As a retired DOD employee NOT from the Jacksonville area I do NOT know why all retirees and not allowed to stay. This also applies to Admiral Baker CG in San Diego. If anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks

A neighbor camper engaged me in a long conversation about DoD employee's in his mind encroaching on a limited resource he felt was originally implemented for members of the armed forces (Geneva Convention types) who "deployed" unaccompanied on remote and long tour assignments.

Recent times have more civilian's deploying to combat zones so I presume they've expanded the benefit to all categories of civilian retiree's whether they go on unaccompanied TDY to combat zones or not. The armed forces, UCMJ, etc. thing is a thing of the past.

It is up to the local base commander who uses HIS campground. Some allow DOD civilian employees and some don't. In 2007 NAS Key West got a CO that did not want civilians taking up space in the campgrounds so he dropped them from the list of allowed personnel. The next CO didn't have the same opinion so DOD civilians were allowed back in.

Don't want to get into a argument over who is deserving and who is not so I'll keep my opinion to myself and just leave it up to the only person who really has the power, the base commanders.

rwbwrs wrote:


Apparently, not everyone thinks that working as a civilian for the government is the same as serving for 20+ years in the military, enduring the overseas deployments, hazardous duty, low wages, etc.

I also don't believe that DOD retirees are entitled to VA benefits, burial in National cemeteries, GI Bill, etc.

Apples and oranges! (IMHO)

We just look at this as a military operation, and a benefit for retired military ... that's what it says. When DOD employees begin making the same wages and take the same risks, then this benefit should/could be allowed. But, we need to understand too, many are already over-crowded at some times of the year, and adding another category of user would make it even worse ...

If it's a military campground by definition, that means military. AD first, then retired.

I just can't believe this as well why the naval base there is allowing MWR to obtain such a policy, what about active soldiers and veterans alike who may can only stay a week or so be banned and not allowed to use their Govenment entitled priviliges, These Homsteaders need to realize that an RV is a recreational vehicle and not a new home to squat on military bases frauding the government.

If you do a little search on this site, you'll find some interesting discussions on both these issues. Lots of varied opinions, but I don't see too many willing to actually support the idea that a 'long-term' stay without sharing facilities are the correct policy, but it happens and some do it.

Most often that happens in the warm winter states, and creates crowded and 'unshared' facilities, and in some cases violates the recreation policy. But as stated above, depends on the CO as CO has the final say in recreation policy.

Some CO's like to camp, some CO's like to golf, and the MCG policy usually indicates a CO preference - and, like all military policy, the CO rules, and tho' some believe it unfair (policy, that is) the CO is last word, as in all military situations and is based on discipline and following orders, as it must be.

We don't vote on whether we follow orders, we just follow orders because it saves lives and creates order and balance in the military community.

Do your feelings apply to DOD civilians who are also vets, but not 20 year vets, and deployed to support the war fighters. I have worked for the same government for over 30 years and have deployed all over the world. I have supported MWR for all of these years and spent thousands of dollars for their services. Just my opinion

Jack O - Don't know who you're asking "Do your feelings apply ..."

But when a campground says "Military Campground" that's what it says, it doesn't say "DOD campground"

And, so next is DOD also entitled to commissary, and BX, and next let's share Tricare, and Tricare4Life, so that everyone in the country gets it.

Don't get me wrong here either, I always appreciated any support we got from DOD ... but I bet your paycheck was and your retirement is a lot bigger than military AD and retired, and these benefits were a part of the enlistment and retired package, and the veterans benefit as well, and was not listed on your contract when you worked DOD jobs.

We're talking apples and oranges here - far as a job goes, and who's entitled to use anything. And, no offense to your war effort, here, either.

I cannot help you with Jacksonville campgrounds but feel free to come to Sea Breeze RV Park in Seal Beach, CA. The cost for DOD is $31 dollars per day, as of Dec 1st $35 and next year $40 per day. No weekly or monthly rate. On Dec 1st it will cost you $1050 per month for a 30 day month. So come on out and drop a few dollars.