Today was the day we had to have our list of the five bases we were given a choice of, in order of our preference. Daniel and I hashed and re-hashed this subject.... Did it really matter what order they were in, because honestly they are going to send us where they want to send us? How much effort should we put into investigating each place because four of the bases we won't actually be going to? Hot vs. cold? What was more important - housing or location? On and on it went.
Yesterday late afternoon we sent in the final draft. It's out of our hands now. Daniel thinks we are on the bottom of the pack for preferences since overseas returnee's get first pick, then someone else (can't remember who right now) and then us. We are both pretty terrified that the Air Force is going to send us to Minot. We drove through Minot on our way from Alaska to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Uggg. We've done the North Dakota thing. We went into Recruiting to get out of North Dakota! Daniel is pretty stressed out over the possibility of being sent back there. We really just want to go somewhere we've never been before. Is that too much to ask? I think not.
Here is our list in order of preference:
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Cannon AFB, New Mexico
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
McGuire AFB, New Jersey
Minot should be here, in last place, but Daniel wouldn't even put it on our list. I support that decision wholeheartedly. Not that it's non-existence in our list actually makes it non-existent in the computer they use. Shucks, huh.
So, there was a lot of thought put into this list. Lots of give and take. It's amazing how you can test the maturity of a marriage by having to make a list like this. Our results would be stellar - there was only one teary conversation (by me, of course) but that was only because I was overwhelmed by all of life, and talking about North Dakota was just too much at that point. I got over it quick.
The Air Force will let us know on the 15th of February where they have decided to send us.
I hate the waiting game. It pretty much rots.
Yesterday late afternoon we sent in the final draft. It's out of our hands now. Daniel thinks we are on the bottom of the pack for preferences since overseas returnee's get first pick, then someone else (can't remember who right now) and then us. We are both pretty terrified that the Air Force is going to send us to Minot. We drove through Minot on our way from Alaska to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Uggg. We've done the North Dakota thing. We went into Recruiting to get out of North Dakota! Daniel is pretty stressed out over the possibility of being sent back there. We really just want to go somewhere we've never been before. Is that too much to ask? I think not.
Here is our list in order of preference:
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
Cannon AFB, New Mexico
Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
McGuire AFB, New Jersey
Minot should be here, in last place, but Daniel wouldn't even put it on our list. I support that decision wholeheartedly. Not that it's non-existence in our list actually makes it non-existent in the computer they use. Shucks, huh.
So, there was a lot of thought put into this list. Lots of give and take. It's amazing how you can test the maturity of a marriage by having to make a list like this. Our results would be stellar - there was only one teary conversation (by me, of course) but that was only because I was overwhelmed by all of life, and talking about North Dakota was just too much at that point. I got over it quick.
The Air Force will let us know on the 15th of February where they have decided to send us.
I hate the waiting game. It pretty much rots.
16 Comments:
I wish it were like going to the polls..........write ins!
Eglin AFB, Shalimar, Fl
Hulburt Field, Florosa, FL
Wright Field, Crestview, FL
Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL
LOL...
I am praying that you don't get sent to ND also. Believe in the power of prayer, and your prayer "circle" of friends you have right here Andrea!
Ohhh! I hate to hear theres a possibility of going somewhere you both REALLY don't want to go to! I pray that doesn't happen. Maybe some of the others have family near or in ND & they want to go there. Hey, it's a thought=)
Keep praying. I have faith it will all work out.
Court~
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My prayer for you is that God would open up the right place for you & your family that would be good for each of you! Too bad you couldn't come to the base near us in NC! That sure would be fun!! =)
Oops, I accidentally deleted my comment.
I can sympathize. We're already prepping ourselves for the what-ifs and we still have another 18 months before we get our list. Hang in there. Positive thoughts. Also, I *think* when they extended everybody there was a memo that went out stating that because of the extension recruiters would be in the same category as the overseas returnees when choosing assignments. Don't quote me on that though. ;-)
If you get Mt. Home we'll have to get together for lunch whenever I'm in your area for skateboarding competitions in the summer. :-)
Andrea, I know how hard this is. We did NOT want to come to Luke AFB, it was the last thing we wanted, and unfortunately we ended up here. The Air Force or actually, the military, will just send you wherever they need you and want you to go.....
Hope you do get Mountain Home AFB, I think you would like it. If you do and want to see what the base looks like before you go, let me know, I have tons and tons of pictures of the base and can give you an info you need. After being there for almost 10 years, it really was home to us :)
Good luck!
Oh the wait... I hope it goes by quickly or at least flees you mind while you wait. We have family in North Dakota and it is so beautiful there... BUT we had the opportunity to move there and we couldn't do it. It was just too far from everything out in the country and the seasons are so volatile.
praying for you!
Britt
Let's try to be positive and stay focused...say a prayer and hope you go to Idaho. Or even New Mexico.....positive thoughts coming your way.
I'll make sure to keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers. I so hope you get what you want. Hey, maybe some weird person really wants to go to North Dakota and it wont even be an issue :) Yep, lets keep thinking that! Cant wait for the news :)
Alicia
I wonder what would happen if you just wrote in places that you did want to go and just forgot about the choices they gave you. I mean, if they're going to send you where they want to anyway, would it be worth a try. My daughter and son-in-law are at Moody AFB in south GA/Valdosta. So far, they seem to like it.
I pray that you get your first choice, because it seems like you need that right now! Though I know you weren't thrilled with any of the choices. Just remember that God knows what He is doing, and is going to lead you somewhere . . .
Mountain home? I spent 2 weeks at Gowan field there. If you really, really enjoy being bored to tears...Mountain home is the place for you!
My choices would be anywhere in Europe. I spent close to 10 years in Germany and highly recommend it or, Italy.
I've never understood the whole "dream sheet" thing or prioritizing your list either since they send you where they need you anyway - do they really take your preferences into consideration?! LOL Praying for you guys that you don't get ND!
I hope that you and Daniel are able to find peace wherever they happen to send you. I can share in this aspect of the military life. With the company Chris and I work for, we will be moved around as long as he has a career with them. We have only been moved once so far and thank God, we are only two hours from home. This first move was my transition period of going from my parents to Chris. Anyway, I will pray for you. I hope the Lord puts you where you can both flourish with your family.
P.S. I've been meaning to ask, and keep forgetting. What do you use in place of table salt? Chris and I have been changing small things here and there with our diet. One of them is to stop with the table salt (especially for him!)
Oh, the waiting truly does stink. Especially when you really don't have a choice in the matter. The military sends you where they want you, I don't know why they even pretend to give us a choice lol. I sure hope that you don't get ND though. Good luck!
I was hoping to see Georgia on that list. :-)
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