Where is Naval Station Norfolk? - Norfolk, Virginia

Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk-An aerial view highlighting the piers of the base

Where is Naval Station Norfolk? - About Norfolk, Virginia

Naval Station Norfolk is a base of the United States Navy which supports naval forces operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean and is located in Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk, Virginia is a city with a population of near 250,000 and is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region. As it is bordered by many bodies of water with many miles of riverfront and bayfront land, Norfolk is connected with a network of highways, bridges, and tunnels. In the summer, temperatures can often reach the 90s with high humidity. Hurricanes and other tropical storms will occasionally make landfall here while fall and winter weather is much more mild with temperatures rarely reaching freezing.

Major Units at Naval Station Norfolk

Currently supporting 75 ships and 134 aircraft with over 100,000 flight operations and over 150,000 passengers departing per year, Naval Station Norfolk is home to many units including:

• USFLTFORCOM - US Fleet Forces Command, Navy
• COMNAVRESFOR - Commander, Navy Reserve Forces, Navy
• COMNAVSURFLANT - Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic
• COMSUBLANT - Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic
• COMNAVAIRLANT - Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic

See Who You Know at Naval Station Norfolk

If you are looking for people you know at Naval Station Norfolk, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Naval Station Norfolk

Named after the city in which it is located, Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) was founded by the Department of the Navy in 1917 on the site of the 1907 Jamestown Exposition world fair after the purchase was personally endorsed by president Woodrow Wilson. The government took 474 acres, some of it seized through eminent domain, and called the base Naval Operating Base Hampton Roads. At the onset of World War Two, the base become the headquarters for the Atlantic fleet, servicing more than 100 ships and many navy air units. During this time, hundreds of more acres were added to the base in order to support the needs of the war; the additions included a major aircraft factory. Through the Cold War, the base had to expand again to accommodate larger ships of the time with the purchase of near 500 more acres and the construction of new piers along the waterfront. In the 1990s, as part of a post-Cold War draw-down, the separate Naval Station and Naval Air Station were combined into the single base that is now Naval Station Norfolk. It is currently the world's largest naval station with about four miles of waterfront space and seven miles of pier and wharf space.

Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk-A view of the base form the 1940s

Schools in Norfolk, VA

Norfolk City Public Schools consists of 34 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, and 5 high schools. In 2005, Norfolk Public Schools demonstrated "the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps for poor and minority students" and received the $1 million Broad Prize for Urban Education award. Also in the area are private schools such as Norfolk Academy and religious schools such as St. Pius X Catholic School and Holy Trinity Parish School. Norfolk is also home to one private university and three public: Old Dominion University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk State University, and Virginia Wesleyan College.

Norfolk, Virginia-A view of the city at night

Attractions - What to do in Norfolk, VA

In Norfolk one will find arts and culture, sports, and recreational parks. The Chrysler Museum of Art is considered to be the best in the state and Norfolk hosts several yearly festivals and parades. Naval Station Norfolk is home to a brick baseball park that the MLB used during World War Two and people also cheer for the local team at Harbor Park. The Town Point Park in Norfolk's downtown is host to many annual events such as Harborfest and The Parade of Sail.


Map

View Larger Map

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com

Where is Fort Bliss? - El Paso, Texas

Fort Bliss, El Paso-An Abrams tank crew on Fort Bliss' Dona Ana Range

Where is Fort Bliss? - About El Paso, Texas

Fort Bliss is located in the states of Texas and New Mexico with its headquarters in El Paso, Texas. The city of El Paso is on the Mexican American border and is adjacent to the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez. El Paso is the 19th most populous city in the United States with a population of 649,121 as of the 2010 census. Visible from the city is the North Franklin Mountain with a peak of 7,192 feet above sea level and natural red-clay formations called the Thunderbird. El Paso has a hot desert climate with little to no humidity, very hot summers, mild dry winters, and less than 10 inches of rain per year. Sun shines on average 302 days per year.   Fort Bliss is the city's top employer and companies such as Western Refining, Petro Stopping Centers, El Paso Electirc, and Bio-Life Labs Inc all have their headquarters here.

