#3 – Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. It has a daytime population of 25,000, and is best known for hosting the 1st Infantry Division (the Fighting First!) #1 – Fort Benning, Georgia. 2. But the traffic is ridiculous. Naval Base San Diego. Los Angeles is only two hours away, and offers a huge art scene for creative types. I want to know the good cities/BASES from the bad one's. In case you are curious about the biggest naval base, here is the Norfolk Naval Base map: NAS Norfolk is the hub for Navy logistics, going from European and Central Command operations, all the way to the Caribbean. Today, sailors stationed at Kittery can visit Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, bed and breakfasts, the Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, outlets and theaters. You might be interested: As the result of a conflict between british troops and … I’ve also been to Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, Pensacola, Florida, and Norfolk, VA. Norfolk was the worst duty station. I recommend reading neighborhood reviews from other military families and use a military friendly realtor. Semi-Delicate Balance is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Been in Corpus, Jacksonville, Pensacola (for a short while) and now currently Spain. Fair argument. 3. Itâs nearby Naval Base Coronado, NAS North Island, Naval Base Point Loma, and multiple Marine and Coast Guard stations. I’ve got four states left to visit and San Diego will probably remain my favorite place in the US (other than Hawaii, but I wouldn’t want to live there). Its remote location may be a turn off to some, but for others, it means there is plenty of beach without the crowds. NAS Lemoore, with its parallel 13,500-feet runways and aircraft hangars, underpasses and operations centers, stands out against the Central California farmland. Naval Base Kitsap is the largest Navy installation in the area, accompanying NAS Whidbey Island and NS Everett, and nearby the massive Army / Air Force Joint Base Lewis-McChord. To continue our series from the top 10 Army stations, this article lists the best Navy bases in the United States. 1. Part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, NS Pearl Harbor is the most famous on our list. Enjoy your time here! The only downfall of Pensacola living is how far it is from everything else. Aspiring pilots should know Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Naval Station Mayport is one of three major Navy installations near Jacksonville, including NAS Jacksonville (a good choice as well). Fortunately, you can expect good Cali weather; warm and sunny most of the year. Norfolk and Portsmouth schools and neighborhoods tend to have some bad reputations. The official name, Naval Base San Diego, is the fourth official title and the correct way to reference the base. 3. My husband worked at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, and some of his coworkers lived clear across the island, and that was a 90 minute commute sometimes, therefore they “hated” Hawaii. Glenview and Halsey are good on-post housing options as they are both near the commissary and MWR services. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. I have heard wonderful things about the school system in Virginia though. You often need a customs form to ship overseas. It’s SoCal, you give and you get. You’ll have great stories and life experiences to tell your grandkids one day. Youâll never run out of places to see and things to do. Our favorite duty station was Saratoga Springs/Ballston Spa. 4. :) so any input is good. Click-N-Ship will alert you to some of the prohibitions and restrictions based on the 5-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code ™ you're shipping to, but you are responsible for ensuring your package complies with the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the destination country. I receive inspiration from my family, friends, and the amazing adventures I'm able to go on. Weather is mild with lots of precipitation. Joint Base Charleston in Goose Creek, SC had a really nice (and mostly new!) Finally, topping our list is Naval Base San Diego, the MOST sought-after duty station in the Navy. Thereâs also plenty of outdoor options, with lakes, mountains and beaches all within a couple-hours drive. I would love to hear from people who've been stationed at them before. I would love to go Spain one day! It was a huge help in WWII as the largest naval aviation training facility in the world; itâs also the place where President George H.W. In use since 1899, Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941 and became the deciding factor in American involvement in WWII. The city itself has a lively art and restaurant scene, and dozens of venues that host acts from around the world. Activities galore here; beaches, hiking, city life, sight-seeing, awesome food! While you may not be up Tornado Alley, hurricanes are a big threat here. San Diego is my favorite place by far. 4-Jacksonville, FL- Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and Naval Station Mayport. Naval Station Norfolk. Even with the rain, Washington was made for the outdoorsy people. Strike Fighter Wing Pacific calls it home, and Lemoore is also the west coast site for the F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter, with 175 Hornets and Super Hornets operating here. I’m so biased because my alma mater is here, so I chose San Diego before the Navy chose it for us. Housing market is cheap. Itâs known as the first Naval Air Station, commissioned by the Navy in 1914. âThe Cradle of Naval Aviationâ has trained tens of thousands of naval aviators; these include John H. Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the earth in 1962, and Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon in 1969. It borders the cute, historic town of St. Maryâs, on the southeast corner of coastal Georgia. I know this is old, but I completely disagree about Norfolk.Granted we just came from San Diego and it is hard to beat that place, but this is the WORST place I have ever lived. The median home value in the area is around $234,000, and rental cost for homes is $1,250 (apartments are cheaper at $950). No cool scenes or neighborhoods, and no good restaurants. The climate is mild, with summer highs in the mid-80s and winter lows in the 30s. totally agree. 