If you had the choice would you like to be stationed at JBLM or Hawaii?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:32:38 -0400

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 8:40 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 20:40:56 -0400

Hawaii. Too much rain at JBLM

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 9:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 21:12:54 -0400

Go to JBLM, avoid Hawaii if possible

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 9:51 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 21:51:33 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I have driven by JBLM and been to Hawaii twice to have the plane refueled. With that said, close by JBLM is the Museum of Flight, one of the best aerospace museums in the country and Mt. Rainer National Park, one of the best National Parks in the country. Good luck on your decision.

https://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/

https://www.bing.com/travelguide?q=Mount+Rainier+National+Park&l2sid=9a8a1f72-a577-9f45-e275-1d969576f069&form=PLACAB

aircraft

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 10 at 2020 10:16 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 22:16:46 -0400

Personally, HI.

Response by SPC John Smith made Sep 10 at 2020 10:34 PM

SPC John Smith — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 22:34:25 -0400

Stationed at Schofield Bks. For 4 years. It’s a great post...for about 6 months. The island gets small real quick and travel is a pain. Super expensive and, at times, unwelcoming. A fun place to visit, but I would hasten against choosing it for a post. Just my .02

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 11:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 23:14:43 -0400

I’m stationed in JBLM and I’d be in Hawaii in a heart beat. If you were offered Hawaii and you haven’t taken it yet, it might not be there tomorrow

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 11:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 23:28:28 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member how long of a tour are you looking at and when would you report? I just reported to Hawaii and am on quarantine/isolation for 14 days. This island is on lockdown essentially until through the 23rd at least. The cases of COVID-19 are going up and they are trying to flatten it out. Hawaii allows you the opportunity to travel to other countries at a cheaper rate than the mainland would and is beautiful weather for most of the time, particularly if you are not a fan of snow. The cost of living is higher, but you get COLA to help offset that. If you are looking to use your VA Loan benefits to buy a house definitely look before you arrive as many people are stuck trying to look while in quarantine and houses are selling fast right now in the seller's market. I have a good point of contact if you want to see how the VA Loan works and give you an idea of how much house you can afford here on your BAH.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2020 11:37 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 23:37:06 -0400

I’ve been TDY to Schofield and had island fever after a week. It is a smaller island, weather is great, but once you’ve seen it you’ve seen it. I would absolutely recommend vacationing there but I couldn’t live there.
JBLM does have a long rainy season but only because it is part of winter. Not much snow. Lots of outdoor recreational activities (hiking, snowboarding/skiing, fishing, hunting). I’ve been here going on 9 years.
Every base will have its pros and cons and everyone has different preferences/priorities in deciding what is best for them/their family.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 1:15 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 01:15:16 -0400

Personal opinion, HI. Been here for 3-years now and absolutely love it. As mentioned above, it has shutdown due to COVID but beaches and and trails are now back open. During the shutdown the water was still open just not the beach, so you can still swim during any shutdown.

The greatest thing about this place is waking up every morning to do PT with SUMMER pt's. Seriously, I have not pulled my winter pts out in 3-years (with the exception of going to the big island for training. Gets a little cold there). On a side note, the OPTEMPO is high, but you get to go to so many different places throughout the Pacific. Will definitely miss it!

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Sep 11 at 2020 1:18 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 01:18:02 -0400

Depends. In order: Anywhere on Hawaii that ISN'T Schofield Barracks, JBLM, 7th circle of hell, Schofield Barracks

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 6:12 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 06:12:20 -0400

I’m in Hawaii now and all of my NCOs hate it here. I’ve never been anywhere else, but they suggest JBLM

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Sep 11 at 2020 7:38 AM

1SG Frank Boynton — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:38:25 -0400

I did 3 tours at Ft. Lewis during the 70’s and 80’s I’ve heard some pretty ugly remarks about the post and lack of physical activity. Some say it’s a career killer assignment. It was none of the kind when I was there. Besides the great units I worked with, the location can’t be duplicates anywhere. It was so great I seriously wanted to retire in the area. But the liberal left took over Seattle and politics have ruined it for most conservatives. HI on the other hand has always been too far left politically, and quite frankly way too expensive.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 11 at 2020 7:56 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:56:43 -0400

While an Island may not be for everyone for a lifetime it is certainly for most for a tour. Hawaii is amazing and a No Brainer.

Response by TSgt James Potter made Sep 11 at 2020 9:25 AM

TSgt James Potter — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 09:25:02 -0400

I know a couple of guys that live there. They say they get island bound pretty easy and are ready to go to the mainland as often as they can....

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 11 at 2020 10:36 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 10:36:34 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member It is all personal and relative to you or you and family..be it spouse and kids or other fam.

