Back in the late '70's, I was proudly serving as a Radioman onboard the USS George Washington (SSBN598), the world's first nuclear ballistic submarine. Shortly after refit at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA, we transited up along the West Coast, finding our way into the waters of the picturesque Hood Canal, and made port at the newly constructed Bangor Subase, situated along the scenic shores of the Kitsap Peninsula.

I can remember standing watch up topside, looking out over the majestic splendor of the Olympic Mountain Range and the deep blue waters of Hood Canal, and thinking to myself, how great it would be to live here someday.

Now, some 25 years later, I am thrilled to call the Kitsap Peninsula our home!

As I have mentioned in some previous posts, the Kitsap Peninsula is proud to be home to a very large military community who faithfully serve at various locations in the surrounding area that make up Naval Base Kitsap. Naval Base Kitsap is comprised of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the Bangor Submarine Base, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, as well as various surface ships and submarines that are home ported at Bremerton and Bangor.

SUBASE Bangor was originally used as one several sites for shipping ammunition to the Pacific theater during World War II. Construction of the current base began in 1974 and was officially activated in February of 1977 as the homeport for the first squadron of TRIDENT submarines. Since that time, SUBASE Bangor has garnered numerous prestigious awards including the coveted Navy Times "Best Base in the Navy," as voted by active duty service members.

SUBASE Bangor is an amazing self-contained, city-within-a-city. In addition to single barracks and family residential units, you'll find a full-range of services available, including a McDonalds, a Subway, a grocery store, an exchange department store, a movie theater, bowling alley, gas station, chapel, and much more.

Two nearby elementary schools serve Navy families living on base - Clear Creek Elementary and Cougar Valley Elementary. These schools are part of the Central Kitsap School District, known as one of the premier districts in the State.

The adjacent community of Silverdale offers the largest variety of retail shopping, restaurants, and services than anywhere else on the Peninsula. You'll find all the big box stores, including Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, Home Depot, Costco, and many national retailers in the Kitsap Mall.

There is never a lack of great leisure activities here on the Kitsap Peninsula. The surrounding waterways of the Puget Sound offer excellent boating and sportsfishing opportunities. You'll definitely want to try your hand at crabbing or clam digging. The Washington State Parks Commission maintains a wonderful network of top-rated campgrounds and hiking trails. The Olympic National Park is only a short drive across the Hood Canal Bridge.

SUBASE Bangor is a wonderful place to be stationed. Our area offers a great quality of life, and a safe environment to live or raise a family!

I am grateful to live in a community that is made up of dedicated service men and women who are stationed here, along with their families. Their devoted patriotism makes the Kitsap Peninsula a wonderful place to call home.

Rich Jacobson, Your Military Relocation Specialist on the Kitsap Peninsula