What was your first experience on an AF base like?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:56:52 -0500

Mine........mine was magical

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 19 at 2016 5:59 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 17:59:26 -0500

I got reverse shock: my first station was cushy Yokota AFB in Japan. Upon finishing there, I went to the fleet, and let me tell you that the difference in living conditions was...jarring. To say the least.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 6:11 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:11:19 -0500

Magical is pretty accurate, I went from Basic Training at FT Knox to an Army joint training base with an Air Force ran chow hall.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 6:32 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:32:27 -0500

I grew up on Aiforce bases, keesler, Biloxi, Sembach , AFB Germany and my teenage years and graduation before I joined the Navy was Warner Robins, AFG, Warner Robins, GA. Then I joined and went to A-School in Gulf Port, MS 30 min down road from Keesler and then First Deployment Okinawa, Japan and our camp was right outside of Kadena, AFB, and us and Marines would wreck it on weekends. Long story short take advantage every time you can get to a real U.S. AFB.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 19 at 2016 7:33 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:33:30 -0500

WELL My Experience on a AF Base was Back in 1976 At MCCHORD waiting on the tar mac and waiting it was 3:00 am and we were told nothing as where we were going by 4:00 am we loaded up and we were in the air for I don't Know But we land at Norton AB and we unloaded Equipment and we got into the mess hall and ate.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
US ARMY

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 7:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:38:52 -0500

I first walked onto one as a PV2 in 1986. There was a USAF COL in the Dining Inn who served me a lobster. Not knowing that there was a special occasion at Pope AFB, I looked at my SQD LDR who said, "I know. I f***ing know."

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 19 at 2016 8:00 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:00:43 -0500

I was living with sand up every orifice of my body at Camp Virginia in Kuwait, then went to Al Ali Salem air base with our Air Force Liaison - Holy Cow what an eye opener! Especially when I went to their "dinning facility"!!

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 19 at 2016 8:32 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:32:59 -0500

The AF base we landed at on our return from Vietnam July 1967, they gave us a steak dinner ,can you believe it we went from C rats to steaks on real plates in an AirForce mess hall,I don't think they call them mess halls though,anyway that's my first and only experience with an AirForce base.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Dec 19 at 2016 8:48 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:48:10 -0500

My first experience on an AF base was Basic Training at Lackland AFB TX. A bit of a culture shock for an 18yo snot-nosed punk of a kid to say the least.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 9:22 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:22:36 -0500

I was surprised by the size of the base.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 9:41 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 21:41:27 -0500

I hadn't been in the Guard for long when we went down to Volk Field. A couple guys from 951 Sapper Co, we telling me how great it was . "You're in two man bays, each room has a TV and fridge." They went on and on. I assumed they were pulling a fast one on the new guy, and refused to believe them. When we got there, there was 2 man bays, with a TV and fridge! Fast forward a few years, and now the AF jokes are on me!

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2016 11:35 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 23:35:05 -0500

Six years Army, then 10-years Coast Guard before I ever visited an Air Force Base. I was selected to go to the Air Force Senior NCO Academy at Gunter-Annex in Montgomery, AL. I spent the first four weeks of class with my mouth hanging open - and hearing from all the Air Force students how "sucky" it was, and how things were SO much better at their bases.

It was amazing. So amazing that I fought for - and got - the slot as Coast Guard Liaison to the SNCO Academy just three years later. Just... wow!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 20 at 2016 12:40 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 00:40:01 -0500

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, I lived in Edmond, OK for two years. Tinker AFB was on the other side of town (OKC). No Army post could compare to it.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 20 at 2016 2:09 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:09:16 -0500

Medina AFB for OTS was my first experience. We had about 5 minutes for our flight to eat, and we hardly had time to taste anything. The one thing I remember was the rubbery chicken we had one day; it put me off chicken for years afterward - I couldn't even abide the smell of chicken.

Once out into the "real Air Force", the food was always great. In Viet Nam the Army liked to eat at our chow hall and we liked to eat at the Navy chow hall - which was the best food in the military in my experience.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Dec 20 at 2016 2:40 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 02:40:35 -0500

I was sent to Dover AFB several times on TDY and I was amazed at how non-military it seemed compared to army bases. My room was more like a Holiday Inn than a military barracks, the mess hall was like a civilian cafeteria and the club was open 24 hours a day. Of course in those days most army bases were still using wooden buildings built in WWII and they had no air conditioning and really poor heating. Our orderly room and day room had cast iron pot bellied stoves burning coal in the winter and not even a fan for summer. The difference between the AFB and my army base was sort of shocking. The personnel were also much more relaxed and informal.

