Columbus AFB Information

[Tex]

Hey Spouses,

I have a question about the hospitals available in Columbus for OB/GYN. The majority of girls who've had babies here seem to say, don't have a baby at Baptist Memorial, go to West Point or Amory. I've looked online and Baptist appeared to be the bigger more equipped hospital, and it's definitely closer to base, so my big question is...

What exactly are the negatives at Baptist?

I would really like specifics since the only times I've heard girls talk about how bad Baptist is, they never say what is so bad about it. Also anyone had their baby at Amory or West Point? Any perceptions on those two hospitals?

Thanks, I really appreciate any advice or stories you can share to shed some light on this for me..

[Guest Aces-High]

Hey guys,

I want to know what I can expect out of Columbus. I've only found gouge on the flight training side of things, but I'm looking more at how the weekend scene is, that is, if you actually get to put the books down. Thanks for the info.

[Champ Kind]

I know there have been multiple discussions on "things to do" in the Columbus area, try the search function at the top of the page.

In summary, though, there ain't a whole hell of a lot to do IN Columbus, but, the good news is that it is pretty centrally located for some good weekend road trip possibilities. Columbus itself has a few bars. Up the road about 40 min is Starkville, which is home to Mississippi State University. Couple more bars/college crowd (ie, frat boys with bushy hair and pink shirts with decent looking girls attached to their hips). Memphis, TN is about 2.5 hours away, Nashville is about 4.5 hours. New Orleans and Biloxi are about 4 four hours away.

A lot of people like to go out on the boat around here, and Columbus has a pretty big lake to go out on. Services has some barely-seaworthy vessels for you to rent, but they are always spoken for and you get put on a waiting list. Tuscaloosa is about an hour drive (home of the University of AL, again, decent bar scene) and Birmingham is about 2 hours away. Atlanta is about a 3.5-4 hour drive...

I think you get the point... Places around here for you and your bros to drink and hang out or have dinner. Other than that, save it for a weekend trip. Hope that helps, search for other posts/opinions as well.

[Guest edwarkl]

Columbus isn't that bad, but then again I don't live there full time. The bars in town tend to be full of guys, but that fact does attract some girls. (I'm just assuming you're single). I like the Underground, and Big Kahuna's is always good for a cheap drink/laugh plus you can dance there. You can always go to college sporting events on the weekends. MSU has a horrible football team, but you can watch them get stomp by teams like Auburn (War Eagle).

I agree with Phlash though, the best thing about Columbus is it's proximity to some really great southern cities. It is also great for outdoor sports. I know a couple of guys that are really into Mt. Biking and there are some trails that you can ride. It really isn't a bad place. You might get a little bored if you are used to a bigger town, but people tend to get really creative when they are bored.

[Guest talondriver]

Originally posted by KC:

Hey Spouses,

I have a question about the hospitals available in Columbus for OB/GYN. The majority of girls who've had babies here seem to say, don't have a baby at Baptist Memorial, go to West Point or Amory. I've looked online and Baptist appeared to be the bigger more equipped hospital, and it's definitely closer to base, so my big question is...

What exactly are the negatives at Baptist?

I would really like specifics since the only times I've heard girls talk about how bad Baptist is, they never say what is so bad about it. Also anyone had their baby at Amory or West Point? Any perceptions on those two hospitals?

We had four kids in Lowndes County plus my wife was the W.I.C. Lactation Specialist for Lowndes County before moving so she dealt with the following hospitals (including Starkville) on a regular basis. Here's her intel on pickling:

-West Point is smaller but more than capable. They're more open to how you want your delivery experience to go. We had three of four kids here. Her OB was Dr. Magnuson. She had an office in Columbus but did deliveries in West Point. It's about a 25 min. drive from base. Wife's first choice.

-Baptist Memorial is a baby mass production line with the big, cold hospital feel to go with it. We had one of four here. The good thing is it's close(15 min. from base). Not wife's first choice.

-Amory is actually a popular place to go. Locals like it as well. Friends had their baby there and liked the medical care. It's about a 30 min. drive from base. Amory is also a baby mass production line but way better than Baptist.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[ 24. October 2006, 00:02: Message edited by: talondriver ]

[Guest SpookyD]

I had 2 babies at Baptist - 1 in June 2002 and the other in June 2004. Both were great experiences. The staff was wonderful and I can't say enough about Dr. Holzhauer and his proficiency as an OBGyn or Dr. Sykes (pediatrician). I had epidurals for both with no complications. The only downside that I could see was that the labor and delivery rooms (this was before the new addition opened, so I don't know what it's like now) did not have tubs or anything in the room that would help make a natural delivery easier. However, the nurses were wonderful, but it probably helped that I brought the nursing staff a goodie basket. I know many women, several of whom are Baptist nurses, who delivered at Baptist and have yet to hear anything negative, if that helps you at all.

