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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?
Your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
PCS
PCS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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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.
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Col Joseph Lenertz
Excellent advice, SSG Willis Baker . My only add would be, it is your God-given right to bit@%, moan and complain with your buddies. If it makes you a tighter team, great. Just don't believe all your own gripes. Enjoy your time in Shreveport, and get down to New Orleans next Feb, and stay safe.
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MSgt James Mullis
Col Joseph Lenertz - My Dad (a retired SNCO) used to say a little bit@%-ing is OK. It's just people being people. The time to worry is when you stop hearing the bit@%-ing. Why? Because it means they are bit@%-ing about You.
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SSG Willis Baker
A1C (Join to see) - I spent 6½ years in Italy and during that time I turned down an assignment to Ft. Lewis and one other good assignment. When It was time for me to leave, I was assigned to Ft. hood, Tx., which some told me was the armpit of the Army. I found it just the contrary. I was assigned there twice with a Korea assignment in-between. So don't believe what people tell you about your future assignments. You do not want to PCS with a bad attitude going in to a new unit.
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SSG Ray Murphy
Excellent advice for most people, some of the times. At various times throughout some Fort and Base's existence, they sucked no matter what you did to alleviate the pain and suffering. Example: Fort Polk in the early 80's was a toxic Fort all around. Was there fun things to do on and around the base? Sure there was, but the leadership still made the assignment miserable, but don't take my word for it, if you can find them, look at the suicide stats for 1983-1985 there, we were averaging one a month for a while. I re-enlisted there just so I would leave almost a year before I was scheduled to. Sometimes having a great MWR, or places to do fun things can't make up for toxicity.
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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.
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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.
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A1C (Join to see)
I just finished my CDCs so now I just have to find out what I want to do with my life sir
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SSgt Alex Robinson
Get a start on your college education. In a place like Barksdale, where there is little to do, take advantage of the down time and get started.
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TSgt (Join to see)
If there is one thing I regret about my time on AD is I waited so long to start and finish my degree. A1C (Join to see), The easiest one to get right now is your AAS from the Community College of the Air Force.
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A1C (Join to see) 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!
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!
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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.
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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.
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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).
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SSgt (Join to see)
7 years at Tinker, I feel ya. Not to bad once you get out and find things to do, which took me about 2 years to do.
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A1C (Join to see)
I see what you mean... People could make or break an assignment. Thanks for your answer
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SCPO David Lockwood
A1C (Join to see) - It's always the people who are in control. If they cannot balance completing the mission while taking care of the people then it will be a bad tour. On the other hand if they can balance that tour could be the best of your career.
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I always am amused when I hear Air Force people complaining about anything, lol.
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