Is Fort Carson a good duty station? How do units function when it's cold?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 21:39:02 -0400

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Oct 4 at 2016 10:25 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:25:56 -0400

It is a place my wife spent our entire time crossing her fingers in the hope that we would miraculously be sent there. We were both raised in Colorado so it would have been cool. Alas, there was next to zero chance of our going there.

It is nowhere near as cold there as it is in Germany. Units function perfectly fine in the cold. I imagine PT is a blast in December.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Oct 4 at 2016 10:27 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:27:36 -0400

One of my sons friends form Okinawa was there for a while and loved it. My former NCOs was assigned there and would not leave until they made him leave. It cannot be too awfully bad.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 4 at 2016 11:22 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 23:22:29 -0400

You put on all your stuff they issue you at CIF, leaders look after their people, stay hydrated, and continue mission.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 8:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:28:51 -0400

I visited Carson a few times, my brother was stationed there. I thought it was a nice base from what I remember. I know they have 4ID and I seen them fire Bradleys off on live fire ranges , that was cool.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 5 at 2016 8:58 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:58:18 -0400

Fort Carson is no where the coldest place on earth, just look to other posts on the site about post that are cold, and every installation is a great place to serve (usually your last one is the best one), just happens that Colorado is a real nice place, however my last trip there, Colorado Springs is getting a subculture that could get a young Soldier in trouble if not prepared. A lot of homeless running the downtown streets and one could think it due to the environment of things that are smoked.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 9:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 09:25:59 -0400

Fort Carson can be cold and there can be a lot of snow at times, but it is nowhere near the type of conditions the kids at Fort Drum or up in Alaska have to worry about. In an average year there might only be two or three "snow days" where soldiers are let out early, are allowed a late first call, or told to stay home because of weather conditions. The thing that you are most likely to have an issue with at first is the altitude and the dry air until you get acclimated to it.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Oct 5 at 2016 11:22 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:22:28 -0400

Wool socks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 11:24 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:24:05 -0400

If you like to hunt, fish or most anything outdoors, IT'S AWESOME!!!!! I'm at the BLC Academy and we function rain, sleet, hail, sunshine or snow.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 11:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:46:04 -0400

I love Ft. Carson, I am a reservist that goes there for my annual training every year. Although I usually do it in April through September. Lots of outdoor activities as well as museums to see. Try the Incline, I highly recommend it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 3:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:18:54 -0400

It's gorgeous and near a ton of outdoor recreation type stuff goes. Denver isn't too far either if you need a pro sports fix. The cold isn't too crazy, although I believe some units move PT to the afternoon during colder months.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 8:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 20:38:24 -0400

Fort Carson is the best place I've ever been, including as a civilian before I joined. I love Colorado and want to get back there as fast as I possibly can. The cold isn't really that big of a factor until you're in the motor pool with nothing to block the wind ha! Seriously tho, you're a lucky man, I was there for four years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 8:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 20:57:46 -0400

I loved it back in 1990. Does
not really get too cold there in the winter. What you have to worry about is the awful drivers on Academy Blvd when it snows!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2016 11:36 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 23:36:52 -0400

I will definitely retire in Colorado when I'm done working. I loved it there.

Response by SGT James Allen made Oct 6 at 2016 5:20 AM

SGT James Allen — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 05:20:48 -0400

Loved it because of all the outdoor activities that are around there. I was stationed there with HHC 3rd Brigade from May 92- September 94. Fighting Chiefs

Response by SSG Brian L. made Oct 6 at 2016 9:12 AM

SSG Brian L. — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:12:38 -0400

With you being a mechanic the field wont be so bad... it really depends on what you do off base. The weather here is rugged and dynamic...really cold..really hot... always dry.. hail in july.. but if that doesn't bother you it could be good for you. Me personal do not like it here and cant wait to pcs. This is my third duty station and can not wait to have carson in my rear view.

Response by SSG Michael Hale made Oct 6 at 2016 10:42 AM

SSG Michael Hale — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 10:42:46 -0400

I was station there and I enjoyed it very well

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2016 12:48 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 12:48:32 -0400

I was stationed on Fort Carson for two and a half years (late 2007 through Jan 2010). I is an awesome assignment (as far as Army posts go....and I have been on quite a few). The cold isn't bad. My second winter there, we regularly did PT outside in the cold with shorts and t-shirts....and would sometimes break out into a game of football to finish the PT session. In my opinion, the altitude takes more acclimating than the cold.

Response by CPO David Russell made Oct 6 at 2016 6:02 PM

CPO David Russell — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:02:32 -0400

It was great when I was there in 1973!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2016 2:50 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 14:50:34 -0400

Fort Carson is probably one of the best duty stations out there to take advantage of.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2016 4:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 16:48:47 -0400

Absolutely! Spent 7 years there. Trying to go back if branch let's me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 5:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:41:47 -0400

Yes. SBCT, ABCT, and IBCT are all there. Lots of fun. Go see Dragon man if you go there's.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2016 6:24 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 18:24:42 -0400

Colorado is amazing. There is everything minus an ocean!!

When it's cold you train like when it's hot, but you add layers..... maybe not for PT haha..

Response by SPC Schon Tatro made Oct 19 at 2016 10:54 AM

SPC Schon Tatro — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 10:54:05 -0400

I was at Carson from 08-11 it was the best but cant say I enjoyed the running in the snow but it was a blast.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 28 at 2018 10:55 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 10:55:54 -0400

It is a great installation, in a good location. As for trainjng in the cold, you gear up and move out. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 29 at 2018 3:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 15:55:20 -0400

If memory serves me properly, an Infantry Battalion conducted mountain training when a snowstorm hit. The commander ordered his soldiers to double up in the sleeping bag.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Apr 30 at 2020 11:13 AM

SGT Herbert Bollum — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 11:13:41 -0400

CTA 50 will be issued and you should get both mountain and atrctic sleeping bags.
We wore our bunny ears when it got cold enough to possibly cause frostbite on ears.

Response by SPC David Dougherty made Nov 4 at 2020 2:59 PM

SPC David Dougherty — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 14:59:08 -0500

I was at Fort Carson then went JBER Alaska aka Fort Richardson for 3.6 years, trust me ALL Units there are fine in the cold.