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Camp Frank D. Merrill is among the less important military bases operated by the US Army. It is located in Georgia and one of the few bases in the area. The state is not that highly advanced from this point of view, therefore the current bases are not that important either. One important aspect about this camp is that it is the general meeting point for the 5-th Ranger Training Battalion and a school for rangers. Other than that, both sectors are run by small units. The general purpose of the camp is to train these troops in various environments. The general idea is to deal with the adaption and movement on the ground, especially in mountainous environments. The camp is located close to a small town in Georgia – Dahlonega. According to the statistics, 1/8 of the world formation consists of mountainous formations, therefore such training activities have their particular importance level. The United States control only three such bases in the world. All of them are placed on their territory. This is the second one in importance.
The training activities take place in one more base. The new students are taken through a theoretical part first, with multiple field operations after for the superiors to test their abilities. They are then ordered by their dedication, resistance and stamina. Once they pass the courses, they are transferred to Camp Rudder, in Florida, where the final “exams” take place. They are taken there by bus or by helicopter.
Camp Frank D. Merrill is named after Frank Dow Merrill, an expert leading multiple armies in the Burma campaigns during World War II. His division advanced over 750 miles through the deep jungles in order to harass the Japanese soldiers. No other division managed to get that far. He received multiple awards and decorations before passing away in 1955, in Florida. His role was so important in World War II that Hollywood decided to award him with a special movie in 1962 as well – “Merril’s Marauders”.
Units
The camp doesn’t host other units than the training battalion and the school for rangers. Instead, it provides homes for the families of the longterm employees. The students are not among them. Unlike other US bases, this one didn’t see any major changes in the units inhabiting it.
Housing
Since Camp Frank D. Merrill is more like a school or a training camp than an actual base, it is relatively small compared to other bases. The housing possibilities here are almost null. If you relocate here for a longterm assignment, you will most likely have to get a home off site. Besides, the privatized system represents the best option here. If you are about to get here for a short term assignment, a hotel might be the best option you have.
On the other hand, the students are more fortunate. Most of them are hosted in on site camps, but there are also less luckier individuals who have to find a home on their own.
