MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Finding important buildings and making it to meetings or appointments can be a hassle without proper directions for families new to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune area. Marine Corps Community Services conducted a spouse bus tour for the first time aboard base to show all of the bases highest priority areas and services.
Spouses new to the area those who are longtime-residents toured and discussed 26 places across the base to better understand all the programs offered and exactly where to find them.
The spouses thoroughly talked about locations such as the Russel Marine and Family Services Center, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, the Reception Center and many others to understand what is available.
Amber Meaney, a military spouse who attended the tour, was unaware of several roads aboard base even after being stationed here for a year and a half.
“I knew a lot of the roads on base before, but now I know where a lot more of them attach to,” said Meaney. “I also learned about the Gottschalk Marina on base, the golf course and the recreational things aboard the base.”
For some spouses newly stationed at Camp Lejeune, many services and buildings are unknown to them.
Although Keeza Bigby, a military spouse on the tour, said she has only lived aboard the base a short time, physical fitness is high on her list. Learning about the upcoming grand opening of a new exercise facility was a great thing.
“I knew where a lot of the resource buildings were, like where to receive my identification card and where Tricare is located, but now I know everything in a better light,” said Bigby.
Volunteers working for the Lifestyle Insights Networking Knowledge and Skills program originally conducted the spouse tour to test its effectiveness and only positive results followed, said Mark Munger, the resources branch manager with Marine Corps Community Services.
“We realized spouses needed the opportunity to have a welcoming to the community,” said Munger. “Marines are taught about all the services during the welcome aboard brief, but we thought it was important for spouses to also hear about and see where everything is.”
It is vital for spouses to learn where all of the most important services are aboard base, Munger added.
“The tour will help spouses learn about the services aboard the base, and I encourage all new spouses to attend,” said Munger.
To learn more about the spouse bus tour or find dates for the next upcoming tour, visit www.mccslejeune.com/links