RAF Base Life

I'm on travel orders (transportation agreement)...what do I have access to on RAF Alconbury?

You have access to NUMEROUS offices and services at RAF Alconbury. Here are a few:

• All MWR facilities (community club, fitness center, bowling alley, ect)

• Commissary (groceries)

• Gas Station

• Shopettes/Exchange Services

• Post Office

• Legal Office

• Outdoor Recreation (trips and equipment rental)

• ITT - Information (book cruises, hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation packages)

• VAT Tax Relief Program

• Library

• Bank of America Community Bank - location and ATM's

Proper Etiquette - Reveille and Retreat

On RAF Alconbury, morning Reveille is played everyday at 0600 and evening Retreat is played at 1700.

While every service member knows that the military has specific protocols to follow during reveille and retreat, the civilian population may be unaware of such rules. Those in uniform are required to stop what they are doing, face the flag -- or music if they cannot see the flag -- and render the hand salute during these ceremonies. Those not in uniform, and civilians, should stand at attention and place their right hand over their heart. Anyone in a moving vehicle should pull off the road. While this is not an enforced rule, of course, it is viewed as respectful etiquette.

History:

Reveille was not originally intended as honors to the flag. In 1812, it was a drum call to signify that Soldiers should rise for day duty, and sentries should leave off night challenging (halting people and demanding identification). As time passed, reveille came to signify when the flag was raised in the morning and honors paid to it, according to Army Field Manual 3-21.5.

Retreat has always been at sunset. The music for retreat dates back to the Crusades and was first used by the French Army. The American Army has used this bugle call since the Revolutionary War. Retreat's original purpose was to notify sentries to start challenging until sunrise, and to tell Soldiers to go to retire to their quarters for the day, according to the manual.

Today, reveille and retreat ceremonies serve a twofold purpose. They signal the beginning and ending of the official duty day and serve as ceremonies for paying respect to the flag and those who serve it.

Source:

Retreat and Reville: Pay your respects to the flag

A few Military and DoDEA Specific Acronyms

CAC - Common Access Card

PX - Post Exchange

PCS - Permanent Change of Station

TDY - Temporary Duty

GOV - Government Owned Vehicle

POV - Personally Owned Vehicle

MWR - Morale, Welfare and Recreation

CSO - Community Superintendent's Office

DSO - District Superintendent's Office

ACEA - Antilles Consolidated Education Association (teacher's union)

PLC - Professional Learning Community

FC - Focus Collaboration