National Training Center — Local services in Yermo

The Army's premier training center for Brigade sized mechanized and heavy infantry movements and maneuvers. Tent city includes insulation and air conditioning, latrines were fine, but the PX shopette was completely overrun and not capable of handling 4000+ soldiers. It was always packed and ridiculously long lines.

Units never bring enough water, so make sure to buy a case of water each day and load up on at a months supply of baby wipes and field supplies before heading to the 'box'. The heat and sun and brutal, it's literally the Mojave desert and temperatures reach well over 100 degrees, no shade anywhere to be found, plus a 40 degree drop in temperature overnight.

The base itself is beautiful, great California style base housing and apartments, plenty of MWR facilities and a brand new hospital. The scenery is surreal, breathtaking mountains and dune type sands. The main PX is relatively smaller but well stocked and organized. Everything is within about a mile walking distance from the NTC Rotational Unit barracks area.

All in all, great...

In terms of training our Army and other services, Fort Irwin is an exceptional location. There are not many places in the US where a brigade-sized unit can conduct training. This is the place where all the individual and unit training culminates in preparation to continue on to combat missions. The National Training Center and Fort Irwin are uniquely equipped to help unit better improve themselves.

As for being stationed here, you are in a gated community at the end of the worlds longest cul-de-sac. You are over 30 miles from the nearest "civilization" in Barstow, but most will bypass Barstow to go to Victorville for most of their needs not provided on the post itself. Fort Irwin does have a fairly nice PX and Commissary, and housing has seen drastic, positive changes the past 10 years. Homes are a tad small, but are very nice. I think most families that are stationed here actually like it. If you are single, you will probably have issues, but hey, Vegas is only...

Looking back, I loved this post. Better mounted maneuver training than you'll get anywhere else in the Army. The OPTEMPO sucks, so its tough for families while you're out in the box. Almost always sunny- hot but dry so its not bad. The post itself is austere, but pretty nice. Its got all the necessities- good housing, a nice town center (two starbucks!), some decent restaurants (pizza hut, subway, BK, KFC, the usual PX restaurants and Sam Adams), and some really nice parks for the kids. That being said, its a long way from everything else- so once again, it's hard on families. Though you're along way from everything- your within driving distance to some great vacations- San Diego (2-3 hrs), Las Vegas (2-3 hrs), San Francisco (maybe 6-7 hours), Yosemite (6-8 hours), LA (3 hrs), Big Bear (2 hrs)... etc.

If given the opportunity,...