Major Units at Fort Bliss

The major units at Fort Bliss include:

• F Co - F Company, 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment
• 32nd AAMDC - 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command
• 1st AD - 1st Armored Division, III Corps
• Air Defense Artillery - Air Defense Artillery Center and School
• ARCIC - US Army Capabilities Integration Center

See Who You Know at Fort Bliss

If you are looking for people you know at Fort Bliss, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Fort Bliss

Fort Bliss was named after the Mexican-American War soldier William Wallace Smith Bliss and with and area of 1,700 square miles and the largest track of unrestricted airspace in the US, it is the Army's second largest installation. On November 7, 1846 the War Department ordered the establishment of a military post opposite of the now city of Ciudad Juarez to serve as a base in the region and protect the area from Apache attacks. During the civil war, the fort was surrendered over to Confederacy which used it to launch attacks into New Mexico and Arizona until they were forced to retreat after the Battle of Glorieta Pass. The present site of the fort was first laid out and occupied in 1893. During the Second World War, Fort Bliss trained anti-aircraft artillery battalions while presently it serves as one of the major deployment centers for troops headed to the Middle East. Since 2001, Fort Bliss has also been used to train Afghan security forces in hopes that they can eventually take control of their own national security. Some of Fort Bliss' other missions include providing anti-aircraft and missile defense capabilities, conduct live fire of most Army weapons, and house all the equipment needed to set up Patriot missile sites. As of the 2010 census, Fort Bliss is home to a population of 8,591.

Fort Bliss, El Paso-An aeral photo of the camp

Schools in El Paso, TX

El Paso is serviced by four different school districts including the Canutillo Independent School District, the El Paso Independent School District, then Socorro Independent School District, and the Ysleta Independent School District. Together they have a student-teacher ratio of close to 15:1 with over half of the students on free/reduced price meals. Colleges in the area include the University of Texas at El Paso, several branches of Texas Tech University, Park University and Webster University.

El Paso, Texas-El Paso with mountains in the background.

Attractions - What to do in El Paso, TX

With the size of El Paso, there is much to do. Museums include the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, the El Paso Museum of Archaeology, and the El Paso Museum of History to name a few. There are many theaters including the Abraham Chavez Theatre and the El Paso Playhouse. Other sites with the city limits such as Chamizal National Memorial, the El Paso Zoo, and the Magoffin Home State Historic Site.


Map

View Larger Map

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com

Where is Fort Benning? - Columbus, Georgia

Fort Benning, Georgia-Soldiers survey a training station. (Photo Credit: John D. Helms)

Where is Fort Benning? - About Columbus, GA

Fort Benning is located to the east of downtown Columbus, Georgia with part of of the Fort within the city limits. Columbus Georgia was a population of near 200,000 according to the US Census Bureau from 2011. In 2009, Columbus was ranked number 4 on the 100 Best US Cities to live by Best Life Magazine and has many museums and other tourist locations. Columbus is headquarters to Aflac Inc, Total System Services, and Carmike Cinemas, while Fort Benning is the largets employer in the region. The climate here is categorized as humid subtropical with daytime temperatures reaching the mid 90s and winter lows barely reaching freezing. There are various hills to the north and low lying plains to the south.

Major Units at Fort Benning


No longer just a camp to provide basic training, Camp Benning now includes units such as:

•  MCoE - US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence
• 75th Ranger RGT - 75th Ranger Regiment, US Army Special Operations Command
• Infantry - Infantry Center and School
• Armor - Armor Center and School
• OCS - Officer Candidate School, Direct Reporting Units

See Who You Know at Fort Benning

If you are looking for people you know at Fort Benning, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Fort Benning

Originally established as Camp Benning in 1918 and named after General Henry L Bennning, a native of Columbus, Fort Benning has been the Home of the Infantry ever since. Camp Benning has its beginnings in providing basic training for World War One units before gaining permanent military post status is February 1920 and $1 million of funding to start what became the Infantry School. BY World War Two, Fort Bennning consisted of 197,159 acres for close to 100,000 officers and enlisted men. Fort Benning was also the site of huge step for black Americans as it was home to the 555th Parachute Infantry Division, an all black airborne unit. By the Vietnam War, Fort Benning housed the Scout Dog School in which dogs were trained to detect enemy ambushes. Presently Fort Benning supports over 120,000 active troops, family members, reserve soldiers, civilians, and veterans and is a power projection platform, ready to deploy troops by rail, air, or highway.

