RV'ing at the Naval Station in Key West

You guys don't have an effing clue about DoD civilians.

I am a USN veteran and retired DoD civilian. I served alongside active duty military and was deployed to active duty ships. I was a computer engineer providing field support to the Combat Systems computer and display suite. As a civilian, I have been deployed to hot spots around the globe, because if a computer is going to break, it will do it in the most inconvenient place possible. ;) I got there by any means possible, fixed the ship and trained the shipboard technicians, then returned home and did my normal job until the next crisis.

As for civilians crowding out the park, I don't see that. What I see as we travel around is active duty military gaming the system. They buy a cheap trailer, then live in it at the FamCamp while drawing housing allowance. Not right, no matter who does it. The campgrounds are for recreational use by all authorized personnel, not to be used for housing.

I'm married to a very handsome fellow who happens to be retired USN and also retired DoD. I have over 30 years of total service, he has over 40. If you do the math, you will see we have served this country for over 70 years total. I know some of you one term enlistees are going to have heartburn with this post but it's time someone told you the straight truth.

Can DoD civilians walk off the job tomorrow if they so choose? Some are under contract, but can still walk if they want to take the $$$ hit.

I don't think active duty personnel can do that. They'll wind up in the brig and a bad discharge that strips them of VA benefits if they do.

I'm a disabled combat veteran, and can't use the facility.

OH48Lt wrote:
Can DoD civilians walk off the job tomorrow if they so choose? Some are under contract, but can still walk if they want to take the $$$ hit.

I don't think active duty personnel can do that. They'll wind up in the brig and a bad discharge that strips them of VA benefits if they do.

I'm a disabled combat veteran, and can't use the facility.

You could if you were 100% disabled or had stayed for retirement. You're not eligible and that's the end of it, if you want to change the rules talk to your congressional representative.

Most DoD civilians are veterans, because there is a 5% preference for veterans, or a 10% for disabled veterans.

Remember there is a difference between a DoD civilian federal employee and DoD contractor. Either way, I believe it is a good idea to allow each Base Commander to set the policy as long as the policy is well designed and enforced. As mentioned already, there is a lot of differences in demand depending upon the location and facilities. When there is variation, there should be discretion.

There are scenarios where allowing an Active Duty member to "homestead" is reasonable. For instance, Active Duty member will be PCSing or going overseas alone in six months, puts their house on the market, it sells quickly, family goes on ahead to new base while the Active Duty member stays behind in the FamCamp until his own move.

Let the Commanders' have the flexibility to make decisions not just enforce rules.

I spent 6 yrs NAVY and then 25 yrs. working in a power plant (which are considered vital to the national security).......don't mean squat and shouldn't!

If retired from service and then DoD OK fine.......retired from service.
4 yr hitch in service and then retired DoD is no different than my service/job experience.

Lots of folks gaming the system and active/retired DoD civilian is still just a civilian.
The criteria should be retired service, active service, disabled vet.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I spent 6 yrs NAVY and then 25 yrs. working in a power plant (which are considered vital to the national security).......don't mean squat and shouldn't!

If retired from service and then DoD OK fine.......retired from service.
4 yr hitch in service and then retired DoD is no different than my service/job experience.

Lots of folks gaming the system and active/retired DoD civilian is still just a civilian.
The criteria should be retired service, active service, disabled vet.

Agree with you 100% on this issue. Civilians should not be allowed to use them. JMO

The DoD civilian thing has always been a minor irritation with me, and not just in the case of famcamps. I was stationed in HI a thousand years ago, and it was damned tough to get a preferred tee time on the Kaneohe Clipper golf course on the weekend. The local dod employees overwhelmed the system.

Now, of course, some .mil golf courses are open to ANYONE. You don't even have to be a veteran or employed by the dod in any way.

As stated elsewhere in this thread, the local commander makes the call and his interests are in taking care of the troops and ensuring his MWR programs stay profitable. The requirement to be profitable forces policies that may otherwise not exist.

2chiefsRus wrote:
Remember there is a difference between a DoD civilian federal employee and DoD contractor. Either way, I believe it is a good idea to allow each Base Commander to set the policy as long as the policy is well designed and enforced. As mentioned already, there is a lot of differences in demand depending upon the location and facilities. When there is variation, there should be discretion.

There are scenarios where allowing an Active Duty member to "homestead" is reasonable. For instance, Active Duty member will be PCSing or going overseas alone in six months, puts their house on the market, it sells quickly, family goes on ahead to new base while the Active Duty member stays behind in the FamCamp until his own move.

Let the Commanders' have the flexibility to make decisions not just enforce rules.

Yes, agree with you almost completely. :) I think there is never an excuse to turn recreational facilities into housing, in your example the active duty member could stay at the barracks.

Lots of people snivel about wanting the privileges that retirees both DoD and military have, but were not willing to do the time to earn them.

I looked into CGs near Fort Campbell, Ky. a while back. Some friends' son was stationed there and I thought I'd visit on the way by. If I remember correctly, there are two or three famcamps but they're restricted to Active duty families, DOD families and civilians in that order. It isn't like they're swamped with requests by civilians. There's nothing around there except Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake, and they both have campgrounds available.

path1 wrote:
Right or wrong, again their park their rules.
Several years ago we were at a Famcamp on west coast and this couple with Canadian plates camped next to us. We thought maybe they were sponsored by their active duty son in law. Got talking and he was retired Canadian Army. He told us some Famcamps allow them depending on Base Commander policy. Also mentioned that that we could use their Famcamp system if we were up there.

Canada has some great Military campgrounds. Yes we can use them.