Good luck with your decision.

~D

[scawtiedog]

Our daughter was born at Baptist last year (once of the last ones before the new ward opened I believe) and we had no problem, was a great experience. Definitely liked how close it was just in case (my wife was induced, so it ended up not being a factor for us). We had some friends who had a baby in Amory and it seemed like such a long drive when we went to visit them.

I'll second Dr. Holzhauer, that's who we had and he was great. Everyone we talked to said to get him.

[Guest C17pilot2B]

If you are looking for new furniture, they just put in an Ashely furniture store here a few months ago. There are also a few other local furniture stores. Also, I would check the newspapers, (both base and local) classifieds. There is an unfinished furniture store here called the Orange Crate that has pretty nice stuff, you get to stain/paint it yourself.

As for cars, check the used base car lot. As for dealers, we have done business with Carl Hogan Toyota/Mazda in town and had a great experience with them.

Hope that helps and welcome to CAFB.

C17

[Guest Desi1125]

We had two friends live in the dorms recently. They were both assigned "old" dorm rooms when they arrived. One of them opted to be put on the waiting list for "new" dorm. He waited about 6 weeks until the new one was ready so we helped him move his stuff over. The new dorms are nicer in that they have new ducting so air/heat works better (so we hear), they have 4 burner stoves and a small oven, a slightly nicer bathroom and a walk-in closet. In my opinion, it was worth the wait for him.

As for furniture, if you want to bring your own, you can ask them to move the existing furniture out so you can move yours in. The furniture in the room includes a bed, a night stand, a little kitchenette (1 maybe 2 seat), a desk, a small chest of drawers most people use to put their TVs on. I think that's it. Refrigerators are provided, TVs are not. I don't remember if they had microwaves, I'm pretty sure they did, but you can ask or worst case buy a $30 one at Wal Mart after you get there. As far as bringing your own furniture, the rooms are only big enough for the basics to fit. One of the aforementioned friends had a lazy boy recliner in his room (with the other furniture) which basically took up all his walking area. You can call the housing office and ask for sq. footage and dimensions to plan better.

I hope that helps.

[MT near]

Im an avid shooter and plan on taking my two handguns and Mosin Nagant rifle with me to Columbus. I plan on living on base and Im not really sure how to store the weapons and so forth. Im also interested if there are any rifle/handgun ranges in or near Columbus. Does anyone here have any advice or can point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!!

[Right Seat Driver]

Im an avid shooter and plan on taking my two handguns and Mosin Nagant rifle with me to Columbus. I plan on living on base and Im not really sure how to store the weapons and so forth. Im also interested if there are any rifle/handgun ranges in or near Columbus. Does anyone here have any advice or can point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!!

Can't tell you about ranges, but try to find a bro who lives off base that you can keep you firearms with because if you live in the UOQs you will have to check them into the armory at the SFS.

I can't speak to what they do at CBM, but a couple dudes from the high school days are AF cops and they take people's firearms out to the range occasionally. So, it's up to you. If you want to store it with them just take the firing pin out or something. I personally just left my arsenal back in MI and decided to deal with it later.

I went to the range all the time back home, and figured I would want to have everything with me, but not the case so much. PM me if you have any other questions.

[brabus]

I've heard way too many bad stories about storing your firearms w/ the sky cops. I will NEVER do it, under any circumstances. I'm sure people don't have problems (ref Hacker), but too many people have problems to make it worth it. If you care about your guns, do you really want some 19 yr old d bag cop either shooting them or even just merely handling them (i.e. banging them on walls, throwing them around, etc)? There should be no problem having one of your buddies store them in his house off base. At Vance, they allow us to keep them in on base housing, just not in the dorms. So that may also be an option of CBM. Either way, find out what the exact reg is an do whatever it takes to avoid the cop shop.

Also, on another note, you have to usually give 24 hr advance notice that you're going to come by and pick up your guns. Some may be fine w/ that, but if I decide to go shooting Sat morning, I want my guns now, not be told "too bad, you gotta wait till Sun."

[Guest Robes]

Depending on what you are bringing to CBM, they also have a trap range. If you are into deer hunting talk to the IPs about how to get a permit to hunt at the Shy... there were deer around there like tracks on a crack whore.

[Guest sleepy]

If you're married, you're good. You'll still have to register them, which can also be pure posterior paperwork pain. I stored my guns with SF for a month or so. The list of reasons why not to do that is too long to post here.

The police range downtown will allow you to use their range if they are there and they are not holding a class. PM me for the number. Supposedly, if you are part of SF, you can go down there anytime.

