"Homesteading"

First off - I agree that homesteading should not be allowed on the more popular campgrounds. However, if homesteader's weren't allowed at most, then most would have to close the campground. Those persistent tenants are the ones who ensure the lights remain on and that MWR sees some sort of profit. No profit - no campground.

Second - I note that most of the complainers are retirees. That's because most of us active duty know how hard it is right now to find a reasonable place to live. The civilianization of base housing has made it a nasty place to live and you don't spend enough time in one place nowadays to buy a home. So instead of buying a house that you're going to sell in 2 years and loose a substantial amount of money, buy a RV and make use of an otherwise unused campground.

Third - Most of us active duty are two income families. Meaning a spouse with a career who would take a significant job cut if they were to pick up and move each time we transferred stations. So the trend nowadays is for the civilian spouse to remain stable in one area and the military member to geo-bach. BAH is only paid to one side of the family so the military person finds a cheap place to live (since the BEQ/BOQ is no longer an option). Whala - RV at a campground is the answer.

No, I'm not a homesteader but I love the WalMart parking lot while traveling.

QUOTE: "However, if homesteader's weren't allowed at most, then most would have to close the campground. Those persistent tenants are the ones who ensure the lights remain on and that MWR sees some sort of profit. No profit - no campground."

I believe you find that the complaints are about the campgrounds that are full all the time regardless of the homesteaders -- so, would remain viable anyway. The main complaint as I see it is that the homesteaders fill up sites that should be available to everyone to share time.

More than likely, no one will complain if he/she gets a spot to camp in any base campground. But, the homesteaders take too many of the spots in the "best" [AKA warm winter] campgrounds ... and that is where the unfairness emerges. No one complains if the CG has spaces available -- it becomes a problem for everyone, not just the retired, when homesteaders take over and fill a CG so that no spaces are open to "temporary" camping. "Homesteading sites" should ONLY be available for renewal when no one is waiting in overflow -- then it would not be an issue -- the problem occurs because some some wait in overflow while "homesteaders" continue in the same spot, hogging the FHU sites without rotating. If the sites are full, then "homesteaders" should rotate like every one else -- it's the special treatment that upsets the transient campers.

And once again -- we all pretty much agree that medical or active-duty treansfer issues can be determined on a case by case basis without bias ...

I don't know if ResQChief9 is rubbing anyone else wrong but he sure is becoming a thorn under my saddle. I don't post much, but I read a lot and belong to a lot of boards. This guy has been a member for a short time and he seems to have an issue with retirees. In this discussion he refers to retirees as "complainers. He's made six posts. In two others, he suggests retirees "go down the road to the KOA. By his own admission, he's had problems in two military campgrounds and the camp hosts have had to talk to him about his childrens behavior but he faults the camp hosts and old foggy campers. I think there IS a problem with HIM and military campgrounds but I don't think it's with the retirees or the camp hosts. Take a moment and review his other 5 posts. I'm a Retiree, camping in military campgrounds, enjoying the company of my fellow campers and appreciating what the host camper do.

Wait until he retires then he'll be just another complaining retiree.

I would think the base commander should get some notification also as the mwr and campground manager is usually both civilian and will cover for each other.

Joe

floridakamper - If you're going to quote me, please don't take the quote out of context. My issue is not with retirees, only with retirees (or any other person, for that matter) that act like jerks. Campgrounds are supposed to be place to bring your family for fun and relaxation. Not for people deciding that 1900 hrs (that's 7 pm in case you forgot) is the time for bed and all children should be indoors and in bed. My children (and my base Commanders children), by the way, were sitting at the picnic table playing cards on the first occassion and roasting marsh mellows by the campfire on the second. Both times was 1900-1930ish. Were they laughing? Hell yes they were. Having fun, just like children should do when out with family and friends. My comment about the KOA was - if you're going to treat the campground like a sub-division, then take it down the road to the KOA.

So, retirees - this isn't directed at the 99.9% of you who haven't forgot what it's like to raise a family in the military. My complaint is with those who aren't happy if they're not complaining (whether retiree, active duty, or civilian). Keep campground fun! When I finish my next tour I plan to join your ranks and tour America. Looking forward to becoming part of the elite.