DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- In 2001 when I recited the oath of office for the first time, my fellow Airmen seemed to approach our chosen profession a bit differently than we do today. The following list highlights a few of those differences.
Top Ten List -- “Air Force stuff I miss from 2001”
1.) Folks spent time in their own Squadron doing things other than working. Yep, I know it’s hard to believe, considering the traffic jam that occurs in the out-bound lanes of the main gate every day around 1630 hrs, but no joke, in 2001 a lot of folks (not just flyers) stuck around their squadrons after hours for a burger burn, a ping-pong or foosball game in the break room, or [heaven forbid] a cold beverage out of the mini-fridge. I believe there was value in this time spent with fellow squadron members.
2.) Folks played golf. There’s talk of closing AF golf courses, some have closed already. I believe there’s value in “working” on the course vice working in the office. For the most part, this activity and the value associated with it is lost … potentially forever.
3.) Folks went to “The Club” after work. Officer and enlisted clubs were a huge part of military culture, offering the opportunity for folks to mentor, discuss professional topics outside the workplace, and to get to know their co-workers on a more personal level. Furthermore, folks were more comfortable raising a glass of suds (even around their boss) than they are today. Clubs went away because people stopped going. Why?
4.) Folks were Club members. Considering most folks were members, the Club had enough funding to sponsor steak nights, poker nights, ballroom and country dance lessons, and heavy hors d’oeuvres every Friday night. Guess what? Lots of people participated, and there was value in it. Folks say they aren’t Club members because there isn’t as much value in it as before, but the Club says that they can’t do what they used to because fewer folks are Club members. I’m not sure what caused what, but it’s sad nonetheless.
5.) Pretty much everybody went to the Squadron Christmas Party. It wasn’t considered a hassle to put on a red and green necktie. $20 wasn’t too much to spend on a nice dinner. Babysitters were mysteriously more available back then. In short, the whole squadron (and their spouses) had a lot of fun playing silly holiday games and breaking bread together outside the office. Some of my best memories were made at squadron Christmas parties.
6.) Intramural sports were a BIG deal. I recall whole squadrons and their families filling up bleachers for intramural flag football and softball games to support their unit’s team. It was an opportunity for networking amongst spouses, camaraderie amongst squadron members, and helped to foster unit pride. Though intramurals still exist, their popularity [unfortunately] is diminished in today’s Air Force.
7.) Folks shopped at the Commissary and BX. Back in the day, there were a myriad of vendors, shops, and parking lot events at the BX, and everybody shopped at the Commissary because it had so much better prices than downtown. Not sure why this has changed.
8.) Roof Stomping. I wonder if any of the Med Group, Support Group, or even Maintenance Group Lieutenants know what this means…? Even as a Contracting guy, I roof stomped Wing Leadership’s houses back in 2001. It was fun carrying out this Air Force tradition. Does anybody roof stomp anymore? My guess is that flyers still do … ask them!
9.) Folks talked to each other to solve problems and to get things done instead of relying on an IT solution, an e-mail, a PowerPoint briefing, or social media to communicate. I’m not sure when the decision was made that a computer program could do the work of a Military Personnel Flight or a Multi-function Team, Nor do I know when we decided that an e-mail serves the same purpose as a phone call or a face-to-face meeting, but it seems to be the current modus operandi. Next time, think about picking up the phone or walking to your co-worker’s desk instead of just hitting “send”.
10.) Air Force culture included being “family” 24 hours a day just like our duty hours. I love my Air Force family, and I hope that this aspect of our culture is [in fact] not waning. We all need to remind ourselves that as Airmen, we’re responsible for mission accomplishment 24/7, 365 days a year, and that we’re also responsible for each other 24/7, 365. We don’t punch a clock for good reason. Our nation needs us to stand ready around the clock. Whether it’s to clear snow from the runway at 0300 hrs, or to simply listen when a fellow Airman needs a friend. As Airmen, we need to be there.
The preceding list is not meant as an indictment of any particular organization, person, or even the United States Air Force as an institution. In fact, my intent is to simply bring attention to a few of those aspects of my beloved Air Force that are [for whatever reason] missing today. I don’t believe anybody would argue that over time, all organizations (large or small) inevitably change. Some changes are good. Some aren’t so good. Clearly, our Air Force is better in many regards than it was in 2001, but perhaps there are aspects of 2001 that should return. It’s incumbent upon all of us to examine the institution of which we are a part, and ask ourselves why certain shifts took place over the years, and if any degree of effort should be exerted to bring back those “good ol’ days.”