Safest Army Posts in the U.s. For Families
A few months back we asked current and one-time military personnel where in the US they well-nigh enjoyed being stationed, and why. And these were their picks for the "Best Military Towns in America" -- some truly beautiful parts of the country. (We as well plied them for their war machine packing pro-tips. Thanks guys!)
This fourth dimension, though, we wanted to know where they absolutely HATED being sent. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. Or towns that led otherwise supportive military spouses to casually be, like, "Heeeey, just an idea here, but maaaaaaybe -- at present hear me out -- maybe nosotros do the long distance matter until your next assignment," when they got their orders.
They say there are ii kinds of military towns: those that come up ready-fabricated and those you "make the about of." Later taking into consideration weather condition, morale, base civilities, stuff to do, and accessibility to major cities, information technology seems that some of our military'south well-nigh heroic acts of service might not be fighting battles abroad, but bravely conquering these ten towns at dwelling house.
10. Fayetteville, North Carolina
Bases: Fort Bragg, Pope Airfield
Unlucky phone call sign: "Fort Drag," "No hope Pope"
Why it'southward not groovy: Fort Bragg is like the Kardashians -- everybody in the Army knows about it, talks about information technology, and either loves it or hates it passionately. We retrieve there is so much chatter well-nigh Fayetteville because it houses the biggest population in the Ground forces -- and the naysayers are loud simply considering in that location are and then many of them. Fayetteville is 1 of the few bases on our list that'southward located in an actual town, or as a Marine spouse in neighboring Army camp Lejeune put information technology, "at least they have a mall and a Discount Tire." Even so, soldiers insist that the place reminds them of every gainsay zone the United states of america has visited in the past four decades.
Near common escape: Charleston, Wilmington, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Myrtle Beach are all within a couples of hours' drive. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more cute neighbors in every direction (yeah, even Myrtle Beach. Muddied Myrtle has cleaned upwards its act in the past few years).
Surprise silvery lining: Besides offering easy access to both major cities and body of water views, Fayetteville might be the best identify to farther your educational activity. With Duke and UNC (among other universities) nearby, you tin can go smarter while also becoming manically invested in March Madness.
9. Lemoore, California
Base: Naval Air Station Lemoore
Unlucky call sign: Armpit of the Navy -- supposedly considering of the scent and air quality
Why it's not bang-up: Never heard of Lemoore? Yep, most haven't. Equally with virtually every other town on this list, Lemoore is nearly indiscernible on a map. It has all the usual complaints of a remote base town with one notable departure: information technology is regularly ranked amongst the nation'south worst for air pollution.
Near common escape: Nosotros could talk about the nearby cities of Visalia or Fresno, but who cares well-nigh that when the almost beautiful place on earth is literally in your lawn? Yosemite National Park is simply a couple hours north (and its great hikes!), and Kings Canyon is the same distance e. And then yeah, Lemoore might non be much to look at, but yous are only down the road from some spectacular #nofilter #views.
Surprise silverish lining: Another perk of living in the agriculture-heavy Primal Valley of California is admission to fresh, local eggs and produce through farm co-ops. Some even deliver to your door. Eating organic and local has never been easier, which is great news for anyone who has watched any documentary on factory farming, e'er.
8. Jacksonville, North Carolina
Base of operations: Campsite Lejeune
Unlucky call sign: J-actionville
Why it'due south not great: The deal breaker hither isn't the weald location or the fact that legitimate social functions are called "grunter pickins." No, the complaint we heard most often from Marines is that waaaaay too many Marines live here. Sure, there are dozens of barbers that will give y'all a tight fade, only there's really nowhere to be off duty and permit your face to fade into a five o'clock shadow. Oh, and at that place'southward as well that small thing about the contaminated drinking water.
Most common escape: Although there'due south basically zippo to do in Jacksonville except get a fresh tattoo or payday loan, Wilmington is merely an hour away, Myrtle Beach is a footling over 2, and Nicholas Sparks lives nearby where he pens novels for your romantic escapism, I mean, for your reading pleasance. You know, if you're into that kinda thing when you aren't defending the country.