HI is a great place to visit, but quickly loses my interest as it did for my family. Washington was a much better opportunity for us when I was teaching ROTC in Oregon.

We ride bikes, on and off road, camp, race off road trucks and bikes, shoot....opportunities in the Pacific North West (wet) are much greater for those things than HI, so I turned down HI.

Diving is the only thing I enjoy doing that would have been an outstanding upside to being stationed in HI, but that one thing just did not overshadow the down sides for us.

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made Sep 11 at 2020 10:36 AM

SGT Cody Skinner — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 10:36:44 -0400

I really liked being stationed at JBLM from 2002-2006, but I am also Outdoorsy. If You love having wonderful place to go Hike, Fish, and Hunt then You will love this Duty Station. I really enjoyed touring all the Wineries that are in the Area. Doing Wine Tours was a really easy way to see a lot of the State. Even Seattle had it's charm. The rain is not the rain I grew up with in Texas. In WA a lot of the rain seems to be more of a heavy mist that will piss on You till You are wet. Being prepared for the situation or rain is important.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 11 at 2020 12:33 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 12:33:14 -0400

What are your hobbies? Married? Children, if so, how old? I have been stationed in Hawaii and TDY to Lewis. Answer some of those questions and we can give you a better recommendation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 4:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:41:50 -0400

I've been at JBLM twice now. Last time - I was deployed 27 months out of the 4 1/2 years I was here. We did go to Yakima and one NTC rotation. I didn't get to do a lot last time I was here.

This time - it's not so much field exercises (though still have exercises) and I have a child. I have gone and seen more stuff this time because of her.

Honestly I love the weather here in the summer. 70s and hasn't rained the last two summers. The winters it rains a lot - but better than snow (I grew up in Nebraska) and doesn't get to -50.

I have heard about Hawaii that it's not that awesome being stationed there - I mean it's a mixture. Some people like it, some don't. Just like some people like it here, some don't.

I think it's great there are beaches really close or the ocean isn't very far and can take my daughter. Or to state parks - or the forests. Found this cool waterfall on block leave I took her to. She's seeing stuff I didn't get to see until I was an adult. I didn't leave Nebraska or surrounding states until I joined at 22.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 11 at 2020 4:57 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:57:46 -0400

Personally wouldn’t be a tough choice. Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on Earth (in my opinion).

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 11 at 2020 5:38 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 17:38:41 -0400

Normally I'd say Hawaii. Both locations have problems. Hawaii is shut down for COVID. Seattle is experiencing civil unrest. Neither of these situations will last for what should be a 2 to 4 year assignment. I'd vote for Hawaii. Opportunities for activities centered on "sun and surf" abound. Climate in generally mild and sunny, but I've heard it always rains when your unit goes to the field. Cost of living is high, probably 20% higher that US average. You should get additional housing allowance if you're living off post. You'll get credit for an overseas tour. DoD recreation facilities provide reasonably priced opportunities to enjoy the islands. Down sides with Hawaii I've heard from folks stationed there are cost of living, poor public schools, and it's an island a long ways from the CONUS. Some folks get "island fever" and are unhappy in paradise. If your family may need you home in the next few years, Hawaii is a long flight from LA and even more from the East Coast. Otherwise you should expect family visitors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 6:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 18:17:12 -0400

Hawaii gets really small, really fast and it's not like you can jump in the car and go see something new because after about 3 months, you've seen it all, and in six, if you're motivated, you've done it, too.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2020 7:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 19:39:14 -0400

Stationed at both. I loved both but at the end of the day, the beaches were not enough to hold me in Hawaii. It’s a great experience in Hawaii but JBLM is where I would go. If there was a way for me to get back to JBLM or Western Washington ROTC I would have gone back. SFAB

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Sep 11 at 2020 9:11 PM

SSG Paul Headlee — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 21:11:59 -0400

How come they have an interstate highway in Hawaii? Lol!

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2020 12:41 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 12:41:02 -0400

I was stationer in Hawaii from 2000-2010. I enjoyed every second of it. The people that talk about island fever don’t get out and do anything. There is so much to do on the island and the inter island flights “were cheap.” Not sure what they are now. Stay away from the tourist traps and go enjoy the local spots. The island and local people are extremely nice. I never had an issue in my tenure there. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2020 5:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 17:19:51 -0400

JBLM

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2020 9:31 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 09:31:04 -0400

Lewis all day

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2020 11:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 11:59:48 -0400

