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Rest and Relaxation
Base Facilities
Active Duty or Reserve, military installations offer a lot of choices for off-duty entertainment. Service members will find many programs and facilities designed for recreation, fitness, and just plain fun. Here is a guide to facilities and programs.
Generally, reservists can use all facilities but should remember that active duty members and their families have priority. Some overseas facilities might be subject to different rules due to agreements with the host countries. Their rules may limit the use of facilities not only by reservists but also by active duty personnel not stationed there. Reservists should check with local base policies as some commanders have special rules on establishing priority in using Morale Welfare and Recreation facilities.
Arts and Crafts
These centers very greatly from base to base. Most offer their facilities for general use and also give some or all of the following classes:
- Photography
- Painting and drawing
- Woodworking, upholstery
- Picture framing
- Sewing
Automotive Skills Centers
Automotive Skills Centers provide facilities, tools, equipment, diagnoses, and instructions for maintenance and repair of personal motor vehicles on military installations worldwide.
Personnel are able to work with proper equipment in a safe, clean environment, while significantly reducing the cost of personal automotive maintenance.
The military believes offering these facilities promotes self-reliance and skills development for individuals. Skills learned are transferable to many military specialties.
Centers generally offer:
- Auto repair shops, most with indoor work bays provided.
- The opportunity for an individual to perform hands-on repair and maintenance on his or her own vehicle. Assistance by staff is provided for diagnosing problems.
- High tech equipment, operated by staff where required.
- The use of all facilities for a nominal fee.
Service members are able to take part in all phases of maintenance on their vehicles. An average of 90% of the users are active duty personnel.
Bowling
These centers offer individual and league bowling, instruction, and sales of bowling items. They also are popular places for eating, drinking, and socializing.
Clubs
Most military installations maintain clubs that sell food and beverages and provide facilities for scheduled events and entertainment. In the past, there were Enlisted, NCO and Officer's clubs. This is still the case on some posts, but more and more "all ranks clubs" are appearing on military bases worldwide.
These facilities are open to the entire installation: active duty and reserve personnel, retired military and Defense Department civilian workers, and their families. Clubs operate on non-appropriated funds, which means that tax dollars are not used. The base commander is ultimately responsible for the management of the club, but most clubs have a civilian manager who oversees operations.
Fitness Centers/Golf
Physical fitness is big on military bases. Most bases have extensive weight room and fitness equipment available to active duty and reserve personnel and their families. Most offer aerobics and other exercise classes. Some offer co-op child care facilities. This means that child care is available when you work out, if you also agree to take turns one or two days a month watching the children.
Golf facilities include courses for open play and tournaments, driving ranges, and such services as golf instruction, golfing items for sale, and food and beverages.
Libraries
Libraries are as important now to the military as they have ever been. With increased importance being placed on morale programs and continuing education throughout the military services, libraries provide essential support to those mission areas. Some libraries also provide Internet access.
Most bases have a library open to all members and their families.
Military library programs also provide paperback book distribution programs for troop units in remote locations and those involved in contingency operations such as Somalia, Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Bosnia. Wherever there are soldiers, these programs exist.
Outdoor Centers/Rentals
Although they vary from one location to another, these programs provide structured or self-directed activities. Activities can include archery, hunting, fishing, rappelling, hiking, backpacking, bicycling, mountain biking, boating, canoeing, camping jamborees, and water and snow skiing. Many installations have parks and picnic areas with barbecue pits, pavilions, game fields, fitness trails, nature centers and playgrounds. Marina operations offer boats and equipment for rent, private berthing, and food and beverage services.
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