Life overseas

[AutumnAnne]

I am an airforce wife- currently stationed at RAF mildenhall in the U.K. We were at ramstein before we came here. It's amazing how being in Europe can make you more patriotic. The christian programs, stores, music, etc. Are so much more abundant in the states. We have no friends here- because the AirForce doesn't have many christian members- and there are none in his career field. Not even any people who are just nice, you know? Drinking, swearing, and cheating are the name of the game... (he is security forces). We have found a great church home which is awesome- but still no friends... (the churches here are TINY). I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else out ther has expirienced this?

 

[Sybaris]

I guess the Navy must be more abundant with Christians.



On any Navy base I was stationed the base chapel was always packed on Sundays.

 

[BarbInArk]

Maybe you ought to get to know the people who are not "just nice", as you put it. Instead of distancing yourself from them, see it as a mission field.

 

[jhollas]

I am an airforce wife- currently stationed at RAF mildenhall in the U.K. We were at ramstein before we came here. It's amazing how being in Europe can make you more patriotic. The christian programs, stores, music, etc. Are so much more abundant in the states. We have no friends here- because the AirForce doesn't have many christian members- and there are none in his career field. Not even any people who are just nice, you know? Drinking, swearing, and cheating are the name of the game... (he is security forces). We have found a great church home which is awesome- but still no friends... (the churches here are TINY). I guess I just wanted to know if anyone else out ther has expirienced this?

The UK, as I'm sure you're aware, is a slightly different beast to the US. Our faith is not tied up in patriotic fervour, and, rightly or wrongly, religion is still seen as quite a private and individual thing.
Let's not forget that you are also stuck in the back of beyond. Norfolk and Suffolk are not the most exciting places in the world - believe me, I know. I've been on enough exercises on STANTA to make me more than aware of that!
RAF Lakenheath isn't much better either, although larger, and does have more facilities on site. Perhaps a short trip there is in order?

 

[AutumnAnne]

okay- guys- way to make me feel better. lol- I think you have to be familiar with Air Force cops to know what I'm talking about.

 

[Billnew]

okay- guys- way to make me feel better. lol- I think you have to be familiar with Air Force cops to know what I'm talking about.

I use to be an Air Force cop, it's a harsh field.
You stand around putting up with everyones attitude,
Your job is to slow everyone down, and follow set guidelines, and the one person everyone is mad at during exercises. so when you get off work its all blowing off steam.
Ecspecially overseas.

Try to find others outside the cops, there are good cops there, but they can be hard to find.

I was a drinker and could string the profanity in groups of 5-10 in one rant.
One advantage in England is the locals speak English, I was in Germany and Greece.

 

[AutumnAnne]

I use to be an Air Force cop, it's a harsh field.
You stand around putting up with everyones attitude,
Your job is to slow everyone down, and follow set guidelines, and the one person everyone is mad at during exercises. so when you get off work its all blowing off steam.
Ecspecially overseas.

Try to find others outside the cops, there are good cops there, but they can be hard to find.

I was a drinker and could string the profanity in groups of 5-10 in one rant.
One advantage in England is the locals speak English, I was in Germany and Greece.

My husband was the same way until he got saved. I think all the cops are. When did that change for you? Were you still in the career field?

 

[tiffanyorr]

Hey, I was just at Mildenhall (I'm in the Air Force). Now I'm stationed at McChord AFB (near Tacoma, WA). Anyways, we used to go to Solid Rock Christian Servicemen's Center. I think they meet in Red Lodge now. Anyways, yes I experienced what you are experiecing. It's hard to get out and meet people (especially locals). I don't really know why it's like that. Maybe it's because of the whole currency thing. I know I used to like splurging and shopping at Tesco or being anonymous down in London. Is your church mostly American or mixed? My advice would be to dive in to your congregation and make friends like that. Another thing that you could do, that I wish I did is voluneteer at one of the charity shops down in Mildenhall. They are always looking for volunteers and it's a great place to meet people. Anyways, I miss England (can you tell). I was telling someone today that the people who complain about missing Walmart and the Olive Garden when Italy is right next door are crazy. Enjoy your stay there. God bless.

-Tiff

 

[Trainwreck]

You know, it's funny. Most of the Christians I know at my base are cops! They're certainly more numerous than Christian mechanics!

