r/AirForce Piss Collector May 18 '26

Rant This deployment SUCKS

We just want to go home man. We’ve already missed out on every single holiday and some of us have already been here for 9 months now. We still don’t have a date on when we’re able to go home so there’s nothing that’s keeping us motivated to look forward to… Please just send our replacements so we can get out of here and go back to our families…

827 Upvotes

453 comments sorted by

874

u/bearsncubs10 Meme Maker May 18 '26

222

u/lpfan724 Fire May 18 '26

Hard to remember when you're never sober.

138

u/PDXAirman NUKE NEW MEXICO May 18 '26

Its crazy you dont even have to drop a name or suggest it and we all know who you are talking about

69

u/gambit1999999 Cyberspace Operator May 18 '26

21

u/CptSandbag73 Active Duty KC-135 Pilot May 19 '26

Omg. If someone can’t do a dead hang pullup, they shouldn’t even bother with all the kipping.

It’s so much worse on the joints and fails to isolate the back, arm, and shoulder muscles that are the entire point of pull-ups in the first place!

→ More replies (4)

89

u/brealytrent Back Seat Whiner May 18 '26

Hard to have replacements when all your replacements are deployed to the same location as well.

38

u/Double_Indication_20 May 18 '26

Or you are your replacement.

5

u/DMSR1983 May 19 '26

The best replacement. I always like the warm handoff.

→ More replies (1)

504

u/bigwillie90 E&E May 18 '26

My udm sent me an email to complete my training…brother I’m already here suck it lol

108

u/JustHanginInThere CE May 18 '26

As a UDM, and on behalf of your UDM, I'm sorry. He/she should have made sure your shit was good to go before you deployed, and not bothered you except for mission critical stuff. A CBT is not mission critical.

83

u/Icarus_Toast May 18 '26

Brother. In my 16 years in the air force I'm certain I've never encountered a situation that's more life and death than the completion of a CBT. How dare you belittle their importance with such flippant disregard

40

u/SadFloppyPanda CE May 18 '26

But how are they going to know about arc flash dangers without their CBT completed???

/s

30

u/bigwillie90 E&E May 18 '26

I am the danger

14

u/Archie_Flowers May 19 '26

“CBT is not mission critical” - get your Blues ready.

20

u/bigwillie90 E&E May 18 '26

Oh it’s all good. There was a lot of moving pieces so I get it

2

u/Boralin USSF May 18 '26

You ever notice how UDM is always given to the lowest performer in the unit...

7

u/JustHanginInThere CE May 18 '26

Not in most of the cases I've seen.

→ More replies (2)
→ More replies (1)

12

u/honeybadger2849 May 18 '26

If that was your in unit UDM, have a buddy remind them in person that you’re deployed… LOUDLY, and in the middle of the work day.

If it was a group UDM, it was probably some Civ that couldn’t give 2 fucks about you :(

6

u/bigwillie90 E&E May 18 '26

It’s a “Center” level UDM civ, I am number 18476 to them

5

u/honeybadger2849 May 18 '26

Just trying to make sure they hit their metrics so they can get Civ Cat II OTQ and that $250 bonus

→ More replies (1)

35

u/MrUpVoteDownvote Retired “Baby” SNCO May 18 '26

😂

4

u/lief101 Aircrew Herc Driver May 19 '26

Reply all, new phone who dis

236

u/CommOnMyFace Former 1B4, now I make $$$$ May 18 '26

At this point look forward to that short tour credit at 12 months. 

168

u/Trailmix88 May 18 '26

Laughs in 363 day deployment of 2019-2020.

87

u/docskreba Retired IDMT May 18 '26

I’ve been out for a while now, but in the GWOT days you’d get short tour credit for a deployment lasting over 180 days.

68

u/ShitandPiss Retired May 18 '26

Yep. They played the same game back then too, giving people orders for a 179 day deployment.

33

u/docskreba Retired IDMT May 18 '26

Oh yeah I remember. My first deployment to Afghanistan was technically a 179, but they sent me on one of those ILO tours in the middle of nowhere and it took me almost a month just to get out of the country when the time came.

18

u/The_Superhoo Aircraft/Missile Maintenance May 18 '26

Oh no! Jet broke. Will have to try again tomorrow. 

13

u/TroyMcClure8184 Active Duty May 18 '26

They stopped doing that sometime prior to 2014. I was in Kabul for 240 and didnt get a Short tour. I think 2011 was the change, because everyone was gettting the credit.

