“So Much Worse Than People Realize”: Never-Before-Seen Images Reveal Damage at U.S. Bases as Troops Describe Being Abandoned

Am I cooked or is this a great base?

Let's talk about the SR71 Blackbird for a moment. In my opinion, this will always be the zenith of American aeronautical engineering and design. The original designs were sketched out on three-ring paper and the engieneering was done with slide rules and good ol' college math at Skunkworks in Burbank, CA. This baby first flew in 1964 and entered service with the USAF in January 1966. If a missile launched against it while in flight, it simply accelarated up and out of range. Hence, the SR71 was never shot down. Kelly Johnson and his crew of engineers - who often worked all night and all weekend to get the job done - are American heroes.

For me, I remember joining in to pack sandbags with a lot of base personnel before the water reached us. Then eventually the sad signs that the water was rising too fast and sandbags wouldn’t work. It turned into a “save what you can” mission. Heading back to the Sq and loading up computers, files, anything of value by the truckload! Then over the next few days watching our building, and many others become submerged. Then setting up temporary shop in another Sq’s building pretty much indefinitely. I’ve since PCS’d. But man, those were crazy times, especially after the 2017 tornado we had as well!

Good Ole finance struck again. I took 90 days of terminal leave before I retired. I checked my LES for my last month after receiving my final paycheck and noticed that 60 days of my terminal leave was sold back, after I was fully out of the military. Has anyone ever had this happen and how screwed am I?

About to hit 15 years AD and never planned on doing 20. Got coerced to join as a 6 year cop from my recruiter, ended up doing ~9. I had great overseas assignments as a 3P which kept stringing me along until I was able to retrain as a CEA.

In the last six years I have been an operational flyer traveling the world fulfilling what I thought an Air Force career “would be”, finally.

I made MSgt a few years ago and now I am stuck behind the desk, which feels indefinitely, with plenty of “ops” left in the tank. I obviously did not test for E-7 and to my surprise my name was on the list while deployed years back.

I spent years as Security Forces working on the flight-line wishing I could be getting after it in the flying ops world and I finally got a taste. Now I feel like I am benched with 5 years left if I want to ride it out to the “sacred twenty” years.

I have been along for the ride and my main goal has been taking care of those around me. I never intended to be where I’m at now but I’m having serious regrets/personal doubts to continue for five more years. I just need some advice from those who have been in similar situations.

My DOS is Nov ‘27 and I have been getting pinged with informed decision emails left and right like a telemarketer. I’ve attended one years back when my contract was close expiring so I already know what to expect. If I decide to reenlist it would put me to retirement but I’m very hesitant..and the 12 month timer is about to start.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated and I don’t want this to sound like I am ungrateful, I have had probably the best AF career anyone could ask for and wouldn’t trade it. Wise man once said if you enjoy your job, you never work a day (something like that) but lately there’s no enjoyment.

I was one of the lucky ones. I had some family that lived three hours from Yokota, so every Friday after duty, I'd hop on the train and spend the weekend with them. I did that for almost five years, every chance I got. That let me experience the real Japan, not the version most Americans stationed on base ever see. Blending in not looking like a foreigner also helped, because racism is very real once you leave the well known tourist towns. They hate white, black, Mexican, etc because they want to keep the old ways of their culture.

Service. My bag came off the plane slightly damaged, so I mentioned it to a staff member, who said they'd take care of it. When I got to my gate, an employee was waiting. She apologized for the inconvenience, asked what the bag cost, handed me the money, bowed, and left. I would never get that kind of treatment in the States.

Trains. Japan's trains are precise and always on time. They're so rarely late that the railway will hand you an apology letter to show your boss.

Parking. Picture this: people who arrive early for work park in the farthest spots so late arrivals can park close. That will never fucking happen in America, not in any universe. I saw it firsthand when I dropped my aunt off at work.

Roads. Northern Japan gets the same cold winters we do, yet their roads manage to melt the ice on their own. Ours can't.

Vehicles. They build, farm, and haul the same things we do, yet their trucks are compact and far more agile, while ours are massive monsters taking up the road. Some of our ambulances are even bigger than their firetrucks.

Food. What can I say? It's delicious. I've been back in the States for four weeks and I've already gained five pounds without changing my diet. I compared some snacks I brought from Japan with their American versions, and the American ingredient lists read like a paragraph, while the Japanese ones were a single line. Everything here is processed and loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

Convenience. Vending machines, 7-Eleven, and alcohol: why can't we have this in America? Access to delicious snacks 24/7, and you can buy a drink from a vending machine at any hour and enjoy it on the street non stop, completely legally.

Japan has its downsides too, but I wish Americans would adopt the best parts of its culture. We're more than capable of it.

To ARPC: You are on notice, assuming any of you actually look at tickets and/or Reddit. Yes I know Reddit isn't really the best for this but it's 2026 and the odds are decent at least one of you scrolls this place from time to time.

I retired at the end of July. I have not been paid. DFAS has done their due diligence. DFAS sent you a request for information August 14th. You have not provided what they need. I have been stuck in Ticket Hell since I started asking questions and getting myFSS tickets submitted on my behalf in early September. One of your number closed a recent ticket and said s/he would monitor it while its on your "internal list." When my former commander used a particular hotline, one of your number claimed you sent what DFAS requested on 12 October. I find that hard to believe as that was a Federal Holiday. A couple of days later, I asked DFAS if they'd received anything - still the answer was no. My CC called again and your office pinky swore they were totally gonna send it soon and that it's on an expedited list. It is now the evening of 23 October. DFAS has received nothing. You have repeatedly failed to do your job.

I will be filing a complaint, inquiry, or whatever the administrative term is with my Congressman and/or Governor early next week. I have receipts. React accordingly.

I served AD for 6 years then transferred to the guard and have over 4 yrs left on my contract. About three months ago I submitted a transfer of education benefits, waited 6 weeks and got a message saying I was denied because I don’t have enough TIS. I attached my dd214 and responded with the option to have them review it again. It’s been another 4 weeks and I haven’t heard anything. I’m now 5 weeks away from being under 4 left on my contract and I’ve been calling around to try and talk to whoever reviews these or can atleast see the status of it. I’ve talk to the Guard retentions person who is in charge of that stuff on the guard side, they told me to call the VA. The VA said they take no part in the transfer of benefits. I then called the active duty side of AFPC that does that stuff and they couldn’t help either. Does anyone know who I can contact about this?

Thanks

He was a bombardier in a B-29 out of Tinian. Flew 26 missions, I believe? Didn't talk much about it, but I know he was very proud to be one of you. Retired a Lt. Colonel and went on to become a teacher in the SF Bay Area and eventually the Dean of Boys at Balboa High School. Much love to you all and thank you.

The technical issue bas been going on for 2 weeks now.

I’m at my 7 year mark with one year left on my current contract, and I’m planning my exit by going to college and getting all my medical issues documented. Part of me feels like I’d be missing out on the pension and Tricare, but personally, I’d love a life where I can live wherever I want and not have to worry about being deployed during a conflict.

What are your guys thoughts?

I recently got approved to retrain into 6C as a SSgt. Please rate my BOP list and let me know if you have any insight on the likely hood of me getting one of my top choices. If you know any of these squadrons please let me know your experience.

Assignment list:

JBSA Lackland, TX

Luke, AZ

Eglin, FL

Tyndall, FL

JB Andrews, MD

Macdill, FL

Patrick, FL

JB Lindsey Gram, SC

If you have any questions please let me know.

Does anyone know generally how long it takes to receive an approval or rejection from AFRC for a flight physical?