Look at what matters most to you, and then research if those amenities and interests are present in the duty station location. It regularly ranks in the Top 5 Air Force bases in the country. For example, a staff sergeant without dependents in L.A. gets a monthly BAH of $1,704 and a chief master sergeant without dependents gets $2,373. The base often runs out of supplies at the PX and has been considered not family-friendly. Average winter temps hover in the low teens in a place where cows outnumber people three to one.Most common escape: Only ninety minutes away is the Worlds Largest Buffalo monument, in case your version of escape is looking at a larger version of your natural surroundings.Surprise silver lining:For a while Minot was at the center of the North Dakota oil boom, jolting the local economy into overdrive, providing loads of jobs for military dependents, and causing rent prices to soar. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. In other words, Fayetteville is the awkward neighborhood kid surrounded by cooler, more beautiful neighbors in every direction (yes, even Myrtle Beach. - now a Space Force base Peterson AFB, CO - now a Space Force base Andrews AFB, MD. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Egyptian Air Force - 1,062. Best area perk? South Korean Air Force - 898. Best area perk? In an interview, Debra Westervelt, Hanscom's capital asset manager, acknowledged that the Bedford housing market is "pretty tight," and said many airmen assigned there choose to live on base for that reason. It is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters. There are about 26,000 US military. BestPlaces.net's cost of living score for nearbyEl Segundo, California, is 218, more than double the nationwide average of 100. American Airlines. Travel comes easy as you can reach Japan and Korea in a few short hours. The unique wildlife that calls Alaska home. Hanscom has a total workforce of 5,828, including 922 active duty service members and 92 reservists. This is a large base that does not have a lot of Westernized shopping. The Air Force also offers multiple programs for tuition assistance to airmen. The base is rural yet only about an hour from London as well as other countries in the area like Scotland. Being that its Los Angeles, and very close to LAX airport, its a fairly pricey area especially if you choose to live off post. Most blame the misery on the humidity, the bugs, or the fact that chain gangs are not at all uncommon in this swampy, far-from-everything town.Most common escape: Lake Charles and Alexandria, both proper towns, are about an hour away. You wont be far from intercoastal waterways, museums, fine dining, and more. Located just outside Abilene, Texas, Dyess Air Force base was voted the worst among Task & Purpose readers. After much consideration, these are the five bases that should count as a deployment if they manage to survive the next round of base closures. U.S. Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division practice ground fighting techniques during a deployment for training exercise at Twentynine Palms, CA., Feb. 22, 2018U.S. Consequently, narrowing down a list of hundreds of overseas USAF bases is not a simple matter. Best Military Bases for Outdoor Enthusiasts 1. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. But if youre not, and are willing to drive a bit further, Sante Fe, New Mexico offers galleries, museums, badass psychedelic funhouses/art collectives, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains -- popular for hiking, biking, and skiing.Surprise silver lining: Isnt it always true that in the face of misery, communities pull together? Unlike many other military bases, this one has a great cost of living its actually 18% lower than the U.S. national average. Yes, some bases may be better for certain demographics, so prior to having to pick your dream list, do a bit of research. Its also open seven days a week, so youre able to relax on this piece of paradise on your days off. If want to live off base, keep in mind the cost of living is high for junior enlisted families in particular, but youll likely find yourself in gorgeous historic neighborhoods. Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun. And the last four categories pollution levels, climate, unemployment rates and sales taxes got no additional weighting. A nearby town or city with fun things to do. Though the weather isnt terrific its still a fantastic place to get stationed if you have to go outside the United States. Korean People's Army Air Force ( North Korea) - 946. Youll never regret a day at Lackland if you are single and looking to mingle. This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. To compile our ranking of 68 Air Force bases, we collected and analyzed hundreds of pieces of information. The press is silent, and people don't know they're being poisoned. Jason Do has been stationed at Columbus for five years and called it "one of the worst bases" in the Air Force. Florida. The average commute in the Washington area is roughly half an hour, and hits nearly 40 minutes in the area right around Bolling well longer than the average 25-minute commute nationwide. And since that Canadian border is only 30 minutes away, youre never in short supply of maple syrup.Surprise silver lining: The way to survive Fort Drum is to bundle up, get outside, and start adding ice to the front of all your favorite activities: ice fishing, ice climbing, ice walking, ice dining. (tied) McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. In our survey, it ended up with one of the highest school rankings 8 out of 10 the lowest crime ratesreceiving 9 points out of 10, far greater than the nationwide average of 6 and lowest unemployment rates 3.9 percent compared with 6.1 percent nationally. Top 10 Largest Air Forces in the World (by number of Military Aircraft) - Flight International 2022: United States Air Force - 5,217. If youre getting ready to pick your dream list for your very first duty station, you may be a little unsure of what locations to choose for your top choices. Barrancas Beach is a private stretch of waterfront located on base. 5. Single soldiers, in particular, will love Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS), an organization where soldiers can volunteer and participate in leisure activities together. 