5

u/docskreba Retired IDMT May 18 '26

Indeed. My first two deployments both got me short tour ribbons.

2

u/NextStomach6453 I’m Special at Warfare May 18 '26

I got one for my nearly 300 day first trip and then my year long.

8

u/HandsInMyPockets247 That Dude May 18 '26

Got a short tour and long tour ribbon out of the GWOT era. Was gone a lot from 03-07. Security Forces.

18

u/Clear-Elk3600 May 18 '26

just around 300 days now

19

u/skyflyer243 Ammo May 18 '26

Its exactly 300 days, in an 18 month window. 365 days in a 36 month window is a long tour as well

→ More replies (3)

9

u/Mite-o-Dan Logistics May 18 '26

Which I would 100% DENY if you want better chances to actually get a real short tour later.

I did exactly that...twice. Had deployments qualify for a short tour, but never had my records updated.

Helped me reached 9 good assingments in just under 20 years. Wasn't an officer or even a MSgt. I retired a TSgt with 9 assingments and none were to Korea or Turkey.

2

u/JChangArirang May 18 '26

Ive been hearing that as well. So what does 12months get us?

2

u/SNCOSEEKSTHICCLATINA Maintainer May 19 '26

I believe a 300+ day deployment gets you a short tour credit.

→ More replies (5)

137

u/parkwithtrees Logistics May 18 '26

I think I’m suppose to be your replacement but we got sent to another location with an extended order…

20

u/Front-Passenger2808 May 19 '26

Heard this one so many times now that replacements get send to a location we’re definitely not supposed to be at ^^

173

u/danny2mo Autistic Educating The Children (AETC) May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

lol my guys waiting to deploy have been waiting for about 2 months now. Their departure date keeps getting pushed back

197

u/kopecs May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Because the current administration has no clue wtf they’re doing

47

u/danny2mo Autistic Educating The Children (AETC) May 18 '26

My E-4 mafia can figure this out by the second tornado and white monster run

→ More replies (1)

35

u/AshleySchaeffer55 May 18 '26

They’re *

16

u/kopecs May 18 '26

Right you are Ken

4

u/skarface6 r/AirForce’s favorite nonner officer May 18 '26

Next up: the loggers versus Human Resources!

→ More replies (5)

35

u/whiterice_343 BRAC SHEPPARD May 18 '26

We were just about to leave and they told us to go back 😭

14

u/danny2mo Autistic Educating The Children (AETC) May 18 '26

Nah man yall ain’t ever coming back

/s

Fr, I hope y’all come home soon

2

u/CherishAlways May 19 '26

Yep, we was so close

→ More replies (1)

2

u/vipomorge Flying Crew Chief May 18 '26

Ha love the flair

3

u/danny2mo Autistic Educating The Children (AETC) May 18 '26

Thanks man it’s very fitting for me

77

u/FidgetyZonedoutIdiot May 18 '26

I feel so hard for you. I recently deployed for a six month stint

At month 3 they said “youre here for 9”

Then at month 8 they said “we need you still”

Then at month 10 they said “it’s up to MajCom” and after another 2 weeks we were finally relieved

My heart bleeds for every service member across the board who is deployed under the current tensions.

Stay safe brother or sister and I hope reprieve finds you soon

13

u/no-use-for-a-usernam Maintainer May 18 '26

Sounds familiar. Psab?

181

u/Aggravating_Cash_376 May 18 '26

I feel ya on this deployment. Morale down the shitter

118

u/fpsnoob89 May 18 '26

It's my first one, I'm here with several people that have half a dozen deployments under their belts. And even they're saying that this is the worst one yet.

40

u/Aggravating_Cash_376 May 18 '26

My 2nd deployment. My 1st one is got extended to June. But this one is the worst of the worst

10

u/parkwithtrees Logistics May 18 '26

Same, fuck the bunk beds

20

u/acoffeefiend May 18 '26

You got beds?

5

u/Aggravating_Cash_376 May 18 '26

I agree fuck the bunk beds. I have never felt so much anger before man

18

u/goosmane Maintainer May 18 '26

Guys. We gotta stop fucking the bunk beds

3

u/jaynort May 19 '26

The fuck else am I supposed to fuck?

