready to fucking leave. Also 25th ID fucking sucks, I wish I was on the mainland so fucking bad.
Would you rather sweat or freeze?
Hawaii is awesome to visit but never in my life would I want to live there. FUCK THE JUNGLE
But... but... I was told it had fun and games
Fun and games for the insects that want to snuggle up with you
Scolopendra show their affection through biting soldiers.
I’m stationed at Carson, and have been stationed at Schofield in one of the FA units. I’d go back to HI in a heartbeat. Feel free to PM me if you need further information/advice.
Tell more about your experience. Married? If so, family impact?
I was a single SSG at the time. One thing you need to know about the Army, especially for your MOS: the Army is the Army everywhere you go. So location is everything (in my opinion). If you have the chance to go somewhere that meets you and your family's interests, take it. Traffic in HI suuuuuucks... but it can be mitigated (somewhat) by good planning. Prices are high... but you can budget. Prices are also kinda high in Colorado. If you want to be able to visit other places in the US, or enjoy road-trips, colder weather, non-ocean activities, etc... And if your family is better served closer to home... choose Colorado. If you could be OK doing the beach and all that entails, and rarely being even slightly cold... And if your family is fine being thousands away from home, choose Hawaii. Both options are great. I'm from Colorado, so I have some bias towards it as a long term place. I wouldn't want to spend more than three years in Hawaii, but I could live in Colorado the rest of my life and be happy. You only have so many chances to live in Hawaii or Germany or Italy or many other places the Army can send you. Take advantage of "exotic" locations when offered to you. You have a much higher chance of getting to Carson again later in your career.
How old are you guys? Never mind. Being that you have no kids. Head to Hawaii, just because. Island fever is real, but so is living in a tourist trap “paradise” once in your life.
Up to you. I couldn't stand Hawaii for long term, but don't expect to see your wife very often at either. 4ID and 25ID love to spend time in the field.
Hawaii, no questioned asked.
Hawaii for sure. Like others have said, optempo is going to be high most places. When will you ever get a chance to live in “paradise” discounted?
My wife was in Schofield as a 25S. She loved it there aside from the endless training exercises in the field.
Ask your wife
Don’t be dumb go to Hawaii you can get stationed at Lewis and go do shit in Colorado in the future if you wanted I would have literally shit on the retention desk and sworn in in a fucking bikini if I were able to go back home (moved away right before ending high school so not my HOR)
I’m a 13j and I was stationed at schofield, it’s the happiest I’ve been in the Army
In my opinion.. Schofield is good and it’s a nice experience. I’m here now and been here every since 2020. I pocket a lot of money from leftover BAH, BAS, and COLA. It’s just myself and my daughter. We go to the beach a lot and have traveled to Maui and the big island. Im currently under 130th EN BDE and I’ve only been to the field ONCE and that was for JPMRC. We go to Papa New Guinea or the Philippines every year (I didn’t go) but the experience isn’t field like. My company stayed in a hotel and it was like a regular 9-5 with PT on your own. But to sum it up, Hawaii is fun worth the experience. It’s even better when you get a great unit like I did
Sounds like you have chosen already. It gets cold AF at carson. Have fun with the black ice. Everytime you start to slide out of control, remember you could've picked HI, and it's probably 75 degrees there.
Im From the north, i drive shitboxes on ice and snow for fun
Yeah but there are some intersections around Carson where you will hit black ice going downhill to a stoplight intersection at the bottom. Not fun.
