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duty stations

What is Fort Campbell Really like?

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What is Fort Campbell Really like?

In March, we will have lived here in the Fort Campbell area for TEN years!

I can’t even wrap my mind around that. Since I left my parent’s home for college in 1997, I have never lived anywhere that long.

When I tell people I have been here for almost ten years, they look a little shocked and wonder if it is because my husband has been stationed here for all these years…

He was, from 2010-2014 he was stationed at Fort Campbell but ever since he has been in the National Guard, and we stayed in the area. We did this for a few reasons.

One of the biggest is that we can’t go back to where we are from. California is way too expensive, and it just doesn’t seem like that option is ever going to work out. Another reason is that we are just not sure where we want to settle for the long term.

We have so many thoughts about that, and we are just not sure. The third is that we have three boys in schools here, one with special needs, and we overall like how things are going. We don’t want to mess with that.

So how long will we stay in the Fort Campbell area? We are not sure. We have to see what the future brings!

There are active duty families that have been here for a long time. This seems to be the place that can happen sometimes. On the other hand, I have known a lot of people who have just come through here for two or three years, so you never know.

So, being here so long, you might want to ask me, what is the Fort Campbell area like? Is this place a good place to get stationed? Should we put it on our list that the Army may or may not go by?

Well…one thing to know about the Fort Campbell area is that different people have different opinions about the place. If Fort Campbell comes up in a Facebook group, I will read the replies and agree with some of them and wonder how the person came to that opinion with the others.

It seems like Fort Campbell is a different place for different people, so that is something to keep in mind when you look into moving here.

Where you can live

We live in Clarksville, a lot of people who live off post here live in Clarksville, on the Tennessee side. However, some people live in Oak Grove, Kentucky or further away from post, Hopkinsville, Kentucky or even up to Madisonville, Kentucky.

Where you decide to live can make a big difference in what you think of the area. There are active duty military families that live up by Exit 11 that can get to Nashville in about 30 minutes and others that live 30 minutes from Fort Campbell in the other direction, in a much more rural area.

The great thing about that is that you do have options and choices based on what you want to do. Want to live on post? You can. Want to live in a regular old neighborhood 10 minutes from post? You can. Want to buy property in a very country like area? You can. Fort Campbell is pretty flexible that way.

Where you can shop

Fort Campbell does have quite a few options for shopping. We have a Target in Clarksville, and many other stores you are familiar with. But we are also missing other stores such as Macy’s, Costco, and Trader Joes. The good news is, you can find a lot of what you are missing in Nashville. The bag news is, you have to actually go to Nashville and that isn’t going to be a quick trip.

Where you can eat

Clarksville does have its share of local restaurants. They try, they really do and we have a few favorites. However, the Fort Campbell area isn’t going to be the best place to find all the different types of foods you might be used to if you come from a bigger area. You might be missing something.

We have too many fast food places, and they seem to keep adding them. When a new building goes up, we hope for a new sandwich shop or cafe and get an Arby’s or a Taco Bell. That can be a bit frustrating.

Community life

One of the reasons Fort Campbell can be a good place for you is that overall they are pretty family-friendly. This is, however, an area where people disagree. Some people think Fort Campbell and Clarksville are family-friendly and others don’t.

The schools are a big hot button issue. We have always had a good experience in the off-post schools. Others feel very differently about that. The best thing to do is to check out what people are saying about the school but also keep an open mind. Talk to people who have had good and bad experiences to get the bigger picture.

Clarksville has a lot of community events you can take part in. From Easter Egg hunts to Halloween fun. There seems like there is always something going on. They are also trying to work on their downtown area and in the last few years, they have really added to it with new restaurants and the Downtown Commons which turns into an ice skating rink in the wintertime.

Traffic

If there is one thing I hate about this area it is the traffic. Being that I learned to drive in Southern California you would think it wouldn’t be that big of a deal but for some reason, the traffic around here gets under my skin. But I try to avoid the worst areas during the worst times.

A lot of the issue, at least in Clarksville, is that there are just too many people trying to go to the same place at the same time. Clarksville is spread out but there are only so many places to go on a Friday night.

Weather

You might be wondering about what Fort Campbell is like when it comes to the weather. The weather is really all over the place. In the fall, the weather can be nice but doesn’t stick around for very long. We can get a lot of rain, straight-line winds, and tornado weather.

