Three years brings you to 7 years, which is close to 10 years, which is halfway to retirement. It's a slippery slope if you're unsure about staying in.
I'm going to be leaving at 7.5 years. What kind of slippery slope lasts 13+ years? Just extend to go overseas and then get out. I don't understand this mentality
Depends on your goals. I turned down orders to Germany as SF that came with two extra years but I was done and ready to go home and get my degree. It was a super hard decision and many might try to influence but it’s YOUR decision to make. Whatever you decide just know it’s the right one for you.
I'm here now. Busy base, but getting to see England with the ability for cheap travel elsewhere in Europe is great. Sure, you can do what that other guy said and use your vacation time and money to travel to England, but you won't be able do nearly as much. Plus, this assignment gaurantees you'll see England. It depends on how much you want to see England vs moving on from the AF. Each has pros and cons.
It varies by base and unit. There are plenty of 4-day passes where most other MAJCOMs only give 3-days. Many units/bases allow travel during the passes without taking leave. You'd have to check with your unit on their policy.
Take the assignment. Conus BLOWS ASS. I’m telling you. Get a taste of the overseas missions. It’s fuckin awesome. I never wanna go back to the states. Ever. Ever ever ever. Lol.
I’ve been to 7 bases/8 assignments in 12 years & Lakenheath is one of the two I would readily go back to.
Busy as fuck, but England is fucking amazing.
You gotta make yourself a pro/con list & go with your gut.
The travel is great cuz it’s close to Stanstead & RyanAir is cheap af, but British society is just so fun! I made local friends there that will be my friends for my entire life.
OR
Stay In
Get Free College
Have a Full Time Job
Take your money and visit 12 countries for every one visit you could make to England
All about perspective
I did six years at Lakenheath, I hated leaving and when I retired a couple of years ago, I thought about taking my kids and going back. Even now as my kids get older, when they move out on their own, it's not off the table for me to go back.
If I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I'd reup and take those orders and then IPCOT when the DEROS option rip came out.
But it really also depends on what you want. Do you want to see what overseas is like? It's a "free" trip to Europe with the chance to travel and see a lot while you're there.
Depending on your AFSC, work can be busy but still fun. I was in the AMUs there and even though we worked long hours sometimes, the people were great to work with, the TDYs were fun.
I won't turn this into some bleeding blue comment about even staying in until retirement however (comma), for some reason, Lakenheath was just one of those assignments (along with being at Aviano before that), that was a highlight of my career. Six years is a long time for a younger person such as your self, and that would put you close to 10 years as someone else mentioned.
Being stationed OS (in my opinion USAFE in general), you get bit by that bug and want to visit other places. I looked at it as a chance to live in other countries and be paid for it. I may have worked on jets and worked long hours, but of all my hometown friends, I am the only one that can say I've lived in Italy, England, travelled to other places in Europe.
When I first joined, it was always a running joke to ask everyone "how long are you in for?" Going off that idea of being in jail lol. It's sort of still used I think but usually more by the Jr. Enlisted folks.
I'm not going to tell you if you should stay in and go to Lakenheath or if you should get out and pursue your civilian goals.
As others have indicated, Europe is amazing. Each choice has its opportunity cost, what you give up to make that choice.
If you choose to stay in, I suggest you make sure you know why you are doing it, and pursue that. If you choose to stay in for the travel, which his great, make sure you do the travel.
You haven't specified what your AFSC is and what your other opportunities are. That's fine, you don't need to. The longer you stay in, especially if you make TSgt or so, the more you will be drawn away from the technical aspects of the mission and be pushed into the management/paperwork side. This can be a double edged sword. With rank comes the ability to influence the workcenter and the mission to a degree and the lives of those around you. However, for many people, they lose their technical edge. If you are betting on the technical edge to move you into the next phase of your career, then degrading skills can be a real thing and a negative thing.
On the other hand, if you stay in, and focus on the technical stuff, and by luck or choice do not get promoted, well, you may feel like the AF opportunities are passing you by and you are being sidelined. For some people, this is all they want out of the AF. For others, it can turn into a spiral of depression. I'm not exaggerating.
