Forum Discussion
- n7bsnExplorer
monkey44 wrote:
Then, what are they doing in our campgrounds! That's my point.
Ask the people running the place!
As for your assertion that DOD Civs are "making money" staying at a FAM-CAMP, complete and utter BS
When on travel DOD Civs get housing costs, up to a max amount (set by local costs). That rate is whatever the place they are staying actually costs. If its $15/day, that's all the get (for housing), period. If it's $150/day (and that is allowed, some high-cost areas are that high), that's what they get.
One time I took the RV, rather then stay at the hotel I usually stayed at. The RV park was under $20/day, while the hotel was over $100. I got what the park cost, period, not an "extra" $80/day - n7bsnExplorer
djsamuel wrote:
A big thank you from a 33 year DOD (Navy) civilian - NOT A CONTRACTOR, who has spent a lot of time on Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Destroyers, LPDs, LPHs, P-3s P-8s etc.
Sounds familiar, I know a number of sailors that spent less time at sea then I did (33 years DON). I was talking with a (retired) Master Chief I used to know (died two years ago), he came out of the air-community but had never spent a night at sea,not one. All 30 years at shore installations, not certain how he managed that, but he did.For those wondering, the pension is 1.1% of your high 3 average salary for each creditable year of service if you retire at age 62 or older. And contrary to popular belief, we do not get housing allowances unless we are on TDY, where we get per diem. At that point, we are required to fly out and back and must stay at a hotel within per diem. and usually one chosen by the Defense Travel System. The Famcamps are not an option.
Ah DTS, one of the many things I don't miss (NMCI, Navy-ERP, etc)
You can select "find own housing", which I did whenever I was traveling to certain areas. One a couple occasions I did take the RV. That proved, interesting. But of course, netted me no more money, since the DOD pays what your housing cost is, if it's $15/day, that's all they pay, period.
We took the RV because I took time off work and did some "fun" things, which came out of my pocket. - katfishExplorer
monkey44 wrote:
2chiefsRus wrote:
Those guys are most likely hired by Contractors. They are paid directly by the Contractors. Outsourcing jobs to the "private sector" has become really big in the government. It is a way to avoid putting workers on the government payrolls. The contractors and the contractors' employees are not eligible for government pensions or government health plans.
Then, what are they doing in our campgrounds! That's my point.
I have no idea why they are there, it must be legal or they would not be there...(being Legal and authorized is different than you or anyone else agreeing with it)
I would suggest you ask the office that runs the family camp an go from there.
The theory I go by is if it is Legal and I want to do it then I do,,,, I am sure this is the same theory the contractors go by.
I would be interested to know if you find anything out from your campground.
Best of luck.. - monkey44Nomad II
2chiefsRus wrote:
Those guys are most likely hired by Contractors. They are paid directly by the Contractors. Outsourcing jobs to the "private sector" has become really big in the government. It is a way to avoid putting workers on the government payrolls. The contractors and the contractors' employees are not eligible for government pensions or government health plans.
Then, what are they doing in our campgrounds! That's my point. - PawPaw_n_GramExplorer
monkey44 wrote:
they say "DOD, we stay here because it saves money ... and admit they get allowance, and it's way more than a FC site. And they stay a lot longer than the 30 or 60 limit too.
I've never heard of a GS FTE position which authorized any allowance for housing except for overseas bases with a local COL adjustment.
Those really sound like contractors, not DOD Civilian employees.
As you mention - a base CO has a lot of discretion over who can stay at base sites. I have not been shy about letting the CO know when I feel that regular authorized personnel are being shut out due to allowing the FC to become semi-permanent housing.
It's one thing for someone on a 6 month TDY to stay in the FC (at a very reduced per diem). Completely another for a retiree or base worker (FTE or contractor) to setup the FC as their permanent home. - 2chiefsRusExplorerThose guys are most likely hired by Contractors. They are paid directly by the Contractors. Outsourcing jobs to the "private sector" has become really big in the government. It is a way to avoid putting workers on the government payrolls. The contractors and the contractors' employees are not eligible for government pensions or government health plans.