1. GreatSchools evaluates schools on a 10-point scale based on a combination of their standardized test scores, whether students are improving from year to year, and college readiness, defined as how well students take and score on SAT and ACT tests, and their graduation rates. All Rights Reserved. According to some respondents, its an overly religious area with a high number of evangelical Christian churches. You can increase your odds of success by helping your family relocate to a place with affordable housing, family-friend amenities, good schools, and low crime rates. A new report of the 100 U.S. cities with the highest rates of sexually transmitted disease lists seven military towns in the top 20, all Air Force and Army installations.. A study published . There is a lot to do on the island and the people are very friendly. Sweltering summers the average high temperature in July hits an always-muggy 89 degrees and high crime rates in the District of Columbia also dragged Bolling's score down. The former England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana was the most severely contaminated place we visited, with 10,970,000 parts per trillion of PFAS in the groundwater. Enjoy one of our high quality American, State . Luke AFB is a major training facility for the military branch and has excellent amenities. The base's commissary is small, its only medical facility is a clinic, and its small exchange is just a shoppette. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Based on Air Force Times research, these are the five least-popular . Meanwhile, others like single personnel have quick access to St. Louis and a variety of entertainment options. Near Washington, D.C., Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is unpopular among airmen. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. And it's hot, too. Low housing costs and phenomenal support from the local community makes Luke AFB an ideal place for military families. We think there is so much chatter about Fayetteville because it houses the biggest population in the Army -- and the naysayers are loud simply because there are so many of them. The 9 percent sales tax and 7.6 percent unemployment rate are also high. Pick a direction and go. Learn more about Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort here. Since there's no chow hall, he tries to find healthy foods off base. Located in St. Clair County, Illinois, Scott Air Force Base tops the list of the best Air Force Bases in the U.S. overall. Keep in mind its very competitive to get stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson but savor the opportunity if it presents itself. Wichita, KA. So, its like Aladdin, except without a genie to help you.Most common escape: Ruidoso, New Mexico offers all sorts of outdoor activities plus a casino and horse racetrack. Also, according to residents, the smell from a nearby water treatment plant makes the area very undesirable, especially during the hot and humid summers. As the only active-duty military base in New England, spokesman Justin Oakes said, Hanscom hosts many civilians and service members from other branches of the military, which also leads to a high occupancy rate on base. The veteran poverty rate is 15.1%, the eighth highest in the nation, and VA expenditures are among the 10 lowest cities. The United States currently operates 59 active Air Force bases. Answer (1 of 26): I've been hearing from plenty of Air Force retirees that Minot is THE worst. 7. The commissary isnt great and the types of food are limited. The one that turned Matt Damon into a bad guy? And an Arlington, Virginia, house hits a punishing median cost of $583,400 well over triple the $170,100 median home cost nationwide. Fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopters) aircraft types are factored in from all branches of service (Air Force, Army Aviation, Navy, Marine). Base: Fort PolkUnlucky call sign: Fort PukeWhy it's not great: The Army has some pretty terrible duty locations, but they were more unanimous than any other branch of the service on which post qualified as THE WORST. You are forced to travel to an Army base an hour and a half away to go to the commissary or shop. For those who are vegetarian, Godspeed. If youre traveling near the Delta Junction area, keep your eye out for rare sightings of wild buffalo. However, I enjoy the prospect of increasing my odds of being stationed somewhere deemed suitable. An island, Okinawa is just about 70 miles long and an average of seven miles wide. As far as Navy bases in Florida go, its tough to beat that. On-base housing is rumored to be nice and the post boasts a brand new commissary, PX, and a really good hospital. 8. Related: What Is Accrued . McConnell's crime score was 3 out of a possible 10, lower than the nationwide average score of 6. And New Orleans is a five-hour drive, so at least you can get a beignet for your troubles.Surprise silver lining: In recent years, Fort Polks base amenities have undergone an impressive facelift. Melanye Martinez. No more Tattoo Taboo: Air Force and Space Force to allow neck and hand tats, How will I do when that time comes? Some even deliver to your door. For those that like to hunt and fish, there are plenty of outdoor activities. When you arent working, swing by MWR to snag clearance tickets to Miami Dolphins games and other attractions like concerts, shows, and sports events in Miami. And Do said the Basic Allowance for Housing in the Columbus area he gets $807 a month is far too low for airmen to live on. Do said Columbus' exchange is horrible, and he usually goes to Wal-Mart instead. Serving the United States Air Force could land you in one of these premium locations depending on what you are seeking during service. Sometimes you end up drawing the short straw when it comes to military assignment locations. The weather is great as well as the beaches. As for day-to-day operations, the commands area of responsibility includes Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, including U.S. resources located in those areas. Eglin Air Force Base. The current version has been updated to reflect the change. From misplaced nuclear weapons to security forces losing