When Michael & I moved to Montgomery, Alabama in September of 2009 I looked for work (I had been working at the Lands End corporate offices for 8.5 years when he got orders to move) but there was nothing to be found. The longer I went without work the more we started to think that maybe it was best that I not get a job since he was going to be retiring in 3 years anyway and maybe me not working was a way for us to learn to get by on a reduced income.
Having been used to working full-time and now having nothing to do I was getting rather bored. When I found out that Maxwell Air Force Base had a ceramic shop (something I’d done in high school) I decided to check it out, hoping that it would be something that would help pass some time. Well….that was 2 years ago and it definitely served it’s purpose! I made lots of cool stuff and had fun chatting with our military spouses. I was even a ‘volunteer’ for awhile, feeling in for the woman who runs the shop when she couldn’t be there. I haven’t been going to the ‘shop’ a whole lot in the last 6 months or so…too many women in one room tend to cause more drama than I want to deal with…but its still hard to see the place closed down.
Maxwell AFB Ceramic Shop
We just learned that they will be closing the Ceramic & Wood shop (the building also houses the frame shop & auto shops) as of May 1st. Seems neither are making the money that the government expects that they should be. I’m also hearing that the frame shop, auto shop, youth services, bowling alley and theater are also being ‘looked at’. It’s sad that it seems that the programs that are being ‘looked at’ are those that are they to provide morale support for the military and their families. I was always under the understanding that the programs were suppose to be non-profit anyway so why would not making enough profit be an issue?
Bowl & Pitcher - One of my first projects
On the news last night it was announced that the 7 C-130s that are housed at Maxwell AFB will be decommissioned as well. Now you have to wonder what that will do to the group of people who normally maintain, fly, schedule, etc those airplanes? Will that ‘decommission’ an entire squadron (sorry no air force background so I don’t know what it would be called) – and I’m assuming that they would just be absorbed somewhere else. But keep in mind that not only will the air force be affected but more than likely some civilians, as well, since there are a lot of civilians working on military bases too. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…
3 of the 7 C-130s that will soon be decommissioned
I think that we are starting to see the first of a lot of budget cuts with the military.
Those budget cuts were anounced here in Mineesota as well; the 934th Air Lift Wing is scheduled to lose 8 C-130s as well. No mention as to the crews and staff that keep them on the ready.
This is the same formula that is used across the nation when budgets are cut regardless if it’s the military or a school district. Go for the soft programs that hurt only those that use them; don’t cut upper management, middle management or expensive programs. Everytime our school district didn’t get the levy they wanted (not needed) they threaten to cut bus service to scare parents with the reality of their kids walking to school. The residents called the districts bluff and when the district followed thru parents clogged the front of the school with cars dropping off kids the district had to back down.
It seems that the majority of people in this country will have to suffer some hardships in order to get us back on track; but I’m truely sorry that it always falls on the men, women and families of our armed forces first and hardest. It’s not fair, but these things will make us stronger and more learned about the struggles to come.
Keep your head up knowing that in a few short months you’ll be truely free to travel in whatever direction you want!
Hi John! Thanks for your comments! Unfortunately, it won’t just be the military that receives the cuts…it will be those that it will affect the most. I understand that cuts need to be made…but they need to be made across the board. Congress, Senate, wealthy businessmen, expensive and/or outdated, useless programs need to see the cuts as well.
Knowing that retirement is in the very near future is a big plus…until I start to think about what kinds may be in store for retired military! :-/