OnBase: San Antonio
Military City, USABy Sarah J. Schmidt
Summer 2005
It's little wonder that so many military families covet an assignment to one of San Antonio's four premier military installations - Brooks City-Base, Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base or Randolph Air Force Base. Each installation is located in one of the most beautiful and attraction-laden cities in the country, and each combines an impressive history with a modern-day mission that endows it with special significance in today's military.
Brooks City-Base is home to the 311th Human Systems Wing and the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, where more than 7,000 military students train annually in everything from flight medicine to bioenvironmental engineering. Practically all aerospace medical officers and enlisted personnel come through Brooks at some point in their careers. Brooks' place in history is told at Hangar 9, the oldest aircraft hanger in the Air Force. Built in 1918, the hanger served Brooks' original mission with the Army Signal Corp. It was condemned as a fire hazard in the late 1960s before veterans and local citizens managed to save it. The restored hanger now houses the Air Force Museum of Aerospace Medicine, open to the public free of charge.
Fort Sam Houston dates back to 1845, when soldiers trained here for service on the western frontier. Many of the legendary African-American cavalry fighters, known as the Buffalo Soldiers, were stationed here a century ago. Generals Eisenhower, MacArthur and Pershing also served at Fort Sam; Pershing's historic quarters are now the post commander's home. Today, Fort Sam is home to a number of Army units, including the Army Medical School, where personnel learn the latest battlefield treatments to save more lives on the front lines.
Lackland Air Force Base provides basic military training for all enlisted personnel entering the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. New recruits undergo an intensive six-week basic course here, and many return later in their careers for high-level technical training in more than 390 different courses. Lackland also is home to the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, which train international military personnel from more than 130 countries. More than 70,000 students graduate annually from Lackland's various training centers. Besides the impressive parade grounds, where graduation ceremonies are held every Friday, the USAF Security Forces Museum is a must-see at Lackland.
Randolph Air Force Base trains pilots, navigators and electronic warfare officers for military service in fighters, bombers and cargo aircraft. Built in 1930, the base was designed as the perfect "air city" to support basic and primary flying operations, flight instructor training and combat crew training. Like Fort Sam, the base is designated a National Historic Landmark, with many original buildings still in use today; this includes the breathtaking Building 100 - nicknamed the "Taj Mahal" - which houses the headquarters for the 12th Flying Training Wing. Historical exhibits stay on continuous display in the building's rotunda. Also headquartered at Randolph are the Air Education and Training Command, which oversees all flying and technical training, plus the 19th Air Force, which manages flight training throughout the Air Force. The central headquarters for the Air Force Personnel Center operates here as well.
Destination Location
If you're lucky enough to be stationed at one of these installations, expect to receive frequent houseguests. Family and friends will want to visit. But it's probably not you they're coming to see - it's San Antonio! This is a big destination location with many more amenities than most military towns.
Even if you're not stationed here, San Antonio makes a great weekend getaway from several other military spots across the southwest. It's just a two-to-three-hour drive from Fort Hood or NAS-Kingsville, for instance. And it's only a day's drive from installations in surrounding states such as Cannon AFB in New Mexico (about 505 miles) or Fort Sill in Oklahoma (about 415 miles). All the San Antonio bases offer billeting, so save money on hotels and stay on base. It may be tough to get billeting during the week because these are very busy facilities, but rooms usually open up on weekends.
Nearly 20 million people visit San Antonio every year, and military personnel make up a large percentage. Veterans frequently return for squadron reunions and historical sightseeing. Many more settle in San Antonio after retiring from military service because of the mild climate and easy access to major military facilities where they can maximize retiree benefits, such as commissary privileges and health care.
But it's not just retirees who love the area. Active duty members and families also find much to appreciate, from the unique shops and restaurants along the downtown Riverwalk to the world's first uphill water coaster at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Many of the local attractions, including Sea World and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, offer discounts and special events for military families.
With so many extraordinary military facilities in its midst and so much to offer military families, San Antonio certainly lives up to its nickname as "Military City, U.S.A."
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Attorney and military spouse Sarah J. Schmidt writes frequently for Military Money and other business publications. She currently lives on Randolph AFB and personally vouches for every attraction mentioned in the article - she's done them all!
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San Antonio At A Glance
Cost of Living: According to the Greater San Antonio of Chamber of Commerce, the area's cost of living is about five percent below the national average. As the 10th largest city in the U.S., San Antonio's cost of living is the lowest among similarly-sized metropolitan areas in the nation.
Housing: Availability of base housing varies. Brooks and Randolph generally have availability with minimal waits, but Fort Sam Houston and Lackland have wait lists up to two years. Some units have been privatized. Off-base housing is plentiful, with lots of new development on the north side of town. Many families opt to invest in homes here because they're more affordable than other parts of the country. The rental market, however, is fairly tight and can be pricey in certain areas.
Education: Local school districts operate public elementary schools on and off base. Middle and high schools are all off base. A wide variety of private schools also are available, often sponsored by religious institutions. Several major colleges and universities have campuses in San Antonio and outlying suburbs.
Employment: A wide variety of positions is available on and off base. For on-base employment, check civilian personnel offices at each base. For off-base jobs, check local classifieds at MySanAntonio.com.
Commuting: Traffic is heavy during morning and afternoon drive times with several major arteries under long-term construction. Average commute for those who live off base is 30-45 minutes.
Entertainment: Though best known as the home of the Alamo - the symbol of Texas's break from Mexico - San Antonio today is more defined by its integration of Anglo and Hispanic cultures. The blend of diverse cultures comes together in the eateries and shops of the vibrant Riverwalk. Almost every major sight or park, including the city's many old Spanish missions, is within a few miles of downtown and accessible by public transit.
Websites:
Local news, employment and events: MySanAntonio.com
Travel and tourism: San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
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