Surprise argent lining: Surrounding Jacksonville are some truly charming historic and seaside towns, including New Bern, Swansboro, and the Emerald Isle. For those that like to hunt and fish, there are plenty of outdoor activities. For those who are vegetarian, Godspeed.
vii. El Paso, Texas
Base: Fort Bliss
Unlucky telephone call sign: "Fort Piss," "Hell Paso"
Why it's not great: The base with the most misleading proper name, Fort Bliss is located in the edge boondocks of El Paso, Texas. Also the unique cultural tensions of living in a border town, service members reported that Fort Elation was hot, isolated, and subject to sandstorms. So, it'due south similar Aladdin, except without a genie to assist you.
Most common escape: Ruidoso, New Mexico offers all sorts of outdoor activities plus a casino and horse racetrack. The hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque is also within accomplish, but it will have you at least eleven attempts to spell Albuquerque correctly earlier your GPS will be any help.
Surprise argent lining: From what we can tell, Fort Bliss has the best on-base civilities of whatever armed forces installation ANYWHERE. Because everything is bigger in Texas, the mail has the largest on-base of operations bowling aisle, fitness center, and Postal service Exchange (PX) in the whole Army. Too worth mentioning: Liberty Crossing, the first-ever, on-base, open-air shopping centre offers tons of restaurants and shops.
half-dozen. Fort Drum, New York
Base: Fort Drum
Unlucky call sign: Fort Drunk (due to the number of alcohol-related incidents on base in the 1990s)
Why it's non great: As the old joke goes, Fort Drum has two seasons: winter and July. Located on the Canadian border, winters here are long and brutal as the snow piles upwards and temps dip down to xxx below. It'south like the North Pole in a world where Santa doesn't exist. Very cold and very sad.
Almost common escape: Syracuse is the closest town, although Lake Placid, Niagara Falls, and Montreal are a piddling over 3 hours away. And since that Canadian border is only thirty minutes abroad, you're never in curt supply of maple syrup.
Surprise silver lining: The manner to survive Fort Pulsate is to bundle up, get outside, and get-go adding 'water ice' to the front of all your favorite activities: ice angling, water ice climbing, ice walking, ice dining. There'southward skiing at Dry Hill, tubing at Maple Ridge Snow Park, and enough to explore in the Adirondack Mountains. In the summertime, you can even hit the beach on the shores of Lake Ontario for some exciting... ice swimming!!!
v. Twentynine Palms, California
Base: Marine Corps Air Footing Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Unlucky call sign: "29 Stumps" or "The Stumps"
Why it'south not great: Marines call 'The Stumps' the place for the best grooming and arguably the worst social life. Located in the middle of nowhere the Mojave Desert, 29 Palms is where tanks outnumber sedans and sunburns happen through auto windows. Oh and for the record, Lake Bandini isn't an bodily lake. It's a poo pond created from the open sewage of a h2o handling facility.
Most common escape: If you are the rugged sort that enjoys inhaling sand and spotting rattlesnakes, in that location are miles of desert to explore on a clay bike or four-wheeler, forth with the trails and famous stone climbing available at Joshua Tree National Park.
Surprise silver lining: Although 120-degree heat brings out the best in no i, the high desert does bring out the stars in an unforgettable night sky. Word has it that the family-friendly customs here is so good that you lot don't but cry when you become there, you cry when you go out, likewise. And with Vegas, Palms Springs, Lake Havasu, Big Bear, and Los Angeles all inside a 2- to three-60 minutes drive, at that place actually are lot of places to get away.
iv. Fort Irwin, California
Base: Fort Irwin National Grooming Heart
Unlucky call sign: A string of expletives that we cannot repeat
Why it's not swell: Fort Irwin is the vast desert training area for the Army, a severe and remote mural that could hands double as the Mad Max prepare. Soldiers say the operational tempo is punishing, the unmarried ladies are few, and the nearest town is 45 minutes abroad -- and that town is Barstow, CA, a place that frequently holds the championship of "meth capital of the world."
