Most sailors prefer a break from base

I see now that getting sailors off the ships will improve their quality of life. (April 21 article, “A new home for sailors.”)

Is there an issue with the condition of the ships here in Everett? $61 million for an apartment complex? I can only speak from my own 4-year experience on the USS Whidbey Island (1984-1988). It must have been a different Navy so long ago. The rare occasions when we were in port, we were grateful for the break. The only guys who lived off the ship were guys with families, and there weren’t many. Our way of getting away from the ship was to get a hotel room for a night or two. The whole objective was to get away from the ship and the base! To mingle with civilians and blend in with the local population!

We know the government is not as frugal with our money as we would like it to be. If you were to survey these sailors with their diminished lifestyles, I’ll bet they would rather have an allowance for an off-base apartment. If retention is the goal, money in the pocket always helps.

Hank Bachofer

Everett