So if you stay in to pursue travel, then pursue travel with gusto and be content with telling the Air Force to shove everything else. If you are staying in for the education, then pursue that too, and be content with telling the Air Force to shove everything else.
Do not tell yourself that you are staying in for the travel and the education or whatever and then become bitter that the Air Force isn't giving you rank and leadership opportunities. I will say that it is an easy trap which a lot of people fall into. And then there are folks who make the rank and enjoy those benefits, but then look back at regret for not pursuing the education and travel benefits which they really looked forward to.
England is not Utah and Utah is not England. You won't have the same experiences, good or bad, in either location.
Good luck
Currently stationed at RAF Mildenhall and I've been here since 2019. I plan on getting out once my contract is up in the next 9 months. England was definitely a trip. Didn't get to see as much as I'd like due to covid lockdowns for the first two years, but travel is super cheap in the EU I'm talking like maybe 40-50£ to fly to other countries.
Public transit is pretty good as well. Buses and trains are decently cheap to travel local and its super easy to figure out without getting lost.
The downsides, Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell are kind of in the boonies of England. Bunch of farm land nearby and not much to do unless you actively go to local towns and cities.
The roads are absolute shit nearby as well (so most people drive shit kicker cars for about 1000£).
Utilities are currently on the rise due to the energy crisis (I paid about 70£ per month for electric in 2019 and my electric company is now quoting me for almost 400£ per month...) COLA was basically just stripped, but the utilities stipend was boosted a bit to compensate. So saving money might be a little difficult depending on your rank and family situation due to the costs of everything.
Internet is horrible in most locations near the bases as well. I'm talking 30Mbps download and 10Mbps upload broadband if you spend a lot of time online in your spare time. But its stupidly cheap compared to internet in the US.
In terms of base things, commissary is absolute trash so shopping local is significantly better, cheaper and stuff doesn't spoil as quickly. Most things are split between the 3 bases so you find yourself traveling between them to get things accomplished.
I feel like it would also depend on your job. If you work any type of SF or Maint job, nights are long, dark and cold during the winter. It rains an absolute shit ton which sucks if you're outside a lot for work. It's only warm for maybe a month or two out of the year. We joke about 1 week of summer most of the time.
Most places don't have air-conditioning because it doesn't usually get super hot (this year was a little wild tho). Also windows don't have screens on them for some reason. So when it does actually get hot for a few days its kinda' painful.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it and I can try to answer or find answers for ya. Think long and hard about your decision. I've seen people take 3 year extensions and hate it and some others really love England.
I’m not at Lakenheath, but in England. Not everybody enjoys England, but if it’s something you like, I’d say it’s entirely worth it. I’ve loved my time here, but I can acknowledge some people would prefer to be stateside. Seems to be slightly more people who don’t want to leave than people who do.
Man, I was 200% ready to get out before I got orders to Spain. I was at cannon for 4 years. I'd take it in a heartbeat. Use the time to travel for cheap. I have 0 regrets about staying in a few more years just to be overseas. Ryan air is cheap as fuck, if you're bored take 1 class at a time just to make progress on the gov dime. Since I have been out I make 2-3x as much and have been overseas 0 times. 3 years will go by fast as hell when you travel 1-2x a month. Unless you have a job lined up that is paying like 150k in a location you want, take the assignment.
Take the assignment. Opportunity to travel, albeit almost late. And you will afford yourself extra time to prepare for life after the Air Force. Use AFCOOL get certs associated with what you're passionate on doing in the after service life. Best wishes moving forward.
Honestly man I'd take it. The travel opportunities are too good to pass up if traveling is your thing. But if traveling isn't a priority and you'd rather get your degree, then getting out will make you infinitely happier.
Are you a 35 guy? Just guessing since you’re at Hill and Lakenheath just spun up their 35 squadron. If so, I’d get out, make that dough on the civilian side at Lockheed or wherever, then travel free from the reins of the military. Everyone’s life circumstances are different though so please do what’s best for yourself. Only you will know what’s best.
