| Okay, we all know that America is graying. But | | | | are a piece of cake." |
| according to new surveys, retirees aren't just graying - | | | | Another inestimable resource for military RVers are |
| they're sprouting wheels. | | | | the more than 225 military RV and camping locations. |
| According to a recent study, more baby boomers | | | | A good example of such a facility is Kirtland AFB's |
| now own recreational vehicles than any other age | | | | FamCamp in Albuquerque, NM. Its Operational Clerk |
| group. Today's typical RV owner is 49 years old, | | | | Janet Marchi (NF2, AF) says that about 80 percent of |
| married--and owns a home without wheels as well. | | | | the people who stay at her facility are retirees. Many |
| Ten percent of people age 55 and over own an RV. | | | | of the FamCamp's guests are just traveling through or |
| And they're part of a great community, according to | | | | visiting the area, and are delighted with the $15 a night |
| former Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell | | | | full-hookup fee (that compares to local fees that can |
| who recently estimated that if you put together all the | | | | run as much as $75 off base for a large family with a |
| RV owners in America, they would comprise the | | | | big rig.) Other guests are more long-term, like the AF |
| fourth largest city in the nation. | | | | major who is attending helicopter school whose trailer |
| Many military retirees are opting for the wheeled life. | | | | Marchi points out. |
| "My wife and I thought long and hard about this | | | | Amos D. Giron (Major, USA, Ret.) is a "regular" at |
| lifestyle," says Stewart J. Moyer, CW03, USA (Ret.), in | | | | KAFB's FamCamp. Though he lives in Taos, NM, he |
| speaking about his decision to live fulltime in an RV. | | | | comes about once a month to the nearby Veteran's |
| The couple found that their experience in the | | | | hospital in Albuquerque. He calls his 30-foot fifth wheel |
| military-with 13 moves in 17 years of active duty-- | | | | his "mini home away from home" that saves him |
| suited them for a nomadic RV lifestyle. | | | | money during his medical treatments. He doesn't pull his |
| "As a retired Army officer, we were used to keeping | | | | trailer back home each time he returns, however, |
| our 'stuff' to a minimum, very important when traveling | | | | choosing to store it at one of KAFB's three base |
| in an RV," says Moyer. "Add to that the military parks | | | | storage areas for RVs. |
| throughout the country, makes this a great life." | | | | Earning on the Road |
| Conceptually speaking, an RV is something between a | | | | For some retired military, the RV lifestyle is actually a |
| tent and a hotel room. RVs come in all types but fall | | | | source of income. For instance, Tom Skinner, USA |
| into two main categories: towables and motorized. | | | | Major (Ret.) sold his home and went "on the road" in |
| Towables include camping trailers, truck campers, and | | | | 2000, supporting himself and wife JoAnn through jobs |
| travel trailers; and prices for new units run from $4000 | | | | obtained through an organization called Workampers, |
| upwards to $65,000. Motorized units can range in size | | | | which connects RVers with seasonal, part-time, and/or |
| from the upgraded cargo van to the luxury "bus" type, | | | | full-time work. |
| and sell for around $50,000 new, up to nearly half a | | | | "We love the people and our chosen lifestyle," says |
| million dollars. Annual sales overall? Nearly $14 billion. | | | | Skinner. "We have done such jobs as hosting, security, |
| For many people, an RV is a symbol: of status, of | | | | housekeeping, landscaping, gardening and gate tending |
| leisure, of freedom and mobility. It represents the | | | | just to mention a few." Working at a park in Branson, |
| fulfillment of dreams and the ability to go where | | | | MO, says Skinner, also provided perks like discount or |
| they've never gone - or go back to places they love. | | | | free tickets to shows. Another Workamper, Paul |
| Dave Langlois (USN, Ret., CWO-3) and his wife began | | | | LaBarge (USMC Captain, Ret.) says he's worked |
| RVing with a small trailer in 1991 after he retired. The | | | | alongside many other retired military officers. "Being a |
| couple and one child now live in a 37-foot Fifth Wheel | | | | retired military officer provides one big advantage," |
| trailer with 300 square feet of living space. They've | | | | says LaBarge. "It allows us to be very selective in the |
| logged about 12,000 miles, visiting 30 states on their | | | | jobs we apply for, mainly because of our retirement |
| trek to see all the lower 48. | | | | pay and other perks of military retirement (like) health |
| "Having a new view out the back window every | | | | insurance." |
| week and meeting new folks every week has been | | | | This kind of financial "cushion" allows others to be |
| great," says Langlois. "As a side line we're also trying | | | | more altruistic. Many volunteers for the Hurricane |
| to figure out where we might want to drop the anchor | | | | Katrina aftermath, for instance, were retired people |
| some day!" | | | | with RV's. Other groups, like the faith-based |
| Recreation and Resources | | | | "Sojourners," travel in caravans to repair youth camps |
| RV historian David Woodworth is a Coast Guard | | | | and provide training, support and repairs to financially |
| veteran who traces RV use back to such luminaries | | | | strapped churches. |
| as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone. | | | | Langlois, like many retired military RVers, belongs to |
| He, too, rhapsodizes about "watching the sun come up | | | | support organizations for "fulltimers." One, called |
| on the lake in the Andirondacks," but also notes a trend | | | | Escapees, provides guidance, support, mail forwarding, |
| he sees that reflects the practicality of many who buy | | | | and even medical assistance. Another, S.M.A.R.T. |
| the units. "A lot of people, instead of buying a cabin at | | | | (Special Military Active Retired Travel Club) has 3000 |
| the lake, buy an RV and take it to the lake." | | | | members and caters specifically to retired service |
| A recent study by PFK Consulting found that a family | | | | members, offering regional rallies, caravans, a |
| vacation in an RV is "on average 26 to 74 percent | | | | magazine, and up-to-date information on campgrounds |
| less expensive than other types of vacations." But for | | | | at military installations. |
| those who are living fulltime in their RV's, sometimes it's | | | | Fuel Costs and the Future |
| no picnic. However, it can be done. | | | | Are high fuel prices dimming RVing's future? Not |
| "One of the benefits we have as retired military is the | | | | according to a recent survey by industry organization |
| ability to take our benefit packages with us, " says | | | | RVIA. The survey, taken just after Hurricane Katrina |
| James Whitney (CW5, Army National Guard, Ret.), | | | | when gasoline prices were hovering around $3 a |
| who refers to his "lifestyle dream" of life on the road: | | | | gallon, showed that 7 out of 10 respondents still |
| "With a little patience it isn't hard to transfer Tri Care. | | | | planned to travel in the coming season in their RVs, |
| With today's automatic deposit of funds, ATMs, debit | | | | though they were planning to take shorter trips and |
| cards, online bill paying and bank statements, finances | | | | stay longer at their destinations. |