So if youre unimpressed by Louisiana, at least you can benefit from some military-issued, updated hospitality. Best area perk? Yet these are the top Air Force bases overseas relying on the same factors as the top-rated in the U.S.: Anderson AFB also serves as naval headquarters yet is largely considered the premier place to live and serve overseas in the USAF. The primary duties of this station include supporting the Alaska National Guard with its key mission of monitoring security and operation of the Missile Defense Site. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. (Army) Ok, now we're talking it's an outdoorsman's paradise. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Craig spent many years on active duty service in the Air Force stationed in such places as Okinawa, Japan and SAC Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Theres skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and plenty to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. Korean People's Army Air Force ( North Korea) - 946. Technically located in Belle Chasse, this joint station is bustling with activity that includes the Navy Reserve, Coast Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Louisiana Air National Guard. Housing is affordable with high-quality schools and excellent features on the base. Find out about these awesome picks. The purpose of any great military base is to serve the country yet the location should also boost morale by offering amenities and other perks. The median home value here is around $150,000 and has historical roots. (tied) McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. U.S. Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division practice ground fighting techniques during a deployment for training exercise at Twentynine Palms, CA., Feb. 22, 2018U.S. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. United States Southern Command. The winter weather in the area can be pretty brutal as well. I would like to indicate that I will not be listing bases that are considered "deployments." A well-guarded military base can imply that such areasincluding the nearby military townsare safe and secure. The unique wildlife that calls Alaska home. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. The secludedness makes you feel like you have an island to yourself with phenomenal beaches and splendid weather. Joint Base San Antonio Lackland is such a great place to get stationed that it makes the list twice. If you love the water, youll love it here. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. You know, if youre into that kinda thing when you arent defending the country.Surprise silver lining: Surrounding Jacksonville are some truly charming historic and seaside towns, including New Bern, Swansboro, and the Emerald Isle. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas. From misplaced nuclear weapons to security forces losing grenades, this snowy wonderland has suck tattooed on its forehead. 6. At a mere 44 miles long, it can be easy to get island fever here if you arent actively seeking adventure while stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Did you know that there are nearly 800 Air Force bases around the globe? Population: 448,759 Veteran Population: 94,938 Median Home Price: $222,100 Unemployment Rate: 4.8% Crime Rate: Safer than 10% of U.S. cities Military Bases Near Colorado Springs: Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base; Colorado Springs is one of the best places for military retirement! The weather is tropical and can become very humid in the summer. 1. Not like you typically have a choice, but this list might help anyway. E-2: $2,070 per . While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. And at the end of each school year, Pizarro said, Bedford High School holds a party for students whose families are transferring away from Hanscom, which is attended by base leaders. Most families report that the base is a black hole that you never leave. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. There are at least a dozen other locations where airmen receive more not just places like New York City and Honolulu, but also West Point, New York; Oakland, California; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and New Haven, Connecticut. Base: Minot Air Force BaseUnlucky call sign: Why Not Minot? It seems like a rhetorical question, but: Freezins the reason.Why it's not great: Remember the ice planet in Intersteller? Wright-Patterson AFB just makes the cut among many other competing military bases for top honors. The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a "hidden gem" based . "I also know that a lot of enlisted members have a second job to support their families.". Best area perk? Tyndall Air Force Base. After much consideration, these are the five bases that should count as a deployment if they manage to survive the next round of base closures. Finally, we added up the scores and stacked the bases. Why it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. The Panama Canal also falls under the protection of this base. 5. Youll have occasional lockdowns and curfews imposed, but most people seem to enjoy their time spent here. Angel Vargas, a group practice manager for the 375th Medical Group at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, who was previously stationed at L.A., said that he loved the near-constant 70-degree weather there, as well as all the social things to do. Landscaping and repainting the parking lots was one of many projects for the Dorm Transformation process. Best area perk? The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. You wont want to miss a minute of taking in the natural beauty of Hawaiis third-largest island. reviewers. The next most important categories crime, health care facilities, commute times and exchanges were doubled in value. Members of the Air Force receive 30 days of vacation with pay each year. