I Need Duty Station Advice

[NCMUSTANG]

here is my situation in the abbreviated form.

1. active duty navy 9 years, graduating bsn this coming may.

2. live in portsmouth va, worked at nmcp as hm2 dialysis tech prior to school.

3. need to get out of the area and desperately need advice on duty stations.

here’s is what i need in a duty station.

1. i have a wife and 4 kids so i need base housing right away, can't wait 1-2 years in crappy off base housing.

2. intend on applying for duins at end of first tour so i need to get that coveted year of critical care experience.

3. don't mind oversees but would prefer to avoid japan, the culture shock scares my wife.

we have been considering a few of the options and here are the pros and cons as we see them. the stations are in the order we are currently considering them.

1. camp pendleton

pros

immediate on base housing

close to family in cali

like cali environment, opportunities

cons

worried i won't get my critical care due to size of hospital

worried i will get deployed more often than if i was at a navy instillation.

2. bethesda

pros

immediate housing on army bases nearby

many educational opportunities for the kids in the area

cons

i really dislike the idea of having to travel the metro for 1 hour a day each way

very congested area, not close to any family

very political atmosphere

3. guam

pros

come on, it’s an island paradise

immediate housing on base

awesome opportunity for adventures

cons

critical care experience

significantly far from relatives

4. san diego

pros

big hospital, good critical care possibilities

love cali

close to family

cons

housing, housing, housing

i know this is long but if anyone can help i have to turn in my dream(nightmare) sheet on friday.

as you can see the housing issue is huge for me and my wife, hence the only reason sd is currently 4th.