Which is better in term of quality of life, Fort Bragg or Fort Carson (Colorado)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:11:16 -0400

Asking for a friend, she going to be doing her first reenlistment and wants to know which could be better for someone who doesn't party and enjoys activities like rock climbing outdoors and hiking.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2021 12:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:19:23 -0400

Ft Carson would probably be better. I have never been there and its been over a decade since I was at Bragg. But when I was first at Bragg it was a great olace for a single male Soldier to have a lot of fun and get into trouble (strip clubs, lots of strip clubs). When I went there as a more mature Soldier it seemed to have grown up a little and been more family friendly (but still lots of strip clubs). But regardless, there was not much in way of places to go hiking, rock climbing ect. At least not close to base.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 13 at 2021 12:29 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:29:54 -0400

She she is big into rock climbing Colorado would be a better fit.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 13 at 2021 12:41 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:41:46 -0400

spent time at both hiking, rock climbing and like activities Ft Carson every day of the week. I love FT Bragg but Carson is in Colorado.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2021 2:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 14:02:28 -0400

I have never been to Carson but I can't say that I have ever met anyone that didn't like it. I know a lot of people that are not fans of Bragg but I loved it there. You can go to the beach or the mountains in two hours. Raleigh isn't very far either. There is so much to do out there. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I would recommend Bragg because it is the center of the universe of the Army.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2021 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 15:23:02 -0400

You're going to find better outdoor activities like bouldering and skiing in Carson and JBLM than Bragg. The mountains of NC are beautiful, but they are not well suited to skiing and snowboarding, and they are a lot farther away than the trails in Carson are. In Carson, you are already in the mountains, in JBLM you are right by several mountain ranges. In Bragg, you are about two hours from the mountains, and they are not as high, steep, or long as the west coast mountains. I'm sure someone will contradict me because people are contrary, but if you stand in JBLM or Carson, versus standing at Bragg, you will see the immediate difference

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Aug 13 at 2021 6:59 PM

1LT Voyle Smith — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 18:59:40 -0400

Ft Bragg has plenty of areas for hiking but
Not so much for rock climbing. Hunting and fishing are both favorite past times there. The Rod & Gun Club had pond with rowboats for rent and a retail store offering equipment at discounted prices. I rented a boat one Saturday afternoon for $5 and towed out to try my hand at spin-casting but had no luck. I could see small bluegills taking bugs off the surface so I dug into my tackle box and found a packet of small flies with leaders attached; I dangled a black fly on the water and immediately caught small bluegill. I towed back to the clubhouse and asked for he retail clerk if he had any fly fishing equipment; ten minutes later I was back on the water and trying out my new equipment. I spent the next four hours catch one bluegill after another and I was the one who got hooked. That was in 1967 and I’ve preferred fly fishing ever since.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Aug 13 at 2021 9:58 PM

SFC Carlos Cruz — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 21:58:12 -0400

I will recommend Fort Carson due to the outdoor activity since she isn’t a party person..

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2021 4:40 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 04:40:47 -0400

Not listed in your question, but equally important IMO, is proximity to beaches. A weekend trip to the coast is easy from Bragg, not so much from Carson.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 15 at 2021 2:09 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 14:09:10 -0400

Ft Carson is in a great location for all types of outdoor activities. It's located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and near State and National Parks. Good opportunities for hiking, camping, winter sports, and rock/mountain climbing. Colorado Springs is a nice city IMO. Cost of living may be slightly higher than the Fayetteville NC area.

Ft Bragg is a very large military installation in NC. It isn't located close to much of anything except a lot of pine forests and farm land. (I've flown over the local area many times.) Several small towns are near the Fort. Fayetteville is the largest. Mountains and Ocean are many miles away.

Response by 1LT Becky Chase made Aug 16 at 2021 8:25 PM

1LT Becky Chase — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 20:25:29 -0400

OMG, Fort Carson in a long run! The hiking and skiing is wonderful, I loved it there and still go back to visit. So many cute places to eat and people watch to relax.

Response by SPC Buddy Linza made Aug 16 at 2021 11:52 PM

SPC Buddy Linza — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 23:52:17 -0400

Fort Carson hands down if an outdoors lover. Bragg is about 45 mins from the beach but it's not a great beach. No surf.