Winter can bring snow, however, we usually don’t get very much. Usually no more than an inch or two at a time. However, we do have a lot of snow days. We have had years where we have had over 10 snow days and years were we haven’t even had one. Last year we might have had one, so I am guessing this year we could end up with a snow week, we will see.

If you live on post, the schools there do not close as often as they do in Clarksville. The post itself has closed for terrible weather but that doesn’t happen very often. It gets cold here if your idea of cold is anything under 30 degrees, which it is for me. If you are used to negative degree winters and snowstorms, you will think the winter is quite mild.

Spring brings a lot more rain and more of a chance of tornado weather and straight-line winds. One year, we lost power for 37 hours. Yikes! You do learn to adapt to this but it can still make me quite nervous.

Summer can be pretty humid starting in June and by August you will just be over it. However, you probably will have to wait until mid-September, or even October to really cool down. This year was the worst. We were still in the 90s when October started.

As I think back to my time in the Fort Campbell area, it has overall been a good experience. I am not sure I would have handpicked this area out of the entire United States, but the Fort Campbell area works for us for now.

Although we are a National Guard family now, we have a lot of the perks of the military. We can shop at the Commissary and a lot of the people I meet are connected to the military in some way. We don’t have to go far for the military community, which is nice.

If you have just received orders to Fort Campbell or wondering what Fort Campbell is like, feel free to reach out. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have 🙂

Have you ever been stationed at Fort Campbell???

When It Is Time To Say Goodbye, To A Place You Called Home

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When It Is Time To Say Goodbye, To A Place You Called Home

The day is finally here, and you can’t really believe it. The movers will be here at 7, or maybe 8. Hopefully no later than 9. They will come to pick up your household goods. You will see them again soon, after a five day trip across the county.

You can’t help but wonder how this happened so fast. Sure, you were ready to get out of here, four years is a long time in one place. Sure, you couldn’t wait to PCS, you had been dying to move closer to your family ever since your husband joined the military 10 years ago. But now that this move was really happening? You are a ball of emotions.

You wonder how you will say goodbye to the best friends you have made here. Will you ever see them again? Will they ever be able to visit?

You wonder how you will get to know a new community. That took a while when you first moved here. Will it take that long again?

You wonder how your kids will do. They have to start over in a new school. You know they are scared, how can you help them through?

You are not sure what you should do once you get there. Should you look for a job? Is it worth taking a few classes to get your license in a new state?

As you drink your coffee, waiting for the military movers, you hope you will like your new home. Your current place is the only home your three-year-old knows. There are so many memories in this small home.

You might hate how small the closets are, or how much in BAH you are giving up but this place is home, and now it is time to move to another one.

It is time to say goodbye to a place you have called home, and you know that is never easy.

You have gone through a PCS before, you can do this. You will shed a few tears and then move on like you always have. You will be on the road soon and this duty station will become a memory.

In the years to come, you won’t miss the traffic getting on post, but you will miss all the playdates you had at the park by Starbucks.

You won’t miss how difficult getting a well-child appointment for your kids was, but you will miss the little cafe you would meet your husband at for lunch sometimes, waiting to pick up your son from pre-school.

You won’t miss how hard making good friends here way, but you will miss the friends you did meet, the memories you made, and all the fun you had together.

A PCS is an emotional time for any military spouse. You have to say goodbye to a place you have called home. You might never return, and you might never see these people again.

We are so lucky to live in a time with Facebook so we can keep in touch very easily. We can text our friends as we head our separate ways. We can watch their kids grow up through photos, even though we probably remember them the ages they were when we said goodbye.

We can look forward to starting over in a new place. We trade humidity for Alaskan summers. We trade being close to home for overseas experiences. We learn to live anywhere and bloom where we are stationed.

And after a few years, it is time to move again. To start the process all over. To watch the moving truck come and go.

To clean the house one last time. To pack the car. And watch your past fade into the future.

And there will be tears, and there will be laughter, and there will be hope. Hope that in your new place you can feel at home again soon. That this PCS will be a little easier because you have been through it all before.

You have hope that you will make new best friends, ones you will make some amazing memories with.

