You have orders to Southeast Arizona! Living out west may be going home for you or, like many military families, it might be a brand new adventure. Living in a desert climate can be quite a different experience if you have never done it before. Knowledge of Arizona geography is usually limited to the Grand […]
Maybe you’ve been able to avoid the assignment for several years, or have been dying to move to the area, but now the orders are official! If you are depending on a typical duty station experience, you may be disappointed. Most agree the National Capital Region is unlike any duty station you’ve had in the […]
PCSing to coastal California is a dream assignment to some: beautiful weather, an abundance of things to see and do, and the Pacific ocean! And yes… there is also a higher cost of living than many areas you may have lived before. It means being stationed at the home of the 1st Marine Division, the […]
So you’ve accepted orders and are PCS’ing to Texas A&M at College Station. Gig’Em! Here’s the information you need to make your A&M tour rock: PERTINENT INFO College Station is one half of a set of twin cities known as Bryan-College Station. The twin cities are the 11th largest metropolitan area in Texas, but you […]
The Fort Belvoir homepage states: “A list of the organizations who call Fort Belvoir home reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of the Department of Defense.” Often in the shadow of the Pentagon, there is perhaps no other Army installation in the world that can compare to Fort Belvoir’s diverse mix of commands, activities and agencies. […]
Nestled near the tip of Southern Maryland lies Naval Air Station Patuxent River better known as PAX River, home to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), it is called the place where the future of naval aviation begins. While being in the forefront for naval aviation is NAS Pax […]
Welcome to Fort Campbell, home of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault.). Fort Campbell has the 5th largest military population in the Army. With about 30,000 active duty soldiers plus their families stationed here, the area has a lot to offer a military family. Read below to get a feel for your new duty station […]
Aloha e komo mai to beautiful Hawaii – Hello and welcome to your next great PCS adventure! The island of O’ahu has a population of over 950,000 and is home to almost 50,000 military personnel. Additionally, there are ten active military bases in Hawaii. Each branch of service, including the Coast Guard, is represented. Included […]
Fort Benning is one of the most iconic Army installations as it’s the home of the Maneuver Center of Excellence. In fact, the majority of the Army’s soldiers have been to Fort Benning for either Basic Training or a military school at some point or another. So if you haven’t been stationed here before, lighten […]
You officially have orders for Fort Riley – now what? Research your new duty station of course! Read below about all that Fort Riley has to offer you and your family and then hop over to PCSgrades.com to read reviews on base housing, neighborhoods, and more or let the PCSgrades team connect you with a […]
YOUR MCAS MIRAMAR PCS GUIDE If you’re PCSing to Southern California, specifically MCAS Miramar, then you’re in for a treat. The weather is usually always sunny and warm. There are a ton of things to keep yourself entertained, and being right on the ocean means there are lots of beaches to enjoy. The cost of […]
Alaska has been called the “Last Frontier” and being stationed here means you are in for a unique experience. Fort Wainwright is considered an overseas tour. Additionally, if your dependents want to accompany you to Alaska, your PCS orders must say “concurrent travel” and each family member’s name must be listed on your orders. The […]
PCS orders to Fort Bragg? Welcome to Coastal North Carolina! Bragg is famously known as the home of the 82nd Airborne Division, but it also houses Special Operations Forces, 18th Airborne Corps, Air Force, and PsyOps. It is one of the largest Army installations in the world and is home to more than 50,000 active […]
Fort Knox is a great place to live with a ton of things to do in the area. The installation may be on the small side, but it has very important missions for the Army, including being home to Cadet Command and the Human Resources Command. YOUR FORT KNOX AREA GUIDE Fort Knox features the […]
Is Eastern North Carolina your next destination in this fabulous adventure we love to call military life? Well, welcome to the Crystal Coast! Camp Lejeune, North Carolina is located so close to the beach that we actually have one on the base! Let’s dive into what you need to know about living in the heart […]
Welcome to the Crossroads of the Marine Corps! There are approximately 4,000 military service members and their families living in Quantico VA. It is home to the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Training and Education Command (TECOM). The TECOM includes the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS), The Basic School (TBS), Marine Corps […]
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is the only active Air Force Base in North Carolina, since the Army took over Pope AFB at Fort Bragg. It is situated in Goldsboro, NC and is home to over 4,000 service members. PCSING TO SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB? Seymour Johnson AFB was activated in 1942 and deactivated in 1946. […]
Fort Lewis (known as Joint Base Lewis-McChord) has an almost 100-year history in the Pacific Northwest. What started out to be a small fort, has grown into one of the world’s largest military complexes. Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) was established by congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, ordering […]
So, you have orders to Fort Drum? Climb to Glory! While you may be concerned about the weather, Fort Drum has incredible sights, unique experiences, and even another country nearby (Canada is a day trip!), making it a unique duty station! If you give Fort Drum a chance, it has so much to offer! Let’s […]
New assignment MCAS Cherry Point? Lucky You! Being stationed at MCAS Cherry Point means enjoying all the highlights of coastal Carolina in one setting. MOVING TO CHERRY POINT, NC WHERE IS MCAS CHERRY POINT? Cherry Point, home of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, is firmly rooted in the Croatan National Forest near Havelock between Morehead City […]
MCAS New River shares the town of Jacksonville, North Carolina with Camp Lejeune. And all of the amenities and perks that come with living on Lejeune also come with being stationed on MCAS New River. New River is bordered by the New River, and a small highway, US-17. Traffic is always very light, primarily if […]
Welcome to Nellis AFB, Home of the Thunderbirds! Las Vegas is a melting pot of people and cultures. Finding a native can be difficult. With most of the residents working in hospitality or for the military, this town has a very friendly feel. Let’s dive in and learn more about your new duty station. WHERE […]
Fort Jackson is home to the United States Army Training Center, the Army’s most active training station. This post trains 50 percent of all soldiers and 60 percent of the women who enter the Army each year. As the base motto says, “Victory Starts Here.” Fort Jackson is also home to 165th Infantry Brigade, 193rd […]
No question, Florida is a fun place to live, in spite of the frequency for hurricanes and the humidity that may affect your Yuma-perfected hairstyle. But when the orders come down for Naval Air Station Jacksonville or Naval Station Mayport, you may find yourself with more questions than answers. WHERE IS JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA? The area […]
So, you got orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Congratulations! You are about to enjoy a few years in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. Yes, it can be expensive here. The rush hour traffic is something you’ll learn how to navigate. But the wonderful climate, landscape, and access to […]
