What makes a base bad?

2015-08-14T06:05:51-04:00

I am new to Barksdale AFB. I have been here since march and this is my first assignment. Before I even PCSed here everyone told me this place was going to be terrible and it's alright. There's plenty of stuff around and I think an assignment is just what you make of it...
Your thoughts?

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 14 at 2015 6:06 AM

2015-08-14T06:06:55-04:00

The people.

Response by SSG Willis Baker made Aug 14 at 2015 6:28 AM

2015-08-14T06:28:26-04:00

You are the one that makes it good or bad. Take what assignment you get and make the best of it. If you spend your time complaining about it then you will never like it. Do not become a barracks rat. Get out and explore your surroundings.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 7:33 AM

2015-08-14T07:33:10-04:00

If we are talking about the base then the people, the location, and your assignment on the base can make it bad. The area around the the base can be bad because of the people, the location, if it is not well kept and if it doesn't have alot to offer for liberty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-08-14T09:49:25-04:00

Every assignment, from Japan to Iraq and everything in between, is only going to be as good as your attitude and what you make of it. I knew guys in Germany that said being stationed there sucks because there was nothing to do, but I had a GREAT time there.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 10:25 AM

2015-08-14T10:25:52-04:00

I'm Stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. It's just out side of OKC which is a pretty good city not to big to get lost in but a good amount of things to do. I'm a guy who likes to hunt, fish and hike. Out of those three things I can only do one, which is fishing. There is no mountains here its all flat so i can't hike and there is no where to hunt, the game commission out here isn't helpful at all. However that being said everyone told me this base sucks and it did for awhile because I let it suck. You really have to adapt to your base and find new things to do if you can't do what you used to. For example I took up airsoft (call me a nerd but it's actually pretty fun (like paintball but the guns look real and I can put my knowledge of tactics to good use)) Also look at where you can travel and what is in about a 3 hour radius. Our commanders policy is that we can travel up to 3 hours without taking leave, so I go to Dallas every so often to explore there resturants and other cool things. I'm sure you've heard it before but a base is what you make it and it's true. Sure its no Hurlbert field, Travis or any other big fancy Air Force base but it could be worse (like Cannon or Minot).

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:13 AM

2015-08-14T11:13:56-04:00

I've been on 7 army bases and 2 air bases ... Some of the 'bad base' comments come from the weather, nothing to do because of location, sometimes the barracks are on the WW2 side, but overall I agree with everyone else it is what you make it. You have to make the choice for yourself wherever you go to embrace the suck or find the brighter side. Yes, every base/installation has it flaws from small commissary selections, no AC gyms, etc. At the same time being in the military gives you a free travel experience, if you take it. I know people from my high school that have never left the state let alone the country. You don't know what you will find, like, enjoy, or dislike until you get out and explore.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2015 11:22 AM

2015-08-14T11:22:00-04:00

I have yet to experience a truly "bad base", despite the fact that every base I have been to supposedly sucks. Anywhere you go is going to have its flaws, but they also all have positive things. Find the positive things and enjoy them. Then embrace the suck.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 14 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-08-14T11:23:18-04:00

Here's a nice pic of "Officers' Country," Marine Expeditionary Camp - Pohang. Accommodations were basic. However, it was a short walk to the beach. There was plenty to do/see. The Marines were in good spirits. The training was top-notch. And we all had a damned good time there. Summary: It's what you make of it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 14 at 2015 11:34 AM

2015-08-14T11:34:12-04:00

I have seen some bases as rough on marriages and careers. I can't explain why, but it happens.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 14 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-08-14T13:29:39-04:00

A1C Private RallyPoint Member Welcome to Bark-a-traz! There are no bad "bases" really. There are some base locations (im looking at you Minot) but you can always find "stuff" to do. It is all about what you make of the assignment. Figure out what YOU like to do, find activities in the area that match up and ENJOY the area. The folks that complain about bad "bases" or "assignments" are the folks that sit in their dorm rooms or homes after work and don't do anything.

Even the most middle of no-where places can be a BLAST if you are out there with AWESOME people and get out there and do STUFF!

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Aug 14 at 2015 1:50 PM

2015-08-14T13:50:02-04:00

It's been said before and here I go, saying it again...It's --->YOU<--- that makes a base/assignment/whatever good or bad. For my assignment to Fort Huachuca, I got told "It's a remote location", "there's nothing but sand around", and other comments like that. Hey, it was my first trip out West, got to see Tombstone, 'the town too tough to die', visited ghost towns, went to Mexico(well, icky border towns in Mexico) and had a blast! Same thing for West Berlin. I'm on the duty train, passing through East Germany and a guy next to me, looking out the window, says to me, "Well, we just entered Russia!" I could tell he was not going to enjoy his stay in a city I came to love and enjoy. Get out at your new assignment and experience stuff!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 14 at 2015 4:31 PM

2015-08-14T16:31:45-04:00

Use it as an opportunity to learn. Get a college education

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2016 6:51 PM

2016-12-27T18:51:05-05:00

Living conditions and piss poor leadership.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Dec 27 at 2016 6:55 PM

2016-12-27T18:55:47-05:00

I was told the same thing when I got my remote tour to South Korea. I was stationed at Osan AB with the 31 SOS 99-00 and it was one of the best assignments I had in my 14 years in the Air Force. Not only was the unit great but so were the civilians downtown. Not to mention the 65 bars, all the shopping in the area, and the sights to tour.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Dec 28 at 2016 1:11 AM

2016-12-28T01:11:45-05:00

They say your best bases are the one you came from and the one you're going to. Enjoy where your at, there are a 100 shittier places to be, you just haven't found them yet.

Response by SFC Jimmy Phillips made Dec 29 at 2016 2:35 AM

2016-12-29T02:35:14-05:00

I always am amused when I hear Air Force people complaining about anything, lol.