Response by CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 6:03 AM

CH (COL) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 06:03:28 -0500

The lines for the rides were too long and the food at the concession stands was too expensive.

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Dec 20 at 2016 7:09 AM

SPC Steven Depuy — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 07:09:41 -0500

My first experience, being born on one, lol. It was cold, and I cried a lot I think

Response by SPC Paul Nystrom made Dec 20 at 2016 8:05 AM

SPC Paul Nystrom — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 08:05:23 -0500

First time was Travis AFB . Ate great ham dinner in chow hall , when I went to bus my own tray like an Army chow hall , a woman kept blocking my way , finally a little fed up with this little dance jig I asked what the heck was she doing . Her response was that that was her job, to bus trays and clean tables . (LOL) , right then I truly knew how good the AF had it ! It truly was kind of a shock , compared to a grunts life .
That evening we got on a bird to the Middle East with a tour living in the sand , eating MRE's ahead of us .
Should have joined the AF ( LOL )

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Dec 20 at 2016 8:05 AM

SFC Dennis A. — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 08:05:50 -0500

I was sitting in the Dinning Facility and a lady came over to our table and asked if we were finished, she'd be happy to take our dishes for us. Between the quality of the food and the service I thought I was in a restaurant. On the flip side while living in Germany in Military housing my neighbor (AF) told me they get paid their BAQ because they had to live in substandard housing. Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 9:34 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 09:34:21 -0500

Hi, SSG Livingston.

I dated a girl named Tasha for about three months before she left for Army Basic and AIT. The few times she called from Basic she just railed against the Air Force. She had to, I suppose; she was all ate up with Army pride. She got stationed for AIT in San Antonio, TX, just outside of Lackland Air Force Base, where all of the AF recruits go for Basic. I asked her to run to Lackland one day to pick something up from the BX.

‘Oh, my God,” she exclaimed when I spoke to her next. “I had no idea. I should have joined the Air Force.”

Response by SPC Jamie Smith made Dec 20 at 2016 9:57 AM

SPC Jamie Smith — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 09:57:44 -0500

The experience I remember most was going down the aircraft steps after landing at bien hoa air force base in Vietnam in May 1968. The overwhelming heat & smell is something I will never forget!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 10:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:14:09 -0500

I think my first real AFB experience might have been Manas. There was beer.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Dec 20 at 2016 10:24 AM

MSgt Richard Randall — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 10:24:02 -0500

Other than Lackland for Basic and Chanute AFB, Il for tech school, Minot AFB, ND was my first “real” AF base. It was sparse and Spartan with little of the spit shine you found at other bases. But, with B-52s, KC-135s, F-106s flying in and out all the time as well as the Minuteman ICBMs planted around Northwestern North Dakota you knew the base was “all business.” Leadership was hard-nosed and professional. The job was tough, 7x24x365, and never ending. The weather sucked, especially the winter, and there wasn’t that much to do in town. VIPs rarely came and, when they did, there was never much preparation and they never stayed very long. I loved it.

My second duty station, Vandenberg AFB, CA, was also known as Vandy-Land. This was in direct reference to the other facility in Anaheim, AKA, Disneyland. Everything was always being painted, cleaned, polished. Because it probably had one of the best golf courses in DoD we were always playing host to VIPs including senior General and Flag officers as well as other high ranking government officials.

After a few years at Vandenberg I requested, and received, orders back to Minot.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Dec 20 at 2016 11:41 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 11:41:27 -0500

Left Army in '73 to USAF. Training Base at Lowry AFB Colorado. New 1000 man dorms dry cleaners, commissary, BX all in one bldg. Had a room designed for three bunks to myself.....unbelievable! Formation once a day, rare PT...couldn't believe military service could be like that....