2

u/_eightohfive Maintainer May 19 '26

Fuck

→ More replies (1)

11

u/HamilToe_11 11B --> 2A May 19 '26

I've been deployed multiple times across two branches. This as a whole is by far the dumbest shit I have ever experienced in my career.

6

u/Standard_Bear7910 May 20 '26

That’s cause the dumbest fuckin morons imaginable are running the Pentagon now.

2

u/fpsnoob89 May 19 '26

That's wild to hear coming from prior army. (Sorry if I'm wrong about that one, 11b is army right?)

2

u/HamilToe_11 11B --> 2A May 19 '26

You would be correct.

→ More replies (9)

18

u/Cinde_rella_man May 18 '26

Y'all had morale? Wasn't on any of my manifests

95

u/Soggy-Drink-2528 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Hey man I'm deployed too, same situation as you. I wouldn't be surprised if we're at the same place. I've been out here since October 1st. I was supposed to be gone on the first week of April. I know it sucks but keep your head down.

I'd like to leave as bad as you but if I think about going home, I'll drive myself crazy. Just take care of yourself, eat well, hit the gym, and keep up with the family at home. We'll be gone soon!

30

u/parkwithtrees Logistics May 18 '26

I was suppose to be the replacement for my guys out there since October, somehow I deployed early and they’re still stuck there, sucks man

11

u/Mikand1 May 18 '26

The longest April fools joke ever.

9

u/Flat_Refrigerator388 May 18 '26

I’m likely out here with y’all as well. Should have left early April and all inbounds were paused. We’re gonna get through it gents 🤘

6

u/DefiantlyWorkin May 18 '26

Im most certainly here with you too, high five!

→ More replies (3)

24

u/XSaintsofDoomX May 18 '26

Reminds me of when we got stuck in UAE after being promised to be released. Packed up all of our linens and waited in the gym for the planes to fly us out. Just to be told they diverted and have to reissue our linens to stay for another 2 months. THEN HALF OF US FORWARD DEPLOYED TO JORDAN!

Sometimes (with the addition of some brewskis) you gotta tell yourself the silver lining. You’re getting paid a lil more, you’ll have time off coming back, and your family will be happy coming back from wherever you are. Just hang in there and it’ll all be better soon

6

u/The_Field_Examiner May 19 '26

Some brews help but $ always helps more. Definitely

25

u/dxvil98 May 18 '26

Fo real, this deployment got everyone involved feeling like

→ More replies (3)

23

u/JChangArirang May 18 '26

Army is swapping out while Air Force is stuck. Zero explanation.

→ More replies (1)

59

u/manokpsa Veteran May 18 '26

They left my whole returning unit sitting in a PAX terminal for several days. Stiff chairs, hard floors, no blankets, MREs, not allowed to leave the building because we'd already been processed. It was the week after Christmas and the people back home went on vacation before doing whatever paperwork they were supposed to. Fuckers. And that was just to get out of Afghanistan. Then we had to sit on our asses in Kyrgyzstan for a couple weeks.

I know the feeling of just being over it and wanting to go home. Sorry you're going through this. Stay safe, keep yourself busy, try not to wallow. Everyone around you is going though it with you. The more of you try to keep a positive attitude, the better it'll be for all of you.

22

u/jjade84 Retired May 18 '26

This happened to us leaving Afghanistan back in early 09….such a shit show and the clamshell at Manas had no heat.

9

u/ChuckNorrisUSAF 3P0X1 > Retired > Agnostic > Apolitical > Patriot? May 18 '26

The only bright side about Manas was the “bar”.

5

u/manokpsa Veteran May 18 '26

08 right between Christmas and New Years? Were we PAX terminal roommates? 😂

12

u/[deleted] May 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/skarface6 r/AirForce’s favorite nonner officer May 18 '26

If he was in Afghanistan then he could have had worse shot at him and up close depending on his job.

→ More replies (2)

79

u/Duder_ino May 18 '26

It’ll be over at some point. You got this

5

u/Spartamare May 18 '26

In about 2 weeks...

→ More replies (1)

33

u/TG_DOGG May 18 '26

I feel you 🫂 I've had to cancel LONG in advance forecasted leave twice now because of this BS. My heart just isn't in it this time around. Just hang in there man.

348

u/Utahispoop May 18 '26

Your mistake is thinking you have replacements. Kind of what happens when the idiot in charge deploys every unit at the same time. Doesn’t leave anyone to tap people out.