 

[AutumnAnne]

Hey, I was just at Mildenhall (I'm in the Air Force). Now I'm stationed at McChord AFB (near Tacoma, WA). Anyways, we used to go to Solid Rock Christian Servicemen's Center. I think they meet in Red Lodge now. Anyways, yes I experienced what you are experiecing. It's hard to get out and meet people (especially locals). I don't really know why it's like that. Maybe it's because of the whole currency thing. I know I used to like splurging and shopping at Tesco or being anonymous down in London. Is your church mostly American or mixed? My advice would be to dive in to your congregation and make friends like that. Another thing that you could do, that I wish I did is voluneteer at one of the charity shops down in Mildenhall. They are always looking for volunteers and it's a great place to meet people. Anyways, I miss England (can you tell). I was telling someone today that the people who complain about missing Walmart and the Olive Garden when Italy is right next door are crazy. Enjoy your stay there. God bless.

-Tiff

that's too funny. I live in redlodge. We go to Mildenhall baptist. It's mixed with locals and americans- but it's mainly an older crowd. I am thinking of getting a job, just to meet people.

 

[AutumnAnne]

You know, it's funny. Most of the Christians I know at my base are cops! They're certainly more numerous than Christian mechanics!

Really?? I have only met 2 christian cops in my life! They are usually the "party crowd". Even the older guys.. My dad was a mechanic in the Navy- so I know what you mean.

Then again... sevice people in general tend to be a bit rowdy, I think. Wouldn't it be great if the military had a revival?

 

[tiffanyorr]

that's too funny. I live in redlodge. We go to Mildenhall baptist. It's mixed with locals and americans- but it's mainly an older crowd. I am thinking of getting a job, just to meet people.

Are you talking an on base job ala AAFES or a local job in the community? Just curious.

 

[AutumnAnne]

Are you talking an on base job ala AAFES or a local job in the community? Just curious.

I would like a GS job- that way I could be off when my husband is off. I don't think I will take anything that had me working a different schedule- my priority is my husband!! (Luckily I can be that picky! lol)

 

[tiffanyorr]

I would like a GS job- that way I could be off when my husband is off. I don't think I will take anything that had me working a different schedule- my priority is my husband!! (Luckily I can be that picky! lol)

A GS job. That would be cool. Good choice. What does your husband do? Does he have a 9-5 or a crazy schedule (like I used to work when I was over there)? I see your pic is in front of the Eiffel Tower, I gues syou guys ARE travelling a lot. That's awesome. Well,godspeed in your endeavor. Later,

-Tiff

 

[AutumnAnne]

He's a cop. It has it's ups and downs... but he works a bomb dog, and loves it- so I can't complain too much! What do you do?

 

[tiffanyorr]

When I was over there I was intel. Now I do public affairs. I like my new job better. Swing shift and mid shift are no fun. It sucks knowing your coworkers better than your spouse. But watching the latests DVD's and Dr. Phil at midnight...who can beat that.

 

[AutumnAnne]

When I was over there I was intel. Now I do public affairs. I like my new job better. Swing shift and mid shift are no fun. It sucks knowing your coworkers better than your spouse. But watching the latests DVD's and Dr. Phil at midnight...who can beat that.

Did you cross train? My H is wanting to do that- but as a K-9 Security Forces Tech Sgt... I don't think his chances are all that great..

 

[tiffanyorr]

Yeah, I cross trained. Supposedly first-term Airmen are allowed to cross train into any area that has openings, but I know God had more to do with it than anything. My application got "entered into the system incorrectly" (?) and everything. People were telling me that I wouldn't be able to do it. It was crazy.
Even though Security Forces is critically undermanned ( I think), I would still encourage your husband to at least try to cross train. God can do awesome things. Besides, there are things that are more critically manned than SF like intel. Intel isn't bad. I liked it for the most part. You get a security clearance out of it and everything. Those NSA civilian jobs pay good money for people with clearances when they get out of the military. I always joke that NSA is my plan "F" if the writing thing doesn't work out. Plan "G" is to become a manager at Starbucks or something.

 

[AutumnAnne]

lol- that's not a bad idea!!

 

[Crusader05]

When I was over there I was intel. Now I do public affairs. I like my new job better. Swing shift and mid shift are no fun. It sucks knowing your coworkers better than your spouse. But watching the latests DVD's and Dr. Phil at midnight...who can beat that.

Wow, they let you crosstrain out of intel? I thought that was impossible! (fyi, I'm a 14N)

Public affairs doesn't sound too bad though.

Personally I cant wait to get stationed in Europe. Everyone I know is falling over themselves to get station there, even volunteering for remotes at the CAOC or Afghanistan to go to Spangdalhem or Ramstein. I just heard about a guy who "getting deployed" to Moron Spain! Thats not a depolyment, thats a vacation. We had a services officer who recently got made the chief of services at NATO HQ in Brussles.

But I can understand folks missing the US, I think getting a job would be really good idea.