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Brad Howard However, what helps Guam is that its a territory of the United States with English as the predominant language. hiv12 antigen and antibodies fourth generation with reflexes labcorp replacement trigger howa 1500 comcast business outage map startup companies in boston hiring beside still water puppies japanese threesome barn door for closet tummy tuck pictures week by week Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex (CMSC) is a 400-acre site near the base thats open daily for practice, including trap and skeet shooting. It is a great place if your spouse does not want to work. Share with us in the comments below! Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. If youre bored around base, catch a flick at the theater, take a walk along a trail, or check out Afterburners, a rec facility with 36 TVs, pool tables, and an outdoor tiki bar. Word has it that the family-friendly community here is so good that you dont just cry when you get there, you cry when you leave, too. On base, youll find everything from medical care to housing to take care of your daily needs, and off base youll discover a world rich in music, French culture, and history that cant be found elsewhere. The Americans there are rude and begging to leave. McGuire Air Force Base is part of joint base operations with the United States Air Force. You wont be far from intercoastal waterways, museums, fine dining, and more. But he estimated food and housing expenses there were easily three to four times as much as in the Scott area. This made us wonder which military towns in the US are the safest and which aren't as secure for military personnel and civilians. As the Home of the Rugged Professional, this base is perfect for adventurous service members who dont mind the cold. The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. Some are devoid of entertainment, run by unfit staff, have horrible food, or offer horrible amenities. To come up with a school quality score, we used the website GreatSchools.com, a respected resource for ranking and comparing schools used by real estate agents and real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Its competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but worth giving it a shot. The fact that it feels like a prison has earned it the nickname AlcaTravis. There are reportedly dicey areas off post, but most families who live on base have few complaints. Location: Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport, Washington. Were sorry, Fayetteville -- you didnt deserve that. From mountain climbing to whitewater rafting, youll find some of the best outdoor adventures here. At SOUTHCOM, you can expect to meet a lot of different people as its a joint base. As the second-oldest city in South Carolina, history lovers will adore Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort located 70 miles southwest of Charleston. Sarah Sicard 4. The average commute in the Washington area is roughly half an hour, and hits nearly 40 minutes in the area right around Bolling well longer than the average 25-minute commute nationwide. This on-base perk also has beach volleyball courts, cabanas with grills, and a full bathhouse. After McChord Air Force Base joined Fort Lewis in 2010, the military base has become one of the most sought after for both branches, especially singles. Altus, Oklahoma Cannon, New Mexico Dyess, Texas (to replace with Grand Forks) Eielson, Alaska Ellsworth, South Dakota (convinced-removed) Ft.Polk, Louisiana Holloman, New Mexico Malmstrom, Montana Minot, North Dakota (edit-How did I forget??) When youre stationed in a stunning location like Hawaii, get outdoors as much as possible. Base: Cannon Air Force BaseUnlucky call sign: AfcannonstanWhy it's not great: Blame the fact that Clovis is more West Texas than New Mexico, that there are limited on-base amenities, or that its completely surrounded by cattle farms and dairies; but airmen know Clovis as a remote base town memorable for the wafting smell of cow manure and the downright biblical wave of pestilence known as fly season.Most common escape: Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, are the two closest cities, but we cant bring ourselves to see how this is a good thing -- unless you enjoy taking down 72oz of free steak in an hour. The massive base serves 20,000 American service members and families so youll never feel alone. The commissary isn't great and the types of food are limited. Plus, its located at the base of the Rocky Mountains, so the mountain views dont get much better from a military installation than Fort Carson. Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. RAF Mildenhall. Its a great base for singles because of its proximity to downtown San Antonio and Austin which are paradises for this type of crowd. But if youre not, and are willing to drive a bit further, Sante Fe, New Mexico offers galleries, museums, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- popular for hiking, biking, and skiing.Surprise silver lining: Isnt it always true that in the face of misery, communities pull together? Grand Forks Air Force Base is a hidden gem in North Dakota. And these were their picks for the Best Military Towns in America -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. Base: Fort DrumUnlucky call sign: Fort Drunk (due to the number of alcohol-related incidents on base in the 1990s)Why it's not great: As the old joke goes, Fort Drum has two seasons: winter and July. A huge Navy exchange and commissary 100,000 square feet to be exact was built in 2011. The majority of the reviews do indicate