Most common escape: Like many of the desert base towns on our list, Fort Irwin is "located in the eye of nowhere simply in the middle of everything." Big Behave, San Diego, Vegas, and LA are all within reach. And if y'all like to unwind from desert combat grooming by driving into more desert to shoot more guns and drive more than off-road vehicles, then Fort Irwin is your paradise.
Surprise silvery lining: The Barstow Tanger Outlets offering soldiers the chance to purchase their Air Jordans on disbelieve then they can article of clothing them to Shock Moving ridge, the on-base night club that shows UFC fights without cover and serves food that is "non half bad," "hit or miss," and "meh," according to Yelp! reviewers.
3. Clovis, New Mexico
Base: Cannon Air Force Base
Unlucky phone call sign: "Afcannonstan"
Why information technology's not neat: Blame the fact that Clovis is more West Texas than New Mexico, that at that place are express on-base of operations amenities, or that information technology's completely surrounded past cattle farms and dairies; but airmen know Clovis every bit a remote base town memorable for the wafting olfactory property of cow manure and the downright biblical moving ridge of pestilence known every bit 'wing flavor.'
Most common escape: Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, are the two closest cities, but we can't bring ourselves to see how this is a good matter -- unless y'all enjoy taking down 72oz of complimentary steak in an hour. But if you're 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 silverish lining: Isn't it e'er true that in the face of misery, communities pull together? In the case of Cannon AFB, solid relationships here are congenital not on entertainment or flashy dining options, but on good ol' fashioned beer, football, and common commiseration. In fact, ane airman told us that he learned how to cook at Cannon since in that location weren't whatever good restaurants. So even though the base may exist a bosom, it might just prompt plenty personal growth to make a actually excellent online dating contour.
2. Minot, North Dakota
Base: Minot Air Force Base
Unlucky phone call sign: "Why Not Minot?" It seems similar a rhetorical question, but: "Freezin's the reason."
Why information technology'south non great: Recall the water ice planet in Intersteller? The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? Minot is a missile base of operations located in a desolate region of the least-populated, most-rural, least-visited state in America, so information technology's pretty similar, dontchaknow. Average winter temps hover in the low teens in a place where cows outnumber people three to one.
Near mutual escape: Simply ninety minutes away is the World's Largest Buffalo monument, in case your version of escape is looking at a larger version of your natural surround.
Surprise silverish lining: For a while Minot was at the center of the North Dakota oil boom, jolting the local economy into overdrive, providing loads of jobs for military dependents, and causing rent prices to soar. At present that Halliburton has closed its Minot facility, jobs aren't as plentiful and rent prices are steadily decreasing. The perk? It'south cheaper to alive in the place you never wanted to!
1. Leesville, Louisiana
Base: Fort Polk
Unlucky call sign: Fort Puke
Why information technology'due south not great: The Army has some pretty terrible duty locations, simply they were more unanimous than any other branch of the service on which post qualified as THE WORST. 1 soldier put it this way, "If God had to give the Earth an enema, he would attach the hose to Fort Polk." Yeesh. Nigh blame the misery on the humidity, the bugs, or the fact that concatenation gangs are non at all uncommon in this swampy, far-from-everything boondocks.
Most common escape: Lake Charles and Alexandria, both proper towns, are well-nigh an hour abroad. And New Orleans is a v-hour drive, and so at least you lot can become a beignet for your troubles.
Surprise silver lining: In contempo years, Fort Polk's base civilities have undergone an impressive facelift. On-base housing is rumored to exist prissy and the mail boasts a make new commissary, PX, and a really expert infirmary. So if you're unimpressed by Louisiana, at least you can benefit from some military-issued, updated hospitality.
Correction: The original version of this article inadvertently reversed the order of the towns and ranked Fayetteville #1 instead of #10. We're sorry, Fayetteville -- you didn't deserve that. The electric current version has been updated to reflect the change.
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Bekah DiFelice is a writer, war machine spouse, and recovering addict to the word "literally." You lot can find her riding her Vespa around San Diego, on Facebook and Instagram at @bekahdifelice, or on her blog bekahdifelice.com.
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Source: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/the-us-military-towns-you-definitely-dont-want-to-be-stationed-in-ranked
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