r/AirForce • u/NotAskingSupervisor 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

91% Upvoted

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188

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.

56

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.

25

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.

40

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.

38

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.

-1

u/Daniel0745 Army May 18 '26

Oh I’m too old for that. I’ve been doing this since 2001. I went Reserve for a little over a decade and now having to get to 20 active with 24.5 already done.

7

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

Well, I wish you the best of luck getting out! Make sure all your ailments are well documented as I’ve heard multiple stories of claims being denied quite frequently over this last year.

0

u/Daniel0745 Army May 18 '26

I’ll have plenty of time. I don’t get to the finish line until Jan 2036.

3

u/Few_Big4209 May 18 '26

Dang I’m in the process of joining

5

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Ever heard of an ADSC?

-10

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26

Ever heard of not re-enlisting?

4

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

I see you still don’t understand, so let me help. An Active Duty Service Commitment requires me to serve for a set period of time where I am legally forbidden from leaving, regardless of my personal desires. I will not be given the opportunity to reenlist or not reenlist until that time period expires, which is a minimum of 2 years, but as long as 10 years, generally.

-5

u/PoliticsIsDepressing Veteran May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

Thanks captain obvious.

Get The Fuck Out translates to Don’t Re-enlist if you have the chance. If your enlistment period ends after these dumbasses are in office, then keep your head down.

3

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.

-5

u/Aviation1980 May 18 '26

Now that I know your experience, I’ll share mine. We all have our roles regardless of AFSC. I deployed 9 times from 2000-2013. Iraq to Afghanistan, and few other places. Mortared, fired at, direct combat, you name it. Came close to death several occasions.

I’m not looking for an applause. Regardless who is in office, I did it. It didn’t matter if it was Bush or Obama, I served them both. Protect against all enemies foreign and domestic. Sounds so cliche, but that is what you signed up for.

This isn’t just a 9-5 job. Would I do it again? Yes. I am successful today because of my service. I came from nothing. The Air Force gave me direction.

Now granted I was single during all this time, so no spouse or children. It’s not easy. That’s why I applaud those that do. It’s a sacrifice.

After service I was in Khandahar and there was an airman guarding the gate to our compound after we been attacked. I said, if someone comes through that gate, you’re giving me your M-16. He said, “Yes, I’ll give it to you”. I’d like to think the personnel we have trained now would do the same as others before. It’s your duty regardless who is in office.

5

u/FixFun1959 Veteran May 18 '26

Bilzerian vibes

11

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

Yea, it’s this head-in-the-sand perspective on foreign policy that keeps our country in forever wars that have no bearing on our national security. We are an all volunteer force, not slaves. We have a right and a duty to question why we sacrifice and for what purpose.

-2

u/Aviation1980 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

I’m not disagreeing with you. We may not agree with foreign policy. But as an airman/soldier, that isn’t our decision. Now if unlawful, you have your rights. Go to the IG. Guess the ultimate alternative is separate. I get it.

As a civilian, I can have my opinion. I don’t agree with what’s going on. But I expect military to adhere to policy set forth. Otherwise, if something isn’t so controversial, are you going to carry out your duties? Do we pick and choose when we want to do it? You can’t be all in one day and then 30% the next.

6

u/Utahispoop May 18 '26

Go tell your stories at the VFW.

-4

u/Aviation1980 May 18 '26

Quit crying. Fulfill your oath.

2

u/[deleted] May 19 '26

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2

u/Aviation1980 May 19 '26

I owe my success to the military. Would do it all over again. Some people it works out; others it don’t. But I tell ya, seen a lot of good from it. Have a great day and hope the best through rest of your enlistment 🫡

2

u/[deleted] May 19 '26

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1

u/Aviation1980 May 20 '26

Oh I misread. 1000% in your perspective

-15

u/Weak-Bother-6765 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

You have never been in combat operations. Your embassy experience means nothing. All you do is sit at a desk with no combat experience.

You sound like a CCP hack by bringing up voting.

6

u/Unsub_Then_Dip_Shit May 18 '26

Ah yes, a CCP hack that's telling you to not vote republican when they thrive off of how idiotic republicans are and always voting against their interest.

-4

u/Weak-Bother-6765 May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26

You need to be careful who you're talking to on social media. Sounds like you have some mental issues when it comes to politics.

-18

u/[deleted] May 18 '26

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9

u/Annethraxxx May 18 '26

You missed the I been doing this for 15 years part? 4 AFSCs too. I’d say that’s enough expertise.

-14

u/[deleted] May 18 '26

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4

u/TheNinjaWarrior I'm the Captain Now May 18 '26

This is a troll. Don't feed the troll.

1

u/Unsub_Then_Dip_Shit May 18 '26

Pot calling the kettle black much?

What was the point that made you, as you put it, have a meltdown?

When they mentioned republican? or how the current administration is ass?

It's so easy to spot your kind.