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The Navy Lodge

The military’s dormitory for families.

By Sarah Smiley

The Navy Lodge is so much more than a hotel, really. It's like a dorm for military families who are in the middle of moving from one location to another. My family lived in one this summer during our PCS from Florida to Maine. After we had settled in (and by "settled in," I mean that we had stuffed all of our belongings that the movers would not or could not take on their truck into the four dresser drawers below the television), we ventured out to the wooded trails behind the Lodge and found other displaced families who looked just as bewildered and tired as I am sure we did. Some of the mothers seemed cheerful. I guessed that they had either found the base liquor store or had grown to accept their current situation. Other mothers had an obvious inner happiness that they tried to hide with feigned looks of sympathy when they smiled and said hello to me. These mothers, I knew, were about to be released, if you will. They were on the last leg of their moving adventure.

When I looked back at the Lodge, I shuddered to see balconies with wet clothes hung out to dry on them. It was as if people were actually making themselves at home. But not me. This will never be "home," I thought.

Yet, besides the hotel-like annoyances of the Lodge, such as fitted sheets that popped off our mattresses in the middle of the night and curtains that never seemed to truly close, there was no better place for us than the Lodge. Unlike at a civilian hotel, the Lodge is accustomed to families using their accommodations as a temporary home.

I got to know the front-desk staff in a hurry. They controlled the 24-hour snack bar that had a small shelf of wine. "I'll be here awhile," I told them. "I'm going to need more wine."

Six nights into our stay, I saw a new family moving into the room next to ours. The mother seemed so optimistic when she told her children, "See, they even have a kitchen here." But my time was coming to a close. In another 48 hours, I'd be checking out of the Lodge and beginning my 4-day journey to Maine, which actually seemed like a welcome respite compared to another night of drying my underwear on the balcony and heating up macaroni in the kitchenette. I tried to smile at the other mother and at the same time hide my delight about leaving.

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Mrs. Smith	11/12/2008 11:59:14 AM
Being someone of a humble background I tend to see these kind of statements as almost whining. I can't even count on my hands how many people I know that would LOVE for their employer to provide them with any lodging of any kind, much their family! The military is very giving considering the amount of people they promise to take care of while protecting the country. They pay your bills; they can place you in a hotel if they wish. I would look on the bright side and decide that one is fortunate to have such things available to them!
Cbsmom	11/12/2008 12:15:12 PM
I assume your husband was with you? Next time learn to make it an adventure and turn it into a vacation. Many mothers have been in your position countless times and would never complain because it was family time. You should know that no matter where you are as long as your whole family is together it is a great day.
Mearngwife	11/12/2008 12:33:02 PM
In my previous life as an Air Force dependent, I made several moves which required a few days to 2 weeks in the Air Force Lodge. I had 3 young sons and a fairly sunny outlook on life. Now as an Army National Guard wife looking at deployment for the 2nd in a matter of 3 years, and much older and the sons are on their own...I would love to go back to those fun times of underwear on the balcony, pizza boxes piled high, and seeing my husband every night. I love the military and how well they take of me while he is deployed. (and when he is home as well) I am glad when I get a prescription or go to the Doc's office I pay no co pays while he on active duty, as all around me people go without medical care. BUT no one knows unless they have experienced deployment,...the lonely nights, the days filled with fear because there has been no word from him, the rumors of bad things that have or could happen. I would never ask him to get out, I never complain to HIM, but being a military spouse is really hard sometimes!!
writerobrien	11/12/2008 12:47:33 PM
Oh, come on! Sarah is simply chatting about a difficult situation. We all have to go through it at one point or another, and if you are honest about it, it can be a difficult thing living at the Lodge. We all live better than that usually, right? Frankly, I think the previous posters are a bit too sensitive. No one WANTS to live at the Lodge, no one LIKES having their things stuffed into a few drawers, and no one is ungrateful for the temporary housing. If we cannot complain to another military spouse, who can we complain to? Brava, Sarah.
M1A2SEP_wife	11/12/2008 1:27:22 PM
I liked the article. I am an Army wife but didn't know things like this existed. Or how dreadful, I mean exciting it can be. :)
Shelley	11/13/2008 2:20:55 AM
I have been a Navy wife for close to 20 yrs. and have endured countless deployments, but I have not had to endure the moves. I have said goodbye to so many military wives who packed up, moved, and went on to make new homes for their families. Each one of them amazed me with their strength and courage. These women should be applauded. As they make another house and community home, their military spouse is able to focus on serving our great nation. I want to thank them all for that contribution!
af wife	11/14/2008 3:11:42 AM
haha, this made me laugh!! I am very scared of a move.. I dont know when it will happen but I hate hotels, and I get really annoyed, so hopefully I will not have to stay at one for long.. I have a kid and 2 dogs so it would be not so fun.
Heidi	11/14/2008 8:52:39 AM
I thought this story was GREAT. To the first comment, we are grateful but I would never say the "military" pays for our moves. I don't know about everyone else but moving often requires "out of pocket expenses". Our active duty members more than earn any money the "military" gives us. I don't know many "private" companies that require family members to deploy to combat for 7 months once a year for the past 4 years. I have moved from Az to Ca. From Ca to Okinawa, to Spain to West Africa and back to NC in the last 14 years and more than once alone with my son and I will never complain. I don't believe the writer was complaining, I think it is an honest account of the whole transition that we all usually endure once every few years. I am a proud wife of a Marine 1stSgt and look forward to all the adventures yet to come!!
winnie	11/14/2008 10:13:15 PM
I am a navy wife but i work at the AirForce Lodging. For PCS families we have TLF's which has a kitchen, living room, some pots & pans and washer & dryer inside your room. I hope the Navy Lodge will provide something like this.
joss	9/12/2009 2:19:21 AM
@Rosemary O'Brien: I agree 100%.
silentK	9/2/2010 12:01:37 AM
It sucks moving, i've been married to the military for only two years and we've moved three times and on our fourth one when my hubby comes back from deployment. Our biggest move was from virginia to texas. I really hate that the military doesn't pay, you basically pay out of pocket. Then get re-imburst a month later..when your already broke from paying deposits to move into your new home.Me and my husband have fun during our move, we've always done ditty moves.

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