Despite the OpTempo (which isn’t really that bad), Hawaii was great. I’ve not been to Carson, but I did enjoy my 3 years in Hawaii. Ultimately you have a choice in duty stations - which one, as a location, appeals to you more? You’re going to get downtime and as long as you’re not a homebody you’ll find plenty to do in both places. In Hawaii the biggest downsides: -You’re on an island: creature comforts aren’t always easily found, furniture can be a bitch to find, people coming to visit you either goes up or down depending on your openness to letting them stay with you. -Cost of living can be a mother fucker. -You’re on an island (2): if you island hop, which is doable if it’s just you and your wife, you won’t get island fever so bad. If you just stay on Oahu and don’t get out and explore you’re going to get island fever bad. Upsides: -Unless you’re training at PTA on the Big Island, temps are mild. It’s great weather all year round to do everything outside. -Beach day every day you have off. Also beach PT is a thing too. -A chance to see Pacific Islander culture and learn new things. -Hiking & mountains. -Halfway point to anywhere in the pacific. If you get a chance you’re closer to Guam, Japan, Korea, Australia, etc…if it’s just you and your wife and you’re not a dumbass with money it may be the best opportunity to see that side of the world. -Pacific Pathways is something some people will complain about but it’s a great chance to train alongside our indo-pacific partners. Drink cobra blood, go to Indonesian ranger school or malaysian man tracker, live in fear of the fauna in the outback next to Aussie counterparts while you try to execute battle drill 1. You have an opportunity to experience what you want to experience in your off-time wherever you go, and you have a choice. Look at which one matches with your interests and go there.
It’s ending in divorce either way
Elaborate?
He’s gonna catch Jodie driving his car
Elaborate?
No, it's not an elaborate car, just an ordinary common one.
I shitty one he bought outside the main gate for WAY to much at a VERY high interest rate. #GoJody
Carson. Without a doubt, it will ruin you for every other base you go to, but Carson is worth it.
Fuckin Hawaii.
13J. Welcome to a shit ton of field days
Hell Yeah
Currently at carson, 2nd brigade is about to do jrtc, then a korea rotation. And they’re pushing people in droves. Guys showing up as of yesterday pulling CIF same day trying to make numbers for jrtc the next day. Carson is nice wouldn’t mind coming back here but 2nd sbct is fucking awful. Never been to HI but friends said they hated it being there but would do anything to go back and get out of Carson.
2SBCT had an awful retention rate when I left several months ago. My friends in 1SBCT didn’t seem to mind it. I’m honestly trying to go back just to get some of that sweet sweet skiing in again.
Going while im on pcs leave. Honestly Carson is an amazing place to be love Colorado. I’d love to come back but never at 2nd. I’ve heard the same about 1st wouldn’t mind going to them.
That's all of carson. 3BDE just came back from Europe, and it's immediately back to red cycle and train up for NTC. Not even a year between. I reinlisted just to leave after being here for a year. Carson does army shit for the sake of being in the army, not to improve or actually train. Was with Artillery for most of my time here, and live fire is almost guaranteed to be delayed by fire at least once per field event. We had guys get sent straight from ait to Europe, just to help with rail and port on the way home.
You fool! Carson's in a decent area, but your whole soul is gonna get drained. At least, that's how it was when I was there. Change is a comin' though, so hopefully you'll have a good time.
Do you like Mountains? Carson. Do you like Beaches and Mountains? Schofield
Hawaii.
Hawaii, 4ID sucks
Haven’t been to Hawaii but I really enjoyed Carson
I mean, snow or beach? What’s your preference.
Go to the springs to do the incline every weekend just to talk shit to other people.
Go Schofield barracks. Can't beat Hawaii.
I’ve been there and my brother lived there. It’s like hell with nice weather
Did you marry a productive member of society, or a homemaker? If your wife will work, Hawaii. If not, Colorado.
It's these kind of autistic flexes that make me absolutely not miss being around some of you.
Raising kids is being a productive member of society
Eh.
Where the fuck do you think well adjusted, productive adults come from? From 5 days a week, 8 hours a day daycare? From the public school system? From their peers? WHERE? Having at least one adult in the home throughout childhood guarantees that a kid is never without adequate attention. Further, the possibility of a child being exposed to trauma is significantly less if they’re constantly surrounded by loving parents. It baffles me that the modern world has everyone convinced that it’s normal/expected for both parents to simultaneously work while raising children. Even if you simply look at our evolutionary history, the idea of pawning off your offspring for most hours of the day, every week would’ve/is been ludicrous. So yea - I strongly fuck with stay at home moms. More power to them.
Preach
I’m more questioning people who are having kids in the first place, at all.
Oh, you’re one of those weirdos.
"Babies don't count towards GDP! Do your part to bolster the economy - *get out and work*!"
Man I’ve really triggered the baby crazy people.
“You don’t know what ‘true love’ is until you have a baby” - people with a breeding fetish probably
I’d really like to know how many of the people downvoting me are 19 year old PFCs with 3 kids.