Fort Benning, Georgia-Fort Benning once had its own railroad to go along with its historical railroad depot.

Schools near Fort Benning

Columbus is part of Muscogee County School District which services children pre-school through high school. In the district, there are 35 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 9 high schools with over 2,000 full-time teachers and near 33,000 students. Some schools that receive high marks are the Britt David Elementary Computer Magnet Academy, Columbus High School, Blackmon Road High School, and Clubview Elementary School. Local colleges include Columbus State University, Troy University, and Virginia College in Birmingham to name a few.

Columbus Georgia-A Picture of historic Downtown Columbus

Attractions - What to do in Columbus GA

Columbus has activities of all sorts ranging from the arts and cultural events to outdoor adventures and sporting events. Museums like the Columbus Museum, the National Civil War Naval Museum, and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center attract many visitors while suburban shopping centers and the major indoor shopping mall, Peachtree Mall, always draw crowds. In contrast with the football stadiums, baseball parks, and seven golf courses, Columbus also has eight historical districts to walk through. Finally, Columbus is home to near 50 parks, four recreational centers, four seniro centers and parks, an one state park, offering swimming boating, camping hiking, and hunting.



Map

View Larger Map

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com

Keep Positive, Trust Us

Candid thoughts from CPO Charlie Weaver on keeping positive:

No matter how stupid your training or mission sounds, there is a good reason for doing it.

It could save your - and your fellow soldier/sailor/ airman/ marine/ coast guardsman/ national guardsman's - six. 

Keep a positive attitude, suck it up and drive on. 

In the end, you will see why.  

CPO Charlie Weaver

Where is Fort Lewis? - Tacoma/Olympia Washington

Fort Lewis, Washington-The original gate constructed for Fort Lewis

Where is Fort Lewis? - About the Tacoma/Olympia Area

Fort Lewis is located just to the south of the Washington city of Tacoma and is to the east of the capital city Olympia. Fort Lewis is strategically located so it has easy access to the deep water ports of Seattle, Olympia, and Tacoma and is located close to the Sea-Tac Airport. With rocky terrain carved from glaciers and dense conifer woodlands, Fort Lewis and the surrounding area have temperatures ranging from the 40s during summer nights to 70s during summer days. Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city with a population nearing 200,000 and is a center of business for the region. It was also named to be one of the "most livable areas" in the country and was listed as the 19th most walkable city in the US. Olympia has as population of near 50,000 and is a major cultural center of the region and the center of Washington's government.

Major Units at Fort Lewis

Now with troops both from the Army and the Air Force, the major units at Joint Base Lewis-McChord are: 

• I Corps - I Corps, US Army Forces Command
• WADS - Western Air Defense Sector, First Air Force
• 104th TD - 104th Training Division
• 446 AW - 446th Airlift Wing, 4th Air Force
• 62 AW - 62nd Airlift Wing, 18th Air Force

See Who You Know at Fort Lewis

If you are looking for people you know at Fort Lewis, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Fort Lewis

Named after Meriwether Lewis from the Lewis and Clark Expeditions, Fort Lewis' history began in 1917 when the citizens of Pierce County voted with an eight to one margin to bond themselves for $2 million to obtain 68,721 acres of land which they subsequently donated to the US government for the sole purpose of a permanent army post. In close to 90 days, 10,000 men built over 1,000 buildings and structures and a $4000 main gate which still stands today. With World War Two on the horizon, the number of troops stationed at the fort jumped from 5,000 to 37,000. In January, 1938, the Works Progress Administration approved the building of an airfield named McChord Air Force Base until the two bases combined in 2010. Fort Lewis has sent troops to Vietnam, Saudi Arabia for the first Gulf War, Panama, etc. Fort Lewis is now the training and mobilization center for all services and is the only Army power-projection base west of the Rocky Mountains. As of the 2000 census, there were 20,000 people living on the base.