- monkey44Nomad II
djsamuel wrote:
katfish wrote:
Wow I am really surprised how little is know about Govt. Civilians... I currently work for the Corps of Engineers an also retired Coast Guard. Trust me I am not working for the retirement, it is not that great. It works out to around $50 for every year u work so a 30 year civilian is looking at maybe $1500 a month before taxes..
Reading some of these post on here I am sure some of you will come up and say that the Coast Guard does not deserve to be able to use the campgrounds either.
If you are upset with your benefits being changed or taken away Vote!!!!!!! And speak up.
Happy Camping
A big thank you from a 33 year DOD (Navy) civilian - NOT A CONTRACTOR, who has spent a lot of time on Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Destroyers, LPDs, LPHs, P-3s P-8s etc.
For those wondering, the pension is 1.1% of your high 3 average salary for each creditable year of service if you retire at age 62 or older. And contrary to popular belief, we do not get housing allowances unless we are on TDY, where we get per diem. At that point, we are required to fly out and back and must stay at a hotel within per diem. and usually one chosen by the Defense Travel System. The Famcamps are not an option.
Maybe you can tell me who are all the guys that stay in FAMCAMPS that work for DOD and stay instead of housing ... they are certainly civilian, and go in and work at the base every day, come back every night ... and when I ask, they say "DOD, we stay here because it saves money ... and admit they get allowance, and it's way more than a FC site. And they stay a lot longer than the 30 or 60 limit too. - djsamuelNomad
katfish wrote:
Wow I am really surprised how little is know about Govt. Civilians... I currently work for the Corps of Engineers an also retired Coast Guard. Trust me I am not working for the retirement, it is not that great. It works out to around $50 for every year u work so a 30 year civilian is looking at maybe $1500 a month before taxes..
Reading some of these post on here I am sure some of you will come up and say that the Coast Guard does not deserve to be able to use the campgrounds either.
If you are upset with your benefits being changed or taken away Vote!!!!!!! And speak up.
Happy Camping
A big thank you from a 33 year DOD (Navy) civilian - NOT A CONTRACTOR, who has spent a lot of time on Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Destroyers, LPDs, LPHs, P-3s P-8s etc.
For those wondering, the pension is 1.1% of your high 3 average salary for each creditable year of service if you retire at age 62 or older. And contrary to popular belief, we do not get housing allowances unless we are on TDY, where we get per diem. At that point, we are required to fly out and back and must stay at a hotel within per diem. and usually one chosen by the Defense Travel System. The Famcamps are not an option. - n7bsnExplorer
katfish wrote:
Wow I am really surprised how little is know about Govt. Civilians... I currently work for the Corps of Engineers an also retired Coast Guard. Trust me I am not working for the retirement, it is not that great. It works out to around $50 for every year u work so a 30 year civilian is looking at maybe $1500 a month before taxes..
Actually that varies with your Grade(pay), it can be as high as $6000/month (Sr Executive type). But there are few of them and many more at lower ratesReading some of these post on here I am sure some of you will come up and say that the Coast Guard does not deserve to be able to use the campgrounds either.
I actually know of a Coasti campground, never stayed there as there are three membership and one Navy campgrounds in the area that I like just fine. They allow the usual list of allowed.
Just checked, and they have three (3) RV slot, period, no "big rigs". - AprilWhineExplorer
katfish wrote:
Wow I am really surprised how little is know about Govt. Civilians... I currently work for the Corps of Engineers an also retired Coast Guard. Trust me I am not working for the retirement, it is not that great. It works out to around $50 for every year u work so a 30 year civilian is looking at maybe $1500 a month before taxes..
Reading some of these post on here I am sure some of you will come up and say that the Coast Guard does not deserve to be able to use the campgrounds either.
If you are upset with your benefits being changed or taken away Vote!!!!!!! And speak up.
Happy Camping
Thank you katfish. I continue to be amazed at the lack of understanding about government civilians too.
About Campground 101
Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,717 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 20, 2025