Hawaii

[RCM]

Hello I am currently in Hawaii right now and it is the ****. What are the chances of being stationed out here if you request it. I have heard it was pretty hard because a lot of Marines want it, is this true.

Thank you

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

You go where you're sent. You really don't get much choice in the matter. There aren't a ton of Marines in Hawaii, so it is somewhat of a long shot.

[1stRad2671]

I had four possible duty stations. Hawaii is the one I didn't want. That's where I ended up.

[Covey_Rider]

I had three choices, east coast, west coast, or overseas. I chose overseas and I'm here in Okinawa now. Can't complain. But exactly like E4B said...You will go wear they want you. The request form means pretty much nothing at all unless there are extreme circumstances.

[killerinstinct]

i have one thing to say MARFORPAC KANEOHE

[bowers72]

I have to tell ya, growing up I watched Hawaii 5-0. I always thought it would be soooo cool to live there. You can imagine how excited I was when I got orders to K-Bay. It is fun and exciting, for about the first year. An island becomes very small after three years. You can only climb Diamond Head or go the the Polynesian Cultural center or go to any other touristy thing so many times before it gets very boring. I was there from 90-93. I had a very, very tiny, one bedroom apartment. It was $850.00 a month. I can only imagine what it is now. The cost of everything is through the roof.

Be careful what you wish for........

[Chumley]

RCM,

On your first enlistment your odds are very low - the orders you get will really be based upon what the Corps needs, and depends on the unit you're attached to and your MOS. Kaneohe Bay was my only permanent duty station after boot camp and schools. I flew over with a guy who grew up in Kailua-Kona and I also had 2 Samoan Marines in my unit ( 14 Marines in my unit and two are from American-Samoa - talk about odds??? It seemed that many Marines from the Pacific did gravitate to Hawaii - met a lot of guys from Guam too.

I had requested all East Coast duty stations when I went to boot camp. I would have had to go to Asia to get further from NY.

After your first enlistment you may have some ability to get stationed out there as you work with the career planner and discuss re-enlistment options.

Since you already live out there you would surely love Hawaii. As bower72 points out, Hawaii and especially O'ahu are not for everyone. Some people considered it a rock like Oki or the PI. I LOVED it. I spent a lot of time at the beach and in the water, sailing, drinking, and whatever, so I acclimated real well.

PS - one "strategy" to look into, IF you decide to make a career in the good ol' USMC, and IF you might want to live there in Hawaii, is to plan to get your last one or maybe two enlistments attached to a unit based there. You may be able to use the Housing Allowance to pay ( a portion of ) your mortgage.

Hey Bowers, I must've bumped into ya in the chow hall occaisionally. Long time no see. I have been back twice, in 2003 and again about 2 months ago on my honeymoon. I would live there in a heartbeat.

SFi
C

[konman1]

I would have to agree 100% with Chumley. K-Bay was my only perminant duty station too, and I loved every minute there, as far as getting there, we were getting a new batch of boots every year, I guess I just got lucky, I did, however, know a lot of guys that got rock fever.