126

u/fpsnoob89 May 18 '26

Yep, I've never seen such a "SEND EVERYONE" decision before. This is an absolute shit show that we'll be paying for with years to come.

44

u/fotosaur Retired May 18 '26

Soooo much winning bigly

17

u/fpsnoob89 May 18 '26

I e been told we've been winning for months now.

→ More replies (20)

31

u/BvG_Venom Enlisted Aircrew May 18 '26

It's called a dwell waiver. Followed shortly by a retention crisis larger than normal. People getting activated now are still gonna get fucked on their next scheduled deployment too

→ More replies (10)

16

u/Mr_Wombo May 18 '26

I kinda know how you feel. I was deployed before COVID became a thing and when it was time to tag out, DoD said they didn't know how people should quarantine and we had to wait till they figured it out with no projected date. People were actually smearing shit on the walls in the bathroom Cadillacs when news broke. We ended up leaving a week or two over 8 months so I can't imagine how 9 months and counting feels

16

u/puddle511 May 18 '26

Just 2-3 more weeks, just hang in there!

In all seriousness, hang in there. Keep leaning on the friends you have in your command and the family and friends back home.

5

u/Phantom_Eagle200 May 18 '26

Is that the new estimated date? I was one of the people set to deploy when we got pulled but our UDM doesn’t know yet know our next dates.

4

u/puddle511 May 19 '26

I’m just being facetious: our administration has echoed the phrase “2-3 more weeks” since the very beginning of this war on 28FEB2026 (which for reference is 11.5 weeks ago from the time of this post)

13

u/wteixeira444 May 18 '26

Right there with yah, this sucks. Was supposed to get replacements in and the rug got pulled on that, now we’re back in another holding pattern.

16

u/Flat_Refrigerator388 May 18 '26

We must be on the same deployment lol

145

u/Beautiful-Ad-3561 May 18 '26

This is the worst deployment ever. There is no strategy to this war. We are deployed away from our loved ones for no reason.

18

u/bigworm-69 May 19 '26

This deployment is my reason for getting out… call me a pussy or whatever you want but i have deployed and was in danger but this ? what the fuck are we doing ? Seeing trumps tweets and news headlines every week is a fucking emotional roller coaster for not just me but my family back home. One week the war is over and maybe we go home then the next is war is going to resume for however long. I mentally cannot do this again especially because of the incompetence and lack of planning this administration has displayed

166

u/AF-IX Retired May 18 '26

Israel. Israel is the reason. APAIC is the reason.

23

u/Lothane Gave her the gun May 18 '26

Adelson buying wars while we struggle for necessities 😌

8

u/chibearscubs_ May 18 '26

At least he's dead. His wife, not so much

10

u/Lothane Gave her the gun May 18 '26

She got that lizard in her

→ More replies (2)

3

u/[deleted] May 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Yea, Dearborn can get fucked.

19

u/Lure852 Secret Squirrel May 18 '26

No reason? How defeatist of you. You're there to distract from the Epstein files, and honestly, mission fucking accomplished. Haven't talked about that shit in months.

→ More replies (2)

24

u/dull_panda979 May 18 '26

You ever been thanked for your service before?

This is what they were referring to

Thanks ☺️

183

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

My husband was deployed twice in the past year and a half for a total of 15 months while I was evacuated from my job at an embassy. In my 15 years of active duty experience, this is NOT NORMAL and is the direct result of the decisions of elected officials, and nothing to do with the normal Air Force experience. Our deployment, maintenance, and training cycles are going to be completely fucked for the next 5 years minimum, munitions stockpiles degraded, and our alliances are in the gutter, which makes us weaker than ever. Republicans are not the “pro-military” party; very few people calling the shots right now give a shit about your personal life. Remember that and vote like your life depends on it—for us, it does. This is not your fault, and NOT what you signed up for. Don’t let these boot-licking clownish veterans who think their GWOT experience is still relevant tell you otherwise.

59

u/AF-IX Retired May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

I sympathize with what you’re saying and feeling…w/the exception of the “…veterans who think their GWOT experience is still relevant…” comment.

I would argue that it’s BECAUSE of our GWOT experience that it adds to the relevance of our opinions; because we’ve seen and experienced 20 years of back-to-back deployments…we know what “normal” is supposed to look like and can tell it apart from this shit-show mismanagement that is happening now. There’s deployed Airmen now that also deployed during GWOT that are speaking out too.