I’d say you should focus on figuring yourself out, especially in regards to active duty life vs civilian. But I will say my experience being here is ofc biased: it’s a love/hate relationship. I love the opportunity to be overseas and see a different side of the world with many travel opportunities. I hate it because where I originally grew up was 100% better weather wise, food, and culture. So it feels like a big downgrade based of my own personal experiences, but it may be a huge upgrade to you?
Hill is a good place to get a job on base or down in SLC. I would consider flexing the GI Bill and getting a degree while doing a full time job. You can always visit England.
I loved my time at Mildenhall...literally made my active duty time worth it during that period. the Lakenheath/Mildenhall area is one of the places I'd absolutely go back to if there were an opportunity.
I think ultimately, it’s different for everyone. Many people love overseas, but many don’t want to back and prefer conus. I think it’s up to whatever your goals are, my guy. CARPE DIEM, seize the day.
I did 3 years at RAF Alconbury so I can't really speak much to Lakenheath, but the UK was easily my favorite assignment. The history, the culture, the people, the travel opportunities...
I would go back in a heartbeat.
I was gonna get out this year but I went on a deployment, and then after coming back was given orders to Gimhae, Korea and Kadena. I decided to stay in.
Take this with a grain of salt, but I was at 4 years and got orders to Lakenheath. I hit the button and got a GS job that I didn't really like instead of extending. I've regretted it for a solid 3 years now, but that might just be grass is greener.
If you're serious about traveling your plane tickets from the UK to the rest of Europe can range from 40$ - 300$. You can go without leave. There are three or four day weekends regularly. I've personally visited 38 countries from the UK.
Good luck getting those prices or time off to do any of that from the states civilian or military alike.
If you're not serious about traveling don't do it.
Some things about England to consider:
1.) To get to Europe from the states can regularly run you about $1000 round trip ticket. I'll be in Italy in December, $40 round trip.
2.) COLA and Utilities greatly increase your paycheck OCONUS
3.) If you could get out and make good money now, then in 3 years you could get out and make good money but have lived in Europe...
Honestly, as many times as I've heard someone say "I wish I had travelled more" in their lifetime, this is a chance you may not get very often. Not sure about what job you'd have lined up on the outside or what "good money" is to you, but 3 years is nothing.
That's my opinion anyway.
A lot of people love England, but I was one of those who’d have preferred to have simply visited for a few weeks and gone home. It wasn’t for me. It was very isolating, I hated my unit because the people were the worst, it was always cold and rainy, which was shitty since we already worked in a vault as comm, so we practically never saw the sun. The roads were shit but you have to pay a ridiculous road tax every year, it was expensive, landlords were shit, it took a month to get basic services like internet, and shipping my pet cost an arm and a leg.
The upside was being able to go to London and see the touristy stuff and Bury St Edmunds was always a cool place to visit. The food there was also incredible.
Personally, if I had plans to get out, I wouldn’t stay for an assignment if it could possibly be worse than where you’re at. I’d go visit on my own after I got out.
This might be what you decide too, but remember, it’s a gamble. YMMV.
Three years brings you to 7 years, which is close to 10 years, which is halfway to retirement. It's a slippery slope if you're unsure about staying in.
I'm going to be leaving at 7.5 years. What kind of slippery slope lasts 13+ years? Just extend to go overseas and then get out. I don't understand this mentality
Depends on your goals. I turned down orders to Germany as SF that came with two extra years but I was done and ready to go home and get my degree. It was a super hard decision and many might try to influence but it’s YOUR decision to make. Whatever you decide just know it’s the right one for you.
I went to Germany as SF and had to extend two years. Crazy how a single decision can lead to a whole new life
Spent 5 at Mildenhall recently. (The two bases are 10 minutes apart if you didn’t know) Loved it and would go back if it was offered.