Was stationed in Schofield 2013-2016. I miss it and would go back. It’s not really that bad of a duty assignment. The island is small and you can get around the entire island within 1hr 30mins. Plenty of beaches and off duty activities to do. The units are pretty good there especially if you go to 3rd Brigade (hopefully you get 2-27IN or 2-35IN). 25thID Hawaii takes pride in their units and unit’s history. The morale and espirit de corps there is bar none the best of I experienced. Plenty of DONSAS and days off due to them also following Hawaiian holidays. Be prepared for the winters. The coldest it gets in the winter is 60 degrees but it rains ALOT during winter and spring. When it rains, it POURS. It’s expensive to fly from and to there when on Leave so it kind of sucks in that aspect. Most people say they experienced Island Fever (meaning missing being home and in the mainland, usually occurs around 6 months after being there) and want to get off the island (or rock as some will call it lol). I’ve never experienced that feeling I enjoyed every part and moment being stationed in the Tropical Duty Assignment. It’s expensive there but not as expensive as some make it out to be. It’s literally the same prices there as it is if you were to go to a downtown area in a big city (still pricey, but again not how some will exaggerate it to be). Overall it’s a great duty assignment and I’m sure you will love it if you decide to go there.

Response by PO1 Mike Wallace made Sep 16 at 2020 10:11 AM

PO1 Mike Wallace — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 10:11:23 -0400

I spent 3.5 years stationed out of Pearl. That was the 70's so had 2 Vietnam deployments during that time. Been back since and I would say if you are single, especially if you ride a motorcycle, its a good place to be stationed. If you go there with your family it kind of sucks. Long drive back to the mainland! :-)

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 18 at 2020 10:35 AM

MAJ Jim Woods — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:35:15 -0400

Ft. Lewis is the BEST KEPT SECRET in the Military!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2020 4:54 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:54:44 -0400

Jblm.
I was at JBLM and then sent to hawaii.
Hawaii is nice, but there is quarantin for your pets, everything is expensive, long flights back to the mainland.
No winters in hawaii is a plus. Living 10 mins from north shore was nice too.
I enjoyed my time there. I would go back if they sent me but I would not request it. Well maybe if I was a single soldier.......

Response by SPC Thomas Kosakowski made Sep 19 at 2020 7:56 PM

SPC Thomas Kosakowski — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 19:56:46 -0400

I ended up at Helemano Military Reservation in the early 70's.125 Signal and 372 ASA was stationed out there then. I have to say we were glad not to be at Schofield Barracks, just for the simple reason, we were not there. plucked down right in the middle of pineapple fields, we were pretty close to Haliewa, and the north shore. Yeah,you do get island fever, but flights to the mainland was pretty cheap. The other islands were cool too.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 9:01 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 21:01:49 -0400

Hawaii. I’m just joined and grew up on Schofield barracks. The childhood was great. Wouldn’t mind if my kids got the same experience I did.

Response by SGT Doug Blanchard made Oct 7 at 2020 3:21 PM

SGT Doug Blanchard — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:21:03 -0400

Never stationed at Hawaii, was statiined at the old Ft Lewis, was too damn liberal for my taste. No idea what JBLM is like though. Washington state has some beautiful countryside though. It does have that going for it though.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Oct 18 at 2020 7:11 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 19:11:08 -0400

Was at Ft Lewis for a few years not bad; except for a sawed off little runt of a csm,.
I pissed him off every way I could.
Signed out of the BN as a 1SG.

;)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2020 9:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 21:46:05 -0400

I’m currently stationed at schofield. Hawai’i is a beautiful place, but it comes with baggage as well and the units are the most undisciplined I have ever seen. Even if I wanted to go experience the island, I tend to be dealing with work on my free time because sip shit soldiers can’t get their shit straight while simultaneously higher is too forgiving and doesn’t respect recommended punitive action as much as they should. It really depends on you though. If you don’t TRULY like hiking and if you get sick of the same scene over and over (including weather, if you like the 4 seasons you won’t like Hawai’i), then it’s probably not for you. If you love to hike and explore, it may be your forte. I for one loved it for about 6 months. Some of the best scenes you’ll ever see. However, I’ve had horrible run ins with locals who hate me just because I’m white, people here lack common curtesy (won’t hold doors, won’t help anyone in need, happy to cut you in line and just in general whatever to get ahead in their busy life) in general so if manners are important to you then it will also aggravate you (common courtesy is huge to me so a simple trip to the overpopulated Costco is enough to get my blood boiling within a matter of minutes and I’m not easy to anger), traffic is horrible, the price of necessities are crazy and after you’ve been there a year, you’ve pretty much seen almost everything or at least a version of...

If you love the beach and can’t get enough, go for it. If you couldn’t look at the same beach 24/7 without getting a little bored, then I highly recommend you do yourself a favor, including professionally, and chose a different station. That’s just my opinion. It’s not all bad but it relies heavily on you and your personality.

