Before reporting, we were told that we would have full per diem for lodging and meals; yet, we were mandated to use the base lodging as our designated hotel. Now, some quick facts: The lodging per diem in the Petersburg area is ~79$, while the price of the on base lodging per night is 46.50$. So, it appears at first look like a reasonable request to use the on base lodging.
After checking in, I quickly realized this on base property is of inferior quality to most other hotels, and at 46.50$ per night, I am probably being overcharged based on the quality of the room. The only amenities are a small microwave and a fridge - no outside hotplates allowed; which effectively rules out cooking anything but a microwave meal. yuck. Anything in my bathroom that is metal is visibly rusting; the shower refuses to maintain a steady temperature and oscillates more than an ocean wave; the toilet barely flushes; etc etc. My comforter had a cigarette burned hole through it; not until I pointed it out to my housekeeper was it changed. Although the facilities are substandard, the service is fine.
Within a 5 mile radius, there are at least 20 major hotel properties. One in particular which shall go unnamed, offers a weekly rate to military at 229$/week and includes a full kitchen. 46.50$ a night = 325$/week. Over the length of the four month course, I could save the government 1500$ by staying at this particular hotel. If each of my classmates stayed at this hotel, we could save the government 90,000$. If each of the three classes per year that attend this school stayed there, the combined savings would be 270,000$. Not bad.
What do you think? For my lawyer friends, is it even legal to mandate that students who are authorized full per diem use a specific property?
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I fully agree with MAJ Palazzo. The lodging here is sub par and un-user friendly. Does the govt really expect all of us to live on microwave food and cold cuts for 4 months. My "kitchen" consists of an end table with a microwave and another small, dinner table. No cabinets, no countertops, that's it. I would love to use the grills for cooking but, they rusted out and collapsed. The new ones are "on-order." I am thankful to have a decent internet connection and clean towels, I just think we could have saved the Army a substantial amount of money by being boarded off post.
ReplyDeleteI am scheduled to come to Lee for ILE in May 2010. I have heard that they also try and force you to eat in the DFAC and then only pay per diem for weekends. Is that true.
ReplyDeleteMAJ Mike Snyder
Hello Mike,
ReplyDeleteFt. Lee no longer participates with MTSS. So, you get the full 39.00/day per diem (meals). Unfortunately, the lodging has poor cooking facilities and technically does not allow cooking devices. Of course, you know how that goes. Have fun.
We have had lots of success by pooling resources and taking turns cooking for each other. We have a group of five that rotates cooking meals. We usually cook outside behind the lodging building. This has worked out great; I wish we had started it at the beginning of the course.
ReplyDeleteDave, thanks for starting this blog. I am also a student in the same course. I think there are both advantages and disadvantages to the living in Fort Lee Army Lodging.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you that the quality of the quarters are very substandard. I am actually in my second room because the first one they assigned me to had serious bug infestation. The room I am in now is somewhat better but still very inadequate. I have had a leak from the ceiling in my bathroom since I have been here and have called in two work orders but they have not been able to fix it. In my opinion, I think they are not putting a lot of money into the upkeep of these because of the future plans for a new lodging facility. Not being able to cook is also a serious disadvantage. I am actually almost spending my entire daily per diem because a groups of friends and I go out to eat daily. I got tired of the microwavable foods after the first 2 weeks. The fire alarm goes off in my building at least once a week because people do use hot plates to cook in thier room.
However, with all this being said, there are some advantages to our living arrangements. First of all is the matter of convenience. We are located just minutes from our classrooms. For those who like to sleep in, this is huge plus. Also, I live right across from the gym and the running track whick makes afternoon PT sessions easier. For those worried about security, we all know that the crime rate in Petersburg and other surrounding areas is pretty high (especially for car-break ins for those who know my story). Fort Lee lodging adds an extra layer of security with cameras that monitor parking lots. Finally, the house keeping staff and all the adminstrative personnel are all very professional and very people oriented.
My conclusion: I can stay here for the three and a half months of the course. If I was in a course that lasted up to 6 months, then this may get old fast. For those future students staying in lodging, I would say the convenience of the location probably outweighs the inferior quality of the rooms. Plus, you may get lucky and get one of the nicer and upgraded rooms that some of my classmates are staying in.
I agree completely.
ReplyDeleteReunion Lodging