I spent part of yesterday afternoon at the former Army SIGINT base known as Vint Hill Farms Station, which is now a county park and office park development. Vint Hill reminds me of a similar base to which I was once assigned but is now also an office part development: Fort Devens in western Massachusetts.
As I surveyed the empty barracks and parade field, I realized that precious few of the places I’ve been stationed are still active military installations.
- Recruit Training Command Orlando, where I entered the Navy as a recruit? Now an office park redevelopment.
- Fort Devens? An office park redevelopment now.
- USS Elliot (DD-967), my home and office for three years? Now an artificial reef in the Coral Sea.
The only station from my military past that is still kicking is NTTC Corry Station in Pensacola. I was sent there after initial training in Fort Devens.
Makes me feel old.