Response by SP5 Martin Wierimaa made Nov 9 at 2020 10:46 AM

SP5 Martin Wierimaa — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:46:03 -0500

I was in the Army in the ancient days (early 70s). I went from Viet Nam to Hawaii (worked Schofield Barracks, lived Honolulu). Between the two places, it was a tossup for me. Long hours (7 workdays/week + 3 nights/week guard duty), heat, M60 bullets from U.S. soldiers (the closest I came to being shot) in one place. Boredom, high prices, a feeling of enclosure, and freeway traffic that slowed to 20 MPH at the first raindrop in the other,

Response by CPL Craig Billings made Nov 15 at 2020 6:16 AM

CPL Craig Billings — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 06:16:25 -0500

Stationed at JBLM for four years, back when it was Fort Lewis and North Fort with McCord next door. They rechristened it JBLM about a year before I got out. I will tell you, you'll be there a month at most before you realize why Kurt Kobain did what he did. Not even an exciting rain. Just grey, slow, cold, soggy rain. You get about 2-3 months of sunshine in summer, but the rest of the year is that liquid sunshine. Fairly decent post, though. Not too far of a drive to check out Vancouver in Canada for a weekend, or going to check out concerts at white River, the showbox, etc.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Nov 16 at 2020 12:37 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:37:55 -0500

The real question is: How much money do you have? Hawaii is expensive, even with the increase in living allowance. Hands down for me would be Washington state.

Response by TSgt John Shanks made Nov 18 at 2020 8:08 AM

TSgt John Shanks — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:08:21 -0500

I did a tour at Hickam back in 78 - 80, what an amazing place. My wife and I go about every couple of years on vacation. I would not recommend Hawaii as a first assignment, or even a second. I arrived on the island and was 17 yrs old. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time and was lucky to get off the island with my career intact. The point being I was just too young to appreciate all that Hawaii has to offer.

Response by PFC David Gettman made Nov 19 at 2020 7:02 PM

PFC David Gettman — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 19:02:53 -0500

I was born at Ft Lewis and have lived 15 minutes away my entire life. Tried to get stationed there when I joined the Army in 1972 but got sent to Germany instead.

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made Nov 20 at 2020 2:57 AM

CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 02:57:54 -0500

I was stationed in Hawaii for eight years, from where I spent two years on the ROK before getting a Psyop assignment stateside. I can tell you my experience was that Hawaii was an outstanding assignment for me that if it had been offered to me again, I would have gladly grabbed it. For many others, Hawaii is a one time only excitment. Lewis is a wet exercise, which not too many enjoy. The decision is what tickles your interests, but any assignment you choose can only be pleasurable, if your leaders are caring and compassionate.

Response by SFC Lawrence Born made Dec 2 at 2020 1:30 PM

SFC Lawrence Born — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 13:30:44 -0500

For a PCS I would definitely choose Hawaii. I was stationed at JBLM for almost 4 years and while there is a lot to do around if you are outdoor oriented (I am a hunter) there are a LOT of negatives. 1) Housing (even back in the early 2000s) was VERY expensive if you want to live in a remotely nice area ( you know, away from the huge population of meth heads) and I don't believe BAH is adequate. 2) Schools are substandard. They have a horrible time keeping teachers and the schools were bad, INCLUDING the schools on post which are part of the Clover Park district. There are some decent districts but you are talking even more $$$$$. 3) Crime around post and to the north near Tacoma is BAD. Tons of auto theft, Asian gangs ....you named it, it is crappy. 4) The political environment is gawd awful. Even before the current round of craziness I would describe the area as anti-military, anti-gun and anti-hunting. The locals I found to be generally unpleasant anywhere around the sound.
It is even worse because given the huge military presence around the sound the local economy FEASTS on military related dollars. Finally, 5) The weather absolutely BLOWS about 9 months of the year. There is no sun and rain pretty much from SEP to MAY/JUN. The weather doesn't usually get cold enough for snow more than a couple of times a year but all fall/winter/early spring it is going to be chilly to cold and EVEYTHING is wet ALL THE TIME. The summer is nice but not nearly enough to make up for the rest of it.

Response by SN Craig Ralston made Dec 3 at 2020 2:25 PM

SN Craig Ralston — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 14:25:10 -0500

Hawaii would be a blast for about 6 months because of the tropical setting, access to surf, beaches, and stuff like that. But it would be so expensive going anywhere other than on the island, want to fly home? Add $200! Joint base JBLM has access to Seattle for major events such as concerts, shows, sports. Then you are an hour from the ocean or skiing or major rainforest (the only one left in the USA), You can fly to Vegas for under $100 from Seatac airport, You are a 3 hour drive roughly from Canada. (Depends on the day of the week and also on the time of day, traffic is REALLY bad!)