Wow, where to start? Camp Shelby is a thing unto itself. There is nothing normal or easy about being parked here. However, not everything is terrible, as many would have you think. It just takes a little understanding.
The first thing to understand is that this is an MS National Guard post. The government federalized it for the training of troops heading to war. This means that there is Active Service, Reserve (TPU, Mobilized and AGR) and National Guard (Mobilized). Money jackpots don’t get mixed up and learning how it all works can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know, as a spouse, before you leave.
accommodation
There is no housing. You will live off the charge. However, there is a housing office with a housing program. People in the community can list their homes at Camp Shelby. They rent to the government and Camp Shelby puts the soldiers and their families in these houses. They are NICE homes and you can usually choose from several that are available.
Here’s the catch, it’s only available for certain ranks and the rules on this changed 5 times in the 2 years we were there. Therefore, you will need to ask your soldier to call housing and see if he is eligible. If you are eligible, use the program. It will be for your benefit.
On-the-job services
There are none. There is no ACS, no commissioner, … nothing. It is a National Guard post, which only has the basics for Soldiers. So if you need something, you have to find it in the Hattiesburg community (or wherever you end up living).
Services outside of publication
Hattiesburg is the community outside of Camp Shelby. It is a decent size with many restaurants, universities and churches. If you’re not from the south (we weren’t), it will take a bit of getting used to, but the people are friendly and the community is supportive.
Doctor
There are no medics available at Camp Shelby. You may be thinking this is a hassle, but it’s actually a great thing! You will be Remote Tricare. This means you can see any doctor who accepts Tricare (they all do it in Hattiesburg) and all doctors are very familiar with how Tricare works. My baby saw a civil pediatrician, I saw a civil specialist, etc. That’s great!
The two hospitals are Forrest General and Wesley Medical. They are both very good. Soldiers are automatically sent to General Forrest, but the family has a choice. We have no complaints about anything medical in Hattiesburg, MS.
Dental is also a great experience. You will have your choice of dentists. There are only for children, only for adults, family, etc.
Childcare
There is no childcare at Camp Shelby. You will have to use daycare centers in Hattiesburg, and there are many. See the Hattiesburg article for more information. Because there is no child care at Camp Shelby, you are eligible to receive benefits to supplement the cost of off-site child care. Be sure to visit the NAACRA website to see if you are eligible. Please note that many child care providers accept these funds, but they are not listed on the website. Ask each provider if they are part of the program.
Camp Shelby can be quite intimidating for those families who have always lived on military installations. But living off the job in this community can be very rewarding. Remember to be open-minded, ask questions, and try not to get frustrated. Find a spouse who has been there for a while and ask them to help you. If your unit has an FRG, they may be able to help as well.
Keep your head up! This experience will be entirely what you make of it. So make it cool!
