Alabama

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Alabama’s weather is a blend of warm Southern charm and dramatic seasonal shifts. Summers bring steamy, humid days with temperatures soaring around 90°F, while winters offer a milder retreat, with crisp mornings averaging between 50°F and 60°F. Tornadoes are common in spring and fall, while hurricanes often affect coastal areas during the Atlantic hurricane season.
  
  Tornados
  
  Alabama's peak tornado season spans from March to May, with an average of 44 tornadoes occurring annually. While most tornadoes are not severe, the state's commitment to safety is evident through the widespread use of tornado shelters and warning sirens. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan. Tornado sirens in Alabama are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at varying times, depending on the county.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Montgomery, Huntsville, Enterprise
  
  Montgomery
  Montgomery is home to Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, a key installation for the U.S. Air Force and a center for professional military education. Commutes to Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base from most Montgomery neighborhoods range from 10 to 30 minutes. CAF families may also want to look in Pike Road, Prattville, or Wetumpka which is outside of Montgomery and may have more suitable options for education than Montgomery County School District.
  
  Huntsville
  Huntsville is home to Redstone Arsenal, a significant U.S. Army installation and a hub for military, aerospace, and defense-related industries. Commutes from most Huntsville neighborhoods to Redstone Arsenal are manageable, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
  
  Enterprise
  Enterprise, situated in southeastern Alabama, is a small town with access to a variety of amenities and approximately 20 minutes southwest of Fort Novosel. For those looking for a quieter rural setting and less than a 10-minute commute to Fort Novosel, Daleville may be an option.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Base Information & Resources
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to these bases.
   

  • Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base – Montgomery
  • Redstone Arsenal – Huntsville
  • Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) – Enterprise

   
• Getting Around
  Getting around Enterprise, Huntsville, and Montgomery is mostly car-dependent, with well-maintained highways and major roads connecting these areas. Be mindful of military base entry requirements at Fort Novosel, heavy traffic around Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, and frequent construction zones in Montgomery.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  The following medical groups provide comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.

  • Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base - 42nd Medical Group
    • For additional information on appointments, after-hours care and pharmacy locations, visit Maxwell AFB & Gunter Annex Health Care
  • Redstone Arsenal - Fox Army Health Center
  • Fort Novosel – Lyster Army Health Clinic
     

  For general healthcare guidance, please visit www.cfmws.ca/us-healthcare. 
• Critters & Wildlife
  Alabama is home to a variety of wildlife, including venomous snakes like the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake and cottonmouth, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease. The state also has dangerous marine life like jellyfish and alligators, particularly in coastal areas. Compared to Canada, Alabama’s warmer climate means a greater presence of pests year-round, making routine pest control a good idea for managing insects and rodents.
• Children's Education
  Montgomery
  
  There are several public schools in a 25-mile radius of Montgomery

  • Montgomery County Schools
  • Autauga County Schools
  • Elmore County Schools
  • Pike Road County Schools

  Huntsville

  • Huntsville City Schools
  • Madison County School System
  • Academy for Science & Foreign Language
    ASFL in Huntsville is a magnet middle school (K-8) that emphasizes both science and foreign languages. Elementary students begin receiving French daily in kindergarten and this continues until they complete the fifth grade.

  Enterprise

  • Enterprise City School District

  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaisons, who are available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  Click the links for School Liaison Program information for Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Redstone Arsenal, and Fort Novosel. 
  
  To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  Visit the Alabama Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Division for information on transferring out-of-state titles and licenses.