Can someone explain to me the procedure for a veteran to get a site in Key West, or is it first come first serve?Jack L

Info at Military Campgrounds will tell you who can use it, how to get to it, how to make reservations and how much it will cost.

Jack, I found a post on this topic a couple of weeks ago that discussed their process in great detail. Can't find it now, of course.The bottom line is it is first come, first serve, but they have a system that ensures that no one is ever turned away, and everyone rotates in and out of the full hook up sites for 2 weeks at a time.

Looks like its not all Veterans. Authorized UsersActive, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD Civilians, DoT civilians working for Coast Guard, NATO allies on orders to the US.

TNRIVERSIDE wrote:Looks like its not all Veterans. Authorized UsersActive, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD Civilians, DoT civilians working for Coast Guard, NATO allies on orders to the US.Isn't America great? I commented on this about a year ago.A combat wounded veteran will be turned away from a military campground.But, a pencil pushing civilian who never served will be welcomed with open arms.We need to rethink our hero status..... JMO

gbopp wrote:TNRIVERSIDE wrote:Looks like its not all Veterans. Authorized UsersActive, National Guard, Reservists, Retired, 100% DAV, DoD Civilians, DoT civilians working for Coast Guard, NATO allies on orders to the US.Isn't America great? I commented on this about a year ago.A combat wounded veteran will be turned away from a military campground.But, a pencil pushing civilian who never served will be welcomed with open arms.We need to rethink our hero status..... JMOWhere do you get "pencil pushing civilian" ... civilians are not allowed to camp in military campgrounds. Active duty, retired military, and Disabled Veterans in that order. Although, the base commander can allow DOD assigned to his base to camp. I personally disagree with DOD camping, but am not a CO ... it is technically against the law for DOD to camp, but many bases turn a blind eye to it because it generates revenue. And, we all know the dollar is top dog ...One problem with allowing DOD civilians - it fills up the sites long-term, and then an authorized military family gets turned away. We have that battle a lot. DOD get a housing allowance, quite a bit, to rent locally when working in DOD projects - then some of those folks rent a CG space for about a fourth of that allowance, and put that extra money in their own pockets. In fact, some AD families get BHA, and do the same thing ... I believe it's illegal, abuse of funds to do it - but that's a losing battle as well. The folks that benefit from that abuse are the ones that make those enforcement choices - so, guess what?

RV'ing at the Naval Station in Key West | Good Sam Community

katfish
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
NanciL wrote:
Wow, I am sorry I asked the original question.
I am a honorable discharged navy veteran, but it sounds like I can't get in so I'll just keep camping at state parks.
Sorry to cause all the bickering and bantering !

jack L

No problem in asking questions... Sometimes it gets off track, but just sit back an enjoy the postings...
Thank you for your service...

Happy camping
LowRyter
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
I am retired DOD Civil Service. The Fam Camp is never filled at my base. I see no problem with supplementing attendance with DOD Civilians, Retirees, etc. Of course if the place is full, Active Duty should get first priority.

This is a local option in the hands of the Base Commander as it should be. Remember, the Commander has an incentive to maximize revenue. Typically it's the golf course, not the Fam Camps that get the most action. Alternatively, with all the pro-family, anti-drinking and anti-smoking PC mentality now, the Club system is just about to go under. Again, a big push for the DoD Civilians to use the Clubs and to force office functions at the Clubs.

Regarding DOD civilian retirement and benefits there are two retirement systems. The old one has good benefits and pension but no Social Security component and high penalties for any SS benefits. The newer retirement has a smaller pension but is fully integrated in SS. Retirees keep the same healthcare benefits as they were when working.

DoD Civilians in the CONUS do not get housing benefits.

I've never stayed in a Fam Camp but am not adverse to doing so. Again, where its allowed as designated by the Base Commander and mutually beneficial for the base and traveler.
AprilWhine
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
katfish wrote:
NanciL wrote:
Wow, I am sorry I asked the original question.
I am a honorable discharged navy veteran, but it sounds like I can't get in so I'll just keep camping at state parks.
Sorry to cause all the bickering and bantering !

jack L

No problem in asking questions... Sometimes it gets off track, but just sit back an enjoy the postings...
Thank you for your service...

Happy camping

Anyway Nanci, if it wasn't this it would be something else. ;) Winter is when most people are only talking about camping and debating something on the Internet whiles away the time. Thanks for bringing up a good topic.

BTW, don't know where you are, but check the site I linked to in the post about Key West info. Some of the military campgrounds are now open to the public.
answerswillvary
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
With that, it looks like a good place to close this thread. Too much bickering and off-topic posting.

Sandi (Moderator)

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