You have hope that you will get to know a new community, and your new duty station will soon feel just like home sooner, rather than later.

You have hope that your kids will be okay, and will look at this as an adventurous part of their childhood.

It is time to say goodbye to a place you have called home, and you know that is never easy. But you also know that this move is apart of your military life journey. And that no matter how different your new place is from what you knew before, you will figure everything out, as so many military spouses have done before.

Are you PCSing anytime soon? Where will you be going???

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Moving On Post

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5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Moving On Post

The choice to live on post or off post is a personal one, depending on the military family, the location, and financial goals. What works for one family, might not work for another.

During your time as a military spouse, you might enjoy living on post in some places, and prefer living off post in others. Some families find they prefer to always live on post and others would rather always stay off.

When it comes to making the decision to live on or off post, it is best to know what you are getting into, what your options truly are, and weigh your pros and cons.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before making that decision:

Will you save money living on post?

Saving money is one of the most common reasons why people choose to either live on or off post. You have to figure out what will work best for you based on where you live, your BAH, and what type of home you will be living in. Not everyone is going to come to the same conclusion, even at the same duty station.

You would need to figure out what type of home you would be given on post, and compare that to what you could afford off post. Look at what your BAH would be to help figure out your budget. You need to make sure to include utilities, gas to drive to post, and any other fees you might not have to pay if you live on post.

How long will it take each of you to get to work?

Think about your commute time. If you are on post, your service member could live just a few minutes from work. If you are off post, you might be a few minutes from your job. Think about how much you might pay in gas, how long you want to be in the car, and weigh the pros and cons.

How are the schools on post vs off?

Schools are super important when you have children. You want to send them to the best place possible. When it comes to which schools are better, either on or off post schools, it really depends. You can look at school ratings but your best bet is asking people whose children have actually attended those schools.

If you are not in the area yet, you can easily ask this kind of thing in local Facebook groups. Just keep in mind that one bad experience does not make for a horrible school and there could be different factors as to why each person had the experience they did. Having special needs kids and knowing what is available to them is also a big factor in making this decision.

What type of home do you want?

This is another big factor in deciding if you will live on or off post at your duty station. Are you okay living in an apartment, condo or duplex? Do you want land? Do you want to build your own house?

At some duty stations, you might be more limited than others based on what you can get on post. Sometimes there can be long waiting lists for housing and you have to take what you can get if you do want to live on post.

How much military do you want in your daily life?

If you live on post, the military is going to be a bigger part of your daily life than if you live off post. If you live off post, you, as a spouse, might not even have to go on post all that often. So this totally depends on what you want.

Your service member might want a little bit of space from work as well. They might want to drive 15 minutes in order to get home instead of feeling like they live right next to their daily job. Being on post means you will be closer to everything military related, but ask yourself if that is a good or a bad thing.

Does your family prefer to live on or off post? Or on or off base for those who are not Army spouses 🙂

18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouse’s Military Career

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18 Signs That You Have Been Stationed at Fort Campbell During Your Spouse’s Military Career

Fort Campbell is located on the Tennessee and Kentucky border, literally. Some people love being stationed at Fort Campbell, some people hate being stationed at Fort Campbell, and some have such mixed feelings it really depends on the day.

We have lived in the Fort Campbell area for almost nine years now. We have seen some changes, some good and some bad. We have gotten to know the area quite a bit, and will probably be here for a while longer.

Because my husband is now in the National Guard, he has not been stationed at Fort Campbell for nine years, however, I know people who have been or who have been here even longer. This is a place you might end up and stay forever, or you might just spend the typical three years.

Either way, here are 22 signs that you have been stationed at Fort Campbell during your spouse’s military career:

  • You can’t get over how long it takes to get to the mall, or really anywhere off post since EVERYTHING is so spread out.
  • You are still holding out hope for that nice, new shopping center in that field outside of Gate 7…even though you know it isn’t going to happen.
  • You got really excited to see not one but two Starbucks on post, each right by a playground for your kids, perfect!
  • You had to really think about if you wanted to live in Kentucky or Tennessee and weighed the pros and cons of both options.
  • Your kids get a snow day when there is not even an inch on the ground, or in some cases, nothing on the ground.
  • You can get to Nashville in less than an hour…unless there is traffic. Oh wait.
  • You had your baby at BACH and assumed that meant they were born in Kentucky but they were really born in, “Fort Campbell, Tennessee” which really is only a place listed on their birth certificate.
  • By the end of July you are so hot and humid, even going to the pool won’t help. Then you remember how you will feel in January.
  • You have to laugh at the endless comments about will there be school or won’t there be school during the winter months all because of a 40% chance of snow.
  • You feel like the area has every fast food chain in the world…well except for In-and-Out.
  • You only live 5 miles from post but it takes your spouse 30-40 minutes to get home from work some nights.
  • You know Tiny Town is the longest road in the world. It goes on forever.
  • If you live off post, there is a 90% chance that your neighbors are either military, former military, or grew up in the military.
  • You can still hear the booms, even though you live 15 miles away.
  • Finding a job in your field isn’t easy, and you might have to go to Nashville to find one.
  • You might get stuck behind an Amish buggy coming back from Walmart.
  • You now know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
  • You can’t help but appreciate the history of all the units at Fort Campbell.

Have you ever been stationed at Fort Campbell? Where did you live there?

Life at Edwards AFB in California

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Life at Edwards AFB in California

Hey there, my name is Catherine. I’m an Air Force wife, mother to 2 beautiful daughters and content creator for my blog Love always, Catherine. We’ve been stationed at Edwards AFB in California for about 3 years now and have come to know life on and off base quite well.

Tell me about the area

Life at Edwards AFB in California

When I mention California, you may be thinking sunny beaches and tons of ocean right? Well, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Edwards AFB is located in the desert. Yes, the beautiful desert where the temperatures can shoot up as high as 108 degrees and drop as low as 30 degrees.

But don’t let the desert intimidate you! It’s a beautiful place with lots of land to roam, especially if you have pets! Speaking of pets, make sure to keep an eye on your fur babies when living on base. There are a ton of coyotes and sometimes bobcats around the area, and you don’t want them to come up missing.

Coyotes and bobcats what!?

Yes, you can see them on the side of the road going towards base or sometimes even walking down the street on base! There are a ton of wildlife in this area, but don’t fret, the base is really safe, and you just need to make sure to stay clear of them and they’ll do the same.

What facilities are on base?

Edwards has your usual commissary and base exchange to do all your shopping. They also have: a bowling alley that is great for family night or date night, a small water park called Oasis Aquatic next to the youth center, and a beautiful community center that has a gym, arcade games and a party room with built in kitchen (great for parties!).

What’s there to eat around there?

There’s a bunch of places to go to fill your tummy on base. For starters they have a Starbucks (I mean, who doesn’t like Starbucks!?), Burger King, Dominos, Subway, Acai Bowl, BBQ trucks, Popeyes, Taco Bell, Arby’s and the Cheesesteak shop to name a few.

There is also a golf course that has their own diner, and a place called Club Muroc where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a bar (you know, after a hard days work).

If you have kids

There are two schools on base, Branch Elementary and Desert Jr.-Sr. Highschool. They also have a CDC, School Annex and Youth Center for childcare. The Youth Center offers after school activities such as Soccer, Baseball, etc. If your family loves to watch movies, they have FREE movie showings at the base theater (so much fun for a family night).

As for the holidays, this base really knows how to come together and celebrate! I love celebrating Halloween and trick-or-treating at Edwards, it’s just like what you see in the movies- you and your kids will have so much fun! They also have cute neighborhood festivities for Christmas and other holidays as well

What about off base?

The surrounding areas are all about 15-20 minutes away from base, there’s no going around it! You have your cities: Rosamond, Lancaster, Palmdale and Tehachapi that are the closest in the area.

Rosamond – is a small city that will offer a quiet neighborhood, with small diners and a few stores such as Albertsons, Rite Aid and Dollar General.

Lancaster – Is known for their ‘downtown’ called The BLVD. It’s a cute little place packed with restaurants, a movie theater (with lazy-boy recliners!), and tons of live performances and festivals! It’s so much fun.

Palmdale – Aka ‘the big city’. Here’s where you’ll find the Antelope Valley mall, TONS of places to eat and a bunch of stores to shop.

Tehachapi – the city of 4 seasons! Yes, you’ll get your hot summers, warm spring, cool fall and snowy winter. They also offer cherry picking and have a ton of festivals to go to.

