Military members....has military life become too restrictive...or is it just me?

Question

I have been in the USAF for almost 11 years. I have to say my first 4 were great and I re-enlisted for 6 years. I have been involved in every conflict since Kosovo and up until about 4 years ago I loved it. Now, I despise it. The pace is unbelievable. By the way, I come from a long family line of CAREER Air Force and military and all of them say they wouldnt enlist now...no way in hell. Not because of the war...because of the insane rules and ridiculous amount of hours, training, and childish treatment. It gets worse every year. Awards are based more on how you look and the image you portray than the job you do, and the sad part is, the superiors are buying into it. My grandfather was an E-8 and he agrees it is ridiculous. Safety training, suicide prevention, base restrictions, 11 hour days, no beer purchased on base after midnight, off duty volunteer work, TDY's, uniform restrictions are at an all time high. I could go on and on. Any similiar thoughts?

I know some of the things I mentioned already existed in previous years. But, they are too much now. The same training, and papers for three different programs, weekend check in, curfew, no drinking...etc. Not to mention, you need credibility on paper to make senior rank these days...not because you are a good leader, because some degree says you are. No more having fun...they want all business all the time. When I came in the military was alot like you see in the movies. Bust your *** when it is time to work and play hard. Now, it is bust your *** all day, go home with homework, dont go out, dont drink, dont be loud, dont party, look like you are perfectly pressed, ironed all the time, no matter what work you have done or have to do. It's like being in basic training all the damn time except you get to go home every now and then. Makes me want to get out.

To zeuster2: Hey prick...why dont you go check out AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) at Hurlburt Field; AC-130 gunships....I spent 9 years there and carried a weapon in every friggin country there is a conflict going on in right now and I used it. I have worked with the Army, Marines and Navy for the past 10 years douche. You think we dont see battle...LOL !!! Mortar attacks daily ***wipe. Air Force provides every bit of ground support you Army and Marines need....especially AFSOC. By the way, AF has mandatory PT too these days. Meet up face to face and call me a P-U-S-S-Y...how highly misguided you Marines are. I still work with them here in Japan and they are just as misguided. Sad story.

As far as going overseas...been there done that. Contrary, the AF isnt the easiest. They are all hard. However, the AF is the hardest to make rank in...more is expected out of you to make rank. Most arent eligible for E-4 until 28 months in the service...most sew on at 3 years for E-4. Average E-5 is 6 years or more. Anyway, I spent many, many, many months away from home. Missed childbirths, lost a wife, spent 10 months away after 9-11. So, I have seen all you have seen in the other branches. AFSOC has the same mission as Army, Marines. Just an FYI.

Living on base after 11 years...YEP !!! Have too!! Base restriction applies off base too for folks in Japan. I was just looking for different opinions here. I got what I wanted. Thirteen deployments in 9 years time, 2 marriages, 4 wars, 10 jobs wrapped into one...just wanted to see if I was the only one who felt the way I do. They took the fun out of it in my opinion. Work used to be fun...not anymore. Seems no matter what you say or do, you are breaking a rule. The military used to say they didnt want robots....now I think they need them.

One last thing. YES, we got attacked. I understand that. Nobody is whining about the mission. Like I said, I have been there, done that and still doing it. I re-enlisted because I am willing to go the distance for the missons. I have 9 years to retirement and will stay in. My concern is the silly crap we have to deal with.

They treat you like 3 year old children incapable of making adult decisions. It's the senseless petty rules, regs, restrictions that mount with each day. Slowly all of the off-duty freedoms we were once allowed are being taken away little by little. C.mon, if my g-father and father (who were in the Korean War and Vietnam) say it is getting bad....then I see a problem. Again, it's NOT the mission. When I told my grandfather that I had to be in at a certain hour, he said, "You have got to be kidding me...we used to go out with our bosses and have drinks til 3-4am in Turkey". Yeah, it's getting a bit too conservative in my opinion.