Fort Lewis, Washington-Formerly Camp Lewis c. 1917 

Schools near Fort Lewis

If a family is living on base, then their children will attend Clover Park Schools. Families living off bases can receive a waiver to get on a waiting list for their child to attend on base schools but there are no guarantees. In Washington, a child can attend any school in his or her district or a neighboring district while low income students are eligible for scholarships grants to attend private schools. There are many colleges in the area such as University of Washington-Tacoma, University of Washington-Seattle, and Seattle Pacific University.

Tacoma, Washington-View of Tacoma with mountain in the background, north of Fort Lewis. (Photo Credit: Hike395)

Attractions - What to do in the Tacoma/Olympia WA Area

If you love the outdoors, the you will definitely love the Tacoma/Olympia area. Through Fort Lewis, there is the American Lake Community Center which looks over the beautiful American Lake, the Fort Lewis GOlf Course, and Carey Theater to just name a few. In Tacoma, one can go to Point Defiance Park, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and the Washington State History Museum, while in Olympia there is Priest Point Park, the Olympic Flight Museum, and much more.


Map

View Larger Map

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com

Where is Fort Hood? - Killeen, Texas

Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas-President Bush thanks troops at Fort Hood for their service in Iraq. (Photo Credit: White House)

Where is Fort Hood? - About Killeen, Texas

Fort Hood is located mainly in the city of Killeen, Texas, but also neighbors the town of Copperas Cove and is 60 miles north of Austin and 50 miles southwest of Waco. The city of Killeen has 125,000 inhabitants and its economy heavily depends on the expenditures of Fort Hood. In 2007 it was hailed as having the most affordable housing market in the United States with an average cost of $136,725. The nearby towns of Copperas Cover and Harker Heights offer a slightly higher standard of living but one can enter a waiting list and find privatized housing on Fort Hood itself . Temperatures in Killeen Texas rarely reach freezing in the winter months and are regularly over in the high 80s and 90s in the summer with only around 35 inches of precipitation per year.

Major Units at Fort Hood

Units at Fort Hood are extremely committed. As of 2006, 85% of soldiers had served at least one year long combat tour in Iraq or Afghanistan with most having served two. Presently, Fort Hood's major units are: 

• III Corps - III Corps, US Army Forces Command
• 85th CA BDE - 85th Civil Affairs Brigade,  US Army Forces Command
• 1st CAV - 1st Cavalry Division, III Corps
• 13th ESC - 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), III Corps
• First Army Div West - First Army Division West, First Army

See Who You Know at Fort Hood

If you are looking for people you know at Fort Hood, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Fort Hood

Named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, Fort Hood was announced by the War Department in January 1942 as it desperately needed a wide and open space to test and train with tank destroyers to combat German armored vehicles in World War Two. Originally designed for 38,000 soldiers, Fort Hood in January 1943 acquired 50,000 acres to reach a peak of 95,000 troops stationed there until 1944. These numbers significantly declined as World War Two ended but several decades later, before the collapse of the former Soviet Union, Fort Hood was regarded as the largest military base in the free world. According to 2010 census data, Fort Hood is home to a population of 53,000 as well as state of the art training facilities that allow troops to practice exercises in video-game type scenarios.  Nicknamed as The Great Place, Fort Hood continues to offer a high quality of life to its servicemen and women along with their families and its soldier training on a per capita basis is achieved more economically than any other major US Army installation.

Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas-More than 200 after they took the oath of reenlistment. (Photo Credit: Fort Hood Flickr)

Schools in Killeen, TX

Killeen Texas is home to the Killeen Independent School District (KISD) and it is the largest school district between Round Rock and Dallas with 32 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 5 specialized campuses. KISD public schools spend $4,644 per student and there are about 14.6 students per teacher in the district. While the high schools in KISD do not rank nationally, elementary schools such as Clifton Park Elementary and Venable Village Elementary score highly. Colleges in near Killeen Texas and Fort Hood include Central Texas College and Tarleton State University with University of Texas, Baylor University and Texas A&M University in driving distance.

