1. What types of lodging are available on military installations? There are numerous types of lodging available on military installations. They range from very modern, modular-construction, complete housekeeping units which will sleep a family of five, with all amenities found in a good motel (plus a furnished kitchenette) such as is found in Navy Lodges, to the old faithful guest houses (now titled "Army Lodging" at Army installations)—in most cases relics of World War II, which are often barracks-type buildings. Some may have been improved while others are definitely substandard. Some are the modern low-rise to high-rise hotel types such as the Shades of Green™ on Walt Disney World® Resort, Florida; Hale Koa Hotel AFRC, Hawaii; The New Sanno U.S. Forces Center, Japan and the Dragon Hill Lodge, Korea. There is also the modern motel-type lodging such as the Inn at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and motel chain operations at Fort Bliss, Texas. Somewhere in between, you will find Very Important Enlisted Quarters (VEQ) and Very Important Officer Quarters (VOQ) type accommodations that usually consist of private rooms with a shared bath between rooms. Also, there are the Distinguished Visitors (DV) and Very Important Persons (VIP) facilities which have in most cases a bedroom, sitting room and kitchen/dining facility. If you are the "picky" type, we suggest you take a look before signing in, if possible, or talk with the lodging management.

2. Were the units mentioned above constructed with tax dollars? According to information given to Military Living Publications, the answer on most of the lodging is an emphatic "NO." The newer construction was built from non-appropriated funds or grants from welfare funds, generated from profits from military exchanges, etc. The exception to this is in cases where old unused family housing, initially built with appropriated funds, has been converted into temporary military lodging facilities. Also, TML is frequently available in bachelor officers', NCO and enlisted grade quarters which have been constructed with appropriated funds.

3. What does space-available (Space-A) mean? The purpose of having lodging on military installations is to accommodate duty personnel and those arriving or departing an installation on Temporary Duty orders (TDY), Temporary Attached Duty (TAD) or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. Those on orders generally have first priority on all lodging. After these needs have been met, if there is any space left over, leave personnel (including retirees, reservists and their families) may utilize the facilities on a Space-A basis. During the summer months, Space-A lodging may be more difficult to obtain than during the spring, fall and winter.

4. How about advance reservations? While most installations will accept reservations from those on duty; leave, reservist and retired travelers will generally find that they cannot make reservations in advance but are accepted on a Space-A basis on arrival at the billeting office. The USAF is an important exception as they can provide reservations up to 30 days in advance of arrival for a stay of up to three nights. Also, Navy Lodges do accept reservations from all categories. As we are listing the lodging of five Uniformed Services (USA, USN, USMC, USCG and USAF) in this book, the rules may vary greatly from installation to installation. Please check each listing in this book or call in advance to check on specific policies on making reservations at the time of your trip. You may be surprised and find that the place you want to visit will accept your reservation.

5. Can retirees use military lodging? Definitely! Usually on the same Space-A basis as active duty on leave. Retirees will also find that they are welcome to use the lodging on most installations overseas, even though they may be restricted from using the commissary and exchange in most overseas areas due to the local Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). The rules are different for the use of support facilities in each foreign country. Complete details on "Support Authorized United States Uniformed Services Personnel and Their Dependent Family Members Visiting Foreign Countries" are in Appendix E in this book.

6. Are Reservists eligible for TML? Many favorable changes have occurred for Reservists as a result of the DoD "One Force Policy." Reservists now have the same eligibility for TML as Active Duty personnel. There is one notable exception in that Reservists cannot use TML in foreign countries or facilities in foreign countries where their use is not provided for in the SOFA, i.e., Reservists are not permitted to use the AFRCs in Germany and The New Sanno U.S. Forces Center in Japan. See Appendix C, "National Guard and Reserve Components Personnel Are Eligible For Temporary Military Lodging."

7. Your book often refers to Defense Switched Network (DSN) telephone/telefax numbers. What are they? The Defense Switched Network numbers are military telephone/telefax numbers which are to be used only by those on official business. Such numbers can normally be dialed only from a military installation and are monitored to ensure their use is not violated. As many of our readers use military lodging and other facilities while traveling on duty, and many government offices use our book as a reference guide, we publish the DSN numbers, when available, as a service to them. The DSN requires area codes to facilitate dialing to and through different areas of the DSN system. In the DSN system these area codes are called "Area Voice Codes" which are Alaska=317; Canada=319; Caribbean=313; CONUS=312; Europe=314, Pacific=315 and Southwest Asia=318.

8. What is DV/VIP lodging? It is lodging for distinguished official visitors. Some installations will have a few rooms or a small guest house available for them. If these facilities are not being used by official visitors, many installations will often extend the courtesy of their use to qualified active duty and reservist personnel on leave status or retirees on a day-to-day Space-A basis. Most military installations we surveyed referred to DV/VIP as pay grades O6 and above for all Services. Just a few lodging facilities included lower officer grades (O5) and Senior NCO (E8/9) in this category. The Marine Corps calls their distinguished visitors lodging, Distinguished Guest Quarters (DGQ). Since 1977, we have noted that many more Air Force bases are providing DV/VIP lodging for their senior NCOs. Personnel in the DV/VIP category should check our listings in this book for more complete information and inquire at each installation upon arrival. Distinguished visitors will usually find that it is best to make advance reservations through the Protocol Office or Visitor's Bureau of the installation concerned. In some cases, the billeting office has authority to place personnel in the DV/VIP lodging and coordinate the visit for the traveler.

9. My husband is enlisted. What chance do we have at staying in military lodging? Better than ever. In the past few years, concentrated efforts have been made to provide more temporary lodging for enlisted members. Please notice in our listing the numerous references to quarters for all ranks. In the newer Air Force Transient Living Quarters, Navy Lodges, and Army Lodging, rank has absolutely no privileges. All ranks are accommodated on an equal basis. Policies may vary on other types of lodging. At some facilities, enlisted have priority.

10. May 100% DAV use TML? Most military lodging units accept 100% DAV (Disabled American Veterans) on a Space-A basis if it is possible. In fact the Hale Koa Hotel, AFRC specifically mentions 100% DAV in their brochure as being eligible. One problem that 100% DAV have encountered has been caused by the color of their ID Card (DD-1173). It is the same color (buff or butterscotch) as carried by family members. Many times 100% DAV are turned away from facilities which require family members to be accompanied by their sponsor. The "ID card-checking authority" assumes this 100% DAV is not a military member but a "dependent" or family member. The DoD is now issuing a new card, DD Form 2765, Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card to 100% DAVs in lieu of the older DD Form 1173. The new card is issued to sponsors, other than active duty military members, who are entitled to uniformed services benefits and privileges. Editor's Note: This new card, DD Form 2765 does not change the fact that 100% DAVs are not entitled to fly Space-A air on DoD aircraft. They may fly Space-A on DoT (U.S. Coast Guard) aircraft.

11. How about Navy-Bachelor Quarters (BQ)? We are told that a few Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) locations are unsuitable facilities for family members—central baths (latrines), etc. However, most Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) have suitable facilities. Also, Bachelor Officers' Quarters (BOQ) are almost always suitable. They will generally accept family members accompanying their sponsor. Rules can vary from installation to installation. If a Navy Lodge is not available, always ask about the possible use of BEQ/BOQ.

12. What about widows, widowers, and unaccompanied dependents? The news gets better each time we report in our new TML book. Dependents of active duty personnel who are involved in a PCS move may now use TML and make reservations at the installation they are leaving and at the new one to which they are assigned. They may also use TML en route on a Space-A basis. This includes TML in TLF and in VEQ or VOQ.