DUTY STATION COMPARISON
FE Warren AFB vs Natick Soldier Center
Air Force, WY vs Army, MA
The Intel
FE Warren AFB: "Guarding Nukes in Wyoming's Wind Tunnel Since 1867." Natick Soldier Center: "The Army's MRE Kitchen and Gear Lab (Near Boston)." Different branches, same dawning realization: the duty station changed you more than you changed it.
The whole-family version of this comparison: FE Warren AFB lets you pocket BAH like a financial genius. Natick Soldier Center has your spouse checking Zillow, then your LES, then their options. In that order. For spouses: Limited in Cheyenne at FE Warren AFB. At Natick Soldier Center: Outstanding. The off-post reality that defines day-to-day life: Cheyenne, WY versus Natick, MA. Everything else is logistics.
Two bases, two branches, and the universal military truth: wherever you are, someone from the other branch is convinced their assignment is harder. They will tell you. At the bar. At length.
FE Warren AFB
Air Force — WY
Cold windy winters, mild summers, high altitude
“Guarding Nukes in Wyoming's Wind Tunnel Since 1867”
Natick Soldier Center
Army — MA
Cold snowy winters, warm humid summers, beautiful fall
“The Army's MRE Kitchen and Gear Lab (Near Boston)”
Category
FE Warren AFB
Natick Soldier Center
Climate
Cold windy winters, mild summers, high altitude
Cold snowy winters, warm humid summers, beautiful fall
Climate
FE Warren AFBCold windy winters, mild summers, high altitude
Natick Soldier CenterCold snowy winters, warm humid summers, beautiful fall
Cost of Living
Low
High
Cost of Living
FE Warren AFBLow
Natick Soldier CenterHigh
Nearest City
Cheyenne, WY (5 min)
Natick, MA (5 min)
Nearest City
FE Warren AFBCheyenne, WY (5 min)
Natick Soldier CenterNatick, MA (5 min)
Nearest Airport
Denver International (DEN) — 1 hr 45 min. Cheyenne Regional (CYS) — 5 min (extremely limited).
Boston Logan (BOS) — 30 min
Nearest Airport
FE Warren AFBDenver International (DEN) — 1 hr 45 min. Cheyenne Regional (CYS) — 5 min (extremely limited).
Natick Soldier CenterBoston Logan (BOS) — 30 min
Housing
Privatized by Balfour Beatty on base with short waitlists. Off-base in Cheyenne is affordable — $1,000-$1,400 for a 3BR. No state income tax in Wyoming is a major financial perk.
No on-post housing. Off-post in Natick, Framingham, Wellesley — $2,200-$3,500/3BR. Boston suburbs expensive.
Housing
FE Warren AFBPrivatized by Balfour Beatty on base with short waitlists. Off-base in Cheyenne is affordable — $1,000-$1,400 for a 3BR. No state income tax in Wyoming is a major financial perk.
Natick Soldier CenterNo on-post housing. Off-post in Natick, Framingham, Wellesley — $2,200-$3,500/3BR. Boston suburbs expensive.
Spouse Employment
Limited in Cheyenne. State government is the largest employer. Healthcare and education available. No income tax is a financial win. Remote work is common. Some spouses commute to the Fort Collins/Loveland, CO area.
Outstanding. Boston metro — biotech, healthcare, tech, universities. One of the strongest job markets in the country.
Spouse Employment
FE Warren AFBLimited in Cheyenne. State government is the largest employer. Healthcare and education available. No income tax is a financial win. Remote work is common. Some spouses commute to the Fort Collins/Loveland, CO area.
Natick Soldier CenterOutstanding. Boston metro — biotech, healthcare, tech, universities. One of the strongest job markets in the country.
Medical
FE Warren AFB Clinic (90th Medical Group) — clinic only. Cheyenne Regional Medical Center handles civilian needs. Denver (1.5 hrs) for complex or specialized care.
No military medical. Brigham and Women's and Mass General (Boston) are world-class.
Medical
FE Warren AFBFE Warren AFB Clinic (90th Medical Group) — clinic only. Cheyenne Regional Medical Center handles civilian needs. Denver (1.5 hrs) for complex or specialized care.
Natick Soldier CenterNo military medical. Brigham and Women's and Mass General (Boston) are world-class.
Gate Commute
Main gate off Randall Avenue — minimal delays. Cheyenne is small. Missile alert facilities are spread across the Wyoming/Nebraska/Colorado tristate area — alert duty drives are long and lonely.
Tiny post, no gate delays. Mass Pike (I-90) and Route 9 are main routes. Boston traffic notorious.
Gate Commute
FE Warren AFBMain gate off Randall Avenue — minimal delays. Cheyenne is small. Missile alert facilities are spread across the Wyoming/Nebraska/Colorado tristate area — alert duty drives are long and lonely.
Natick Soldier CenterTiny post, no gate delays. Mass Pike (I-90) and Route 9 are main routes. Boston traffic notorious.
Pros & Cons
FE Warren AFB
PROS
- +No state income tax in Wyoming
- +Denver 90 min away
- +Frontier Days rodeo
CONS
- -Cheyenne is windy and cold
- -Missile field alert duty is isolating
- -Limited city amenities
Natick Soldier Center
PROS
- +Boston 20 miles away
- +New England charm
- +World-class universities nearby
CONS
- -Extremely high cost of living
- -Tiny military community
- -Boston traffic
Known For
FE Warren AFB
Minuteman III ICBMs90th Missile WingNuclear deterrence
Natick Soldier Center
Soldier equipment researchCombat Feeding DirectorateMRE development
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