The commanding officer of the service activity determines whether or not base facilities can accommodate retired personnel. The use of a base facility is a privilege that may be granted, not a right to which a retired member is automatically entitled. The U.S. Naval Home in Gulfport, Miss., and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington, D.C., were combined in 1991 to form the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Both homes are model retirement centers, where residents can maintain an independent lifestyle in a safe, comfortable environment. They both accept retirees of the Armed Forces and certain Coast Guard members.
Women are eligible for the home.
Even as MTFs close and the number of health care professionals in the military drop, the number of beneficiaries remains almost the same. For retirees and their families, this means better access to medical care and more health services at a lower cost than what most retirees pay now. It provides the lowest cost for each service. Which one to choose depends on such factors as home location, health status and preference of health care providers. As Standard or Extra participants, another alternative open to retirees and their families is use of MTFs on a space available basis.