monkey44 wrote: I suspect part of the problem with the "homesteading' idea - some bases allow DOD to stay, and some allow AD to stay and for long periods beyond the 'allowed stay'. In many cases, taxpayers are funding housing at a specific rate based on local rentals for both AD and DOD. When either category stays at the MC's for less $$$ than local housing, then pockets the extra leftover dollars. That might be considered "cheating', because the MCG's are for recreation stays, NOT full-time housing, especially when it involves those site occupants putting tax-free funds in their own bank accounts.
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And, another complaint illustrates many full-timers staying in a site as a personal campsite. And when we have enough full-timers using those sites, then in fact it means many recreation campers can't use the campsites for recreation. it always seems to come down to the money, instead of the original purpose of campgrounds - and the reason any one individual uses the campgrounds usually indicates on which side of the wall he/she falls.
Part of the problems arises when the ability for the CO to decide which is best for that command - sometimes, personal preferences influence how that decision gets made. IF the CO camps, the campground wins, if the CO golfs, the golf course wins, if the CO fishes, the marinas win.
So, back to the MCG issue, some campers abuse the privilege, and over stay to save $$$ - that's never a good reason for the majority, and only benefits that individual. We all earned the same benefits, and when one individual or group interferes with the benefit another earned,then it becomes selfish and self-interest.
To add a personal thought here - any time there is no housing available for AD,t hen AD and family should get preference - other than that, it's not ever a good reason to overstay and hog the campground sites for an extended time.
Sickening IMO when I see active duty types whom are paid/provided for with allowances and they game the system buying fifth wheel campers, trucks and homestead/squat paying cheap base campground fees pocketing extra $$$...becomes especially insulting when they come on websites like this trying to sell the idea this conduct is acceptable much less how it's enriching their kids lives as they now have $$$ for their kids music, dance whatever classes since they're living substandard in a camper at a campground among transient communities instead of base housing communities where military families belong as they should be. This is how a lot of campground drama starts, dependant wives & dependant kids thinking they're residents in a transient community whom are priority/have seniority over traveling veterans.
Hawkeyewife wrote: It would be great if the military embraced this lifestyle for folks that are looking for a minimalistic (or as my daughter puts it, smaller carbon footprint) way of life. Think of how much less PCS costs would be if even 10% of AD families were given this option? We have four kids and moved from our five bedroom base house (where we paid full BAH plus additional utility costs that varied not based upon consumption but a rather arbitrary billing system based upon comparison of homes in our community which could be occupied or unoccupied) into a 425 sq ft fifth wheel two years ago. We will retire here so PCS costs won't be saved in our case but we are in a much better financial place having downsized before retirement than after.
