With PCS season right around the corner, Facebook groups are filled with questions like “What’s the base like?” and inevitably lots of answers follow, including, “Ugh, it’s the worst.” 

When my husband and I were engaged and he received his first assignment, I remember how disappointed I was when he called to tell me. In the months leading up to the cadets receiving their orders, we’d heard about how it was one of the worst assignments and no one wanted to go. I cried.

But, when we left that assignment, I cried! Fifteen years later, I still miss the food, the hiking, the scenery, and the people. As we near eventual retirement, it’s even a place we’re considering our forever home!

Here are a few ways over the years that we’ve found to make the best of where we’re at. 

Make a bucket list

As soon as he gets orders, we start a family bucket list. These are the things that we want to do while stationed there.

When we were in D.C., it was things like “Visit White House” and “See the cherry blossoms on the National Mall.”

While in Albuquerque, it was “Go the Balloon Fiesta” and “Ride the Sandia Tram.”

These don’t have to be huge things either! They can be simple things like “Build a sandcastle” when you’re stationed near the beach. Think about sites to see, restaurants to try, and festivals to attend. We’re big fans of visiting National Parks, so that’s one of the first things we look up.

We also love the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” and when our daughter was younger “100 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow up” was a huge hit. One of my favorite places to find worthwhile places to check out is Atlas Obscura. 

Over the years, the ways we have built our lists have changed a bit. We still like to order travel brochures and check out local Facebook groups to research. In terms of our list, we’re back to paper a bit as our teenager finds things on Instagram and writes them down. 

These lists are perfect to plan long weekends or vacations, but also when you find free time, they’re great to look at the list and BAM, instant plans!

Make friends

This one is easier said than done, I know. As our daughter has gotten older, I’ve come to realize that I’m in a weird stage of life. I don’t have a toddler or elementary schooler that needs me to schedule playdates. I work remotely, so I don’t see a lot of adults on a regular basis. Our base doesn’t have a spouses’ club anymore, so that isn’t an option here. I have to be a bit more deliberate (and I should be better at it!) to find my place. 

I love to hike, so I joined a hiking group for women in the area and met some people there. In the past, I’ve had good luck with MOPS, Meetup.com, volunteering, and library book clubs.

Embrace the local scene

I love coffee. Like in a please-don’t-talk-to-me-before-I’m-caffeinated kind of way. So, finding a great cup of coffee in town makes me feel a bit more settled. When you’re having a bad day or just not feeling it, being able to go someplace that gives you a taste of joy can help. 

Maybe it’s finding the best takeout. If you’re a runner, find that place that just makes you want to run. If you’re a book lover, it might be the best library, quiet park bench, or used bookstore. 

Over the past 18 years, we have collected menus, brochures, business cards, and other mementos that have found their way into our scrapbooks as we leave a duty station. Sure, some of those places have likely closed, but these are the places that made an impact on us during our time there. The places that had the local vibe. When we hear about others moving there, those are places we recommend. 

This too shall PCS

Not everyone is going to be happy at every base. There are a variety of reasons that a base may not be your cup of tea (or coffee). Perhaps you’d like to live somewhere rural with a flock of chickens, but instead you’re in the DC area. Maybe you’re a big city fan, longing to be around skyscrapers and you’re in the middle of nowhere. Maybe you’re not a fan of snow and your winters are shaping up to be more blizzard-like than sunny and 75. 

At some point, you’re probably going to find out you’re moving somewhere that you’ve heard less-than-desirable things about. But, try to remember that sometimes the good things aren’t talked about. Sometimes the complaints are louder. Everyone’s experience will be different. Try to find the good! I think it will make your time more enjoyable. 

You might have heard, “You can have a great job, great people, or a great location, but you can’t have all three.”

If you’re not enjoying one aspect of the assignment, try to look at the others that you are enjoying! In the end, you might be happy to move on to a different pasture, or you might cry in the rearview mirror.

*Looking for more info at your upcoming assignment? Check out Embrace Your Base on our Blog page.

*Check back next month for another article by Sheila, in the meantime check out our Band of Bloggers.