need suggestions on new duty station

[mattttt25]

will finally be rolling out of aanapolis in just under one year. will be talking with the detailer in the next week or so. checked the billet list and have a pretty good idea of what is available.<br /><br />looking for advise on these locations, based on how well they are suited for general boating and fishing (prefer open water, bay, ocean fishing). i've been to a few, but rather hear others opinions. keep in mind i have a 20' cc, but may be buying a 23-26' walk. any other opinions or useful info is appreciated.<br /><br />- Atlanta, GA<br />- Port Hueneme, CA<br />- Gulfport, MS<br />- Keflavic, Iceland<br />- Sigonella, Sicilli<br /><br />thanks-

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Gulfport is a good location for saltwater fishing. Bays and Gulf of Mexico plus the river systems that feed them if you ever want to get into some fresh water. Many of the folks at the Gulfport station live in Mobile which is about 50 miles East on I-10. I understand the casinos in Biloxi/Gulfport have driven up housing prices considerably, but it hasn't affected Mobile which has a low cost of living. Mild winters but very hot, humid summers. Boating can be year- round, but most saltwater folks keep it to around nine months.<br /> I personnally would not live in Atlanta on a bet. Crowded, traffic is a nightmare,and the only places to boat are the large lakes which are also crowded.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

thanks jack. i think gulfport is a good bet for the boating/fishing thing. just don't know if i can handle 2 years in the south (no offense anyone).<br /><br />let's also add jacksonville, fl.

 

[gsbodine]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Iceland's absolutely gorgeous, but the boating would be difficult to say the least as when it's cold (which is 50 weeks out of the year, t seems) it's *real* cold and the wind blows like you wouldn't believe. Sure would hate to have an accident anywhere out there. The harbor in Reykjavik is awesome though. Keflavik's a little ways out from it though and there really ain't anything else but nature and *very* small villages in between.<br /><br />I keep my boat at Lake Lanier (Atlanta), so I'm there frequently. It's a beautiful lake in a lot of ways, but you do have to take advantage of it during the week because it does get very crowded on the weekend and holidays are madhouses. Here are some pictures (low res, but I have better ones) that we took last week:<br /><br /> http://psogos.com/boat/day.html <br /><br />The water is crystal clear, even though it's hard to tell in some of these. Obviously, there weren't too many other boats around as you can see from the background. I enjoy fishing there, too. The lake is generally deep (certainly NO worries about how big your boat is). <br /><br />I can't speak to any of the other locations, but I sure did like the time (brief it was) that I got to see Italy.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

I have been in seven different countries during my stay with the military..Depending on how your other half feels and if she gets to accompany i would see some sights outside the USA..You may never have another chance..<br /><br />I remember the dream sheets of long ago..Five choices and not one of them did i ever get..Always seemed that they always sent me in the opposite direction..No matter where they send you Matt goodluck or should I now say "Sir"..

 

[JB]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

I think you would find the culture of Gulfport cosmopolitan, Mattttt, but it is still very hot and humid in the Summer. Spring, Fall and Winter are awfully nice there.<br /><br />For myself, I don't think I could turn down a tour in Sicily.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

You are correct, JB. The coastal areas of the Southern states are very different from the rest of the state. It's a common misconception that the entire state is just alike, whatever your perception may be.

 

[crab bait]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

sicily huh...what they make you a deal you couldn't refuse..?? ..

 

[Whaler Proud]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Port Hueneme is a great place to be. You are close enough to all of the Los Angeles ports (and the fishing is great off of So. Cal) but far enough north of the LA basin to feel almost rural.

 

[Link]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Having spent 14 years active duty Army and 17 different countries later. And then the rest with Navy reserves and 5 more countries I'd say pick Keflavic, Iceland or Sigonella, Sicilli just because you can.. Not for baoting or fishing but just because you can. But as always talk to your spouse! My wife goes on active duty next year and I'd be glad if it were Iceland.. Santa's deer should taste good! ")

 

[mattttt25]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

thanks for the info. although i asked about the boating thing, i did want to hear some opinions of the places in general. right now unless i change it, i'm headed to port hueneme and nmcb 3. another operational tour. best move for my career at this point. probably end up somewhere hot and sandy at some point.

 

[JoeW]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

I agree with gonfishn!<br />I would go for sicily just because it would be an oportunity I would probably never get again. I spent three years in W.Germany during my tour. I never got to fishin while I was there, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. <br /><br />My second choice would probably be Gulfport. I've never been to either place. That's why I would pick them.<br />-Joe

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Must be nice to have a choice I was always told..."Report to Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base _________ <br /><br />Is this an "accompanied tour" that you will get to bring the new missus on? If it is take her to Sicily, show her the world.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

yes, accompanied tour. like i said, it looks like naval mobile construction battalion 3 out of port hueneme, ca. not a bad place, considering i'll deploy a few times anyway.<br /><br />i may also have a chance to get a billet with the white house military office. work at the white house or camp david, and do a lot of traveling. also no uniform for a couple years, would have to buy quite a few suits.<br /><br />either way, looks like boating may be put on hold for a few years.

 

[dogsdad]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

I spent two six-month stretches at Sigonella. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone expecting to use a boat. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I liked at all.<br /><br /><br />-dd-

 

[oddjob]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Mattt, I was homeported in gulfport, went to A school in Huenene. Didnt do alot of boating then. Just a little w/ Special Services Rentals but only in the back bays. My fishing buddie grew up there (GP), and hes there right now visiting, fishing and training for the faa up in Oklahoma during the week.<br /><br />I was there 2 years ago w/ him for mardi gras(sp) and met most of his family. Nothin has changed much there in 20 years except the Casinos. The off shore fishin there is excelent and many islands to camp the weekends. Theres a marina there a mile from the base. The food is out of this world and plenty for cheap. New Orleans is 1 hour away. It gets sticky hot in the summer.<br /><br />But if you think you dont like the south you may feel somewhat alien. You may prefer CAL. <br /><br />Italy would be great also, but you may see it anyway if you deploy on a detachment with MNCB 3. You have some great choices. Good luck.<br /><br />Can do ...Have done...Oj

 

[tylerin]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

Port Hueneme is 20 minutes from my house. I fish out of Oxnard which is right next store. The CB's host a youth baseball tournament every year and the fellows I have been involved with over there are great group of guys. Fishing is great weathers great, but if you venture off base you'll need to brush up on your Spanish.

 

[Scooby]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

I'm with dogsdad, I did a 3 year tour in Sigonella and flew back there on deployments, I would not wish that place on my worst enemy. I did an accompanied tour and it sucked bad for her and worse for me. It's not like the movies. If you have a chance to go overseas, head in the other direction and you will enjoy it much more.<br />Good luck with your career.

 

[oddjob]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

but if you venture off base you'll need to brush up on your Spanish.

and maybe self defence if you in uniform and alone...but that was twenty years ago...seems like yesterday..

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: need suggestions on new duty station

R U kidding? Italy!!!!!! <br />CA sucks dude! and the women in both scicily and<br />greece... belissimo!