Top 5 Reasons You Don't Want to PCS to Hawaii || Life in the Army

Рет қаралды 12,275

Күн бұрын

The pros and cons to living in Hawaii (Oahu) - lets start with the cons.
I absolutely love being stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu! I have fallen in love with the Hawaiian people, the ocean - love it. But I recognize that many people stationed here actually hate it. Hawaii has a lot of expectations. You think this is going to be paradise and it can be one of the worst duty stations for the army. Maybe even one of the worst duty stations for the military. So I'm going to open up with you on my top 5 reasons you don't want to move to Hawaii. Take it or leave it. I don't wish to offend anyone. When I point out issues, specially with the paperwork and certain departments I hold big army bureaucracy as the cause. Not people or soldiers. I share this so you have a realistic idea of what to face and what people have faced before you. Here are my top five reasons you don't want to PCS to Hawaii. These cons are my personal opinion. #top5
Top five reasons why you don't want to move or PCS to Hawaii - chapters:
00:00 Introduction - Being stationed in paradise
02:18 Number 5 - The facilities are outdated and power issues on Schofield Barracks
05:14 Number 4 - The beach is going to get old
06:21 Number 3 - No Family Support
07:46 Number 2 - Pay Issues - BAH, BAS, COLA
11:28 Number 1 - Cost of Living - Hawai'i really is the most expensive State to live in.
17:35 Bonus: Bugs in Hawaii & Online Food Subscriptions Boxes
🪖 If you new to our channel, John re-enlisted in the military after being out for ten years. Kind of crazy. But John was a Marine and he loved the Marines. Afghanistan Veteran. The only reason he got out was for me. Back before online jobs or school, he gave up the Marines and allowed me to start my career. I had an amazing career spending years growing and working with Target as a Store Director. But with Covid came many changes. One of those was to stay home and homeschool Alexandra. And so it opened the door for John to do whatever he wanted to do. He re-enlisted, but this time we both agreed the Army. But after being out so long, John had to go through Basic training again or OSUT. Six months of that followed by waiting for command sponsorship for our first OCONUS move and the family has been apart for 10 months. Crazy considering this wasn't a deployment. But we made it! #MilitaryFamilyVlog We are now stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for the next 2 to 3 years and feel truly blessed to be here! #hawaii
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Пікірлер: 108

@theWiggyFamily 3 ай бұрын

Before commenting please know that John and I love it here. But not everyone does. This video is to reflect an alternative opinion. Many people are desperate to get off this island as I write this. Every place has its issues. And you should know what those are before deciding to come here. Schofield barracks still loses power all the time (sometimes days at a time), we are also on the verge of running out of fresh running water. There are water trucks in every neighborhood (as I write this). And it's not because of a storm. A hurricane did not cause these issues. There’s the Red Hill contamination issue too. Cola has continued to go down. Ipsa has helped but there are still pay issues. Issues will come and go. But you should be informed to make your own choice. If you want to see the best of Hawaii (and there are a lot of amazing things about Hawaii) please check out my other videos. Top Things to Do While Stationed in Hawaii (From Someone Stationed Here) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/iL6adq2SudGRnGw.html

@OperationDesertRose Ай бұрын

I’m curiuous about the pay issues, what’s with it?

@justinr9253 3 ай бұрын

I get why people don’t like it. Being a single young man in my early 20s, it was amazing. The greatest times in my life were had during my time in Hawaii. Miss it everyday.

@sagemoma Жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Thank you for sharing this.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@PureOpulenceEsthetics 2 ай бұрын

Great video, Real video and COOL editing - Thank you!

@theWiggyFamily 2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Mahalo!!

@inahpacia9292 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info!!

@kyrawells9504 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this great video 💕

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

@sdlonewolf 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for your perspective! I am from San Diego and was looking into moving to Hawaii for retirement. Me and the family took 5 trips staying in resorts and checking out 3 of the Islands. I recently went to Schofield Barracks and checked it out a few times. I was stationed at Fort Polk 1992-1993, and it is probably one of the worst spots to be in the Conus. I think I would rather be at Schofield than Polk closer to civilization, no snakes and cooler weather. I love the Hawaiian Culture, the snorkeling and Seafood. For a single soldier I think it is a good place to go out and socialize. At the end of the day, I get Island Fever. I have been to Puerto Rico, and I also got Island Fever. Me and the wife scrapped the idea to move to Hawaii and we even ruled out the idea of living part of the year there.

