The findings on " Army Lodging" from the Fall 1998 Sample Survey of Military Personnel (F'98 SSMP) in narrative and slide format provide officer and enlisted data on: use, use of the Army "800" number, use when on vacation, and reasons for choosing Army lodging during vacation.  Findings include:

In Fall 1998, almost one-half (45%) of all soldiers reported using Army Lodging facilities in the last 12 months.  This is slightly higher than in Fall 1995 (43%).  Officers (65%) were significantly more likely than enlisted personnel (41%) to report using Army Lodging facilities in the last 12 months.

Of those who have used Army Lodging facilities in the last 12 months, 39% of soldiers have used them only once.  Another four-tenths 39% of soldiers have used Army Lodging facilities 2-3 times in the last  12 months.

In fall 1998, 10%) of all soldiers reported using the Army "800" number in the last 12 months to make lodging arrangements.  This was similar to that reported in Fall 1996 (8%).

Of those soldiers who have used the Army "800" number to make lodging arrangements in fall 1998, 52% have used the number only once in the last 12 months.  An additional one-third 35% of all soldiers have used the Army "800" number to make lodging arrangements 2-3 times in the last 12 months.

When on leisure (vacation) travel, 80% of all soldiers report they are likely to seek lodging in a hotel or motel instead of alternative types of lodging (friends and family, camping, etc.).  Of those who seek hotel and motel lodging, 52% would be more likely use Army lodging rather than civilian lodging facilities.

Among the most important reasons cited by all soldiers for choosing Army Lodging facilities were cost (74%) location (43.7%) and condition of lodging facilities (39%).