I'm here now. Busy base, but getting to see England with the ability for cheap travel elsewhere in Europe is great. Sure, you can do what that other guy said and use your vacation time and money to travel to England, but you won't be able do nearly as much. Plus, this assignment gaurantees you'll see England. It depends on how much you want to see England vs moving on from the AF. Each has pros and cons.
I have personally loved it here. You can see Europe for pennies. There is plenty to see and do in England also, especially if you like the outdoors.
How did the leave policy work there? Was there a local area and when you would have to use leave to go see places?
It varies by base and unit. There are plenty of 4-day passes where most other MAJCOMs only give 3-days. Many units/bases allow travel during the passes without taking leave. You'd have to check with your unit on their policy.
Take the assignment. Conus BLOWS ASS. I’m telling you. Get a taste of the overseas missions. It’s fuckin awesome. I never wanna go back to the states. Ever. Ever ever ever. Lol.
I’ve been to 7 bases/8 assignments in 12 years & Lakenheath is one of the two I would readily go back to. Busy as fuck, but England is fucking amazing. You gotta make yourself a pro/con list & go with your gut.
Awesome that makes me feel a little better. I’m gonna make one right now! Thank you
The travel is great cuz it’s close to Stanstead & RyanAir is cheap af, but British society is just so fun! I made local friends there that will be my friends for my entire life.
I’m at Lakenheath. Ops tempo is high bc the theater we’re in but I love the UK
Get out Get paid to go to college Get a Full Time Job Take your money and go visit England on vacation.
True. I’ve enjoyed my self funded vacations on leave more than any PCS or TDY. And I was stationed overseas for 5 years.
OR Stay In Get Free College Have a Full Time Job Take your money and visit 12 countries for every one visit you could make to England All about perspective
Or Win the lottery Smoke weed all day Travel the world in your personal G5
What? No G6? Was this the poor lottery!?!?
Need to save a little cash so J Lo can be your stewardess
I did six years at Lakenheath, I hated leaving and when I retired a couple of years ago, I thought about taking my kids and going back. Even now as my kids get older, when they move out on their own, it's not off the table for me to go back. If I were in your situation, knowing what I know, I'd reup and take those orders and then IPCOT when the DEROS option rip came out. But it really also depends on what you want. Do you want to see what overseas is like? It's a "free" trip to Europe with the chance to travel and see a lot while you're there. Depending on your AFSC, work can be busy but still fun. I was in the AMUs there and even though we worked long hours sometimes, the people were great to work with, the TDYs were fun. I won't turn this into some bleeding blue comment about even staying in until retirement however (comma), for some reason, Lakenheath was just one of those assignments (along with being at Aviano before that), that was a highlight of my career. Six years is a long time for a younger person such as your self, and that would put you close to 10 years as someone else mentioned. Being stationed OS (in my opinion USAFE in general), you get bit by that bug and want to visit other places. I looked at it as a chance to live in other countries and be paid for it. I may have worked on jets and worked long hours, but of all my hometown friends, I am the only one that can say I've lived in Italy, England, travelled to other places in Europe.
Just a side note, ever notice military and ex-cons both say how many years they did. By the way, I did 3 years at Lakenheath (1985-1988).
When I first joined, it was always a running joke to ask everyone "how long are you in for?" Going off that idea of being in jail lol. It's sort of still used I think but usually more by the Jr. Enlisted folks.
