Congratulations! "You have been selected!" You just got the dream assignment ... whether you are active duty military or a civilian contractor... it's a great assignment!
Welcome to the Coastal Systems Station on Panama City Beach, FL!
The first thing you'll notice is all the water ... St Andrews Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the IntraCoastal Waterway! Of course the waterfront access is the very reason why CSS is located on "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches." CSS is home to military families associated with the US Navy and the US Coast Guard. CSS is also a major employer for civilian support for the military. Engineers and contractors abound! Many of the more than 3000 retirees in the area were once employed at the CSS. It's a huge part of the economy and lifestyle of Panama City Beach.
Yeah, you get to go to the beach ... the sugar white sands are just about half a mile down the road from the Coastal Systems Station.
This dream assignment can be really sweet, but it's still another relocation to a new town, new job, new school, new church, new shopping centers, new restaurants, new doctors, new day care, new babysitters, new everything!
Have you ever had to do something new for the first time that you've never had to do before, and wished that someone had written a guide or book or manual to help you do it?
Like parenting, how many times have you heard some one say that kids don't come with an owner's manual?
How many times have you wondered how to add something to your post on Active Rain and found that someone (usually Brad Andersohn) had already written a post giving detailed instructions on how to do that very thing?
Instruction manuals are good, but they are only good if you know about them or know where to find them. And they are only as good as the information they contain. Guess what military families ... there is a Guide to Military Installations 6th Edition by Dan Cragg published 2001 by Stackpole Books.
Maybe you already know about this book, certainly it has been around a while, but if you haven't heard of it, you must "Google" it! This guide tells you the basics on ALL the military installations... everything you wanted to know about approximately 300 Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard Installations all over the world.
It's easy to understand and full of great information. Here is a direct quote from the guide about CSS:
"Established originally in 1942 as a naval section base, the Panama City Coastal Systems Station (CSS) has been involved with surface warfare research and development since it became a mine countermeasures station in 1945. Today it is a major activity under the Naval Surface Warfare Center with an active-duty complement of 750 military personnel and a civilian workforce of over 1,100 persons."
CSS is a place where important research, development, testing, training, and studies are done in engineering and scientific expertise for the military.
CSS also offers support missions for Mine, Amphibious, and Special Warfare operations and training. The deep waters of the Bay and the Gulf of Mexico are perfect arenas for the Navy and Coast Guard exercises and training maneuvers.
Of course there's always swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing, sunbathing, volleyball, jogging, and Spring Break!
Did someone say "Spring Break" on Panama City Beach?
Okay, guys, let's get back to business... here's a quote from the Department of Defense describing in detailed acronyms the purpose of CSS.
"The Naval Sea Systems command is an integral component of the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Dahlgren Division. CSS is on the Navy's major RDT&E laboratories with a wide base of expertise in science, technology, engineering, modeling, simulation, and T&E. The Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) and Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC)-CSS provides the nucleus for all Department of Defense diving efforts."
Focus....... I bet I lost you in all those capital letters above, didn't I?.......
In addition to being located on Panama City Beach, (CSS) has a lot to offer those who are lucky enough (or smart enough) to be stationed here. There is a Navy exchange and mini-mall, plus a nice bowling facility, full library, recreation center, excellent gym, and auto hobby center. In the surrounding area there are multiple opportunities for golf, fishing, camping, swimming, tennis, and a multitude of outdoor activities, and great seafood restaurants.
However there is one thing CSS doesn't have a lot of... and that is on-base housing. There are approximately 65 family housing units for active duty. Obviously, most personnel and all civilians live away from CSS. There is a large variety of housing options available from single family homes and townhouses to condominiums in Panama City Beach. You're going to need an experienced real estate agent! (It would be my pleasure to share my experience with you!)
There are also plenty of educational opportunities available for children from day care facilities, pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools, as well as college courses for adults through Gulf Coast Community College and Florida State University's Panama City Campus, both located on beautiful St Andrews Bay.
There are a lot of new opportunities and developments in Panama City Beach that you will want to explore. This sleepy little Southern coastal community has come alive in recent months with the development of Pier Park, a retail shopping and dining extravaganza on Panama City Beach. In the town of Panama City which is just over the Hathaway Bridge, Bay County is building a new state-of-the-art Library. And the big news in development opportunity for all of Northwest Florida is the Bay County International Airport relocation to Panama City Beach.
To sum it all up ... you're going to love living here. I'm proud to be your military relocation Guide to CSS!
Jan Evett
Broker Associate
Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc.
8212 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Mobile: 850-625-9073
Email: RealEstate@JanEvett.com
Search Homes for Sale: www.JanEvett.com
;)
;)