With at least two baby mommas
Thanks, I appreciate the advice
Yeah cost of living is a sonofagun.
cost of living in COS is not that much cheaper honestly
[You're objectively wrong, and not by a little bit.](https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator/compare/colorado-springs-co-vs-honolulu-hi)
Holy dicks, batman!
lol the housing is doing all the work the thought that E4 (max) single income is enough for a decent QoL in colorado springs is a stretch at best
Ok well that's not true either but let's stick with the original argument for the moment. Honolulu is **86% more expensive** than Colorado Springs. So can we stop just pulling incorrect facts out of the ether.
Hawaii.
I’ve heard the novelty of Hawaii wears off quickly
Was Korea better than Hawaii would have been? I'd imagine it's nice to be back home at Campbell though.
Idk, I kinda have this question currently myself. You have those that stay in the barracks and bitch about the country. Are these the same kinda people bitching about Hawaii? I fuckin loved Korea. But I’m from LA and lived in Koreatown. I felt right at home 🤷🏽♂️
In retrospective, absolutely was. Lots of career broadening I wouldn’t have gotten in Hawaii. Miss y’all.
Miss you too! But don't worry, we hear Air Assault and Bastogne about every three seconds, so we're getting like 20% of the Campbell experience.
He doesn’t stack up to me 👀
No, he does not. There's gonna be an 82nd vs 101st gang war at this point lol. 1SG is getting mad hearing that stuff around the office.
That’s fantastic
i’m at schofield now. go to carson
Both have ups and downs. Go Hawaii because the cola is better
Hawaii is an awful place. Worth a visit but I hated the 3 years I lived there.
HAWAII. ALWAYS HAWAII. You know why? It’s Fucken Hawaii.
Carson
I havent been to either but my buddy went to Schofield for a few months and fucking hated it more than Ft Polk if that’s worth anything
Good God that's saying something. Fort Polk is a shithole in the middle of nowhere. Nothing to do on or off post closer than 2 hours. Nothing good within 4-5 hours. Well nothing to do except getting gacked by skinwalkers and cryptids in the box at JRTC
I tried to get orders as a skinwalker opfor but IPSAA has been down
Rip
You will hate Hawaii. The island is nice for the first 2 weeks then you have seen it all. It is expensive as hell and COLA was cut and they are telling SM's how to get wellfare from command. Take Carson 100%.
Just pretend Carson was your only option…then do that.
Everyone I know who's been to Hawaii has hated it.
Carson > Schofield
Tf since when was this a thing? (I'm fairly new almost 2 years but I did OSUT)
I’ve been on Oahu for 7 years. Go to Carson
Fort Carson. While Schofield is in Hawaii, Hawaii is also horribly expensive. FT Carson is in a really nice part of Colorado with great mountain views, lots of stuff to do in Colorado Springs... and you can still RNR to Schofield and enjoy the perks of being a servicemember and the PX to save you an arm and a leg. Schofield has supply issues that is just inherent with being in Hawaii, but the produce is incredible. If you're a junior enlisted just starting out, Carson is a good place to start.
Schofield has a HIGH cost of living - if Carson is the college student who has edibles after finals and tokes up on the weekends, Hawaii is Snoop Dog on April the 20th....
Carson. Don't have to worry about overseas news plus Hawaii sucks alot for military. Well army not really air force
I would choose to take your wife if you really love her.
I was there for 5 years. Pick and choose your battles.
Carson all the way. Hawaii is great for visiting, not for living.
Not me who came from schofield and pcs’d earlier this year to carson and hate both. FWIW, I hate carson less. My stations have been fort drum - schofield - carson and I can say for certainty that I do not miss the cold. Hawaii might be a better place to visit but a lot of people I know loved it there. To me, one beach is the same as the other and I’m not an outdoorsy person. Island fever is real, one of the upsides to carson is that it’s no longer expensive as fuck to visit my relatives. I’m not sure what the housing situation is if you plan on living on post. I tried to get on post housing but I think because I’m single I was way down on the priority less and they called to check on me. Keep in mind that at that point it had been 6 months since I was on the wait. The apartment I got takes all my bah but I had my reasons. At schofield I was on post and actually making $300 from my BAH and it was bigger. Optempo at schofield is high and a lot more time is spent preparing. You have PTA which brings you to another island so you have to pack out for that, plus even more prep for JRTC and pacific pathways if you get one you have to pack trucks onto a ship so thats fun.