their dislike for this assignment. Learn more about Marine Corps Base Hawaii here. Schriever AFB is among several USAF bases in the Colorado Springs metropolitan. According to a new survey, about 1 in 25 adults say they recently fell asleep while driving. According to some respondents, its an overly religious area with a high number of evangelical Christian churches. RAF Lakenheath. Updated Nov 24, 2021 10:41 AM EST, Editors note: This article was originally published in March 2016. But that food is much more expensive than junk food, he said, meaning he sometimes has to make a choice between eating healthily and making ends meet. Task & Purpose polled more than 1,000 of its readers on the worst military installations in terms of living. Thanks guys!). And Do said the Basic Allowance for Housing in the Columbus area he gets $807 a month is far too low for airmen to live on. If you love blues music and jazz history, delight in the fact that theres no shortage of that all around Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. A home in nearby Fairfax County, Virginia, has a median cost of $455,300. The current version has been updated to reflect the change. The forts Southern gothic landscape matches its history as a prison. Families also benefit from no state income or sales tax in the Anchorage area. Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, ever. Okinawa, Japan is a favorite. On base, youll enjoy access to a private, lifeguarded beach. Wichita ranks as the worst city for veterans health care, largely because veterans make up just 0.03% of the city's population. Fort Polk resides in Louisiana where the hot summers and mosquito problems can make the area unpleasant. The base is one of the oldest bases in the nation, and a portion of the homes on base are historic homes. Plus, youll have about 200+ days of sunshine here to enjoy most every day youre outside on base or off. What lifestyle amenities do you appreciate in your life now? The base is small but accommodating. Russian Air Force - 3,863. As a service member, theres a good chance youre going to move around a lot. If youre getting ready to pick your dream list for your very first duty station, you may be a little unsure of what locations to choose for your top choices. Traffic is notorious for being some of the worst in the entire country. No more Tattoo Taboo: Air Force and Space Force to allow neck and hand tats, How will I do when that time comes? - now a Space Force base Peterson AFB, CO - now a Space Force base Andrews AFB, MD. The unassuming military base in small-town Illinois is a hidden gem based on those who have served at the location. Unlike many other military bases, this one has a great cost of living its actually 18% lower than the U.S. national average. Low housing costs and phenomenal support from the local community makes Luke AFB an ideal place for military families. As one of the most requested locations in the Army, youre in for a treat if you get stationed at Fort Carson. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. Being that its the only active-duty base in the Northeast, housing on post is limited, forcing service members and their families to live elsewhere. Sometimes you end up drawing the short straw when it comes to military assignment locations. When you arent working, swing by MWR to snag clearance tickets to Miami Dolphins games and other attractions like concerts, shows, and sports events in Miami. While we don't join the military to feel comfortable and pampered, considering how stressful the job is, it's nice to have some fun around. Vacation. Langley AFB, VA Randolph AFB TX MacDill AFB, FL Charleston AFB, SC Patrick AFB, FL. Ranking the premier Air Force bases in the United States is not an easy task as there are several worthy of top honors. If you love it, perhaps youll be lucky enough to get extended there. If you want to experience the culture, you will need to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road and cope with the narrow roadways. The commissary isnt great and the types of food are limited. It is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. The 5th Civil Engineer Squadron removes snow from the flightline before a training sortie at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jan. 14, 2016.U.S. Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. Additionally, the USAF maintains hundreds of military bases around the globe in more than 70 countries. One review stated that the school system is out of date (but I am unsure as to what that means). 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. Here are the top Air Force bases in the nation: Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. Armstrong. Answer (1 of 3): I've answered this before but here's what they were when I was in: McChord AFB. Some military families go so far as to live in New Hampshire and commute to work. Then look no further than the Sunshine State. The year-round sunny weather. Related Article Top 15 Military Schools For Boys And Girls. Related: What Is Accrued . If thats not enough to get you excited about this duty station, just remember youre living in one of the top-rated cities along Floridas coastline. Sperling's Best Places also provided data it collected on the size and type of on-base commissaries, exchanges and health care facilities, and rankings on a 10-point scale. Its a poo pond created from the open sewage of a water treatment facility.Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, there are miles of desert to explore on a dirt bike or four-wheeler, along with the trails and famous rock climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.Surprise silver lining:Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no one, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky.