Unfair, unreasonable and ridiculous

Sounds like some of the posts have gotten a little off-track here -- the original staement here was why do some get to "move in" (homestead)while others have to wait or rotate, or stay a short period.

We've all (most anyway) agree that active/deployed and medical stays are acceptions to the rule. But the complaint I have, and others too it seems, is that some "retired's" stay at the MCG's because it saves them money (or mayb they just like the area, or are too lazy to move) and that is not a good reason to displace others who earned the right to use the MCG's when available and equally with all the others that have no "special reasons" (see above) to stay longer. We should all share in what we earned -- and no one individual earned any more time or space than the others, so should abide by the rules. Take some time, enjoy the MCG, then move on so others can enjoy it too -- don't plant a garden or a tree and claim ownership ...

well here I am, my first real post....I don't know what to say... I'm putting together my 2008 8 month trip to 23 states to golf, sightsee, collect the state ball and when finished will have golfed in all 50 states. I belong to good sam and passport america. I have already contacted several military rec reps and have had 4 respond in one week. have made four reservations. Lets be realistic...some are so small or dirty I don't want to stay there. so i move down the road. I stay a week or so, make some new friends and move on. Yes I've seen plenty of homesteaders.....and yes some of them are really trashy people.... a nice letter of concern to the Chief, rec center with a copy to the Post Command Sgt Major and Post commander has always gotten me a response from the three of them. Remember I said a nice letter... When I returned just to have a look see things had improved greatly.... We are "allowed "to stay there!!!!! We did our time, but come on... some of the kids in these places can't afford to pay the rent in town, but do want their family with them... wish I would have thought about it 40 years ago... I would have been one of those that everyone is mad at. Lets just continue to enjoy the things we still have as benifits when they are availible.

Homesteading is an interesting topic. As fairly recent fulltimers we have been intrigued (perhaps not incensed as some here seem to be) by what we have found. There are places out there that have no policy to prevent homesteading, or, if they do, there is a loophole that keeps it from being enforced. (I'm thinking Hanscom AFB, MA)

Our most recent stay was at Fort Sam in San Antonio, one of our favorites. They have the policy of staying one month, then you must move out for 7 days. From what I've been told and can see, they enforce it. They have also added some paved sites in an area that used to be reserved for tents and therefore were rarely used. If all campgrounds took their lead, it would be a fair system for all. Of course, Ft. Sam is so nice they stay pretty full. Maybe the others need those homesteaders....

This is my first on this part of site have only rated parks in past. The overall problem seems to me to start at the managment level of each park. Whoever is earning a paycheck for running the office is content and never causes any waves. The base commander is not concerned with us retired folks. It seems that each campground has its staff and they do not do much. If these same people were out in the real world running campgrounds they would not last in the job very long. But same old story employed for UNCLE and anything goes just get to work each day and you will get paid. So far I have found one person, a retired dependent wife who had some concern and improved the ground she was running. Otherwise it is usually just given to anyone who needs a job and most times the results can be seen as how the grounds are run. Bottom line is you are not going to change much no matter who you complain to. This site is the best tool you have and just keep adding current info and rating the grounds as you use them.

The overall problem seems to me to start at the managment level of each park. Whoever is earning a paycheck for running the office is content and never causes any waves. It seems that each campground has its staff and they do not do much. But same old story employed for UNCLE and anything goes just get to work each day and you will get paid.

Not sure I can agree with you based on our limited experience. So far we have stayed at six military campgrounds, five Navy and one AF.

The AF site had a host and co-host, both retiree's, who ran the whole show. Never saw any manager connected to the base.

Of the Navy campgrounds two were operated by retired Navy Chief Petty Officer's. They both did a exceptional job to make the campgrounds fair and were run properly. Two more were operated by civilian managers in the main office but had on site host who were retiree's and very helpful. The other one had civilian management in an office away from the campground and we never saw an on-site host or manager, but even then the campground was well maintained with a two week limit rule.

The only problem we have run into was the one AF Campground we could not get into in Florida due to the six month rule. It was filled with snow-birds and we were told on the phone not to even show up since they had no room for short time stays. Have no idea who operates this one since we didn't go.

Old Chief -- that Florida CG you mentioned is probably MacDill, which has had that same policy in effect for as long as I can remember. Some just sign up when they leave for the following year as you can make reservations a year in advance. So, it makes getting in there difficult unless you plan a year ahead. MacDill fills up with Snow-birds who go north for the summer, and back to MacDill for the winter...

I've stayed there quite a few times in the off-seasons, and it's okay then -- but the winter (Jan-April) you're pretty much in over-flow if you want any time in the Tampa area.