DUTY STATION COMPARISON
MCAS Cherry Point vs MCAS New River
Marines, NC vs Marines, NC
The Intel
MCAS Cherry Point: "Where Marine Aviation Goes to Be Forgotten." MCAS New River: "Lejeune's Helicopter-Having Neighbor." One builds retention. The other builds character. The difference is not subtle.
What the assignment brief skips: at MCAS Cherry Point, the real issue is Havelock is very small. At MCAS New River, it's Jacksonville, NC limitations. What they'll pitch you: MCAS Cherry Point — Outer Banks 1 hour away. MCAS New River — Adjacent to Camp Lejeune community. Cost of living at both: low. If you can't build savings at either of these, the zip code isn't the problem. MCAS Cherry Point's forecast: Hot & humid summers, mild winters, hurricane risk. MCAS New River's: Hot & humid summers, mild winters. Pack for both. Complain about both. That's the tradition.
Two Marines posts that produce a very specific type of person who will never stop talking about where they were stationed.
MCAS Cherry Point
Marines — NC
Hot & humid summers, mild winters, hurricane risk
“Where Marine Aviation Goes to Be Forgotten”
MCAS New River
Marines — NC
Hot & humid summers, mild winters
“Lejeune's Helicopter-Having Neighbor”
Category
MCAS Cherry Point
MCAS New River
Climate
Hot & humid summers, mild winters, hurricane risk
Hot & humid summers, mild winters
Climate
MCAS Cherry PointHot & humid summers, mild winters, hurricane risk
MCAS New RiverHot & humid summers, mild winters
Cost of Living
Low
Low
Cost of Living
MCAS Cherry PointLow
MCAS New RiverLow
Nearest City
Havelock, NC (5 min)
Jacksonville, NC (10 min)
Nearest City
MCAS Cherry PointHavelock, NC (5 min)
MCAS New RiverJacksonville, NC (10 min)
Nearest Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional/New Bern (EWN) — 20 min (limited flights); Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 2.5 hrs; Norfolk (ORF) — 3 hrs
Jacksonville/Albert J. Ellis (OAJ) — 15 min (limited flights); Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 2.5 hrs; Wilmington (ILM) — 1 hr
Nearest Airport
MCAS Cherry PointCoastal Carolina Regional/New Bern (EWN) — 20 min (limited flights); Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 2.5 hrs; Norfolk (ORF) — 3 hrs
MCAS New RiverJacksonville/Albert J. Ellis (OAJ) — 15 min (limited flights); Raleigh-Durham (RDU) — 2.5 hrs; Wilmington (ILM) — 1 hr
Housing
On-base housing available and generally adequate. Off-base in Havelock is very affordable — $800-$1,200 for a 3BR. New Bern (20 min) has nicer historic neighborhoods and more dining options. Rent is well within BAH.
Very limited on-base housing. Most personnel use Camp Lejeune housing or live off-base in Jacksonville. Off-base rent is very affordable — $900-$1,400 for a 3BR. Sneads Ferry and Hubert are nearby quiet communities.
Housing
MCAS Cherry PointOn-base housing available and generally adequate. Off-base in Havelock is very affordable — $800-$1,200 for a 3BR. New Bern (20 min) has nicer historic neighborhoods and more dining options. Rent is well within BAH.
MCAS New RiverVery limited on-base housing. Most personnel use Camp Lejeune housing or live off-base in Jacksonville. Off-base rent is very affordable — $900-$1,400 for a 3BR. Sneads Ferry and Hubert are nearby quiet communities.
Spouse Employment
Very limited job market in Havelock. Healthcare and education jobs in New Bern. Many spouses work on-base at FRC East (civilian maintenance jobs) or MCCS. Remote work is increasingly the best option in this area.
Same limited Jacksonville, NC market as Camp Lejeune. Many spouses work on either base. Healthcare and education are the biggest local employers. Remote work is the best path for career-track spouses.
Spouse Employment
MCAS Cherry PointVery limited job market in Havelock. Healthcare and education jobs in New Bern. Many spouses work on-base at FRC East (civilian maintenance jobs) or MCCS. Remote work is increasingly the best option in this area.
MCAS New RiverSame limited Jacksonville, NC market as Camp Lejeune. Many spouses work on either base. Healthcare and education are the biggest local employers. Remote work is the best path for career-track spouses.
Medical
Branch Health Clinic on base for routine care. Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune is 45 min away for major needs. CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern handles most off-base care.
Small clinic on station. Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune is 10-15 min away for all significant care. Onslow Memorial Hospital off-base for emergencies.
Medical
MCAS Cherry PointBranch Health Clinic on base for routine care. Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune is 45 min away for major needs. CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern handles most off-base care.
MCAS New RiverSmall clinic on station. Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune is 10-15 min away for all significant care. Onslow Memorial Hospital off-base for emergencies.
Gate Commute
Small base with minimal gate traffic. US-70 is the main artery — mostly smooth. Commute from New Bern is 20-25 min with no congestion. One of the easiest commutes in the Marine Corps.
Main gate has minimal traffic. Small air station with a small commuter population. Most congestion is on NC-17 and Western Blvd through Jacksonville, not at the gates.
Gate Commute
MCAS Cherry PointSmall base with minimal gate traffic. US-70 is the main artery — mostly smooth. Commute from New Bern is 20-25 min with no congestion. One of the easiest commutes in the Marine Corps.
MCAS New RiverMain gate has minimal traffic. Small air station with a small commuter population. Most congestion is on NC-17 and Western Blvd through Jacksonville, not at the gates.
Pros & Cons
MCAS Cherry Point
PROS
- +Outer Banks 1 hour away
- +Low cost of living
- +Close to Croatan National Forest
CONS
- -Havelock is very small
- -Eastern NC can feel isolated
- -Hurricane exposure
MCAS New River
PROS
- +Adjacent to Camp Lejeune community
- +Low cost of living
- +Tight rotary-wing community
CONS
- -Jacksonville, NC limitations
- -Humidity and bugs
- -Limited off-base options
Known For
MCAS Cherry Point
2nd MAWAV-8B HarrierF-35B/C transitionMarine aviation maintenance
MCAS New River
Marine helicopter and tiltrotor squadronsMV-22 OspreyCH-53E
Community Takes
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