How many people have misconceptions about the other services, and what are they?

2018-07-08T01:44:34-04:00

I was in the Air Force for 24 years, I keep hearing about how the Air Force spends all its money on MWR and services. You all must be talking about another service, because congressional budgets don't work like that nor do appropriations. I have been on lots of bases, MWR facilities are pretty consistent across most bases and its nonsense that that any service could re-direct funding for anything other than what is was requested for. Also when was the last time a new base was made? The only thing that has occurred in the last few years is consolidation of Air Force and Army installations. In addition your MOS/AFSC determines your work load or your quality of life. If your in a combat MOS, your not going to stay in an office, the same in the Air Force, if you work maintenance say goodbye to your weekends, and you will spend most of your time turning wrenches. not sitting in an office. There are just as many admin folks in all the services, not everyone is kicking down doors.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 2:19 AM

2018-07-08T02:19:43-04:00

There’s a big misconception right there. Most of my time in the Army was spent in joint environments. But I never really said to myself, “wow, these Airforce MWRs are so much better than the Army ones”.

Rather, it was more about the overall quality of life. The Air Force just seems to treat their folks a little better. Here’s a good example. At a school I went to, everyone was issued an iPod as a part of the course materials. At the end of the course, soldiers were required to turn them back in. Airmen were allowed to keep theirs. Little stuff like that.

And lots of little stuff adds up to big stuff. And lots of big stuff adds up to just a general, overall better quality of life. Regardless of whether one is an admin or a door kicker.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 2:26 AM

2018-07-08T02:26:21-04:00

I myself have no misconceptions. I know the Marines eat crayons. The Air Force has people who hand out towels at gyms and hotels. The navy has floaty rubber ducks they reenlist on, and the Army will take anything with a pulse. (GED waiver right here!)

Response by LT Charles Baird made Jul 8 at 2018 8:15 PM

2018-07-08T20:15:10-04:00

Well I spent 22 years in the Air Force both Active and Reserve - While on Active I was in Mobile Air Cargo (original MAPS units and AMOGS) and deployed 260 days a year on average - One example I will give is a joint mission we did in Mombasa, Kenya - while there the Navy and Marines had to stay on the air field in tents; the Army was downtown in a 2 star hotel with a 2:00 am curfew - Us in the Air Force were in a 5 Star Hotel on the Beach and our curfew was - be to work on time and be sober enough to do your job. Also, on that mission we worked 4 hour shifts and had every 3rd day off. The Army, Navy and Marines worked 12 hour shifts and got 1 day every two weeks off of work. Every night we were either at Yul's beach bar or Mamba Village.

Now I have been in the Army, Air Force and Navy (32 years total between all three) and will tell you that even though I was deployed more in the Air Force it was a much more cushy job than in the Army or Navy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 8:28 PM

2018-07-08T20:28:54-04:00

MWR is pretty consistent across the services. I remember when I was in the Navy and we got new furniture it had Air Force tags on it, telling us it was actually hand me down in new condition. My son is AF in the 509th at Whiteman, it is a stereotype that the Air Force is the club med of the services, while Army is the clean up after the Marines take a battle field and do all the grunt work. Lots of stereotypes to be handed around. Always enjoyed the Navy, always hot meals and for the most part hot showers on board ship. No so much in the Army in the field.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Jul 8 at 2018 10:23 PM

2018-07-08T22:23:20-04:00

So, this isn't really how it works in the USAF?

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jul 8 at 2018 11:03 PM

2018-07-08T23:03:45-04:00

Air Force has the best golf courses and other recreational facilities. In the Coast Guard, a base is lucky to have a swimming pool and a tennis court. Attached are Google Earth screen prints of three larger USCG Bases; Curtis Bay, MD, Miami Beach, and Portsmouth, VA. We spend our money on operations, not luxuries. Recruiting is easy. Waiting list is a mile long. Takes months just to talk to a recruiter.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 9 at 2018 2:14 AM

2018-07-09T02:14:50-04:00

I didn't have misconceptions because I told myself early that I was clueless about the darker sides of the Force. Over time, I just learned about the differences and for the most part understood how the services grew up differently. You really have to be clueless when getting tossed into varied foreign units as I was. MREs were "normal" until I ate French MREs. Now our stuff is truly crap. Brits call REMFs "TIPs" (Tactically Insignificant Personnel). If you think you get around basically the same way everywhere, just try being at an AF base without a car.. If you want to see a Marine cry, just run out of peanut butter. So you learn all sorts of cultural, procedural, perceptional differences, etc. all the time. One thing that has never been a misconception. We all love pounding the beers down.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 4:15 AM

2018-07-09T04:15:19-04:00

Major difference Army DFAC I have to pick up my tray after eating and bring it to a station to be washed. I ate at an Air Force DFAC at Lackland, finished eating picked up my tray and walked around confused for a few minutes. Finally I asked a young Airman, "where do the trays go when your done?" He said, "you just leave them at the table." Mind Blown right there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 6:47 AM

2018-07-09T06:47:32-04:00

I had many misconceptions about the Airforce, the worst one was that people in the Airforce are lazy. But one I had worked with a good number of the NCOs and Officers I found that while the Airforce seems very laid back, they are extremely hard workers who take great pride in their service and their mission.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 9 at 2018 9:05 AM

2018-07-09T09:05:40-04:00

Not throwing rocks- but when a grunt unit moves into a forward/temp airstrip after 1 month in the field in 90-100 degree heat, on water rationing and a USAF MSgt greets you outside an airconditioned tent with " We are so sorry, but we lost the hot water heater this morning so all we can offer is cold showers" It does make it look surreal. Same as your regs on crew rest- watching crews drive off in air conditioned vans for rest after 8-12 hrs while you are working on 18-24 hrs. Your food is great, your clubs fantastic, and we watched airman picking up trash with a golf cart and a mechanical picker. You folks , like the USN do live a much different lifestyle than the USA and USMC.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 9 at 2018 9:18 AM

2018-07-09T09:18:02-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member It is all a matter of perspective, and where you sit. The Army, at least perpetuates that idea. Housing, MWR, everything.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 10:29 AM

2018-07-09T10:29:10-04:00

No misconception here, the Air Force takes better care of their people than the Army. When I was a 1Lt, I was the Fire Support Officer for a Calvary Squadron in Germany, the Air Liaison Officer was an Air Force 1LT, we went to the field with the CAV for an ARTEP. We each had a jeep with driver, squad tent, etc., etc., etc... big difference was he was drawing per diem and I was not.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2018 2:21 PM

2018-07-09T14:21:44-04:00

What is MWR?

Response by SSgt Tom Canning made Jul 9 at 2018 9:56 PM

2018-07-09T21:56:22-04:00

We had the corner on the market for the best chow hall at Wright Patterson back in the 80’s .We had a lot of pilots fly in and rest overnight just so they could experience the Wright Patt country club life style!

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made Jul 9 at 2018 10:54 PM

2018-07-09T22:54:56-04:00

I do know that Airmen who stay in barracks on an Army base get money as it is below Air Force standards. That says something right there.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Jul 10 at 2018 12:00 AM

2018-07-10T00:00:34-04:00

I was relieved to find women on the Navy ship I was stationed on. The food was pretty good too.
When you are in a world of nothing but men working out, or shooting, it is so nice to see women.
My brother is Texas Air Guard. His unit is taken over by the Air Force during times of war. He gets to were his hair a lot longer than I ever did and he has a set of golf clubs from way back. But, he has brought great Honor to himself and his family name being a LTC who flies C-130's.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 8 at 2018 8:20 PM

2018-11-08T20:20:46-05:00

I've heard rumors that there are a lot of Air Force personnel who are under the misconception that they're in the military..

Response by TSgt David Holman made Nov 8 at 2018 8:50 PM

2018-11-08T20:50:29-05:00

I never really had any. Anytime I have had the opportunity to work with my sister services, they have all been very professional, and good at what they do. I will admit that I am horrible about using the phrase "army proof", and telling the "how many Marines does it take" joke during BLS classes, however, when it comes down to honest feels, I know I can trust them to do what needs to be done, and that they are going to be the best at what they do.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made May 4 at 2019 1:54 PM

2019-05-04T13:54:15-04:00

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member Good job.You generated a great discussion.

Response by SPC July Macias made Aug 22 at 2021 7:45 PM

2021-08-22T19:45:04-04:00

Thank you Mr. Adams for initiating this thread. Also, I don't know how to read USAF ranks. You're an E8, right?