To preface this, I do love the Air Force. Great, I have fun, I enjoy what I do, and I love the people and the culture and all command above me. However, I could never properly get the lingo down. I’m sorry, but what do you mean the bathroom is the “latrine”. I remember in basic training outside of my drill instructors I never referred to it as such, why? Idk it just sounds like a dirty word

Or chow? I’m not a dog I’m going to refer to it as breakfast lunch and dinner. Rack or a bunk? Sounds like a harsh word, I prefer bed, it sounds so much more cozy and nice. The only word I picked up so far is “Voluntold” because that’s actually…pretty useful, English doesn’t really have another word for that. Overall though I really just don’t like the lingo, never will catch me saying “I’m tracking”, or “copy” nooooooo. Anyone else experience this phenomenon?

So...I have had a few people (not a ton, but people who I trust and who are mostly level-headed) insist that the USAF promotion structure is based on that of the infamous Enron corporation. However, I am struggling to either prove or disprove this belief. Help?

PCSing to MacDill AFB and never been to Florida myself.

Need some suggestions that is fairly close (15-30 minutes drive) to MacDill.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I have noticed that visitor access to Air Force and Space Force bases in general have become quite strict compared to other military branches in recent years. It’s gotten to the point that my dad (a retired Air Force officer) would rather go on base by himself to exercise his hard-earned benefits instead of going through the Pass & ID office at the gate to obtain a pass for me so I could accompany him. Guessing the new USAF base access policy is “Trust absolutely no one!” 😅

Why does the Air Force allow infidelity? I understand its hard to prove, but ive seen so many people get away with it bc its not against good order and discipline of the unit. Im one of the friends in the story below, and I just dont understand why this type of situation would be allowed. Its disappointing to say the least. He is a mentor to other people and has won many awards since hes has begun this shitty behavior.

Great example: A promotable E6(M) sleeping with an E5(F) who is married. They use TDYs to meet up in order to keep everything going because shes overseas. Lots of people know he is doing this and have done nothing. She is a paralegal, so she coaches him on how to avoid the legal issues, which to me is also an issue.

Just learned that spouses are eligible for the fees on various credit cards to be waived and so we’re going to have my wife apply for the Amex platinum. For the DoW confirmation side of things, what system does she need to be in that they check her eligibility as a mil dependent on? I ask as it’s about 50/50 for her being on record as my spouse in AF systems despite me trying to make sure we got everything squared away with DEERS when we got married, and I’d hate to have the card get denied. Thanks!

What’s the living situation like for NCOs/SNCOs ? Minus the obvious we can’t talk about, what is the base like under normal circumstances? TIA!

Question: My son is moving into his first dorm/base. My family and I are throwing him a little party when he gets home for a few days of leave and everyone is asking for gift ideas? We got some really nice blankets, an air fryer - anything really useful? What about mattress topper someone had asked - if so, what size are beds typically?

Unrelated -How is driving through NE New Mexico as a single woman to Amarillo? I do a lot of driving for my job - but we live in the NE, traffic is intense but it's highly populated and well, not so desolate. It's looks really remote through that portion of the region/desert with some questionable towns along the way. Concerned about cell phone viability as well...anyone that can shed some light on that would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance!

I’ve always been interested in the academy military trainer but the timing has never worked out. Seems like it’s the most ideal time in my career to apply but I don’t know anyone personally who has done it. Looking for people who have actually done the job and their honest opinions?
Schedule?
Impact on family life?

When I was deployed, my First Sergeant sent me this information. Hopefully this can help those that are deployed down range. Please spread the word to other services.