(The Modern Tea Room, a vegan/non-vegan café nestled in the heart of the BLVD in Lancaster)

If you’re up for the drive…

There are a ton of things to do outside of the Antelope Valley (this is what the surrounding area of Edwards is called). For starters, Disneyland is about 1hour and 45mins away from base, as well as Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Studios!

It’s so fun to head towards Los Angeles/Anaheim direction during summer break, a definite must do while you’re stationed here. If you like doing outdoor activities such as camping, snowboarding and fishing, you can go up north towards Big Bear where you can enjoy all those activities and more.

All in all…

Edwards AFB gives you the opportunity to experience the beautiful desert life, so make the most out of it while you’re here. Oh, and make sure you stop and take the time to soak in the beautiful sunsets that this place has to offer, it’s a breathtaking sight.



Hi I’m Catherine! I’m a military spouse, stay-at-home mom and content creator for my blog Love always, Catherine. I love sharing tips, advice and stories with friends, family and my readers. I believe that life is about having meaningful relationships, creating and sharing stories, living simply & keeping close the things that only bring you joy. I hope to see you on the blog and engage with you soon!

The Truth About Military Duty Stations

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The Truth About Military Duty Stations

I just wanted to go home. I hated it there. Everything about that place was starting to get on my nerves. We were still months away from PCSing and the closer that date got, the harder it was to be patient. I wanted to move so badly. Live somewhere else. Get out of where we were.

Looking back, it seems unreal that I thought this about being stationed in Germany. Being stationed in Europe is a dream come true. Doing so was an amazing experience and one I am very thankful for. But after a couple of years of being away from the US, all I wanted to do was go somewhere else.

The Truth About Military Duty Stations

 

There are always a lot of questions about duty stations in my Facebook community. So many people want to know what to expect and what living in some locations will be like.

These questions are a good idea so that military spouses can find out more about what they will be doing in the future. I know I always have a ton of questions before I move somewhere new.

Duty stations come in all different sizes and are located in very different places. Hawaii is going to be an entirely different experience than being stationed in upstate New York.

The Truth about Duty stations

So what is the truth about military duty stations?

Some are better than others, but…

Some duty stations are better than others. The housing is better, the weather is more ideal in California than it is in the South, and some places have more resources than others. Some locations are favorites of military families and some places cause a lot of dread when they are brought up.

The truth is, you could have an enjoyable experience at a horrible place, or you could have a horrible experience in paradise. Homesickness can kick in and if you are stationed far from home, going to visit can be difficult.

If you do get orders for one of the less popular duty stations, try not to get too upset about them. You never know what your experience will be like and you may just figure out how to bloom where you are stationed.

The people make the difference

The people you meet at your duty station can make the difference. In one place you could end up in the right neighborhood and makes friends very quickly. These are the people that you will remember after you PCS. They are the ones that will make your experience at your duty station what it is.

In other places, you could struggle to make friends and not finding your tribe can be a difficult place to be in. You might look back on those years with unfavorable memories and dread simply because you had a hard time connecting with others.

If you have issues with different people at your duty station, that is going to change your experiences as well. Too much drama and feeling like you don’t fit in can make your time there not as great.

The Truth about duty stations

Things change all the time

No matter where you are or how you feel about your duty station, things change all the time. People PCS away, you can move, even within the same city, your kids get older, and you PCS yourself.

Whenever I feel like I have found my group of friends in my current city, I am aware that things will change. That what we have at the moment will not last forever and that things will be different in the future.

This is a good thing if you don’t like where you live, not so good if you do.

Duty stations don’t last forever

If you hate where you live, don’t think it will get any better, and can’t wait to leave, eventually, you will. Although some military families do stay at the same place for a while, most move at least every 3-5 years. Some even more often.

You will eventually PCS out of where you are now. You might have to be patient and wait for that, but the day will eventually come.

Same duty station, completely different experiences

You should always keep in mind that two people can have completely different experiences at the same duty station. Here at Fort Campbell, we have people that love this place and never want to go anywhere else and those that loathe it and can’t wait to move.

I think your experience at a particular duty station is going to depend on a few factors. One is where you are from and what you are used to. If you come from California, living in a much colder part of the country is going to make a difference.

