BOQs in San Diego and Portsmouth?

[DaveB]

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I have rotations in San Diego and Portsmouth set up for this summer, and have everything squared away except for my housing reservations. When I search around online, each area seems to have several BOQs - and I'm not sure which ones to book at. Can anyone set me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bobbyseal]

Hav you already received your orders for your summer rotations?

I am doing a July rotation in SD, and I was told that the orders will be available once the 4th quarter funding comes in.

Maybe once the funding comes in, we'll have a better idea of where we can stay.

 

[DaveB]

My orders finally came through on NROWS just today. However, my orders start with "school orders" at the end of June and finish up with my month in San Diego - thus avoiding all this "4th quarter" spending delay. My rotation in Portsmouth is not on orders - HPSP would not split orders between two clerkships for me, no matter how much I pleaded.

 

[Thousandth]

For the rotaions in SD I would suggest the Coronado BOQ (at NASNI), It is in a nice area especially when you want to kill time. I would avoid the one at 32nd St because that station is a mess. Yes you have a little further to go from Coronado (like 3 miles) but you are going to go opposite traffic because everyone is going INTO Coronado at that time. But either one will be the closest to Balboa.

 

[r90t]

You can stay at....
Admiral Kidd, about 1 mile from the airport, 4 miles from NMCDS.
32nd Street. Stayed there last month. You get a bedroom/bathroom and community sitting room. This is the quickest to the base, time wise. Older area, wouldn't recommend walking by yourself outside the base. Can you say, barrio?
NAB/NASNI: Across the Coronado Bay Bridge. NAS is right at the end of the flightline and can be noisy for the early morning hops. You have an S-3 Viking idling about 100 yards from your window. NAB is a little further down the strand. Never stayed there. Both in very nice areas. Good location to hospital/downtown. Good tourist beaches on Coronado.
And the secret BOQ....Subase Point Loma. Even the old rooms are good. They open out onto the Pacific Ocean, via the San Diego Bay and the club attached has decent food. Drawback...25 min from NMCSD. If you have a lot of free time, stay here. Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach are right over the point. Lots of good dining areas in the local area.

 

[burs0028]

Be sure to check them out if you have time and are looking for a good time. I rented a surf board for 5 bucks a day and had a blast! They are in the Navy Sailing Center located within site of the main gate.

 

[raptor5]

32nd Street. Stayed there last month. You get a bedroom/bathroom and community sitting room.

This is funny. Years ago (1995) when I was in the enlisted ranks, the BOQs at 32nd street were for enlisted people also. It was quite odd. I was a 3rd class PO and others in my quad were chiefs as so on. Anyway, They changed that shortly after I left b/c of the actions of my friends and I. As far as where to stay. Coronado has much nicer scenery and there is much more to do around the area. 32nd street is a hole, outside the base anyway. I actually think it is quicker to get to the Naval Hospital from 32nd street. I would still choose coronado. Gator Beach. Can not comment on Virginia as I dislike every aspect of that area. Probably b/c I was spoiled too much in SD.

 

[Navy Dive Doc]

West Coast - Stay on Coronado Island, either down by BUD/S or at North Island. Easy access to the beach, the nicest property the Navy owns CONUS.

Portsmouth - Stay at the Scott Center Annex BOQ, it's just down the road from the Naval Hospital, you'll avoid the tunnel traffic getting to your rotations. It is in a depressing area of Portsmouth, but the buildings are new and the rooms are quite nice. You could also stay at LIttle Creek but then would have a 13 mile commute including the tunnel, the room is not any nicer though the base is, with a beach, nice gym, etc. There is a gym at the hospital that is quite good, and you can always drive out to the beach.

 

[r90t]

32nd street is an all hands bachelor's quarters now. Everyone falls under the same admin with different areas for different ranks.
A couple of things to keep in mind. When I rotated at NMCSD, they had interns who flew in ride share, i.e. 1 rental car/2-3 students. I always drove so it didn't affect me. Talk with Irma at GME and see if that is the way they are still doing it. She may recommend one Q where all of the students are going. Also, get reservations early, sometimes they fill up fast, esp. during the summer months.

 

[bobbyseal]

What did you all do for transportation while out in SD?

Did anyone get a rental car from the Navy?

 

[Spang]

NAS is right at the end of the flightline and can be noisy for the early morning hops.

Did they have a place for you to hang your panties out to dry? 😉

 

[r90t]

After a late night of drinking with the gang any noise is too much. I'm older and wiser now, and don't wear panties anymore. God only knows when you will be found out cold and have to be taken to the ER. (Had construction worker come into the ER, found down, with striped panties...oops.)

 

[DaveB]

What did you all do for transportation while out in SD?

Did anyone get a rental car from the Navy?

You can request a rental car when you submit your orders....... HPSP gave me one without any hassle.

 

[bobbyseal]

So my orders have just come in, but i am having difficulty finding out who I am supposed to contact to schedule BQ arrangements. I called SATO and they say that they only do hotel reservations. I called individual BQ's and they say, well you should contact SATO.

Who does Navy BQ reservations for us on AT? Thanks!

 

[DaveB]

You have to make your own BOQ reservations. If you haven't found it already, there is a handy online directory:

http://www.navfac.navy.mil/housing/

Its pretty self-explanatory. I used the phone numbers off that site and was able to make my own reservations. The twist to all this is that everything is booked up right now.... but you will still be able to get a room. After calling around this is what I figured out: reservists on AT are only authorized up to $50/day for hotel when the BOQ is full. In San Diego, that rate won't even get you a room at a cheezy love shack. The Navy doesn't want to fork out the extra $$, so the BOQ people are required to give you a room. Just make sure when you call you tell them you are a reservist on AT, with orders. I was able to get myself a room at NAS - North Island doing this; that's also where I found the people to be the most helpful.

When do you roll into town? PM me if you get a chance.

 

[GMO_52]

Ditto on the Sub base Q. Or you could always just live in the hospital, moving between unoccupied call rooms. Its a great way to meet people. Especially if you take the last rack in a unit call room before the intern gets there.

 

[bobbyseal]

No room at the BOQ for me

So, I got a hotel room for the month.

What do you all recommend for food out there? Is there a mess hall in the cafeteria that's any good? I'm a bit upset about having the hotel room as there's not going to be much I can make besides coffee in it. Oh well, I wonder how long it will take for me to get sick of burritos and In n out...

 

[DaveB]

Maybe GMO_52 will cook for you if promise to snuggle in his rack during those long call nights.... 😍

 

[bobbyseal]

I've been waiting for some gay humor to approach this board in regards to the Navy. Way to pop the cherry there Dave!

 

[bobbyseal]

One more thing. The nearest In N Out is 1.8 miles away from my hotel. Oh boy!!!!

 

[r90t]

Cafeteria is OK. There are a ton of good eateries for someone on per diem to enjoy! Sounds like you are in Mission Valley. Pacific Beach has fun bars/clubs/food and spirits that you can enjoy after a days work. Downtown is OK, but a tad more expensive. Enjoy SD, I'm heading down there in 8 days for a vacation and to make sure my renters didn't destroy my house!