Response by SP5 Dave Forrest made Dec 20 at 2016 12:25 PM

SP5 Dave Forrest — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 12:25:04 -0500

When I arrived in Korea; at Kimpo Air Base, it was 16 degrees (Jan 3rd 1968) and we had to hang in an open hanger for an hour+. It sucked.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 20 at 2016 3:20 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 15:20:35 -0500

"I'm Sorry Petty Officer Nagel, You Will Have to Share a Kitchen with another Tenant" Lady I'm used to sharing a whole lot more with 15 or more Sailors. LOL! If You Want Quality of Life, Join the Air Force.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 15:33:01 -0500

I was in a convoy from Sill to Bliss, somewhere in Texas we stopped at an AFB, don't know what one. We parked our veh In front of what looked like a Holiday Inn (their Barracks). Then walked to the Chow Hall ,,, or was it a 5 star restaurant. We left their secure in the knowledge, that when we grew up we wanted to join the Air Force

Response by SSG Keith Frost made Dec 20 at 2016 4:07 PM

SSG Keith Frost — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:07:06 -0500

The only recruiting slogan that is true, air force it's a better way of life.

Response by SGT Chris Padgett made Dec 20 at 2016 4:42 PM

SGT Chris Padgett — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:42:31 -0500

My 1st interaction ever with A/F, we were tasked to guard A10's that were being used in a huge field problem, then they were returning the next day. The zoomies left, and came back a couple hours later with KFC. We were in the middle of nowhere, to this day I have no idea where they got that that KFC.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Dec 20 at 2016 4:57 PM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 16:57:54 -0500

I was born in a Air Force hospital,Dr's don't spank your rear as hard as they do in the Army,but my Dad never told me about the Army,nothing like being waited on in the Dining facility.

Response by PO2 Chris Hearne made Dec 20 at 2016 5:27 PM

PO2 Chris Hearne — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:27:34 -0500

I went to Joint AFB Charleston to the PX to get some new boots, and on the endcap of the aisle was 5lb bags of gummy bears for 50 cents. I was in awe. That, and i had not seen a single person walking on the base, except at the PX.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Dec 20 at 2016 6:09 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 18:09:41 -0500

While on maneuvers, eating real food served on china in their dining facilities. The AF serves great food to their military personnel.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 7:30 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:30:51 -0500

I couldn't believe how many gorgeous girls there were.

I had been a 2LT at Fort Polk LA, for about a year when I was given TDY to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. Seriously, the AFB had more attractive females than my college campus. And my college had 26,000 undergrad students. Just think about that for a second.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 7:58 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:58:05 -0500

First time (1996 and enlisted) I thought I was accidentally put in Officers quarters they were so nice so I kept all my bags packed and waited for the phone call to change rooms.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 7:59 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 19:59:38 -0500

second time (1998) was on liberty from 29 Palms and the AF Base is Las Vegas didn't want to let us on base.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 20 at 2016 8:59 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:59:03 -0500

Sp4 Byron Skinner… Oh I remember my one and only experience at an Air Force Base, December 6th. 1966 landed on a Med Evac. about 1700 at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa Japan. The good part.Since I was an ambulatory patient I was allowed to sat at the small hospital annex at the airport. Lets start what gas good. the food,the best mess facility I ate at while in the military and a real hot shower after dinner, what more could one ask for…Now for the not so good. While I was in the shower some low life stile my bath robe and slippers off my bed. Would the Air Force give me a replacement, not in your life. I crossed the pacific on December 7th. 1966 in pajamas, no robe, no shoes. The flight nurse took pity on me and gave me a blanket. Out destination was Travis AFB but two guys died on the way so we landed at Oakland where the Army had a Mortuary and sine I was to go to Letterman AMC in San Francisco I was also put off the plane minus my blanket. Thise of you who know the early evening weather in Oakland/San Francisco know how chilly it was. But that was not all. The H-34 that was to give me a ride across the bay was at the other end of the air field. My ride was one of those PU trucks that get in front of planes with a sign that says follow me. I started to get in the passenger side and the driver said no can't you read the sign, no riders, get in the back. I froze my butt off when he final got to the helicopter my teeth were chattering like crazy and it started to rain. One of the flight crew gave me their jacket for the two minute flight the of course took it back when we landed at Crissy Field…That started the worst adventure of my time in the Army, three months on "K Ward". "K Ward" the only ward that isn't referred to by it phonic name is where the most F—-ked up of the F—ked go. No more treatment, you have had all the surgery you are going to get, you either survive or don't your Doctor is God, I was told by the night resident when I arrived which is another story too. For any body interested in a historical document ion you might look up "Hospital Sketches" by Louisa May Alcott, 1863 that book could have been written in 1967. Ms. Alcott was a nurse in casualty K Ward at a hospital in Washington DC. Most of "her guys ": were wounded at Bull Run 1862. K Ward at over flow could handle about 80 wounded, including about a dozen wounded put in a converted Latrine. By Friday the following week when Vietnam wounded normally came in they would be down into the low 60's. Here is a kick in the ass none of those and it must to have been hundreds of men in the evacuation hospitals who died are not included on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in DC. You had to have died in Vietnam to be on the wall, if you died from your wounds in Okinawa or the US you didn't die in Vietnam…More then you wanted to know.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 20 at 2016 10:10 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:10:44 -0500

