Eglin AFB

Lodging/Base

On base lodging options usually include The Riptide Inn or The Bayside Inn. The Riptide Inn is about a 5 minute walk to the FM clinic. The hotel room has a microwave and small fridge, some rooms even have a kitchenette. The Bayside Inn is closer to the water and about a 2 minute drive to the FMR clinic. Most rooms at this site do not have a kitchenette, but all have a microwave. The internet is a little spotty at the hotels and in the hospital, but overall manageable. The main fitness center and commissary are on the opposite side of the base, but have convenient hours and good facilities. 

Interview

You'll be interviewed by multiple faculty members and usually one current resident. In-person interviews will be conducted in a small meeting room in our clinic. Please have a copy of your CV and personal statement. Uniform for interview is Blues. Virtual interviews are held over the phone but in-person interviews are preferred.  If unable to do an interview rotation, please consider a one day visit so you can experience our program prior to your interview.

Things to do in the area

1.       Bring your swimsuit and sandals to hit the beaches! You'll have no shortage of options.

-      Some of our favorite beaches are Okaloosa Island, Crystal Beach, Princess Beach, Henderson Beach, Grayton Beach, Crab Trap Destin

2.       Food

-      Italian: TradeWinds, Clemenza’s

-      Mexican: Burrito del Sol, Peppers, Fuego Grille and Cafe

-      Asian/Pacific Island: Domo (Sushi), Think Poke (Poke), Pounders (Hawaiian), Holi (Indian), Thai Me Up (Thai)

-      Seafood: Stewby’s Seafood Shanty, Boshamps, Vue on 30A

-      Bars/Pubs/Breweries: McGuire’s, The Gulf, Third Planet, Cheers, Fort Walton Brewing Company, Props

-      Coffee: Coffee Ave, East Pass Coffee, Black Bear Coffee, Main Brew Coffee, Parlor Doughnuts

3.       Outdoor parks for walkers, swimmers, hikers, and bikers

-      Topsail Park, Henderson State Park, Ponce de Leon Springs, Timber Lake Bike Trails, Blackwater River State Forest

4.       Destin: A vacation destination with beautiful beaches, shopping, waterparks, water sports, restaurants, and much more!

5.       Pensacola: Downtown fun and beaches only an hour’s drive from base.

-      Fort Pickens, National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game, Pensacola Ice Flyers hockey game, Palafox Street

6.       Pontoon Boat Rentals: There are multiple rental companies for pontoon boats including the MWR on base. One popular activity is to split a pontoon boat and to head over to Crab Island.

7.       Check out the Air Force Armament Museum

8.       Golf: Numerous quality courses for golfers of all skills

-      Less expensive: Eglin Golf Course, Fort Walton Beach

-      More expensive: The Raven, Emerald Bay, The Links, Kelly Planation 

9.       Go scuba diving or get certified- there are plenty of companies that offer dive certification/trips. 

Seeking Student Feedback / Experiences

If you have rotated through this program and would like to share your experiences with other students, please contact us at medstudent.USAFP@gmail.com. We are looking for information about what to expect for the rotation, what things you should pack with you, things to do for fun in the area, etc.