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Ok, Great Lakes is obviously not going to be as nice as the bases that are fortunate enough to be located on the coast of an ocean, at least, as far as weather is concerned. However, that doesn't mean that the sailors and dependents stationed here should have sup par housing, access to services, and dilapidated buildings!! If this was the only Naval Base we had ever been to, I would definitely think twice about subjecting my family to more years of military life. Thankfully, we've been to San Diego and Yokosuka, Japan. This base is so small that our auto port doesn't even have a mechanic's station, which, therefore, makes any warranty that you may have gotten on repairs at another base useless as long as you are here. There is, in general, poor communication between the command and families. The base is located in a dangerous part of Illinois, my husband was witness to a gang shooting, a disturbed man running around on base with a gun, and also a suicide in just one week. Granted, he is an MA so that is sort of his job, but that's quite a bit of action for a base of such a small size. This is definitely a bad place for members of the MA rating b/c you are not empowered by any means. You work very long shifts, we're talking 12 hours, 5 days a week, and have to submit to the Great Lakes Police Department when anything happens on base. You litterally can't even write a parking ticket, you must call GLPD first. Think twice before PCSing to Great Lakes, we're looking forward to going to a different base!
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