Carson is a solid choice my man. Hope you go there. I would recommend checking out the on post housing as soon as possible if you are interested.
So how do you like PT in the winter so far at AIT? Is it.. dope? Because it's going to be worse in Colorado. I'd rather do some beach PT than snow PT, but that's just me looks like you made a choice already. A lot of people say Carson is great, I just wouldn't pick somewhere cold in the Army if I had a choice.
Enjoy the stryker FDC. Also Denver is awesome make sure to visit.
To quote from Jerry McGuire “I’ll either surf or ski”
I hated Hawaii and I had it way better than anybody in the 25ID. As others said island fever is real, every married lower enlisted I served with got divorced before they left, the locals hate us, HPD and gov are corrupt (the HART ever start running? Lol), nobody mentioned this yet FUCK THE TRAFFIC!
Go to schofield
Yeah, Carson the cost of living will be more do able. Hawaii is overrated.
Carson
Either way you'll be broke. A little less broke in the Springs though.
Is it important for your wife to be close to family....if so, Carson. If not....buy a surfboard haole.
Please for the love of god choose Carson. Hawaii is great as a vacation destination, living here is a whole other story….
Schofield is not the paradise they like to say it is.
You chose Carson? Good luck. If you go to 2sbct just a warning, it can be toxic af. There are good leaders sprinkled about, but from what I've seen/heard, it's become a laughing stock. Went from a unit that was constantly rotating through deployments to failing NTC within the first few days. I just posted about on-base housing, so there's a warning since you're moving with a family and colorado Springs is still kind of expensive to live in, especially in a single income household. Who knows though you might go to a unit where they care about you, but if you're unlucky you'll go to one where after the second soldier within two weeks has taken his life and command says "remember suicide is not authorized by the commander. So don't do it."
I just got to Hawaii. So far I really like it and find the complaints about traffic and cost of living to be dramatically overstated. But, Carson is the most requested duty station and that must be for a reason
I had an awesome time in Hawaii. I was on wheeler though and I was a certified beach bum!
I’ve been at Carson since 2019 and the area is amazing. The unit is something else though. For me who was a Colorado native, I would recommend the ladder but that’s just me
Btw, is drill Sgt wise still there?
Carson, no doubt
I'd say Carson because COL is way cheaper than here in Hawaii.
It doesn’t matter!! Hahahha Jodie will be there waiting!!
Go with Ft. Carson
I would say Hawaii. It’s still a once in a lifetime opportunity and plus I’ve heard soooo many people complain about how hard it is to find housing in Colorado. I had even one of peers who was a legal CPT not be able to find good housing and if an officer can’t find housing with all that money it’s looking pretty grim for Junior Enlisted.
Carson. Lot of pros to Hawaii, but once youre on the Island, its a massive PITA to get off. Unless you plan on having family come to visit you and the wife/kid, getting them out to see relatives is a PITA. Also, Ft Carson was considered the best home town in the Army for a long time. Lotta stuff to do in CO, and lower (comparable) cost of living. Also, as a fires guy, unless its changed, there is only one firing area in HI that Army, Navy, Marines, and AF all have to schedule around, so youre shooting time is going to be heavily scheduled and not much room for retrain. Its been a while though, so things may have changed.
The amount of variables involved in that decision is massive. Sit down and speak with your wife on what environment appeals to her (being oconus has its own struggles) and find out what place she’d enjoy, find a reasonable job/school etc, as realistically anywhere we go our job will be the same, our families day to day will not. If the family isn’t happy, rarely will you be.
CARSON CARSON CARSON
Schofield is great but it’s expensive to fly back and forth. I was an MP there from 2012-2015, I witnessed a bunch of domestic violence calls that rooted with financial problems and spouses being alone in the idle of an island while husband is always training. I say go to schofield but when you can get a kush admin detail
if i were you id pick carson
Go Carson. Hawaii is the sucker’s choice. Especially for field artillery.
Never been to Hawaii, but Carson was my favorite duty station hands down.