Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Marine Corps Base Quantico offers numerous recreational, retail and dining opportunities for all its employees, both military and civilian. Many civilian employees, particularly those who are newer to the base, are unaware that they are able to fully use the majority of services and facilities present on base.
All civilian employees, regardless of whether they are government service, nonappropriated fund or contractor employees, are allowed to dine at The Clubs at Quantico and all chain restaurants across the rest of the base, including the Subway and Hawkins Room establishment at The Basic School.
Civilians are in fact allowed to shop at the Main Exchange and MCX Marine Mart, though there are some restrictions.
According to Danielle Louis, a front-line leader in customer service, said that civilians with a common access card that includes the notation “full exchange privileges,” which is generally given to nonappropriated fund employees, can purchase anything except alcohol, tobacco, firearms or uniform items.
All other civilian employees are only authorized to purchase consumables for one person, meaning single-serving beverages and food items. A common misperception is that civilians can only make cash purchases, but Louis said that is not true, they are authorized to use credit cards.
The shopping restrictions for civilian employees only apply to the Main Exchange and Marine Mart. Civilians are authorized to shop at Things Remembered and Simply Wireless, as well as to avail themselves of the services at barber shop, watch repair and dry cleaner located within the Main Exchange building.
In terms of physical fitness opportunities for civilian employees, they are authorized to use the weight room, and basketball and racquetball courts of the Barber Physical Activity Center free of charge. According to the BPAC website, civilians can also participate in classes and personal training sessions for a fee.
Kanee Booth, youth sports director, said the children of civilian employees can participate in all youth sports teams, and sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Bowling Center, golf course, swimming pool and movie theater are also all open to civilian employees.
For those who are avid hunters and anglers, all civilian employees are authorized to hunt and fish on base, said Natural Resources Manager Tim Stamps. Civilians without a Department of Defense identification card, such as the spouses of civilian employees, must first pass a background check before being allowed to purchase a base hunting or fishing license.
Civilians who want to further their education are allowed to take classes from the seven different schools that offer classes on base and sometimes qualify for reduced tuition, said Melora McVicker, Education Services Officer at the Voluntary Education Center. They can also use the test proctoring benefits of the VEC free of charge and take some standardized tests such as the GRE or SAT at a reduced price. Educational and career counseling are available as well.
— ebaker@quanticosentryonline.com