Page Title

The

SCuttlebutt

Newsletter of the NROTC Trojan Battalion

Online Volume I, Issue II

May 2005

By MIDN 3/C Cass

USC NROTC Trojan Battalion

Naval Science Department, PED 101

University Park Campus

Los Angeles, CA 90089

$Text Box: You only have three months, minus one fun-filled cruise, to enjoy the summer. If summer school is not your idea of a fun way to spend it, then check out some of the programs the Government offers military personnel to help with their vacation and travel plans. Whether you want to see new places or find a lodge to relax for the week with friends, the United Service Organization, Armed Forces Vacation Club, and Space A Flights can make your summer great. Unfortunately, as Midshipman you won’t qualify for everything the military has to offer its active forces, so here’s what you can do. The United Service Organization (USO) has over 120 centers worldwide that offer any military person Internet access, free food, and even a sofa to catch a nap on. Some notable locations that you might come across flying across country include airports in: LA, San Diego, St. Louis, Cleveland, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington DC. Military Living Publications offers a guides and maps of bases across the country that offer camping, lodging, and recreational activities that cost a fraction of equivalent public services. The campsites are clean, quiet, and under $5 a night; great for cross country traveling on a budget. Midshipman 21 years and older can use the Armed Forces Vacation Club to their benefit. The club doesn’t actually require a membership, it acts as more of a broker for hotels and lodges in North and South America and Europe to sell excess available space to Department of Defense employees at a greatly reduced cost. The most common package is a weeklong condominium for $299. The price is flat regardless of location, size, and amenities, and you can bring non-military friends and family along. Since these spaces are not always available, plan on going during the off-season if possible. Space Available Flights is by far the best deal in travel there is. Whenever a DoD aircraft has extra room it is opened for passengers on a waiting list. Its too bad Midshipman can’t use this service, but once commissioned I highly recommend that you look into it and use it to your advantage. There are many more opportunities that you’ll be able to take advantage of either now or very soon, so check out these sites for more info. www.spacea.info www.afvclub.com www.uso.org$

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