1. We were stationed at Wright Patt for 7 years and it shouldnt be on this list. Made up of 13 piers over 1,000 acres of land, this navy facility boasts of more than 24,000 military personnel. Another downside is not all the schools are great. So if you are looking for someplace that has good schools for your children Hampton Roads is definitely #1 on that list. Based on Air Force Times research, these are the five least-popular bases — from fifth worst to worst — to be stationed in the Air Force: 5. And that is not a compliment. Fort Carson. Sailors can venture into Chicago for a taste of the city, or travel to Wisconsin or Michigan for more area attractions (including a great lake!). One of the more urban installation locations, service members and military families enjoy access to the finer things that a city can offer: extensive restaurants, shopping and opportunities for fun. Top 5 naval bases Naval Station Rota . Thereâs a reason that Texas has one of the fastest-growing populations in the States — the people are friendly, cost of living is low and itâs exceptionally military-friendly. Naval Base San Diego is a modern Navy complex and homeport to nearly a third of the Navy's fleet in the Pacific theater. Their vision: âTransforming Challenges into Achievementsâ. It hits its peak in July and August over 100 F, and lows are around 50 F in December and January. It's a small base, so you have close community. ). If you can, I say, try an international duty station. Building 1 at Naval Station Great Lakes, IllinoisPhoto via Creative Commons. A couple of things to remember: tourism thrives in San Diego, so it is a very crowded city. Are these places based on anything other than personal preference and/or experience? One of my friends grew up in Norfolk and when we moved back she tried to talk us out of looking at houses in Portsmouth. Naval … Virginia’s for you. Naval Base Pearl Harbor. I’ve lived in a few of those and I’m surprised you said Norfolk was lacking in off base activities. I hope that we get back to San Diego or Hawaii. Check out the best 10 beaches of the area. 3. Best Military Bases OCONUS: Naples, Italy Naples, Italy, famous for its beauty, is home to the US Sixth Fleet and the US Naval Forces Europe . If you’re looking for a job in the Navy, move to Virginia. Off base housing can get expensive; the median home value on Oahu is upwards of $700,000, with small apartments close to $2,000 a month. These 5 Military Bases Are So Bad, They Should Count As A Deployment. The top 5 Air Force bases to be stationed at while serving in the USAF. I just pcs’d from Hawaii and may still have an island sense of distance so if it’s more than 15 minutes drive, I think it’s “far”. And while I have not lived in Jacksonville, I have been there several times. In fact, if you have kids it will be hard finding good schools here period. Lastly, Naval Base San Diego is a vacation destination and beautiful year-round. Maybe there should be a “5 worst Navy Duty Stations List” . The 5 Worst Navy Bases To Be Stationed. 5-Norfolk, VA- Naval Station Norfolk, NAS Oceana and others. Beautiful Washington State. Image: Army.mil. Panama City and Tallahassee are two to three hours driving. I think Virginia Beach/Norfolk area is so transient and saturated with military there is no identity. A little lacking in off-base activities but it may be perfect for those looking for a slower pace. Its located right next to Wright state university and 5-10 mins away from the oregon district. I am originally from Charleston, SC, so you would think I would be happier to be closer to home, but I’d rather be living in Charleston. The median home cost is $140,000 ($200,000 in Manhattan). There may be never be a definitive list because everyone’s preferences/experiences are different. Jacksonville is good for the Sailors and Families who want the best bang for their buck in terms of housing. Itâs the home base for the Navyâs fleet throughout the West Puget Sound, and holds the title of third-largest Navy base in the U.S.; featuring four nuclear shipyards and one of only two nuclear weapons facilities, as well as the Navyâs largest fuel depot. happy days ,,,, videos every week My stuff below Instagram - JTsuits Snapchat - JTsuits Twitter @Jtminers And being in a place where doctors understand Tricare prime vs standard is nice as well as the Nex being bigger than a 7-11. Military Branch: Navy. This navy base in Texas, near (you guessed it) Corpus Christi, this NAS boasts a beautiful and culture-rich area. I was stationed there in 2005-2008 and I really had a great time there! Mayport features lots of outdoor recreation, including boating, camping, fishing and watersports. I’m so jealous that you’ve been to all of those places. Bustling Seattle is 25 miles away for those job hunters. 1. 1. They receive only seven inches of snow per year, and 213 sunny days. A very common duty station, Naval Station Norfolk is the worldâs largest naval base, with more than 80,000 active duty sailors, 112,000 family members and 30,000 civilians. With a population of over 15,000, Kings Bay hosts the Atlantic Fleetâs Ballistic and Guided Missile Submarines. Naples, Italy. Here are the five worst places to be stationed in the Navy. Join the navy, see the world right? Seattle would be awesome too! If you’re looking for a job in the Navy, move to Virginia. I can also say that the education system is much better in Virginia than California, Florida, or Hawaii. That makes commuting a struggle, so consider using public transportation or simply living on base. Top 5 Duty Stations of the Navy. Most Navy bases are on the water so they have some sort of scenic view, but Portsmouth is special because of the small, historic, town it sits in, first settled in 1623. Image: Flickr.com. Housing market is cheap. Mayport has a protected harbor with a 34-ship capacity, and an airfield with an 8,000-foot runway. Best Air Force Bases Overseas. Itâs home to the Navyâs 4th fleet. Early in 2004 the downtown that is today was all Government Housing for poverty individuals. There are five housing communities on post, and Junction City, Ogden and Manhattan are all short commutes from post. I might make a do a follow-up post that features an “audience vote” of the best duty stations. Some like the small town feel(Charleston, Lemoore, Whidbey Island), some like the city (San Diego, Jacksonville, Everett), some like different countries (Japan, Spain, Italy). I know locals who will tell you it’s bad. Naval Base Coronado. I will say that most Army bases are far better than the Navy bases I’ve been stationed at and visited. Warm weather, cheap housing market, plenty of activities. San Diego is a military town and a very desirable location for most service members. The top 5 naval bases are sure to have some people groan, some disagree and some nod their head in joyful nostalgia. It seems there are a lot of folks who choose to live in VA beach, even though they work in Norfolk. I agree that commute is a major part of your overall happiness at a duty station. I’ve seen people make turns across oncoming traffic from the opposite turn lane. Multiple Marine and coast Guard stations a year in the Army agree on San Diego, the definitely. 'Ve ever been stationed at and visited the only downfall of Pensacola is. The climate is mild, with summer highs in the area three major Navy installations Jacksonville! While serving in the northwest panhandle and houses around 15,000 active personnel too far North Chicago! 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