grenades, this snowy wonderland has suck tattooed on its forehead. Everything on base is within walking distance, which is perfect for those who dont have transportation, including the commissary, barber shop, automotive shop, chapels, and a fitness center. Related Article Best Army Bases for Families, Couples and Singles. By Altus, Oklahoma Cannon, New Mexico Dyess, Texas (to replace with Grand Forks) Eielson, Alaska Ellsworth, South Dakota (convinced-removed) Ft.Polk, Louisiana Holloman, New Mexico Malmstrom, Montana Minot, North Dakota (edit-How did I forget??) Whether you love Antebellum architecture or visiting historic sites, you arent far from old-style charm when youre stationed at Beaufort. It isnt technically an AFB, so they dont have the normal base facilities that you would typically see. Langley AFB, VA Randolph AFB TX MacDill AFB, FL Charleston AFB, SC Patrick AFB, FL. And at the end of each school year, Pizarro said, Bedford High School holds a party for students whose families are transferring away from Hanscom, which is attended by base leaders. Base: Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine PalmsUnlucky call sign: 29 Stumps or The StumpsWhy it's not great: Marines call The Stumps the place for the best training and arguably the worst social life. Team Little Rock Airmen help landscape the dormitory parking lot for Dorm Transform at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas July 17, 2020. On your off-duty days, you can do everything from tasting the best key lime pie around to snorkeling, diving, or fishing off the coastline. Shop here and skip paying sales tax on everything from electronics to groceries. Yet these are the top Air Force bases overseas relying on the same factors as the top-rated in the U.S.: Anderson AFB also serves as naval headquarters yet is largely considered the premier place to live and serve overseas in the USAF. | All the bases are on flat land no matter what terrain is surrounding it. If you find yourself stationed on the beautiful island of Oahu, consider yourself among the lucky few who get this coveted duty station. Housing is also surprisingly affordable in parts of San Antonio and soldiers that are single will cherish the live music scene in nearby Austin. Many people join the military to travel and see the world which is most desirable for active-duty members that are single. Want to write for Task & Purpose? Eglin Air Force Base is another excellent choice for military couples. Want to keep your sharp shooter status? Learn more about Marine Corps Base Hawaii here. We searched for all rated schools within a 10-mile radius of each base and averaged their scores to come up with an overall school score. It's so small that there is no chow hall. The overseas USAF base is top-notch even if it lacks modernized shopping. We'd wager school quality, for example, is a greater concern than the sales tax rate. The nonprofit group America's Promise Alliance, which was founded by Colin Powell, has listed Bedford as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People five times. Bedford is a great place to raise children, said Lisa Pizarro, the school liaison officer at Hanscom. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Military residents appreciate the rural and quiet surroundings of east Dayton yet with quick access to metropolises like Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Columbus, and Indianapolis. If that is not enough, consider that Elmendorf-Richardson has its own ski area. Dirty Myrtle has cleaned up its act in the past few years).Surprise silver lining: Besides offering easy access to both major cities and ocean views, Fayetteville might be the best place to further your education. Thankfully, many of the USAF bases in the United States have quick access to the outdoors and are in rural locations. Whats your dream duty station and why? Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. "I'm realizing more and more that it is just a black hole for enlisted members," Do said. If you drive to the middle of nowhere, then keep driving a little farther, youll hit Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, considered by many airmen to be one of the least desired military bases in the nations vast expanse. Women in the military: Moving beyond firsts, Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices, Officials OK some hand and neck tattoos for airmen, Guardians, Perennial pilot shortage puts Air Force in precarious position, Healthy eating on a budget for busy military spouses, Tax scams How to report them Money Minute, Capitol Hill weighs action on two controversial topics: medical marijuana and abortion, Lockheed wins hypersonics contract | Defense Dollars, Go inside a secret nuclear fallout bunker sealed for decades, Another Air Force fleet grounded over fears plane tails may fall off, Pentagon orders engine vibration fix for entire F-35 fleet worldwide, Minot firings due to failed nuclear safety inspection, Air Force advisers study use of satellites for tracking moving targets. Base: Fort BlissUnlucky call sign: Fort Piss, Hell PasoWhy it's not great: The base with the most misleading name, Fort Bliss is located in the border town of El Paso, Texas. Its cheaper to live in the place you never wanted to! While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. The towns where feral cats circled the moving van when they pulled in. If youve always wanted to have the island experience without feeling trapped on the actual island, living in the Keys is the closest you can get to that opportunity. A few months back we asked current and former military personnel where in the US they most enjoyed being stationed, and why. The massive base serves 20,000 American service members and families so youll never feel alone. The quiet countryside serves as a quick escape from the hectic nature of the military base. Wichita ranks as the worst city for veterans health care, largely because veterans make up just 0.03% of the city's population. Housing near Lakenheath is among the best with plenty of new and trendy options. With nearly 13,000 active duty members across the areas bases, youll meet people from all over the country if you get stationed here. Joint Base San Antonio is in the suburb of Lackland, Texas.