This has been bugging me for a while. I identify as a member of the United States Air Force, and I always will. I worked hard to get where I am now. I’ve been in combat, I’ll soon be a decorated combat veteran (as soon as my Air Medal comes through), and I remain a member of the Air National Guard in good standing, ready to go for the next war.
However, I will be demobilizing at the end of the year, and as a result will cease being active duty. That, my friends, will be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life. I found a job and people that I love, and I’ll be told to pack it up and get a job, except for my 4 times a month flying and once a month UTAs.
So, I want, nay, NEED to know. Would any of you have any objections to me keeping my screenname the same, under the circumstances? It’s important for me to be up-front about this, since it might change the way some of you look at my words and opinions. Some people don’t think that the Guard is Air Force, that we’re just playing at airmen. I need to know what the prevailing opinion is from you guys.
Needless to say, I find this to be extremely important. So, tell me what you think.
Well I was in the Air Force, probably before you were born, and still consider myself “an Airman”. Keep the name. It’s the only YOU we know.
/Signed/ AF14701724. Yeah, that was back before they used Social Security numbers!
Keep it! Regretfully, I’ve never had the pleasure to have served in the Air Force (or any branch of the services), but I say once an Airman, always an Airman.
My heartfelt thanks for your service to our country, Airman. I’ve never been in the military (I’m too young, actually), but I think you should keep the name.
If you don’t mind me asking, what did you fly, and how’d you get the Air Medal?
As a fellow service member who has made the transition from active military service to the Reserves and currently the National Guard (and a decorated combat veteran to boot), I see no reason why you’d need to change the name.
However, were I a new user I might easily make the mistake that you were on active duty based on the USAF in your screen name, not that this would lessen or change my opinion of your military aptitude. The MOST you might want to do (if anything), is to simply become Airman Doors. That way all the bases are covered no matter your service status.
Since I’ve been out of the active military for going on 10 years, my knowledge of the way things are currently working there is fading. Any knowledge I spew out now is mostly based on how things work in my particular state militia, though we are still regulated by federal policies and doctrine. It’s still a far cry from eating, sleeping, and breathing the military life every day.
If the screen name of one of the better liked and more respected posters is put back on the free agent pile, you don’t know what sort of dickhead might pick it up and sully your well earned reputation.
Hey, it’s yours. You earned it. And specially, it refers to “a job and people [you] love”, one that you will still be formally linked to for 4 to 6 more years at least. Like Horseflesh said, you could drop the USAF tag if you found it cumbersome or potentially misleading.
Who do you see in the mirror? “Joe Doors, regular schmo”, or “Airman Doors”?
(Of course, if the Missus has a better idea, go with it. Always. You don’t have to live with us )
Hmmm…B930806 checking in here, also combat veteran. I was a Navy E-7 (Seabees). Perhaps I should change my name to Chiefguy? Nah, I like to cook more than I like to fight.
Oh, hell, keep it!
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