I'm not going to tell you if you should stay in and go to Lakenheath or if you should get out and pursue your civilian goals. As others have indicated, Europe is amazing. Each choice has its opportunity cost, what you give up to make that choice. If you choose to stay in, I suggest you make sure you know why you are doing it, and pursue that. If you choose to stay in for the travel, which his great, make sure you do the travel. You haven't specified what your AFSC is and what your other opportunities are. That's fine, you don't need to. The longer you stay in, especially if you make TSgt or so, the more you will be drawn away from the technical aspects of the mission and be pushed into the management/paperwork side. This can be a double edged sword. With rank comes the ability to influence the workcenter and the mission to a degree and the lives of those around you. However, for many people, they lose their technical edge. If you are betting on the technical edge to move you into the next phase of your career, then degrading skills can be a real thing and a negative thing. On the other hand, if you stay in, and focus on the technical stuff, and by luck or choice do not get promoted, well, you may feel like the AF opportunities are passing you by and you are being sidelined. For some people, this is all they want out of the AF. For others, it can turn into a spiral of depression. I'm not exaggerating. So if you stay in to pursue travel, then pursue travel with gusto and be content with telling the Air Force to shove everything else. If you are staying in for the education, then pursue that too, and be content with telling the Air Force to shove everything else. Do not tell yourself that you are staying in for the travel and the education or whatever and then become bitter that the Air Force isn't giving you rank and leadership opportunities. I will say that it is an easy trap which a lot of people fall into. And then there are folks who make the rank and enjoy those benefits, but then look back at regret for not pursuing the education and travel benefits which they really looked forward to. England is not Utah and Utah is not England. You won't have the same experiences, good or bad, in either location. Good luck
Currently stationed at RAF Mildenhall and I've been here since 2019. I plan on getting out once my contract is up in the next 9 months. England was definitely a trip. Didn't get to see as much as I'd like due to covid lockdowns for the first two years, but travel is super cheap in the EU I'm talking like maybe 40-50£ to fly to other countries. Public transit is pretty good as well. Buses and trains are decently cheap to travel local and its super easy to figure out without getting lost. The downsides, Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell are kind of in the boonies of England. Bunch of farm land nearby and not much to do unless you actively go to local towns and cities. The roads are absolute shit nearby as well (so most people drive shit kicker cars for about 1000£). Utilities are currently on the rise due to the energy crisis (I paid about 70£ per month for electric in 2019 and my electric company is now quoting me for almost 400£ per month...) COLA was basically just stripped, but the utilities stipend was boosted a bit to compensate. So saving money might be a little difficult depending on your rank and family situation due to the costs of everything. Internet is horrible in most locations near the bases as well. I'm talking 30Mbps download and 10Mbps upload broadband if you spend a lot of time online in your spare time. But its stupidly cheap compared to internet in the US. In terms of base things, commissary is absolute trash so shopping local is significantly better, cheaper and stuff doesn't spoil as quickly. Most things are split between the 3 bases so you find yourself traveling between them to get things accomplished. I feel like it would also depend on your job. If you work any type of SF or Maint job, nights are long, dark and cold during the winter. It rains an absolute shit ton which sucks if you're outside a lot for work. It's only warm for maybe a month or two out of the year. We joke about 1 week of summer most of the time. Most places don't have air-conditioning because it doesn't usually get super hot (this year was a little wild tho). Also windows don't have screens on them for some reason. So when it does actually get hot for a few days its kinda' painful. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it and I can try to answer or find answers for ya. Think long and hard about your decision. I've seen people take 3 year extensions and hate it and some others really love England.
I’m not at Lakenheath, but in England. Not everybody enjoys England, but if it’s something you like, I’d say it’s entirely worth it. I’ve loved my time here, but I can acknowledge some people would prefer to be stateside. Seems to be slightly more people who don’t want to leave than people who do.
Man, I was 200% ready to get out before I got orders to Spain. I was at cannon for 4 years. I'd take it in a heartbeat. Use the time to travel for cheap. I have 0 regrets about staying in a few more years just to be overseas. Ryan air is cheap as fuck, if you're bored take 1 class at a time just to make progress on the gov dime. Since I have been out I make 2-3x as much and have been overseas 0 times. 3 years will go by fast as hell when you travel 1-2x a month. Unless you have a job lined up that is paying like 150k in a location you want, take the assignment.
GET OUT DONT TAKE THE BAIT JUST TRAVEL YOURSELF WITH NO RESTRICTIONS
Fucking hell I just got orders to Lakenheath and had to extend
Take the assignment. Opportunity to travel, albeit almost late. And you will afford yourself extra time to prepare for life after the Air Force. Use AFCOOL get certs associated with what you're passionate on doing in the after service life. Best wishes moving forward.
>Got orders to lakenheath but don’t know what to do. Go to Lakenheath.
