Golden Navy Lodge program

Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.’s, Navy Lodge celebrated the Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) 50th anniversary of the Navy Lodge program on Jan. 25. The Navy Lodge program was created in 1969 to relieve difficulties associated with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders for sailors and Marines. The Pensacola lodge marked the occasion with a cake-cutting ceremony. 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. (Source: NAS Pensacola 01/25/19) There are Gulf Coast Navy lodges at NAS Whiting Field and Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla.; NAS/JRB Belle Chasse, La.; and NCTC Gulfport, NAS Meridian, and Stennis Space Center, Miss.