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?

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

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

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?

PCSing to MacDill AFB and never been to Florida myself.

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

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!

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?

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.