Using Military Lodging Facilities for Leisure Travel

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One of the most unique benefits available to service members and their families is the use of temporary military lodging facilities around the world. Most military members know about lodging facilities they are assigned to while on temporary duty. But military lodging can also mean cottages on the beach, world-class resorts, or recreational facilities intended specifically for military families who want to get away from it all. And most military lodging facilities are priced well below the going rates in the local area. Learning how to find and take advantage of these facilities will help you save money and give you a great selection of safe and fun places to stay while you travel.

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Types of facilities available

Military lodging facilities run the gamut from modern resorts to mountain cottages. There are limited-service hotels built specifically for families arriving at a new duty station, as well as full-service recreational facilities. Here are the types of facilities you can expect to find:

• Installation lodging. These facilities are generally designed for military service members traveling on official business or moving to a new duty station. Most are on military installations, with easy access to installation facilities. And they can be located in an area where you want to spend your next vacation. Installation lodging facilities will usually take vacationers on a space-available basis, but you may find that you are unable to make advance reservations.
• Recreational facilities. Built to serve military service members and their families for short -- or long -- getaways, these may range from a lodge on a mountain lake to an oceanfront cottage in Hawaii. Many recreational facilities offer rental equipment, fishing charters, tours, or other services specific to the area -- usually at a lower cost compared to similar services in the area. Eligible personnel will be able to make reservations, but the timing varies from facility to facility.
• Resorts. With first-class amenities, these facilities offer a true resort experience. Military resorts are located in vacation destinations, such as Disney World® and Hawaii, and in areas with a large military presence, such as Korea and Germany. Reservations can usually be made well in advance, but timing is critical. If you plan on traveling during the holidays or other peak periods, make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Rates are based on rank and status, but you will generally find the prices much less than comparable lodging. Added benefits can include excellent restaurants, tours, and discounted ticket sales to area attractions.
• Nongovernment-owned hotels. Managed by organizations serving the military community, hotels such as the Marines' Memorial Club in San Francisco serve active duty and former military members. The Marines' Memorial Club, as well as the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' and Airmen's Club in New York, are not military lodging facilities, but private nonprofit organizations. For more information on the Marines' Memorial Club, visit www.marineclub.com or call 1-800-562-7463. Details on the Soldiers', Sailors', Marines' and Airmen's Club can be found at www.ssmaclub.org or by calling 1-800-678-8443.

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How to use military lodging

• Who's eligible? In most cases, military lodging is available to active duty military members and their family members, as well as retirees, reservists, and DoD civilians. However, the rules vary by branch of service and by individual lodging facility. Your status -- active duty on orders, active duty on leave, family member, retiree, reservist, or DoD civilian -- will usually determine when and how your reservations can be made.
• Saving money on your next family vacation. When planning your vacation, research the military lodging options available in the area you want to visit, check the facility to find out if rooms are available or when reservations can be made, and compare costs. Often you will save additional money by using the restaurants, rentals, tours, and other services available at the lodging facility.
• Making reservations. In most cases, reservations for leisure travel should be made directly with the lodging facility, either by phone or through a Web site. In some cases -- for example Navy and Air Force Lodges -- reservations can be made for leisure travel using a central reservations number. For the Navy, call 1-800-628-9466 or visit www.navy-lodge.com; for the Air Force, call 1-888-235-6343 or visit www-p.afsv.af.mil/DoDLodging/. Each facility and branch of service has regulations spelling out how far in advance reservations can be made. In many installation lodging facilities, active duty military members on orders can reserve rooms well in advance, while leisure travelers may rent rooms on a space-available basis only. Most recreational facilities will let leisure travelers make reservations far enough ahead to adequately plan a vacation. Military resorts and Armed Forces Recreation Centers allow eligible guests to make reservations as much as a year in advance.

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Military lodging around the world

The list of military lodging facilities is long and the types of facilities vary widely. Here is a small sample of what you can find around the world:

• East Coast. Shades of Green Resort, an Armed Forces Recreation Center located in Disney World® in Florida, offers reasonably priced rooms for military service members. Guests have easy access to the Disney theme parks, as well as all the perks that come with staying at a Disney resort. Discounted tickets to Disney theme parks are available -- even to eligible personnel not staying at the hotel. Visit www.shadesofgreen.org or call 1-888-593-2242 for more information.