Answer 1

You have choices...
At the end of your enlistment, get out.

Answer 2

Good to see we got another FWB, FL guy on here.

I was in the AF for about 5 years...

I can agree with you on some things. The AF seems to be very political. It doesnt matter if you are the best person in the shop you will not be reconized unless you are kissin up to someone. Which I think it really stupid. The hours I cant say to much about because since I have been in my job we have always worked 12 hour shifts. I think the reason most Airman are seeing more hours is because they are cutting the force. When I was in the AF I was doing the job of 3 Airman. I was working console, NCOIC of Training, and NCOIC of systems...

Personally I got tired of the route the AF was going and I went through the Blue to Green program and joined the Army. I have regreted a minute of it. You should look into it.

Answer 3

No you are now a senior NCO with all the problems and headaches that go along with it. You're now being evaluated based on how your subordinates perform, so it becomes a perception issue. I deal with the same thing. Pays great, but it's not as fun as it used to be.

And I think you are confusing the pace of the military with the pace of technology. I personally think that cell phones, laptops, PDAs, the internet, etc.. is the reason that you feel like your running 100mph in four directions at once when you step into the shop at 0900.

Ten years ago, you could be given one task and wouldn't have any interruptions. Now we expect our joes to do 6 things at the same time and wonder why it's hard to achieve the same standards.

When you were a joe you probably didn't see a lot of the big picture but there were just as many unhappy senior leaders back then.

I think the rules have relaxed a little for the better since the war on terror, but that is my opinion.

The alcohol issue has to do with the fact that society is tired of burying innocent people from vehicle accidents.

PS..The first poster isn't in the military. Marines don't call themselves "Soldiers" and running ten miles with a combat load is a stupid way to put half your platoon on profile in a hurry from knee and ankle injuries. There are smarter ways to build up endurance with a ruck. I think he should be grounded and forced to ride the bus to school when it starts.

Answer 4

I served 9 years in the Navy and left last year, but I didn't see half the stuff you are complaining of. Do you really think about earning awards? It's more than just about chest candy. I personally think they give out way too many awards. Base restrictions? Do you still live on base after 11 years? 11 hour days? You have it easy my friend compared to being out at sea for 8 months on deployment. I guess the AF is the easiest branch of the military.....I can remember working lock shift in port on 16 hour days.....months at a time.....and even with all that I left the Navy because I found a better job in the civilian world....not because it was too hard.

Answer 5

Didn't we get ATTACKED by terrorists almost 6 years ago? Don't you think that could have something to do with it? Man, you really shouldn't have anything to complain about! You should see the freakin hours, deployments, and Iraq tours the ARMY ARTILLARY are doing. My husband was so sick of it, he chose RECRUITING to get out of our crap. The marines have it even worse, they are never even home (USA) for more than 4 months before they re-deploy to Iraq. Just suck it up, and put up w/ it for your 4 more years. Then, get out. Don't whine on the military board though, one thing I've learned about military life is that everyone has been through it, they don't want to hear your whining either! ;) ---Not to be rude or anything!

Answer 6

Quit your bitching. Try the army or marines. That is training. The AF doesn't require near as much out of their "employees" as the Army and Marines do out of their "Soldiers". Instead of flying around delivering logistics, why don't you try toting a weapon on the front lines, or ride in a tank during battle where your life expectance as a tank crew member during war is 21 seconds. Try running 10 miles with a fully packed ruck in full combat gear. You Air Force P U S S I E S amaze me.

Answer 7

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Don't get me started.

In Afghanistan it seemed to me the senior leadership's main goal was to enforce stupid and petty rules. Maybe the mission was just an add on for them.

I hate the bastards.

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Answer 8

I know what you mean, im here in Misawa Japan and they make us carry a stupid "chceck 60" card that we have to have on us just so we know that it takes your body 60 minutes to process an alcoholik drink. I guess cuz they're stupid asses who **** things up and we all gotta pay for it.