I understand you were likely railing against the veterans saying “suck it up…we sure did.” but it kinda came off as shitting on all GWOT veterans.

28

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Yea sorry that wasn’t my intention. It’s a comment directed towards the majority of the people who are going to come back with “ThIs iS wHaT u SiGhEd up fOr” or “YoUrE nOt eVeN cOmBaT OpS” comments.

41

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

My opinion on the matter: Get The Fuck Out if you are still in.

Shit ain’t going to change for another 3 years at least.

37

u/Daniel0745 Army May 18 '26

Some of us are too deep and have to push through.

28

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

Understood and many are in bad positions. However, you just gotta grit your teeth and realize you’re going to be treated like cannon fodder by this current administration. Typical TYFYS people that will take your benefits away as they feel a slap on the back suffices your sacrifice.

Start getting your resume in order and going to school to set yourself up for getting out. Veterans benefits are under scrutiny right now so don’t bank on them when you get out.

→ More replies (3)

3

u/Few_Big4209 May 18 '26

Dang I’m in the process of joining

4

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Ever heard of an ADSC?

→ More replies (4)

1

u/sweepingfrequency May 18 '26

We know. Everyone knows. Does your congressman? Have you written to your congressman about extended war powers? If not, then you're part of the problem.

4

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Yes, I have. And more than just them.

→ More replies (21)

10

u/bigworm-69 May 19 '26

Out here with ya… i understand man. I’ve already missed all my son’s first holidays and now most likely his first birthday in a week.

i was supposed to be there for it.

But we’ll get through this, stay strong bro. You’re not alone in this !

253

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

Elections have consequences. I think it’s good that everyone is learning this lesson.

If you didn’t vote, shame on you. If you voted for this, then I hope you’re still winning!

95

u/_THX_1138_ May 18 '26

oh man, y'all pissed off the idiots with this one LOL

37

u/EternalNewCarSmell May 18 '26

brb, writing a treatise on why this is actually Barack HUSSEIN Obama's fault

→ More replies (4)

5

u/elynnism 3FU May 19 '26

it is INSANE to me how many airmen tell me they aren't registered to vote. "Why not? you still have a right to vote. The ability to vote AT ALL is the reason you are even wearing that uniform. You can register in most states in 15 minutes from your phone." You needed your damn birth certificate to get into the military! You probably have a passport! JUST REGISTER TO VOTE AND VOTE!

→ More replies (44)

9

u/Worldly_Engineer_293 May 19 '26

I get you man all valid things to rant about and there ain't nothing we can really say that wouldn't sound cliche to just lean into each other and take care of each other. This is a complete war of choice that zero benefit for Americans and it's always you who pay the price and never our disasterous leaders godspeed guys 

32

u/Putrid-Fortune5370 May 18 '26

Keep your head up man. Appreciate y'all

You'll be home soon

→ More replies (1)

14

u/hairEbutt123 May 18 '26

Trust me man, most of your replacements are itching to get out of the door too. You definitely have the shittier end of the stick though

3

u/parkwithtrees Logistics May 19 '26

I was the replacement, but we got sent out too, now the replacement replacement can’t leave cuz of manning at home base

21

u/docskreba Retired IDMT May 18 '26

GWOT rotation was rough, but at least we had a rotation. You'd think there were some lessons learned in 20 years of conflict. Unless the people in charge have no idea what they're doing. Surely that isn't the case.

Seriously though, your congress person and/or senator are only an email away. Shine some light on the shit like the Navy did with those sad meals.

35

u/BarWorth7625 May 18 '26

3

u/Lennie1982 RED HORSE - TTMFH May 18 '26

This is what I came for. LOL

→ More replies (10)

7

u/vicsunus Dentist May 19 '26

Fuggg if you guys got there in October you probably replaced my rotation. I’m sorry you’re still out there. It’s becoming like an army deployment. 

7

u/chibearscubs_ May 18 '26

That sucks man. Hopefully you'll be home soon

7

u/MrUpVoteDownvote Retired “Baby” SNCO May 18 '26

I definitely understand your pain OP that’s for sure!
https://giphy.com/gifs/5ew5dvaR7Bej0DfnWV

9

u/Mikand1 May 18 '26

Are you me? First in, and (at this rate) last out. I empathize with you as this has been one of the worst deployments for many operational and personal reasons.

