How many of you feel that Stateside bases are basically just like civiilian jobs after COB?

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:04:41 -0400

When I returned to the US after a second tour in Germany, I got stationed at Seymour-Johnson AFB and I noticed that there was zero camaraderie and after 1700, everyone scattered. I was pretty disappointed but it did really emphasize to me how incredible my experiences during 7 years in Germany were.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 3:16 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:16:08 -0400

Unfortunately that seems to be the case and with the new Evaluation system pitting us against one another I only see it getting worse.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Jul 16 at 2015 3:30 PM

MSgt Jamie Lyons — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 15:30:51 -0400

I noticed the same thing after being stationed in England for 5 years. Overseas personnel seem to be tighter than stateside troops.

Response by MSgt William Lucas made Jul 16 at 2015 6:01 PM

MSgt William Lucas — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 18:01:06 -0400

I found the same to be true until I was assigned to 2nd Combat Comm. We were very tight; even across flights and squadrons. We were ACC on a Space Command base. We had our own little area. But, at other assignments, not so much.

Response by MSgt Rick Hovik made Jul 17 at 2015 10:26 AM

MSgt Rick Hovik — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:26:31 -0400

Totally agree. My 1st assignment was to 96th CES, Dyess AFB, July 1988. Mind you This was my first duty assignment so I had nothing to compare to. The shop consisited of about 12-16 GI's and 2 civilians. I was a bit taken aback by the lack of pride, commraderie, and military bearing. I thought this was odd, just coming out of BMT and Tech School. As time went on it got very hard to go to work and being th enew guy, training was non existent, until you screwed something up and then you were thrown under the bus. I got an LOR for something that I had nothing to do with. I was on the Sq HAZMAT team. One day appt letters came down for me and the team to attend training. These letters sat on the NCOIC's desk (a MSgt) for over 2 weeks, he never gave them to the team. The training day came and since we had no idea to be there, were not there. Our Sq CC blew a cork. Gave all of us LOR's and all the NCOIC said was "sorry fellas" I was told to sign the LOR and let it go, becauas the CC did not want to hear it. This is when I started to wonder about the USAF. In a couple weeks my supervisor went into our PIF's and pulled them out (I still have it somewhere) As a 20 year old A1C what was I going to do? Well In 1990 got an assignment to the 7319 RED HORSE Flight at Aviano AB, Italy. The moment I stepped of the rotater the difference was stagggering. The complete opposite of Dyess. The families all hung out, the work, training and overall morale was 180 degrees in the right direction. Overall OS assignments were my best.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jul 19 at 2015 12:26 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 00:26:42 -0400

I agree, the closest relations I have had were with guys I deployed with. The stateside AF is not the same as the overseas AF. Stateside is bogged down by too much politics and other distractions. Unit moral doesn't seem to be a priority stateside. Overseas seems more concerned about doing the job and that focus seems improve moral.

Response by MSgt Rob Miller made Jul 19 at 2015 8:27 PM

MSgt Rob Miller — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 20:27:30 -0400

My wife never understood why I liked being deployed over being at home. Other than missing my family, it was just better