@theWiggyFamily 3 ай бұрын

Oh, man! I think my husband would cry if we received orders for Polk! I absolutely agree! I love the culture and the ocean! But when we PCS we will probably not come back to live. More just visit and enjoy the best of Hawaii. Thank you for commenting!

@ArmyBarbie Жыл бұрын

These are the kind of videos i need 😂😂😂😂😂 honesty!!!

@kwik_r3viv350 2 ай бұрын

Awesome content! Thanks for the honest perspective, good to know as my family and I are PCSing there this fall (‘24). I have heard that termites are bad there but the cockroach thing is new to me. Is that still a concern?

@theWiggyFamily 2 ай бұрын

It’s not! Well one I’ve gotten used to the bugs. But also if you live on base then they will spray your house for free. We haven’t seen many bugs since taking advantage of this service. But my friend who lives off post still deals with a lot of cockroaches.

@micheleford4282 10 ай бұрын

my husband was stationed there for seven years we got married in 07 and he pcs out 09 two years was enough for me. my family thought i was crazy that after two years i wanted to be back stateside but i was super over it. i had serious depression during the winter months the rain drove me nuts i remember sitting there moody and crying while it rained forever it seemed. when i first got there though i was super excited and ran around looking at everything. its a paradise vacation spot but i would never want to live there again.

@theWiggyFamily 9 ай бұрын

Lots of families still feel that while here. Island Fever is a real thing and there is no quick or affordable way to escape.

@itsmissdc Жыл бұрын

We're off base and man, we wished we moved on base when we first arrived. We are currently on a lengthy waiting list to live on a base that is not impacted by Red Hill. Our monthly grocery cost for only my spouse and me is roughly $400. Our monthly electric expense for the a/c window units is from $400- $600. (this is only running them in the evening). Everything you said about this location is accurate, I appreciate your honesty.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

If we had moved off base we wouldn't be able to afford to go out and experience this island like we are currently doing. I know some folks have made it, but I have not been able to find anything in our price range that also allows big dogs and has a garage. Specially once you consider the cost of utilities. I wish you the best!

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

@@theWiggyFamilyat least you got to take your dog! My parents couldn't wrap their heads around the quarantine process as it was back then and we gave up our amazing family dogs, Rusty and Blondie. 😭😭

@envisionwewew2270 Жыл бұрын

I definitely had scheduled power outages in Hawaii. One time I even lost power from an earthquake on October 15th 2006 and one from a thunderstorm one night. I was my house on Gemini avenue looking for flashlights and I tested the flashlights. My mother was asking what I was doing. I told her I was testing the batteries on our flashlight in case we lost power that night and sure enough right after I tested them our power went out. I also just had a power outage recently from 12 in the afternoon to 9 at night one day in Maryland. I also had power outages too at my house on Craig Street from storms. WhAt is nice about the town I live in the power lines are underground so the only time we lose power is when the Baltimore gas and electricity company is working on the power lines.

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

5+ days after hurricane Iwa 1982 🤣 those were the days.

@kkgoviral1820 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for this video my son about to graduate from basic training he thinking about going here to

@theWiggyFamily 6 ай бұрын

He will do well! I'm assuming he isn't married as he is just finishing basic. If he is a single soldier Hawaii is a great place. He will be in the barracks and have access to the dfac so the cost of living here won't be that bad.

@cellygt04 Күн бұрын

Been here almost 3 years and thank baby Jesus I’m leaving in 19 days. Can’t freaking WAIT! I absolutely do NOT like it here and can say this was my least favorite place in my 20 year career. Beyond happy to be leaving…I will never step foot in Hawaii for the rest of my life!

@Angelleek123 Жыл бұрын

This is making me nervous! I'm moving out there in September from San Diego. 😢

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

I don't mean to make you feel nervous! I'm sure you will be fine! San Diego is very similar. This is just the other half of the coin. Many people stationed here hate it. And Hawaii is such a beautiful place they don't see the negatives until they are here. But Hawaii can also be amazing. Every other video on my channel is about how amazing it is. I hope you enjoy it out here! Just get your fill of road trips and Mexican food before September.

@EdieEdgmon-tc9vb Жыл бұрын

I was stationed at NSGAPearl 93 - 97, Navy housing. The housing we were stationed in was very old, but not too bad. My parents were stationed at Schofield when my dad was in the army in the 50’s right after the Korean War. Island Fever is a very real thing. I could not wait to go home to Oklahoma & I had wanted to go to Hawaii my whole life.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

I would say half of all military stationed here feel the same way!