People used to go to Osan AB from Camp Humphreys ROK to stay the weekend and live the good life.

Response by CPL Sharon Fahey made Dec 20 at 2016 10:54 PM

CPL Sharon Fahey — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 22:54:22 -0500

I loved it. My latest visit was to Shaw AFB, LOVED IT! Its sure not the Army.

Response by SPC Tommy Dean made Dec 21 at 2016 8:57 AM

SPC Tommy Dean — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:57:29 -0500

We road marched all our vehicles from Ft. Benning Ga to the port in Savannah Ga. to board a ship to Europe for Reforger 1988. We spent the night on the tarmac at Warner Robbins AFB. As tarmac goes, it was nice tarmac. MRE supper was was lovely, as was the field kitchens powdered eggs, hash blue potatoes and slice of white bread breakfast. Ahh such fond memories.

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Dec 21 at 2016 9:27 AM

LTC Mark Beattie — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:27:50 -0500

Great food!!

Response by SP5 Edwin Overstreet made Dec 21 at 2016 9:35 AM

SP5 Edwin Overstreet — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:35:31 -0500

1966 Cam ranh Bay AF Base for rotation back to States. It was wonderful. NCO club had COLD American beer and ICE for other drinks. It was a two day wait for transport out but it was so nice with soft bunks with sheets , showers, good food and cold drinks I didn't care .

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 21 at 2016 9:41 AM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:41:07 -0500

I started in the Air Force and never looked back. Every time I had a joint duty with another service and I had multiple duties with all to include the Coast guard, I just stopped and said Thank God I didn't go further down the hall at the recruiting office!!!!!! LOL

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Dec 21 at 2016 9:46 AM

SGT Stanley Bass — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 09:46:03 -0500

Mine was pretty cool. I was stationed i Sinop Turkey, had to go to Incerlik AFB to get my eyes checked. Two MIni golf courses, two px's

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Dec 21 at 2016 10:01 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 10:01:57 -0500

My first experience on an Air Force Base was as a cadet in Civil Air Patrol first and Air Show at Hanscom AFB, MA to assist with an Air show, attended the next two summer CAP encampments at Otis AFB, MA for two weeks. We lived in the Barracks and ate in the AF dining hall. Our encampment had six Squadrons of Cadets, each Squadron had two Flights. Also Went to McGuire AFB, NJ as We had won the Wing Drill comp for Massachusetts and flew down and returned on Air Force aircraft. We stayed in Air Force Quarters and ate in their dining hall. Also changed to a new CAP Squadron that met at an Air Guard Station in Wellesley, MA I ended up joining the US Air Fore and if I had to make the same choice again I would still go in the Air Force.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Dec 21 at 2016 10:44 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:44:30 -0500

With the wording of the question in mind...My first experience with an A-F base was a weekend trip by our Boy Scout troop to Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod. We ate in the dining facility, had tours of hangers and the weather center. I suppose it was a soft-sell version of "don't ya wanna joint the Air Force when you're older?!"

Response by SSG Duane Tyler made Dec 22 at 2016 1:52 PM

SSG Duane Tyler — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:52:32 -0500

The DFAC was awesome in Hawaii. Just get up and go and someone comes and gets your tray!

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Dec 22 at 2016 11:31 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 23:31:22 -0500

My son was 20 year Navy and he told me more than once that the AF took better care of their people. He was at a Diago Garcia and got his furniture from a friend in the AF. He works for the AF now. I also was a snot nose kid of 17 at my first AFB for basic. You learn fast there.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Dec 23 at 2016 12:56 PM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:56:01 -0500

We use to fly missions to PR, not allowed to stay in the sub standard Navy barracks, we were mandated to stay in the hotels downtown. I passed Michael Jordan in the hallway, as I went to borrow a curing iron from a friend. Yea, AF is the way to go.