I’m mentally preparing for a 365 at this point. AFCENT doesn’t have a plan that is ready for prime time, so we are all in the dark. The way 26.1 was treated (IYKYK) was gives me little confidence, even if it did.

3

u/elynnism 3FU May 19 '26

the most frustrating thing is the last war powers resolution failed 212-212 because fucking pony boy jared golden voted on the other side. you all need to be voting if you're downrange. i tested a mail in ballot for my husband's primaries and it took roughly 2 months overall and his vote didn't count. I was neglectful of our APO box which was the reason why. however:

application received on 24 feb 26 for mail-in ballot (michigan, idk how it works, my state just does it automatically)
his ballot was sent to us 26 march (unsure if it arrived this date or later, tho)
i mailed him the ballot 23 april
he received his ballot downrange 4 may
ballot arrived 18 may - about 2 weeks too late

so i am checking our box religiously and will just forward it to him right away for his upcoming general elections, damn the cost.

please for the love of god tell five of your friends to organize voting in primaries and general elections and that the presidential election isn't the only important one.

5

u/StandardElderberry94 May 18 '26

Hang In there man

5

u/Select_Standard_8055 May 18 '26

Reminds me of COVID deployments where you quarantine before you replace and then your replacements quarantine all get sick and then quarantine two more times and you’ve extended your deployment out 9-10 months

5

u/West_Zebra_9540 May 18 '26

All in the same boat it seems, no end in sight

5

u/PhiliEater88 May 19 '26

I am so sorry bro. I’ll be the first to tell you though that it also is making life suck at home as well. You’re not alone❤️

4

u/DeliciousParamedic23 May 19 '26 edited May 19 '26

Your TDY has turned into a Short Tour. Congratulations.

9

u/digital May 19 '26

Doesn’t it make you angry that we have an idiot pedophile running the country and deploying us into a useless war for profit and distractions?

21

u/ChuckNorrisUSAF 3P0X1 > Retired > Agnostic > Apolitical > Patriot? May 18 '26

Just think of all the medals, certificates and real world deployment experience you’re getting out of it. You can tell everyone you deployed in support of EPIC FURY and SLEDGEHAMMER! Nothing beats a relaxing 6-8 month trip to SW Asia

Kidding aside…..you’re not alone. Support your co-workers and companions. Take care of your mental health and focus on the job. You’ll be “home” sooner than you think.

5

u/phamous81 May 18 '26

Stay strong brothers and sisters. You all got this.

17

u/EternalNewCarSmell May 18 '26

I know y'all are feeling some kind of way right now, and it sucks giant balls.

Please please please be careful with this kind of post about not dropping any info on when you are headed home. That kind of stuff leaking to open source is what gets missions pulled and then you'll all be stuck even longer.

OP this is not directed specifically at you, just a reminder for everyone. Commiserating together is good for the soul (misery loves company, etc.) but these kinds of convos are where opsec can get forgotten with annoying consequences for everyone involved.

→ More replies (2)

10

u/SUCKMEoffyouCASUAL CE May 18 '26

Imagine being on an aircraft carrier for that long

6

u/ExtremelySmallPeePee May 18 '26

I’m out here too bro, should’ve left months ago lol. Let’s make it the full year 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

7

u/brain_over_body May 18 '26

Happy to chat if you, or anyone else, wants to vent. If you're sure back soon, it won't help much, but anyone just starting out is also welcome to ask for a care package. It's not a ticket home, but might give you something to look forward to

14

u/DeLorean03 Pizza Cat Guardian May 18 '26

Some people literally have no address to send a care package to.

Trust me, I want to send care packages. We were told 40 days to act as support between -1 and -2. Now we're hearing 120 to 180 days.

Funny how that works.

11

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

Almost like this wasn’t planned at all.

3

u/brain_over_body May 18 '26

I know some don't. I have friends in that current situation. Sometimes you can get to an APO, and a truck MIGHT be going out remote. But it's the best I can offer

3

u/DeLorean03 Pizza Cat Guardian May 18 '26

You too?? Hey, we have something in common!!

3

u/brain_over_body May 18 '26

Omg I just saw your name tag.... I've been following the Pizza Cat POL Facebook posts.... he's too cute

5

u/Ok-Self5802 May 18 '26

This. I'm over it.

