Well, I should have known better to try and kick start something positive about the Navy without providing my own input (if this doesn't warrant being a topic, Moderators please let me know and I'll take it down). I just don't want to have this site chase people away from the Program (like the thread "have I made a mistake?").
Good Commands: My first and only (so far) sea going command - USS LOUISVILLE (SSN-724). While the folks on this site who are still stationed on L-Ville will disagree with me about the boat being a good command, remember: you're coming out of the shipyard. They told us from the beginning that it would be brutal. Good CO who actually cares about the crew's well being, probably the best COB ever to serve (known in Groton as "The COBfather" for his ability to make things happen when it comes down to the well being of his crew), and a solid wardroom and CPO quarters made this boat the best possible quality of life a person could have on a fast-attack. Known as the "happy boat" on the waterfront.
I also need to mention Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, NH. It's a small, backwoods command with all the charm associated with it. I have to admit that I wasn't really part of the military establishment when I was on LIMDU there, so I can't really say too much about the command. The CMC, XO and CO were all awesome people who tried to keep their junior people employed based on their talents; and they put me in a truly challenging, rewarding assignment even as a broken kid (I admit I'm partial to them since they awarded me with a NAM for my efforts there).
Great Homeports: Pearl Harbor, HI was an awesome place to live. It had its downside, with issues like gridlock traffic to Honolulu/Waikiki and sometimes hostile locals (western shore of Oaho is not a good place for Haoles); but it also had some great things about it. The MWR program had $7.00 surfing trips, including lessons and board rental, just about every weekend; and parasailing, deep sea fishing, snorkeling and just about every other outdoor activity at incredible discounts. Pearl puts on a great 4th of July fireworks show as well. Arnold's in Waikiki was just about the greatest dive bar I've seen in a tourist town ($8.00 pitchers in a town of $9.00 pints), even though the management tried to clean the place up and make it a respectable establishment. Great weather year round for outdoor activities and TONS of stuff to do make Pearl a great homeport if you're willing to leave the mainland. Oh yeah, Halloween is INSANE there.
Portsmouth, NH is another gem in the Navy. You have to be on a submarine to go there and it is a shipyard environment, so the work load is brutal. When you have time off of work the Seacoast community is a great place to be. Boston is an hour away (and Red Sox tickets are $10.00 for active duty and a guest! ), and there are several good ski slopes within a couple hours' drive. Gunstock offers great military discounts and, if I remember correctly, free military days from time to time. There is great fishing right off the shipyard piers (no license required) and in many other places on the Great Bay. Portsmouth offers quite a few good restaurants, from fine dining to casual, and the colleges in the area keep the bar scene interesting for the single fellers. By the way, I heard they are looking for a few "crusty nuke master chiefs looking for a good twilight tour" at the shipyard (not an official DON or DOD statement, just heresay from a tech code).
I've only been in about five and a half years and seen just a fraction of what you can see in the program, but it has been a great experience so far (Mast and all).
