NAS Pensacola Navy Lodge Celebrates Navy Lodge Program’s 50th Anniversary

Photo By Bruce Cummins | PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Navy Lodge General Manager Carla Gutierrez and NAS Pensacola Command Master Chief Mario Rivers cut a cake Jan. 25 at the Pensacola Navy Lodge celebrating the Navy Exchange Service Command's (NEXCOM) 50th anniversary of the Navy Lodge Program. The Navy Lodge Program was conceived in 1969, with the first facility opening onboard Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia.  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

01.25.2019

Story by Bruce Cummins 

Naval Air Station Pensacola

The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Navy Lodge celebrated the Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) 50^th anniversary of the Navy Lodge Program Jan. 25 onboard NAS Pensacola.

   The Navy Lodge Program, created in 1969 in an effort to relieve difficulties associated with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders for Sailors and Marines, is scheduled to celebrate 50 years of operations at various facilities around the world.

   The Pensacola Navy Lodge marked the occasion with a cake-cutting ceremony and remarks from Carla Gutierrez, the NAS Pensacola Navy Lodge general manager.

    “We [the Navy Lodge] are so excited to celebrate this milestone with our respective supporting commands,” she said. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the dedicated military service of so many people and are here because of the sacrifice of so many. We look forward to continue offering the Navy Lodge as the ‘Home Away From Home’ for all service members.”

   Throughout the year, the Navy Lodge Program will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a series of events, activities and surprises for guests and the local military community. Events kick-off in January with cake cutting celebrations at all Navy Lodge locations worldwide.

   The Navy Lodge Program was created in 1969 to bolster scarce housing options for military families associated with permanent change of station. Teaming up with the Bureau of Naval Personnel and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, construction began on reasonably priced, temporary lodging facilities. Unlike other services temporary lodging facilities, the Navy Lodge Program distinguished itself by operating with non-appropriated funds. The first Navy Lodge opened at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va., on Feb. 6, 1971.

   Over the past 50 years, the Navy Lodge Program has grown to 39 facilities worldwide. When a guest checks into today’s Navy Lodge they will find amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a complimentary breakfast each morning and a weekly managers reception. Room choices include family suites with flat screen satellite televisions and fully stocked kitchens.

   Navy Lodges also have laundry facilities and vending machines as well as an outside play area and workout rooms at many locations so guests have what they need in one location. Every Navy Lodge is handicapped accessible, and as an added convenience, dogs and cats up to 70 pounds in weight can stay with its owner at many Navy Lodge locations. 

  NAS Pensacola, referred to as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation," is designed to support operational and training missions of tenant commands, including the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center (NATTC), Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC), the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), Marine Aviation Training Support Groups (MATSG) 21 and 23 and is the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).

• Date Taken: 01.25.2019
• Date Posted: 01.30.2019 09:47
• Story ID: 308738
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US