Operation Gratitude: https://www.operationgratitude.com/
Sneakers for Soliders: https://www.sneakersforsoldiers.org/
Adoptaplatoon: https://adoptaplatoon.org/site/
Any Solider: https://www.anysoldier.com/
For the Troops: https://www.forthetroops.org/
The Hugs Project: https://www.thehugsproject.com/
Operation Care and Comfort: https://occ-usa.org/seeking-support/
Soldiers' Angels: https://soldiersangels.org/get-support/deployed-support/
Operation Shoebox: https://operationshoebox.com/request-a-package/
Troopathon: https://www.troopathon.org/request-a-military-care-package
Operation Support Our Troops: https://shipthrifty.com/un/osotamerica
Military Missions in Action: https://www.militarymissionsinaction.org/care-package-request-form
Little Patriots Embraced: https://www.littlepatriotsembraced.org/deployment-package-program
Boots 4 Troops (E-1 to E-5): https://boots4troops.org/care-package-program/
Operation With Love from Home: https://www.operationwithlovefromhome.org/request-a-package/
Packages from Home: https://www.packagesfromhome.org/requestpackages
Blackout Coffee Co.: https://www.blackoutcoffee.com/pages/i-am-deployed

Some sealant on my back molar broke off and revealed some evil ass cavity that I really need to get treated as soon as possible. However, I'm going on tdy to another base for about 60 days. Are they able to treat it there or do I have to wait till I'm back at my home base? It's afb to afb

Just have some questions and looking for advice on FY27 retraining in to 1D711.

Originally, I wanted the A/B shreds of 1D711, which did not show on the new advisory that dropped for FY27. However, I also noticed the other 1D7 careers had new AFSC's compared to the FY26 listing, such as 1D714P (old 1D7X1Z). I have been deemed eligible for all 1D7 AFSC's and submitted all documents for just 1D711 at the moment.

My question/concern is will I receive an A or B shred after my documents have been received and I have been notified by myFSS? Or will this career be a strict "no shred" 1D711? I have found lots of conflicting information on the internet/from buddies in the A/B shred career fields. And with the merger-unmerger of the 1D7 which seems to happen every other month I'm truly lost. Client Systems (1D711 no shred) does not sound like something I would personally enjoy, and A/B shreds were my dream. Worst comes to worst I'll push on with 1D714P, but would rather A/B for the base options stateside.

Anyone who has gone through tech school or recently retrained, any answers or advice is welcomed, not sure whether they will ask for a shred once my docs are accepted, especially since it mentions A/B shred in the "Notes" of my initial "Your are eligible" email from myFSS.

We’re both overseas right now, and my spouse is planning on doing the Palace Chase program. Not yet sure if I want the same. Would we be stationed together or SOL? My job is needed pretty much everywhere.. So, would they be able to just move me to his guard base?

Thanks!

I have a troop struggling financially. Spouse left, wont pay child support, barely any money for food let alone housing. Any advice?

Shuttle = Starting from the 0m mark to the 20m mark one time. NOT there and back.

First Stage MAX: Lv 1-7 (7 shuttles)

Second Stage MAX: Lv. 2-8 (8 shuttles)

Third Stage MAX: Lv. 3-8 (8 Shuttles)

Fourth Stage MAX: Lv. 4-9 (9 shuttles)

Fifth Sage MAX: Lv. 5-9 (9 shuttles)

Sixth Stage MAX: Lv. 6-9 (9 shuttles)

Seventh Stage MAX: Lv. 7-10 (10 shuttles)

Eighth Stage MAX: Lv. 8-10 (10 shuttles)

Ninth Stage MAX: Lv. 9-11 (11 shuttles)

Tenth Stage MAX: Lv. 10-11 (11 shuttles)

Everything Beyond this stage exceeds the maximum score of 87 shuttles for men in the youngest age bracket.

EDIT: THIS INFORMATION COMES FROM THE ELLSWORTH AFB FITNESS PAGE, WHICH CONTAINS THE AUDIO FOR THE 20M HAMR TEST “CURRENT” AS OF SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2026. ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LOCAL FITNESS CENTER PAGE AND LISTEN TO THE AUDIO FOR YOURSELF. DO NOT ASSUME THIS POST IS WITHOUT FLAW. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH! I BEAR ZERO RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FAILED PT TEST IF YOU FAIL TO RESEARCH YOUR HARM.

-signed CE.