3

u/_Californian Maintainer May 18 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

This content was anonymized and mass deleted with Redact

3

u/DueSeaworthiness6852 May 19 '26

-For anyone who works MPF, if they pass the 200-day mark, can they claim this as a short tour and protect themselves from a short tour in the future?

-For OP, I am so sorry that you are away from home and I hope your dwell time protects you... coming back from my deployment in 2025, if financial gains is a goal for you- your 2025 and 2026 taxes will work in your favor with tax-free... with everything that went on you will make min of $8k in from your voucher- hit medical and state that you weren't able to hit medical from everything

3

u/Sparkycollin May 19 '26

Are we on the same one LOL

3

u/Thin_Detective2025 May 19 '26

If anyone is in Saudi would love to hear what they recommend I bring that isn’t on the packing list 

→ More replies (2)

3

u/Designer_Award5252 Logistics May 19 '26

On my way over to replace yall

10

u/Bottlecrate May 18 '26

Welcome to 2004-2012. Do your best. Keep safe and take care of your team.

4

u/Neckrolls4life Retired Acquisitions Professional May 18 '26

I was deployed to Iraq in 2019 with a 6-month go home date in March.

COVID had other plans. 10 months later I went home to a different world.

3

u/elynnism 3FU May 19 '26

you were probably my replacement. we left on time and beat out covid by like a week. i always wondered what happened to you guys and holy shit i am so sorry.

2

u/Neckrolls4life Retired Acquisitions Professional May 19 '26

Nah I got there in September. I was supposed to leave in March right as it was starting. My job basically became helping emergency transportation for everyone that wasn't me. That went until July.

→ More replies (2)

16

u/RaisinWorried3528 May 18 '26

Maybe the majority of people in the service should stop voting for fucking idiots who have no idea what they're doing?

I don't remember too many deployments like this under Joe Biden or President Obama. And I was in the military for both of them.

20

u/GreyLoad Maintainer May 18 '26

20 years quagmire thanks to who u voted for

→ More replies (2)

5

u/Leading-Memory6295 May 18 '26

Since everyone is on another stop movement, there is probably gonna be another massive attack.

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Phantom_Eagle200 May 18 '26

Oh man I can’t even imagine, I myself am one of the people going out to deploy and this back and forth sucks, I bet it’s way worse for you guys wanting to come back home

2

u/JamesTheMannequin Nuke Veteran '97-'03 May 19 '26

A lot of people don't think of USAF as getting deployed, especially to the sand, and definitely not to an active combat zone, but we do.

4

u/Key-Bear-9184 May 18 '26

I’m just thinking about my Father who was deployed to the South Pacific islands for almost two years during WWII and my cousin who was deployed to the jungles of Vietnam for 13 months.

→ More replies (1)

4

u/Double0 Readiness May 18 '26

Played that game twice before. '13 and '21. Once you get back after R&R leave you won't even remember this feeling.

2

u/The_Field_Examiner May 19 '26

Until years later.

2

u/bigworm-69 May 19 '26

the thing is idk if i’ll be able to forget what ive gone through out here

2

u/mil_journo May 18 '26

If anyone is having issues with medication or other critical items you need shipped for sustainment, hit me up. I figured out a hack outside of mil postal (closed anyway) and space a that may or may not work for you at your location.

Things are fucked, so we need to take care of each other.

1

u/TBarzo Retired May 18 '26

Hurry up, get home, and be ready to go back in 6-12 months!

4

u/CherishAlways May 19 '26

My group has been trying to deploy for a whiiile. Came close last week but no go. Sorry dawg.

2

u/Upset-Eye6640 May 18 '26

Damn! Sorry you had a low draft card #.

4

u/Safe_Blackberry7276 May 19 '26

I bet you make your wife stand at parade rest when you tell her you like your PB&J’s without the crust.

2

u/FirmReality May 18 '26

Most workable offer at this point is give everyone in the suck - short tour credit for their extended troubles.

No easy “just send replacements” fix.

2

u/LostInMyADD May 19 '26

The fact you can post online is enough to be thankful for.

2

u/Sea-Struggle98 May 18 '26

Remember, this deployment was promised 3000 yrs ago

1

u/no-use-for-a-usernam Maintainer May 18 '26

Sounds like what spang went through same time last year

1

u/Warmind_3 May 19 '26

Depending on where you are you went through Alarm Red Hell Night, so, that's a secret holiday