Parents just got orders..............the outlook isn't good.......

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Ryan

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Background: Both of my parents are in the Air Force, my stepfather was recently promoted so he can no longer fill his position here in Panama City, so he and 9 other people who also just made rank were asked compile a wish list out of 10 bases that had positions open for somebody of their rank. In the list, you just list the places you would like to go to, from greatest to least. My parents list looked something like this:

"1. Tacoma Washington
2. North Dakota
3. Rapid City, South Dakota
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10. Fayetteville North Carolina"

Notice Fayetteville at the bottom - the area is next to a large Army Base, Fort Bragg. There is NOTHING desirable about the dump - they have high crime due (as with almost any Army base - honestly, I can understand the prisoner abuse scandals as long as the offending officers were from the Army :thumbsdown: ), and the area just sucks in general (sorry North Carolinians - the truth hurts).

My dads supervisor decided to put in a word for him at headquarters - that backfired, he got an e-mail back saying that trying to influence the relocation of someone is looked down upon, blah, blah, blah, you know what? - Fayetteville has an opening for a strong SrMSGT, they need one there. He also said that basically NC was on the bottom of everyone's wish lists.

Today their orders were official - Fayetteville, NC - report to duty on 8/31/2004. :frown: This doesn't really effect me - I'll be staying down here in beautiful Panama City FL, finally moving out on my own. It just sucks that my parents have to move to somewhere they don't want to go. They aren't stoked, but I guess this is the kind of stuff they should have expected when they both signed on to be in the Air Force.

Cliff Notes:
Fayetteville sucks. Whoooooo-ah. :roll:
 
EagleKeeper

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
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Pope AFB is not that bad.
Yes the area is an Army town, however, one makes what one wants of it.

I knew of a few AF people (Enlisted and commissioned that retired from there. They are still sane).

The big problem is trying to fill two slots at the same time. That limits all options considerably.
 
J

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
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Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Pope AFB is not that bad.
Yes the area is an Army town, however, one makes what one wants of it.

I knew of a few AF people (Enlisted and commissioned that retired from there. They are still sane).

The big problem is trying to fill two slots at the same time. That limits all options considerably.
Click to expand...

So true. My fiancee's aunt and uncle are in the same boat - both about to rank up to Sergeant Major but there aren't many bases with openings for two of them.
 
P

Pastfinder

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2000
2,352
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Hey, come up to Raleigh at some point. I went down to Fayettenam tons of times for my thesis research. The area is far better than it was 20 years ago. The city's old reputation is the one most people are familiar with. That area of N.C. is very poor financially, but it means your dollar can go a LONG way ;) Remember, a place only sucks if you don't try to get out and explore...
 
Ryan

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Originally posted by: Ornery
Panama City's so much better... :roll:
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But you have to understand, most crime happens here during one certain time - Spring Break. And most incidents happen near the hotels/beach, so the majority of the city is isolated from the commotion. For the rest of the year, it's basically smooth sailing :p
 
allisolm

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,232
4,827
136
One good thing about it is that Best Buy, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Circuit City, Staples, Target, Walmart and more are all on the same street within a few blocks (by Cross Creek Mall). It makes Black Friday shopping wonderful.

Also the Ft Bragg commissary and PX are among the largest, if not the largest , in the US. They also have a huge base hospital.

As for Fayetteville, there are probably more pawn shops and girlie bars than local inhabitants. The area is pretty poor and, if the military left, the whole town would probably dry up and blow away. :)

All that aside, your folks have been in the service long enough to know that any assignment is what you make it and I'm sure they will find things that interest them close enough to make them worthwhile.
 
D

dquan97

Lifer
Jul 9, 2002
12,010
3
0
Sorry to hear that...if it's any consolation, I'll be in San Antonio, TX for Basic in July, then off to Biloxi, MS for tech school...It's going to be a hot few months for me

EDITED: Thanks for the correction, PanzerIV ;)
 
erikistired

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
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and the area just sucks in general (sorry North Carolinians - the truth hurts)
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north carolina is actually quite nice, but feel free to take more digs at the whole state because you dislike fayetteville. i spent a year and a half in matthews (outside of charlotte) and enjoyed it.
 
EagleKeeper

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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F

Fiveohhh

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
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Originally posted by: dquan97
Sorry to hear that...if it's any consolation, I'll be in San Antonio, TX for Basic in July, then off to Biloxi, MI for tech school...It's going to be a hot few months for me
Click to expand...

Damn thats gonna be hot, if ya have any questions about basic PM me I was there about 6 years ago:p
 
P

PanzerIV

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2002
6,875
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Originally posted by: dquan97
Sorry to hear that...if it's any consolation, I'll be in San Antonio, TX for Basic in July, then off to Biloxi, MI for tech school...It's going to be a hot few months for me
Click to expand...


Unless there is a Biloxi, Michigan I am not aware of I think you meant Biloxi, MS. :p
 
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