Your experience is also going to depend on your house, your spouse’s unit and even the ages of your children. You could have two completely different experiences at the same place simply because there are 10 years in between.

The truth of military duty stations

When it comes to duty stations, remember that seeking advice is a good thing but don’t get discouraged by bad comments. Know that you will probably be able to experience many different places during your spouse’s career and that you won’t stay in one place forever.

What do you love the most about your current duty station?

 

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

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Stationed in COlorado

Why Colorado Springs is a Fantastic Place to Live

This is a sponsored post by Susanna Haynie of Your Colorado Springs House.
A wonderful resource for those who are moving to the Colorado Springs area. 

Colorado is a fantastic place to live, and there are those who yearn for the opportunity to go there. From the perfect climate and fresh mountain air, Colorado Springs is a treasure and delightful place to make a home.

Fit and Active

With nearly 300 days of sun, you can’t help but get active when you live here. After all, you are living in a place where other people come to visit and wish they could live here too.

PCSing to Fort Carson

You think we are all about snow?

Be prepared for some funky weather: 70 mph winds when the weather changes, thundersnow, snow in north Colorado Springs, the sun at Fort Carson. Hail as big as golf balls, wildfires, and floods. Most of it hits quickly and briefly. We’ve had days where you could observe four seasons in one day.

Wildlife

Every state has their own wildlife, but living with the wildlife and “meeting” it is different. We have bears, mountain lions, deer, elk, coyotes, and rattlers. Don’t be scared just be careful!

Living High

Cannabis

Yup, It’s Legal: While Colorado has legalized marijuana, it is not a free-for-all pot party out here, and it doesn’t mean all of Colorado is in a state of being “high,” and certainly not all the time!

Altitude

Altitude sickness: At an elevation of 6271 ft. in Colorado Springs proper, the real high that you need to watch out for is the altitude. Altitude Sickness is real and can be debilitating while your body adjusts. Take it easy for the first few weeks to acclimate.

US air force

Colorado Springs loves their military

The city is surrounded on three sides by Fort Carson, NORAD, the Air Force Academy, Schriever AFB, and Peterson Air Force Base. Combined, the military is the largest employer in Colorado Springs, accounting for 20% of the jobs. You will find that our citizens have a deep love and appreciation for the men and women in uniform. This expresses itself in many events benefitting military organizations aiding veterans, military members, and families.

EFMPs

If you are a special needs family moving to Colorado Springs, you will have support. Start your research BEFORE you arrive to ensure a smooth transition. If you need a starting point, contact Susanna, a knowledgeable Colorado realtor.

Schools

Our state ranks 11th in the nation in reading and writing performance, and Colorado Springs “owns” three of the top 10 Colorado school districts. Impressive, you say? I agree.

Colorado can be a great place to call home, even if it is just for the two to four years the military sends you there.

Colorado Springs

About the author

Susanna Haynie, settled in Colorado Springs after immigrating to the US from Germany and has been an active duty spouse for 21 years. There is a special place in her heart for all our EFMP families as she has experienced the PCSing with a special needs child herself and all the challenges it may bring.

Susanna is readily equipped to start you off with her own Colorado Springs guides and email series, she‘ll take you from “Where do I start?” to “I got this!” To get signed up with her guides, connect with her via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoSpringsLife, email her: susanna@co-regroup.com or visit her blog at www.yourcoloradospringshouse.com.

When You Get PCS Orders to a Place You Don’t Want to Go

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When You Get PCS Orders to a Place You Don’t Want to Go

This post contains affiliate links! 

You are waiting on PCS orders, hoping for Hawaii or even Germany. If you can’t go OCONUS, you are pulling for Fort Carson, your best friend lives there and you have heard so many good things. Your spouse comes home with orders for Fort Bliss.

After 5 years overseas you just want to get stationed somewhere on the East Coast so you will be just a few hours from your family. You learn you will be PCSing to Fort Lewis in Washington.

After spending 10 years in landlocked states you are hoping for a PCS to anywhere near an ocean. He gets orders to Fort Riley.

You met when he was stationed in Germany but you haven’t lived near your family in 15 years, maybe now is your chance. But he gets orders for Japan.