Killeen, Texas-Children cheer at the Veterans' Day Parade in downtown Killeen. (Photo Credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman)

Attractions - What to do in Killeen, TX

Killeen Texas is serviced by two airports in the area, Skylark Field and Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport and has a popular public bus transit system. For people who enjoy hiking and the outdoors, Killeen is an ideal place with several nearby lakes and recreational areas. Fort Hood also attracts celebrities, entertainers, and theatrical shows and also has weekly races at the Texas Thunder Speedway. Fort Hood is only an hour drive from Waco and the capital city of Austin so fun and adventure can always be found.


Map

View Larger Map

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com

Where is Fort Bragg? - Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fort Bragg, North Carolina-President Obama speaks about the end of the Iraq War at the 440th Squadron Maintenance Building while soldiers cheer. (Photo Credit: White House)

Where is Fort Bragg? - About Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fort Bragg, NC is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a city with over 200,000 inhabitants. In three different occasions, Fayetteville has received the All-America City Award from the National Civic League and was voted to be one of the best places to retire by Where To Retire magazine. Fayetteville's climate is moderate all year with snow rare in the winter and hot and humid summers that often contain thunderstorms and rain showers. While Fort Bragg does serve as the regions largest employer, Fayetteville is also a center for shops, restaurants, services, lodging, health care and entertainment. The surrounding area also contains towns such as Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and Whispering Pines which are smaller and more upscale towns that have been attracting younger families over the past several years.

Major Units at Fort Bragg

While the original World War One plan called for six artillery brigades to be stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, this platform changed and Fort Bragg soon came to home Army troops and well as personal National Guard Trainees. Presently Fort Bragg's major units are:

• FORSCOM - US Army Forces Command
• USASOC - US Army Special Operations Command
• USAR - US Army Reserve Command
• XVIII ABN Corps - XVIII Airborne Corps
• USACAPOC - US Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command

See Who You Know at Fort Bragg

If you are looking for people you know at Fort Bragg, check out RallyPoint.com. At RallyPoint you can even find people by specific units and specialties. 

History of Fort Bragg

Named for Confederate General and North Carolinian native Braxton Bragg, Fort Bragg, NC was completed in early 1919 and established as an artillery training ground. Formerly a pine forest, the fort quickly expanded during the World Wars and reached upwards of 150,000 personal by the mid 1940s. During the Cold War, troops stationed at Fort Bragg were sent to the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, and Grenada among others. Forces from Fort Bragg also engaged in humanitarian efforts such as helping in disasters such as Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Katrina, and during Haiti's earthquake in 2010. A complete overhaul was completed in the 90s but constant improvements and renovations are taking place. Fort Bragg is now playing a vital role in the War on Terror, deploying more troops than any other post. As of the latest census data, Fort Bragg has a population of near 40,000.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina-The XVIII Airborne Corps are welcomed back from a 15 month deployment (Photo Credit: Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images North America)

Schools in Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville is home to Cumberland County Schools' headquarters which contains 87 schools. Public elementary schools such as Eastover Central Elementary School and Long Hill Elementary School; middle schools including  Seventy-First Classical Middle School and John R Griffin Middle School; and high schools like Massey Hill Classical High School and Jack Britt High School are rated some of the best in the area. Colleges near Fayetteville include Fayetteville State University and Methodist University among others. For other colleges near Fayetteville one can travel an hour and a half north for the more prestigious Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University.

Fayetteville, North Carolina- Hay Street Looking East (Photo Credit: Trey Napoleon)

Attractions - What to do in Fayetteville NC

Besides exploring Fayetteville's vibrant downtown, there are many activities to do around Fort Bragg, NC. Fayetteville also has attractions such as NC Veterans Park, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, and Fayetteville Linear Park as well as monthly events such as 4th Friday, Fayetteville after Five, the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market and more. Fort Bragg itself, through Fort Bragg Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation provides families with opportunities including camping, ice skating at Cleland Ice Rink, music at its outdoor concerts, as well as many dining and entertainment options. 



Map


View Larger Map 

---

RallyPoint is the military's professional network. Join now for free on RallyPoint.com