Unless u r the rank of E-9 or above, or u & ur spouse r dual military (& even still that may not be the best idea), whatever u do, refuse 2live off-post. I say this, because I told a married CPT w/children that I got orders to PCS 2Hawaii, & he suggested living in Mililani, & it was affordable. Shortly later a married E-8 (1SG) w/children asked if I have orders to go newhere else? I said, Roger that 1SG. Im PCSing to Hawaii in Dec. He said, Outstanding. I loved & miss that assignment. Ur going to love it. I told him what the CPT said. He said, The CPT is able 2afford to live off-post, b/c hes an officer. I was a newly pinned E-8 when I arrived in Hawaii, & have always been 1 of those who pumped my fist for living off-post since I didnt want 2follow all of the on-post rules & save whatevers left over from BAH for my family. Ive been living off-post with my wife & children ever since I was an E-3 (PFC). Weve never had to live off-post once so u can imagine how shocked I was when I arrived in Hawaii, & learned that even as an E-8, I could not afford to live off-post. Although the CPT is correct that Milialani is ur best bet to live off post, ur BAH just covers the rent. U will have to use money from ur COLA to pay for ur utilities, something that u dont want to do. Ull need all of that $ 4the inflated prices of groceries, gas, etc. not to mention those times that u want to go out w/the family & have a day out, spending $, & $ that u wish 2save, 4vaction, & God forbid, if u have to fly home 4an emergency, which is usually expensive coming from Hawaii. I cannot begin 2tell u how many horror stories of E-8s & below who had to grovel 2get on-post, b/c they cldnt afford to live off-post. That 1SGs advice helped me a lot. I hope that it helps U2.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 13:08:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015