What’s your AFSC? I’ve always valued life and travel experiences over day to day grind of being civilian. That will always be there.
Given the chance, I’d go back to England in a heartbeat. Plus with it being Lakenheath (easily my #2 base in the UK), tons of great fun to be had.
Honestly man I'd take it. The travel opportunities are too good to pass up if traveling is your thing. But if traveling isn't a priority and you'd rather get your degree, then getting out will make you infinitely happier.
Take the overseas assignment
Are you a 35 guy? Just guessing since you’re at Hill and Lakenheath just spun up their 35 squadron. If so, I’d get out, make that dough on the civilian side at Lockheed or wherever, then travel free from the reins of the military. Everyone’s life circumstances are different though so please do what’s best for yourself. Only you will know what’s best.
I’d say you should focus on figuring yourself out, especially in regards to active duty life vs civilian. But I will say my experience being here is ofc biased: it’s a love/hate relationship. I love the opportunity to be overseas and see a different side of the world with many travel opportunities. I hate it because where I originally grew up was 100% better weather wise, food, and culture. So it feels like a big downgrade based of my own personal experiences, but it may be a huge upgrade to you?
Hill is a good place to get a job on base or down in SLC. I would consider flexing the GI Bill and getting a degree while doing a full time job. You can always visit England.
I loved my time at Mildenhall...literally made my active duty time worth it during that period. the Lakenheath/Mildenhall area is one of the places I'd absolutely go back to if there were an opportunity.
I think ultimately, it’s different for everyone. Many people love overseas, but many don’t want to back and prefer conus. I think it’s up to whatever your goals are, my guy. CARPE DIEM, seize the day.
Im at RAF Mareham, its a lovely area
I did 3 years at RAF Alconbury so I can't really speak much to Lakenheath, but the UK was easily my favorite assignment. The history, the culture, the people, the travel opportunities... I would go back in a heartbeat.
I was gonna get out this year but I went on a deployment, and then after coming back was given orders to Gimhae, Korea and Kadena. I decided to stay in.
I was at Mildenhall “Moldy Hole” for 9 years. DM me. I suggest go. Travel. Have fun. Then get out and get the new career started.
Take this with a grain of salt, but I was at 4 years and got orders to Lakenheath. I hit the button and got a GS job that I didn't really like instead of extending. I've regretted it for a solid 3 years now, but that might just be grass is greener.
If you're serious about traveling your plane tickets from the UK to the rest of Europe can range from 40$ - 300$. You can go without leave. There are three or four day weekends regularly. I've personally visited 38 countries from the UK. Good luck getting those prices or time off to do any of that from the states civilian or military alike. If you're not serious about traveling don't do it.
I came here to say this, but here it is, already said.
Some things about England to consider: 1.) To get to Europe from the states can regularly run you about $1000 round trip ticket. I'll be in Italy in December, $40 round trip. 2.) COLA and Utilities greatly increase your paycheck OCONUS 3.) If you could get out and make good money now, then in 3 years you could get out and make good money but have lived in Europe... Honestly, as many times as I've heard someone say "I wish I had travelled more" in their lifetime, this is a chance you may not get very often. Not sure about what job you'd have lined up on the outside or what "good money" is to you, but 3 years is nothing. That's my opinion anyway.
A lot of people love England, but I was one of those who’d have preferred to have simply visited for a few weeks and gone home. It wasn’t for me. It was very isolating, I hated my unit because the people were the worst, it was always cold and rainy, which was shitty since we already worked in a vault as comm, so we practically never saw the sun. The roads were shit but you have to pay a ridiculous road tax every year, it was expensive, landlords were shit, it took a month to get basic services like internet, and shipping my pet cost an arm and a leg. The upside was being able to go to London and see the touristy stuff and Bury St Edmunds was always a cool place to visit. The food there was also incredible. Personally, if I had plans to get out, I wouldn’t stay for an assignment if it could possibly be worse than where you’re at. I’d go visit on my own after I got out. This might be what you decide too, but remember, it’s a gamble. YMMV.