What are some helpful steps and recommendations for an E-2 heading to Fort Carson as a first duty station?

Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 08:10:02 -0500

I’m a married E2 with 2 dependent children, a boy and girl. I was looking at the on-post housing and it looks like if you don’t qualify for a 4bd then the housing is pretty bad. How is off-post living? What things should I consider before the transition? Any help would be appreciated. Even off topic suggestions/insight would be great.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2020 8:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 08:30:35 -0500

I just pcsd from Fort Carson where I lived both off and on post... my house on post was very old, but I had 3 rooms, 2 bathrooms, a basement and lived withing 10 minutes of work, the px, the commissary and the gym. When I was off post I had a two bed, one bathroom and lived 30 minutes from work. I paid 300 more living on post but was still able to pocket some of the bah. It’s all about what you’re more comfortable with

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 4 at 2020 9:41 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:41:24 -0500

Be frugal, not to the point of cheap of course!!! Take care of the family needs by living within your means. Even as you move up thru the ranks. Like suggested by others, take advantage of TSP to the max as permisible; it will pay off in the long haul!!!! Also, once you get established, enroll in order to advance your civilian education; baby steps. Most important, take care of yourself and family!!!!!!!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2020 9:45 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:45:02 -0500

There are worse places to live than Colorado Springs.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 4 at 2020 2:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 14:19:03 -0500

Take pictures of your household property to prove you own them and the condition of them. Make sure all your transformers are married to the appliances. Take all important papers and valuable with you. 350 miles of driving is considered one day of travel. There is no need to rush it because it is better to be safe. For each day of travel you will get reimbursed for hotel and meals for the family. Off the top of my head you have $96 for hotels. $50 per adult for meals and $25 each for young children. I may not be accurate, but I do think my figures are in the ball park.

Immediately put your name on the housing list. You never know it might become an advantage. Immediately inquire about getting Permissive TDY. This will grant you 10 days to look for housing and other transitioning activities. If you get Permissive TDY refer to the rates I quoted above for reimbursement. If you do not have cash to meet the expenses of Permissive TDY, immediately ask Finance for a Travel Advance. This will put money in your pocket to pay for hotels and meals. You don't need to save food receipts, but you need to save hotel receipts. If a hotel is too expensive ask for the military rate to see if they will give it to you. Many hotels will give you the government rate.

When you arrive at Ft Carson you will go to an inprocess unit. The unit will ensure that you will properly inprocess the post like making sure your finances are correct, getting your military gear, and other similar activities.

Travel safely and welcome to the Army. My best advice is to keep a good attitude. I really enjoyed working with soldiers with good attitudes. What is your MOS?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2020 4:37 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:37:21 -0500

Housing on post is based off rank first, then # of dependents, not just # of dependents. You qualify for a 3 bed house right now. Send your orders to housing and they'll get you on the list, don't wait until you get there. Co Springs is NOT a cheap area. BAH doesn't cover the cost of living there, so you'll be paying out of pocket if you live off base. Your BAH rate is $1776. Factor in rent, elec, gas, water, internet and you'll be paying a lot. For an E2 with 2 kids I'd highly recommend just living on post. You're close to work, kids are IN SCHOOL right now, not full time distance learning like off post, only bill will be internet and housing insurance.
Do a couple years on post to get a feel for it, especially with the Rona going on and who knows what is happening with the election. On post is safe and cheap....Carson is not a place a person can bank off BAH. I went to Carson as an E6, became E7 and now W1 and I've been on post because I have 3 kids and it made sense.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2020 5:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:42:35 -0500

If living on base is more convenient for you and your 2 little ones then do it. Fort Carson was my first duty station with my wife and kids as a PV2. We stayed on base due to the convenience of the schools and now with covid thats more important then ever. I'd start off on base if I were you then go off base whenever you feel like your financially stable. Its easier to leave on post then to get on post housing after you've already been living off base. I believe the BAH was $1345 for E-4 and below when I was there so a lot of soldiers where just in apartments but ended up coming on base because it was cheaper to just live on base. Especially if your unit is slotted to deploy, its easier for your family to be on base as a new military family.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 4 at 2020 6:59 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 18:59:31 -0500

Colorado pot is legal. It is still against federal and military law. It is bulletbtrain back to civilian life with nothing to show for it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 4 at 2020 7:01 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 19:01:02 -0500

Housing market is highly competitive and expensive. Lack of inventory. Being an E2 you will be in a tough spot financially. Consider living on post.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Nov 4 at 2020 7:13 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 19:13:35 -0500

I echo many other comments about best to start out living on post. Do send a copy of your orders and get on the housing list prior to reporting.

Colorado Sorings is a great town to live in and explore the surrounding area. Many a retiree lives here based on their time stationed here. Enjoy your stay.

Spouse can look at work on base where her nursing license will be accepted at a federal facility vs needs Colorado license / recripcration license to work out in town. Carson regularly advertises nurse positions. There is Peterson as well. However, with that being said the possibility of more income is working out in town. Geneva also hires contractors for federal facilities and their pay can be lucrative.

The one big surprise to be aware of is higher insurance costs for autos and homes due to hail. Winters are really mild compared to other places I’ve lived such as anchorage. Your family will enjoy their time here; hopefully you’ll enjoy your assignment as well.

Best of luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 3:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:38:10 -0500

When I was heading to my first duty station with a wife and two kids I lived on post. Theres a lot of help on post for families, easier to access child care among other things. I’d give the housing office on FT Carson a call, they should be able to put you on the list if you email them your orders and they’ll give you good information for you to make a decision.

Response by Fort Carson Mountain Post Living made Nov 9 at 2020 1:14 PM

Fort Carson Mountain Post Living — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:14:42 -0500

Call Fort Carson Base Housing Services at [login to see] for more information. The Fort Carson Base Housing office is not associated with on-post housing, but can give you some impartial advice.

Also, do the following:
o Check out the Fort Carson Mountain Post Living PCS web page (https://carson.armymwr.com/happenings/fort-carson-processing-inprocessing-pcs-housing-barracks-units-schools-page)
o Follow Mountain Post Living at Facebook.com/mountainpostliving and/or @mountainpostliving on Instagram.

Connect with Fort Carson Mountain Post Living if you have any more PCS questions. We're a free Fort Carson command sponsored resource.

fort-carson-processing-inprocessing-pcs-housing-barracks-units-schools-page)

Response by SPC Dasan Toney made Nov 19 at 2020 2:23 AM

SPC Dasan Toney — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 02:23:42 -0500

Hello Matt Fort Carson Soldier here. So If you are married I would definitely go to the in processing briefs once you are here. There is one brief with SSG Brewer who discusses authorized off post housing and unauthorized, there is a list of rentals not authorized due to double deposits and asking for more money which is actually illegal on the federal side as a business. If you're going to live off post I always advise against those means, since subsidized housing not only saves you money on post, but your also close to your unit whenever the G1 decides to put you somewhere.