When You Get PCS Orders to a Place You Don't Want to Go

 

As any military spouse can tell you, there are certain places we want to go and certain places we don’t. Sure, most of us would love to PCS to some of the more popular military installation locations but that isn’t always what goes into where you want to go. Sometimes you just want to be close to home. Sometimes you just want to see another part of the world.

But what do you do when you get those long-awaited orders and they are for a place you don’t want to go. They are for a place too far away from home or too different from what you expected. What if you get orders for a place you have heard nothing but bad things about? How can you get past that? How can you get excited for your new adventure when all you feel about it is dread?

Here are some ideas for when you get pcs orders to a place you don’t want to go:

Talk to people who like the area

I don’t care where you are going, you can always find at least one person that liked that duty station. Trust me. Some people are just able to bloom where the are stationed and others are able to find that one thing to make their current location enjoyable. See if you can find people to talk to that live or have lived in that location. Most places have Facebook groups. I have duty station guest posts you can read. Ask for real-life advice on social media.

Investigate

Once you find out where you are going, you can start your PCS planning process. If you are not excited about where you are going, spend some time looking into your new home. Find out what is nearby, what people do for fun, what your housing choices are. The more you can learn about your new duty station the better prepared you can be once you move there and you are setting up your new life. Check out PCSgrades for more information about housing areas and neighborhoods that you might want to live in.

Make plans

Make a plan for once you get to your new home. Where will you go to make friends? What will you do for fun? If you can figure some of this out before you go, you will be more excited to get there. If you would like to find a job in your new location, get your resume ready and seek out what is available to you. You can also look into working from home if that is something you would like to do.

Visit home before you go

If you are going to be stationed far from home, why not plan a trip back home before you go? See if you can work that in. See the people you want to see and do all the things you know you will miss while you are stationed far away. Homesickness is real but planning a big trip to see everyone can help. And know that just because you will be stationed far away doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to visit during the years you are there. You might be able to plan a trip or take advantage of Space-A if you are overseas.

What about you? Did you ever end up in a place you didn’t think you would like? Do you have PCS orders to somewhere you are not sure you will like? Leave a comment 🙂

 

The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

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The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

The Very Best Places You Could Get Stationed As a Military Family

If you ask people what their favorite duty station has been you are going to get a lot of different responses. There are certain duty stations that people love and certain duty stations that people hate. Although it is true that you can bloom where you are stationed no matter where you are, some areas will be easier to have a good experience at than others.

So where are these locations? Should your spouse try to get stationed there too? Are there any cons of these coveted duty stations?

Where are the very best places you can get stationed as a military family?

Germany

What could be better than being stationed in Europe? Germany is one of the best! From the festivals to the mountains to the little villages, there is so much to love. If you want a duty station where you will grow you as a person and that will let you experience cultures and history you would never have otherwise, Germany can be your ideal duty station. We spent 4 years there and made so many memories during that time.

The hardest part of Germany is being away from your family and living so far from home. Visiting home on a regular basis is really not going to be an option for you and traveling everywhere when you have young children can be a challenge. That being said, if you get the opportunity to go to Germany, go. Being stationed there is an experience like no other and the military community is strong when you are stationed overseas.

Hawaii

Hawaii had to make this list. What could be better than living on an island? One that you would normally have to spend a lot of money for to come visit? One where you could go to the beach every day (maybe,) give your kids surfing lessons and take day trips to some of the most beautiful places in the US.  Hawaii can be a wonderful experience for your family. I have only been there as a tourist but I know there is a lot to do and a lot of great things to see.

I have heard that island fever is real and can hit quite hard. The schools are not rated very high and everything is very expensive. The good thing is that you do get COLA when you are stationed there and there is a great military community to be a part of.  I think Hawaii is probably what you make of it.

San Diego

Warm weather, lots to do, Disneyland an hour away? Oh, how I wish we could have been stationed in San Diego. Almost everyone I know who has been stationed there has loved it. You are right by the beach but still on the mainland. You can visit home a little easier than if you were in Hawaii and there really is a ton to do just a short car ride away.

San Diego is in California which can be a different experience for those who are not from the West Coast. Southern California has its own culture for sure but you never have to worry about the city shutting down for snow and they have In-and-Out.

Colorado

If you are a fan of the outdoors you are going to love Colorado. From hiking to skiing to exploring, Colorado has everything you might want in a duty station if you love being outdoors. And the mountains! I love seeing all the photos I see posted from friends who are stationed there. Their views are breathtaking. A lot of people want to be stationed in Colorado so if orders come up, take advantage of them and enjoy your time there. You might not be the biggest fan if you don’t like cold weather but I have heard that the snow there is beautiful, even if it starts in September.

 

Honorable Mentions

I also know these places can be great as well!

Okinawa, Japan
Virginia/DC area
South Korea
Ft. Lewis
Ft. Campbell
Monterey
Ft. Bragg
Ft. Hood

No matter where you might end up, you should be able to find a few positives and enjoy your time there. In some cases, that can be really hard and it might not even have to do with where you are. You could be very close to your family and even the beaches of Hawaii can’t take away your homesickness. You could have had the best experience at a post in Texas and after moving to Germany just can’t find your footing, at least not for a while. Your Grandma could be sick and you were really hoping for a post in Missouri, an hour from home but the Navy sent you to San Diego instead.

At the end of the day, finding that perfect duty station might not be possible but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the best of where you are. Get out and explore, get to know the local culture and remember, orders will come, you will move somewhere else and you will miss the time you spent during the years you were there. Wherever that might be.

If you are curious about a particular duty station, check out my list of posts I have covered on my blog!

Where would you love to be stationed next? What would you add to this list?

Living at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

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Happy to have this guest post by Jenah on being stationed at Ft. Leavenworth. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

My first trip to Ft. Leavenworth was an experience! I was engaged to a Soldier and this was my first duty station. We flew into the Kansas City airport and the images of fountains, shopping, and nightlife that google provided filled me with excitement. Then we got in a rental car and drove AWAY from all of it to the sleepy little town of Leavenworth, Kansas.

The City of Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Leavenworth was the first city established in Kansas and sits on the border of the Kansas and Missouri. It has a charming historic downtown area with murals painted on the walls, repurposed old historic brick buildings, and lots of local shops and restaurants. Leavenworth has your typical Walmart, one off post gym, a few chain restaurants, and there are two Starbucks, but both are located inside another building with NO drive through access. First world and moms with young children problems, I know, but worth mentioning. Right outside of the gate sits a very large federal prison and a field where buffalo roam. Yes, just like the song.

Fort Leavenworth the Post

Fort Leavenworth is a very small and well maintained post that dates back to 1827. The housing ranges from brand new to older pre Civil War era historic housing. The post has modern amenities such as a golf course, 3 gyms, stables, an air field, and hosts numerous family activities and programs. Ft. Leavenworth is known as the intellectual hub of the Army, home to the Command and General Staff College, the School of Command Prep, The Army Management Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Most families come to attend a school for a year, maybe two and then leave. There is a constant turn over at this post to include international students from all around the world. In addition to all of these great schools, Ft.  Leavenworth also has an Army Disciplinary Barracks. Prisons everywhere!

Kansas City

Ft. Leavenworth is a stone’s throw from some amazing areas in both Kansas and Missouri. 25 minutes straight out of the main gate into Kansas puts you at a great outdoor shopping area known as Legends and boasts the local Target, outlet mall, and great restaurants.  Take a right out of post and go 25 minutes into Missouri and end up at Zona Rosa which is also filled with outdoor shopping, restaurants, and so many stores. Pass Zona Rosa and in another 20 minutes you will find yourself in beautiful down town Kansas City where you can experience the fountains, museums, WWI monument, Zoo, Royals games, Chiefs games, and so much shopping and good food. It’s overwhelming and amazing.

Local Food and Weather

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

BBQ is the local cuisine here and there are more places to try than you could count. Just make sure to stop by Jack Stacks and B.B.’s Lawn Side BBQ. The weather in Kansas is bipolar and will flash flood, sunshine, and tornado all on one day. The winters are mild with snow fall and the summers are hot, but not as humid as down south.

Overall Ft. Leavenworth is a great place to be stationed. Military families can experience the small town feel of the post and city of Leavenworth or venture out and explore the great surrounding cities. This area is very charming and truly one of the best kept secrets in the Army.

 

Jenah Wieczorek Social Media & Base AdvocateJenah Wieczorek, Social Media & Base Advocate