The Warrior Class: Bases offer families home away from home, minus civilians . What are your thoughts?

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:21:14 -0400

The days when "If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a family, it would have issued you one" are clearly over.

The 43,300 military personnel and family members who live on the Marines' major West Coast base enjoy the amenities of a prosperous midsize town — five schools, nine health clinics, a golf course, swimming pools and dozens of child care facilities.

There are a new hospital, a movie theater, two florists, four dry cleaners, three "big box" stores, 20 fast-food restaurants, and, because it's a military base, 13 barber shops and a commissary selling groceries for up to 30 percent less than at civilian supermarkets

So, the question is whether the sheltered, subsidized lifestyle on this heavily guarded mega-base, and others like it, has reinforced the separation of the all-volunteer military from the nation it serves?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 10:20 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:20:30 -0400

I dont think it has separated the military from the nation it is just perks they have for serving.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 27 at 2015 10:34 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 27 May 2015 10:34:10 -0400

I went to Camp Pendleton a couple of years ago when my son was stationed there at 3rd Tracks and had not been there in about 30 years. I could not believe the development and new amenities on base. It was staggering to see. If these are being sustained by the revenues generated at them then I am good with it which I supect is the case as the Marine Corps is too cheap to do it otherwise.

Does it further isolate the military? I don't know. It is clearly a move to make everyone more comfortable and happy. Yes, the days of "if the Marine Corps had wanted you to have a family they would have issued you one" is over. Time will tell if that make for a better, more prepared Marine Corps.

I would argue thought that the base is not very secure. I drove up in a rental car, showed by Florida driver's license and was granted immediate access to the base, no questions asked.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 11:21 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:21:05 -0400

Sgt David G Duchesneau. I believe in principle because military families confront and can support each other with shared problems . . . the concept of base housing as an ideal might just be a tremendous benefit. That said . . . the devil is in the details . . . and could easily be the path to riches for some contractors at the cost of creating a ghetto for our families. I might also worry that to the extent there may be any isolation . . . whether kids consider all appropriate job and educational choices. Obviously oversight, inspection, and feedback from families may be crucial to avoiding significant problems. Does anyone still offer kids' cotillion? Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made May 27 at 2015 11:59 AM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:59:20 -0400

I grew up a member of the "Marine Corps Children's Auxiliary" lol. My dad was a 20+ year Master Sergeant in the Marines. When I was older I joined the USAF and spent 2 enlistments with them. I did not realize when I separated that what I would be loosing was my entire life up to that point. I could no longer get on Bases. I could not go to any of my old homes, schools, playgrounds, stomping grounds. I lost the place of my first kiss and "ahem..close friendship ;) ". Honestly it was like Losing my country. still to this day it bums me out! I have been out of the AF for 14 years and to this day I would re-enlist in a heartbeat and I have been trying to get a job with the .GOV since then. Getting out was the DUMBEST thing I ever did, I want my home back.

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 27 at 2015 12:18 PM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:18:38 -0400

16 years out, and I still feel the "us vs. them". Do I know of being on base increases that division? I don't know. I think that it will always exist regardless, why not make sure our warriors are comfortable in the meantime.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 12:34 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:34:47 -0400

I had a whole twelve paragraphs about this, then someone called and I lost it. So cliff notes version.
To some extent this has always been the case with the American military. Research the historical lives of career soldiers in our history. In many cases, particularly out west, they would serve, retire, move outside the gate, set up a small business/farm or take up a civilian position on the base, if conflict broke out, they were recalled to active duty. In the modern military it doesn't happen like that often anymore, but the potential remains.

As to the isolating effect of the base, I don't see it as any larger of a contributor than military life in general. I can't speak to the other services, my experience is limited to my five years in the army and eighteen years as a dependent. The military, like certain other professions, is isolating. It's not a unique symptom only limited to us. ER doctorsPolice, firefighters, and paramedics also have the same problem. We can explain what we do a thousand times to someone who never served and they might understand intellectually, but never will at the visceral level we do. Just like the average person might run into a burning building to save a loved one but not understand why a firefighter would do the same for a stranger.
Growing up a dependent, the hardest part off my childhood was during my father's time as a recruiter. Having to live in a purely civilian world where no one understood why I transferred in the middle of the school year. Where no one understood why I didn't bother to make friends with people I would be leaving in the future. Teachers sent me to psych evals and counselors because I was "different", "emotionally stunted", "not acclimating". Living on or near a base, everyone understood. You'd walk into class one day and people knew you just pcsd in. Someone didn't show up for a week? Chickenpox or pcs. Parent deploying? Everyone understood, chances were their parents were too.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 29 at 2017 7:08 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 19:08:40 -0400

It may be sheltered .. it's for a reason ..
not al Military is at base with their family...
they may deployed. It gives a sense of security to the deployed their family is safe while they are away and are protected by fellow Soldiers, Airmen or Marines.. a burden lifted from their shoulders. These days with terrorist threats that's a big lift.