This brings up a good point. There are people all over the world that know fuck all about aircraft but even they can recognize a BUFF when they see one. There is no excuse for someone who actually serves in the force that operates them to not know what they are. I remember in processing my last base. When I picked up my gear at supply (in my flight suite), the SrA asked me if I was a pilot. When I responded in the affirmative, he asked me what kind of airplane I fly. C-17s were the only type of aircraft on the base, and they're kind of hard to miss. I would say at a minimum, folks should know what's at the base on which they work.
Edit: To add, at least he bothered to ask and I made sure and answered his question.