Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, has pilot training as its overall command assignment: the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) is headquartered here, and Training Air Wing Four flies four training squadrons, VT-27 and VT-28 in primary training on the T-6B Texan II and VT-31 and VT-35, according to the NAS Corpus Christi MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. Its largest tenant is the Corpus Christi Army Depot, which “has evolved into the Army’s largest helicopter repair, overhaul and maintenance center”, and more than 25 tenant commands are on board. Base Quarterdeck: 361-961-2688.

Checking in

Report in the uniform of the day: chiefs and officers in khakis, E-6 and below in Navy service uniforms, per the check-in page. If you are not sure where your command checks in, ask gate security for the quarterdeck or call the Command Duty Officer, reachable 24 hours a day (361-534-9093). Most processing is done at the command level with your command PASS coordinator.

The check-in page also says all military personnel traveling to NAS Corpus Christi must check in at the Navy Lodge, 9604 Ocean Drive (361-939-6630), even if the reservation clerk says it is full; if no quarters are available, have your orders stamped with the Navy Lodge Certificate of Non-Availability before you check into an off-station hotel.

Housing: South Texas Military Housing

Family housing at Corpus Christi is a public-private venture: South Texas Military Housing manages a project of 272 renovated, new-construction and “as-is” units, per the housing page. The Navy Housing and South Texas Military Housing offices share Building 3600 at Dimmit and E Streets, and your orders direct you to check in with the Navy Housing office before committing to a rental in the community (361-961-1702). New PPV residents sign one-year leases, and no security deposit is required if you set up an allotment for rent, the government housing page says. Residents pay their own gas and electric usage against a utility allowance built into the rent.

Off base, the housing page says the area is not a Critical Housing Area and rentals are plentiful and relatively affordable, though utility costs may push your monthly cost over BAH, especially for single-family homes. Ask about a military clause before you sign, and do not rent sight-unseen.

Medical care: no emergency room at the clinic

“Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi does not have an emergency room. All emergencies are directed to the nearest civilian medical facility”, the health care page says. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Corpus Christi is an outpatient facility (361-961-6000); inpatient care is provided at a local facility under a resource sharing agreement. No walk-in appointments are available.

Schools

Five independent school districts serve the city of Corpus Christi: Corpus Christi ISD, the largest public district in the region, plus Flour Bluff, Calallen, Tuloso-Midway and West Oso, per the education page. Ask the School Liaison which district serves the address you are considering.

Before you arrive

Check in at the Navy Lodge first, contact the Navy Housing office before you sign a lease, and locate the nearest civilian emergency room.