Operation Vacation Destination

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Brian Boynton
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  A little-utilized benefit available to current and retired members of the armed services and their families at reduced prices is an array of military resorts, Armed Forces Vacation Clubs and military campgrounds.

A few Operation Vacation Destination "deployment" opportunities and some helpful links are listed in this article.

Some of the Department of Defense resorts include Shades of Green® on Walt Disney World Resort® in Florida. HALE KOA Resort on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii with rates based on rank and travel status from $91 nightly.

Others include Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul Korea and the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort located in the Bavarian Alps in Germany.

The Armed Forces Vacation Club is a mostly space-available program that of fers military and other DODaffiliated personnel worldwide vacations at over 4,000 resorts starting at $349 per unit per week. The program is available to all active and retired members of the Armed Forces, DOD employees and select civilian employees in military support roles.

Many military installations have campgrounds including the family camping area at Westover with rates much lower than commercially-run campgrounds.

Another example is the Marathon Cottages and RV Park located on the Florida Keys at the Marathon Coast Guard Station. RV sites range from $25 daily and cottages start at $40 daily. In comparison, Westover's rates start at a basic tents site from $8 daily to electric and water hookups for both tents and RV's for $18 daily. The non- DOD link below for military campgrounds has reviews, links and helpful information to over 250 family camping areas in the United States.

Military -- active, reserve, and retired -- will be pleasantly surprised by the deals offered to service members looking to volunteer for Operation Vacation Destination. For additional information, visit www.westoverservices.com

www.militarydisneytips.com/Accommodations/Armed-Forces-Vacation-Club.html

www.militarycampgrounds www.armymwr.com/travel/recreationcenters/www.afvclub.com/military_search_resorts