Naval Support Activity Gaeta

Gaeta is a department of Naval Support Activity Naples, which MilitaryINSTALLATIONS lists as “Naval Support Activity Naples Department Gaeta”, on the waterfront at Lungomare Caboto, Molo S. Antonio. Its mission on the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page for Gaeta is to provide force protection, administrative and logistical support to “the Sixth Fleet Flagship USS Mount Whitney and their families”, smaller commands in the Lazio province, and visiting ships. The page also cautions that Gaeta “has completed a major transformation in recent times” and that changes may still occur, so confirm the details below with your sponsor.

Housing: no government quarters in Gaeta

“In Gaeta, Government Housing does not exist. Residences are leased”, the MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview of Gaeta says. Accompanied members can instead choose Military Family Housing in Naples, an average 1.5-hour commute each way, longer in summer.

Leasing in Gaeta: the Housing Office, on the pier in Building 752, keeps listings of apartments and townhouses in the city and villas in rural settings. Italian homes are smaller than U.S. homes; the overview notes that surrounding towns such as Formia, Scauri and Minturno offer larger homes that fit U.S. furniture.
Move-in costs: first and last month’s rent in cash plus a refundable security deposit, paid in euros before move-in. The overview suggests raising your debit card limit, since collecting the cash can take a couple of days.
Allowances: Overseas Housing Allowance is authorized for single E-5 and above and for E-4 and above with dependents, and Move-In Housing Allowance helps eligible members with move-in costs. Housing provides two transformers for Italy’s 220-volt, 50-cycle current, and the furnishings program lends appliances such as a gas stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer for the tour.
Naples family housing: in the Naples area, all military personnel E-1 to O-6 with accompanying family are eligible for Military Family Housing, assigned by family composition (one bedroom per child; E-7 to E-9 and O-1 to O-5 a minimum of three bedrooms, O-6 a minimum of four).

Temporary lodging and TLA

Your sponsor normally reserves a Temporary Lodging Allowance hotel before you arrive; if you have pets, make sure the hotel allows them, per the Gaeta temporary housing page. The overview sets out the TLA rules:

Accompanied personnel who report with dependents are eligible for TLA, for up to 30 days while actively searching for housing; the command can approve up to 30 more days in extraordinary circumstances.
You must view at least 2 houses per 10-day period and turn in receipts every ten days; plan to secure a house within 30 days of arrival.
TLA is paid in 10-day increments, so families often pay out of pocket until reimbursed, and the overview says out-of-pocket costs can approach several thousand dollars depending on the season. Lodging that costs more than your allowance is not reimbursed.

Pets in Navy housing

If you choose Naples family housing, NSA Naples Instruction 10570.2F allows a maximum of 2 pets in pet-designated government housing, and pets over 70 pounds may not be kept in government-controlled housing; certain breeds, including pit bulls, are not allowed, per the Gaeta overview. The full breed list and the Naples hospital and schools are in the Naval Support Activity Naples guide. For the EU entry rules for dogs and cats from the United States, see the Caserma Ederle guide.

Schools, medical care and driving

Before you accept a Gaeta assignment with a family, ask your sponsor which DoDEA school serves Gaeta families and how children get there, where the nearest U.S. military clinic is, and how the Area Orientation and AFI driver’s license process described in the Naples guide works for Gaeta personnel.

The decision Gaeta forces

With no government housing in Gaeta, accompanied families choose between a leased home in the Gaeta area and Naples family housing 1.5 hours away. Make that choice with your sponsor before you arrive, and bring enough cash access for first and last month’s rent and the deposit.