The Coast Guard maintains a cabin on Cape Cod and another one on Nantucket, which are available to all active duty service members and their families, as well as reservists and retirees. For more information, visit their Web site at www.uscg.mil/mwr/cottages/1stDistrict.htm or call 1-508-968-6461.

Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area, near Cape Fear, North Carolina, has beach cottages and a lodge available. Active duty Air Force personnel may make reservations 90 days in advance, while other active duty service members may make reservations 85 days in advance. More information is available at www.ftfishermilrec.com or by calling 1-910-458-6549.

• West Coast. Seward Resort in Alaska is open year-round with recreational activities for military members and their families, including glacier tours in summer and snowmobile rentals in winter. For reservations and additional information, visit www.sewardresort.com or call 1-800-770-1858.

The Marine Corps operates Big Bear Recreation Facility, with eight chalets near ski resorts in Big Bear, California. Summer activities include mountain biking, hiking, and fishing. Call 1-858-577-4126 or visit www.mccsmiramar.com for more information.

• Central states. In Missouri the Army manages Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area, with lakefront cabins and motel rooms, along with boat and Jet Ski rentals. More details are available at www.wood.army.mil/mwr/LORA_.htm or by calling 1-573-346-5640.
• Hawaii. The Hale Koa Hotel, an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Waikiki Beach, is one of the military's favorite resort destinations. Because of its popularity, the Hale Koa is often filled to capacity, but reservations may be made up to 365 days in advance. Availability and other details are available at www.halekoa.com or by calling 1-800-367-6027.

By contrast, the Kilauea Military Camp, a Joint Services Recreation Center within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is one of the military's best-kept secrets. Mountain cottages, along with local tours, are available. More information can be found at www.kmc-volcano.com or by calling 1-808-967-7315.

• Europe. Edelweiss Lodge and Resort, an Armed Forces Recreation Center in Germany, serves military personnel with hotel rooms and cabins. The resort offers a wide range of activities, including skiing and mountain biking -- with special activities just for kids. For more details visit www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com or call 011-49-8821-9440 (from the U.S.).
• Asia. On Okinawa, Okuma Joint Services Recreation Center serves several nearby military bases with log cabins, hotel rooms, and a campground. Two beautiful beaches, along with scuba diving, Jet Ski rentals, and kayak rentals are available. For more information visit kadenaservices.com/okuma/.

In Seoul, Korea, the Dragon Hill Lodge, another Armed Forces Recreation Center, is a world-class hotel with resort amenities and excellent shopping nearby. Reservations and additional information are available on the Dragon Hill Lodge's Web site at www.dragonhilllodge.com.

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Planning your getaway

• Finding the right military lodging facility for your next vacation may require some research. Military Living publishes Temporary Military Lodging Around the World, a comprehensive listing of military lodging facilities, with contact information, directions, and local attractions. (It may be available at your installation exchange or, for more information, visit www.militaryliving.com or call 1-703-237-0203.) Military and related Web sites can also provide information on military lodging facilities:
• Army MWR: www.armymwr.com
• Navy Lodges: www.navy-lodge.com
• Navy MWR: www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/cabin.htm
• Air Force Lodging: www-p.afsv.af.mil/DoDLodging/
• Marine Corps Community Services: www.usmc-mccs.org
• 4MilitaryFamilies.com: www.4militaryfamilies.com
• The best time to go. Most of the popular recreational facilities and resorts book up months in advance. If you plan to visit during peak vacation periods, find out when reservations can be made and make them as soon as possible. Some lodging facilities prioritize their reservations by branch of service, by duty station, or by status.
• While you're there, take advantage of the leisure services. Many recreation centers and resorts offer services -- such as restaurants, boat rentals, ski equipment rental, area tours, and discount tickets to area attractions. Familiarize yourself with what types of services are available and if reservations need to be made in advance. Taking advantage of these savings will help cut costs and help make your vacation an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

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Resources

Your installation's support services

Depending on your service branch, your Fleet and Family Support Center, Marine Corps Community Services, Airman and Family Readiness Center, or Army Community Service Center can provide you with information and support.

Military OneSource

This free 24-hour service, provided by the Department of Defense, is available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Consultants provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues. You can reach the program by telephone at 1-800-342-9647 or through the Web site at www.militaryonesource.com.

This article was written with the assistance of Carol Garland, Head of Food and Hospitality, Personal and Family Readiness Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and Carol Potter, Department of Defense Lodging Program Manager.

© 2005 Ceridian Corporation. All rights reserved. 061907

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