@user-sw2zc2bm3n 6 ай бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily97 to 2000, island fever is FACTS, Schofield Barracks

@thePatheticfool Жыл бұрын

When I was stationed there I genuinely did not like it. Schofield itself needs a massive upgrade to its infrastructure. I definitely did not want to live on an island. Where everything is so expensive. But I met my wife out there and now miss it very much. I feel lucky to have my wife's family out there. But I am also biased because I am stuck in Florida at the moment and I HATE Florida.

@davidbalch3216 10 ай бұрын

Station there 78-80. Worked at Schofield Barracks. Live at Aliamanu. Housing was 3 stairwell buildings. All that was torn down and rebuilt in a different style. TLA was 100.00 bucks a day. After being there about a year found out I could get food stamps (I remember being about 118.00). Strong command sponsor programs are needed on that Island to help people get over the shock.

@theWiggyFamily 10 ай бұрын

Yes they do! They offer sponsors, but I’ve never met someone that had a solid sponsor who helped them with the transition to life in Hawaii.

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

Lived on Ekaha Circle 79-82. Knew nothing about nothing expenses wise cuz I was a kid but outside our military provided beds, it must have been rough based on the couches my mom would drag home and stuff rags and towels into pillowcases and sew up the end for cushions 😣

@jordynk5876 Жыл бұрын

I have quite a few options for my first post (being a Cadet at USMA). For a single person with no dependents, what are your thoughts on Hawaii?

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

Do it! You won’t feel the cost of living so much without dependents. And you will feel homesick from any duty station. But being single it’s easier to afford things like a plane ticket home. There is so much to do here! And you may never get the chance again.

@EdieEdgmon-tc9vb Жыл бұрын

I was single when I first got to Hawaii & it was great, living in the barracks, no out of pocket expenses. Have a great time!!!!

@jasonwoodley3243 6 ай бұрын

93 to 96 in J quad.. it was paradise for about a year and then I was over it!

@HappyHermitt Жыл бұрын

I went to Italy on a 4187 and had always regretted not trying for Hi. In the end, Im happy with Italy. I got to see a lot of Europe that most typically dont. And North Africa too. I guess island hopping on a 4 day could be the closest thing to a road trip. Especially one to Maui...

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

I really hope we get the chance to go to Italy or Germany at some point! It would be amazing to take the girls through Europe and northern Africa! Hawaii has been amazing! Nothing is without it's challenges but there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not grateful for calling Hawaii home!

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

And yes! Maui was our road trip! It was so affordable to travel between islands! I can't wait for more!

@nicolewin4180 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like Army issues for sure. I am active duty airforce and PCSing there soon here is to hoping Airforce finance is better.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

From what I know about the Air Force - I'm sure you will have a smooth PCS. I hope you enjoy Hawai'i! Thank you for watching!

@nicolewin4180 Жыл бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily thank you for your valuable input. This is my first overseas PCS and its driving me insane lol.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

You got this! It is an amazing place to live and a once in a lifetime experience! Just get ready for the cost of living and you will be fine.

@lavidalocariri5710 28 күн бұрын

I was stationed there for three years and I had the best time of my life. I’d love to go back

@felipealvarado1071 Жыл бұрын

I loved Hawaii. Was there for 3 years

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

I really love it here! In many ways it’s really hard, but I would stay here forever if the army would allow. Shame it won’t ☺️

@John-pc3cx 3 күн бұрын

I was good to go after one week there. Lovely but very limited.

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

Lived on Schofield '79-82. My dad had gone over ahead of us and then called back home to tell us about our new 4/2.5 home. 11yr old mind went straight to no school, running around barefoot, lol. No cigar. We missed our family back here in Oklahoma but so what?! We were experiencing Hawaii for golly sake! Never could figure out why so many people especially military acted so miserable and unhappy. I started babysitting at 12 and at 50¢ /kid/hour was always in demand! 🤣 God, i miss those days. 42+ years flew by so painfully fast.

@theWiggyFamily 5 ай бұрын

I'm very grateful to be here! I hope my kids remember this like you do! Thank you for sharing!

@QueenShanine 11 ай бұрын

Since I have no choice, I’m going to make the most out of it, like every other duty station 😊. I thought about most of what you mentioned so at least I am not going in unaware. The pay part is surprising, well not really lol. I wonder if it’s due to IPPSA. I know when we transitioned to it, it was a mess. They really didn’t train anyone all that well on it. Thanks for the extra insight. We are trying to decide if we will use out in town and the electric bill is scary. And child care…😮. Birth control it is 😂.

@theWiggyFamily 11 ай бұрын

You will do well! The ones who struggle are the ones with kids, unfortunately. Just because of the cost of day care and food. But if you are duel income you will be fine. If my husband and I were younger with no kids we would live off base. That said there will be serious traffic and you should be terrified of the electricity bill. One of the wives on the Facebook group just showed a monthly bill of over $900. No ac during the day. Otherwise Hawaii is an amazing place to call home for a few years!

@philo2197 8 ай бұрын

We are stationed in Guam and I think groceries are a bit more expensive here than Hawaii… also our power bill each month is about $800 for a 1700 sq ft home and we don’t use our AC much until night. That’s with the individual room AC’s.

@theWiggyFamily 8 ай бұрын

I imagine your groceries might be more expensive. It would make sense that they are. Your power bill is about on par with late 2023 costs here in Hawaii. Sadly. Do you enjoy living in Guam? Do you get cola?

@philo2197 8 ай бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily yeah we get cola here. Gallon of milk here off base is about $13. I’d love to be in Hawaii over Guam. So much more to do in Hawaii and rains a lot less there haha. Plus it feels a whole lot more like America.

@philo2197 8 ай бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily oh yeah and if I had a nickel for how many times we have gone to either of the commissaries on island and half of the grocery store been empty…..

@theWiggyFamily 8 ай бұрын

Dang!! And it looks like you get the same cola we do. Make that make sense. Yes, I actually really love it here!! It's not easy or as affordable as even California. But I love it. There is a lot to do here! That said about 50% of those stationed here hate it. Nothing is for everyone I guess.

@philo2197 8 ай бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily yeah I’m from California so I guess it isn’t that crazy of a jump but another thing about Hawaii is that if you fly back stateside it’s fairly cheap compared to Guam. Even if we flew commercial to Hawaii or California from Guam it’s about $1,600 per person round trip….

@hawaiianrays913 Жыл бұрын

I'm local born and raised Oahu. I've worked at one of my first jobs in my career where the company bought contractors in. At first, they loved everything about it and it was a super holiday. In time I could see the wear in each and everyone of them. They missed the family connection, the changing of the seasons and not being able to drive to another state. You got many of these reasons the same in your video. Still good to see people enjoying their time here.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

Yes! Lots of people love it at first and then can’t wait to leave. I made this video because half of the base hates it here. And for that half someone should tell them the realities they will face. The other half loves it. So far I love it and can’t imagine leaving! I love the locals, culture, ocean. Thank you!

@glenn-wk2by Жыл бұрын

Most all said is true. To do OK, here, you have to lower your quality of life. You pay attention to all your expenditures. A million people live on this island......and most are getting by. The military are often better off than many in the communities......you work to make it work....and you enjoy what the island has to offer the rest of your tour.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

That's true! Lots of people make it work. John and I made the decision to sell our second vehicle so we could live here without a car payment and it has allowed us to enjoy the island. This will not be everyone's experience... and many of those families wish someone had warned them.

@michaeldelacruzawesome5556 2 ай бұрын

I know it is expensive that’s why a lot of locals are moving out I’m one of them but I miss my island. ❤

@theWiggyFamily 2 ай бұрын

I’m sorry you had to move out! That’s the worst part of Hawaii! So many Hawaiians and locals have left because of it! 😔

@kkgoviral1820 6 ай бұрын

That’s crazy there’s no way any paperwork should be messed up I pray my son paperwork be good smh y’all go through to much for them not to make sure y’all good on everything

@theWiggyFamily 6 ай бұрын

He should be ok! But paperwork issues are a thing in the military.

@DaisyMom01 2 ай бұрын

Lived there for 11 and half years! Went with 2 kids left with 4. M husband was on a ship for 1 of them! We loved it until sometime after 10 tears. We bought a house the last 2 years which really helped us with real estate. Then they sent us to Guam no choice. That was the pits!

@theWiggyFamily 2 ай бұрын

I’ve heard Guam is a difficult duty station!

@DaisyMom01 2 ай бұрын

Yes it was back when we were there. The schools sucked they now DOD schools and there was no Amazon like now. Took up diving so that helped. Lots of no electric and water. Especially at dinner hour . Party lines for phones and to call home cost prohibitive. This was back in 1989 when we got there.

@ACinHI Жыл бұрын

I'm definitely in the "countdown to leave" camp. While this is a beautiful place to be, the economic infrastructure isn't reliable or stable. I never wanted to live here, I've visited before and even got stuck here a few days while military HOPPING to and from Japan and I knew what life was like. But obviously the only reason why I came, was because of my spouse. It's great when electric costs $0.47 per kWh here when the national average is $0.16 per kWh. 😑 We live off base, but our electric is around $300/month, we only use the AC when we sleep with split ACs.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

How much longer before you guys leave? It is pretty crazy how expensive it is! It’s overwhelming at times.

@ACinHI Жыл бұрын

@@theWiggyFamily luckily, we leave in July! 🤞 Our rent here is 3x our mortgage for our house on the Continent. But I definitely prefer off base living in comparison to on base.

@rodneypennington1 Жыл бұрын

then you should ETS

@patrickodonnell9388 9 ай бұрын

I was there in 1990 and had rock fever after 6 months it was not everything it's cracked up to be.

@theWiggyFamily 9 ай бұрын

I don't think it lives up to the hype. And living here is completely different than vacationing here. I am looking forward to PCSing back to the mainland, but I am trying to stay in the moment while here.

@natalieflecha4580 8 ай бұрын

Lmfao texas and Kentucky… all the states are boring af!! Im so happy im leaving the f* outta Colorado and going to Hawaii!! I would never be tired of the beach wtf

@theWiggyFamily 8 ай бұрын

Lol! I think you are going to enjoy it here. You should watch the video on the top reasons you do want to PCS here.

@bhead8001 Жыл бұрын

Hahaha!! I was there from 83/84 to 87/88 somewhere and my ETS Date couldn't show up fast enough!!! 🤫🤭🤫

@RFMaster6 Ай бұрын

Been there, done that. The cockroaches are on steroids. Schofield Bks. 1992-95. Single soldier. Lives in the barracks. B.Co. 1/27 Inf. Wolfhounds. PCS’d to Ft. Campbell

@laurakibben4147 6 ай бұрын

Fast food joints didn't exist on Schofield 42 years ago 😆 i cracked up when my brother and i revisited in 08 and there was Burger King 🤣 And the roaches in base housing, yeah, chased back and forth between the units the entire time we were there. Can still hear the pops and slaps from my mom doing whatever it took to kill every one she saw🤮

@theWiggyFamily 5 ай бұрын

The cockroaches will always be here! 😆

@MariaTunitonga-pi4wh 5 ай бұрын

Welcome to the Island, that's how Islanders live, we got use to it

@RichardSpeights 2 ай бұрын

Hawaii is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there - again. (The only thing I miss is the weather, that wonderful, wonderful weather.)

@theWiggyFamily 2 ай бұрын

The weather is very nice! Specially swimming in the ocean.

@rodneypennington1 4 ай бұрын

Are you in the Army, or your partner pls?

@user-xu9xl5jq1f Жыл бұрын

Take it from a vet; our country has been putting the military for last on benefits that we bled, sweated and busted butt for...a long long time.

@realchula Жыл бұрын

How much is coffee?

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

You might be safe with coffee. I don't know if you were asking about getting a cup of coffee out in town but at the commissary, it's $5.38 for a small bag of ground eight o'clock coffee 11 oz and $9.08 for a Starbucks bag. Just for reference.

@patduffynousdefions1909 Жыл бұрын

Isn't the cost of living horrific in Hawaii? How can military afford to live there. I was there for a short time years ago and I remember those nasty silverfish everywhere

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

It was a big adjustment for sure! I don't know what we would do if it wasn't for base housing.

@BoiseTDI 3 ай бұрын

“All the ones in Alaska…” lol Alaska is AMAZING! You missed out.

@shellz6143 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. My husband and I are deciding where we want to go next and Hawaii was an option. Not anymore.

@theWiggyFamily Жыл бұрын

I’m happy it helped. As beautiful as it is here, a large percentage of those stationed here hate every minute of it.

@psychmr2365 18 күн бұрын

These problems are non-problems. For all of which you complain, the remedy is easy. Nobody needs an air conditioner when you can pour over your head a bucket of water. Electricity?… perfect solution…..connect to your electric fuse box a foot pedal operated generator and start pedaling. Food costs too high?…grab your K-Bar and head for the jungle. You’ll be gaining weight in no time.

@theWiggyFamily 13 күн бұрын

The jungle will provide!

@caramia1042 10 ай бұрын

Im shocked! I was stationed at Schofield in the 90s lived off post and then on post. We never had to pay for on post housing, electric or anything. Thats the way it always was where ever we lived : Ft. Hood, Ft. Bliss . Unbelievable. Never any pay issues either. PS Beware of the beaches. There's a lot of crime there.