PCSing to Hawaii and the 25th CAB

2014-11-11T15:51:34-05:00

I'm on orders to go to Hawaii in January. I'm a single E-6 15S and according to BDE S1/BN S1, I'm headed to the 209th ASB probably B Co. Haven't done the PCS thing before and I'm trying to get some info on where to live, where to avoid, and what to expect. Trying to get myself squared away before I get down there.

I'm also trying to get a line on what to expect job wise when I get there. My career has been all in Line units and in QC so the ASB thing is going to be new. I need to get some leadership time or at least a job that is not going to get me stuck in QC again. Hopefully someone can hook me up with some more info on the unit and what they're hurting for.

I have requested a sponsor as of last week but I haven't heard anything yet. I've also read some of the threads that have been responded to on here so I've got some good starting points. Just trying to get some more specific info now.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 9:16 PM

2014-11-11T21:16:21-05:00

I can't speak on anything in particular about the CAB as I'm an intel guy, but I can help you with Hawaii. Just let me know your situation and what exactly you're looking for. You'll be on Wheeler Army Airfield next to Schofield Barracks. I suggest immediately looking for on post housing as soon as you arrive, if eligible, as even electric bills are about $500 a month here if you live off base.

Waihawa is a shithole, which is just outside of WAAF.

You could live as far as Pearl City and have a good trip to Schofield. Traffic for me if I happen to have to go to Schofield in the morning is 24 minutes each direction. Most people spend 35-60 minutes in traffic. Even a buddy of mine that works on Schofield lives in Ewa Beach and spends an hour in traffic.

Traffic traffic traffic.

Other than that, the place is the most amazing place on earth. I'm in the middle of my Dive Master class and I've only been here since mid-March. I love this place, and if the Army lets me, I'll retire from here.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2014 11:19 PM

2014-11-11T23:19:47-05:00

Deleted

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 12 at 2014 12:21 AM

2014-11-12T00:21:11-05:00

You might be going to Korea. It is Hawaii's turn to fall in on the old 4/6 ARS acft.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Nov 12 at 2014 12:06 PM

2014-11-12T12:06:10-05:00

E komo mai Hawaii, SSG! I'm six miles down the road from Wheeler/Schofield. I've lived here for 25 years (13 of them on active duty) and I'm planning to stay here for many more years. This is way better than anything I've ever experienced on the East Coast-- including Ballston Spa NY.

If you haven't already, you should check AHRN.com for off-base rentals. I recommend Mililani or Waipio Gentry or Crestview. Launani is borderline but livable. If you see a good deal in Wahiawa (also known as "North Mililani" by some AHRN landlords) then it's probably too good to be true. I would not buy Hawaii real estate while you're on active duty. Do not agree to rentals sight unseen, no matter how helpful your landlord may be. However if you get an address then I'm happy to do a driveby to check out the location.

Rush-hour traffic at Schofield's gates... sucks. Commuter traffic at Wheeler's gates is less sucky. If you can bicycle then you can avoid a lot of the backlog-- even by parking your car at the Wheeler Community Gardens (across the street) and walking or biking. When I was on active duty I commuted by bicycle and logged more miles than my car.

Electricity is about 30 cents/KWhr due to the price of importing oil. If you're at a higher elevation with tradewinds (like Mililani) then you can live with open windows and ceiling fans and no A/C. If you're living in Ewa Beach then... you'll sweat a lot. You will not have a heating bill. The good news is that many of your other expenses (like gasoline and winter weather) will actually drop.

I've posted extensively about Hawaii life here:
http://the-military-guide.com/2012/08/27/good-reasons-not-to-live-in-hawaii/
Take a look at the related links at the bottom of the post. I also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the culture & geography now by subscribing (online) to the Star-Advertiser and any online publications from Schofield or Wheeler.

If you treat this move as "just another part of America" then you'll likely be disillusioned. If you pretend that you're moving to a foreign culture where English is spoken (along with many other languages) then you'll get off to a good start. Hawaii Navy is practically a different service compared to East Coast Navy, and I suspect that you'll see a similar change in Hawaii Army. Life and culture are not necessarily better here than at your current location, but they are certainly different. You will love the islands or hate them, but I doubt that you will be apathetic.

Good reasons NOT to live in Hawaii - Military Guide

A reader writes: I’ve read many of your posts and links about military retirement in Hawaii. It’s not something we had considered previously, but it sounds pretty good. Apart from the high cost of real estate, what are the pitfalls? We are a pretty frugal couple, so I don’t think the excise tax …

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 1:12 PM

2014-11-13T13:12:27-05:00

Hi! I work in the 25th CAB BAMO office and one of my reporting units is the 209th. You will most likely not get pulled into the Cav, as they are set. We had a few new guys come in that were 58 specific and they went to 209th. The unit itself is great, with some really upstanding guys working there. No clue if you would end up in QC again though.
I will be retiring next year, so I won't be around for long after you get here, but I would be glad to show you around a bit.
As for places to live, it really just depends on what you like. I personally like being close to work, but not on post. I live in the town of Mililani, which is just outside post, but is much nicer than Wahiawa. If you want an apartment that is close and quiet, I would recommend the Mililani Tech Park. I pay 1700 a month for a 3 bedroom 2 bath apartment. No AC, but you really don't need it except on a few days during the deep summer. Utilities are high, but not outrageous. Don't forget, you get a really good BAH rate here, and COLA as well. So the costs are more than offset. Definitely look at the AHRN.com for local info.
This place is truly a paradise, but like any place it has its ups and downs. The locals are very friendly, for the most part, but there are some that don't like military folks. The food is amazing, especially the fresh seafood. Sushi is very prevalent here as well as many Asian influences. You mentioned bike riding somewhere in the thread. It is basically year round riding for both bicycles and motorcycles. I hope you love the outdoors, because this place has almost everything you could want. Since moving here, I have taken up Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. Hiking is also amazing here, with some of the most spectacular views anywhere. I do a lot of running and biking here, and the variety for both is amazing as well.
Any other questions you have, feel free to ask.

Danny

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 1:16 PM

2014-11-13T13:16:27-05:00

I recommend reaching out to the 25th CAB S1 NCOIC and then the CSM. The CSM places the NCOs within the Battalions of the CAB. You can probably find them here or on the 25th CAB website.