Rumor is there is another place north of base, but I have yet to shoot there myself.

Robes...I have yet to hear about the Shy. Spill the beans, brother.

aviator77--didn't notice your post earlier. You da man.

EDIT, take 2: Ok, I'm an idiot. The Shy = Gunshy. Oops. I forgot that place even existed.

Edited October 17, 2007 by sleepy

[HossHarris]

No problem storing in your HOUSE on base, jsut not dorms.

You can shoot rifles on the range on base, just get to know the sky-cops ... they used to moonlight as O'club bartenders.

Find out the laws, when I was there you could shoot on public land as long as you weren't within a certain range of a structure (1/2 mile I think). The banks of the tombigbee have huge tracts of public land, as well as outside the fence on the back side of the base (I've shot both places). Get a Lowndes county hunting map and it'll show you the public lands.

[Guest Robes]

2 on the Tombigbee, I remember seeing some great looking deer on the banks while fishing. As for the Shy, talk with some of the IPs in the 41st... My IPs are all gone now so I do not know who to talk to. Another option is to talk to the people who issue the permits to 'fish' at SAC lake. I remember the opening crew having to low approach the Shy to get the deer off the runway and the grounds nearby. If you are ever down there (Sleepy, I know you will not be) look along the power lines that are to the south of the field, you can normally see some bucks hanging out there.

[Guest Fisher]

Dido to what evereyone else said. I heard about the sheriff range and all you need to do is call first because we went at 4 and they were gone. The range guy will leave or not go there after 1500 usually. They do also have classes. From what I understand there is not a guy sitting there all the time so you have to call to confirm it is not being used and also so somebody will go and unlock and supervise assuming it is not past 1500ish. I personally am from the South and know how gun laws are here so we just asked while we were being turned away from the range if it was legit to go shoot out of city limits and little to my suprise they said yep just be safe so that's what we did. Obviously rifles could be an issue but as you will find out when you get here and start flying or look on google earth, there are alot of dirt pits in the vicinity so maybe that could work out though some of them are no tresspassing...if you really care about that.

And if you are planning on going hunting, I don't know about Gunshy or any of that but I usually see around 10 deer a week driving or running even at mid day. So happy hunting.

[MT near]

Do I have to notify the gate guard everytime i enter base with a weapon? If I leave to go to the range and come back, do I tell them I have a gun?

[brabus]

I've never said a word and never been asked either, even with 3 gun cases just laying in the back seat. I'd say something if I got the random inspection deal, but otherwise no need to mention it.

[Hacker]

Be VERY CAREFUL toting firearms through the gate, visible, concealed, or otherwise. Most bases I have been to have firearms on the PROHIBITED list, regardless of if you have an ID card, line badge, or what have you. The minimum that will happen if you get popped for a random search is that you'll be eating pavement and be delayed a while while the skycops/rentacops sort things out. BAD IDEA to take them in and out of the gate if you don't have to.

If you have one of the permission forms signed by your CC to store them in base housing, have that form with you when you are going through the gate after shooting, otherwise the gate guards will kindly escort you to the armory to drop off your toys until you can produce the form.

I have been caught going through the gate at Moody carrying concealed -- I was in civvies and had the GA firearms permit, AND as soon as they told me to pull over for the search I told them I was carrying. Didn't matter. The skycops over-reacted bigtime, naturally, AND my CC had to come out and help straighten things out.

Overall, this is just not a fate that you want to tempt. Way too many agate guards are DREAMING of the day they find a gun, much less on an officer. Don't give them a reason to go berserker on you.

[M2]

Ditto on Hacker's comments, unless you have valid authority to carry weapons onto base, it isn't worth the risk. Yes, it is a pain, and the mere concept that weapons aren't allowed on a military base is almost beyond belief; but it is illegal to carry weapons on any Federal property, to include the Post Office, even if you do have a concealed permit from the state you are in...

[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 41, Volume 3]

[Revised as of July 1, 2003]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 41CFR102-74.440]

[Page 194]

TITLE 41--PUBLIC CONTRACTS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

CHAPTER 102--FEDERAL MANAGEMENT REGULATION

PART 102-74--FACILITY MANAGEMENT--Table of Contents

Subpart C--Conduct on Federal Property

Sec. 102-74.440 What is the policy concerning weapons on Federal property?

Federal law prohibits the possession of firearms or other dangerous weapons in Federal facilities and Federal court facilities by all persons not specifically authorized by Title 18, United States Code, Section 930 (<--read this for more info). Violators will be subject to fine and/or imprisonment for periods up to five (5) years.

(Source)

So unless you want to go to Federal-Pound-Me-In-The-Ass-Prison, or you get the authorization to do so, you'd better leave your guns at home or locked up somewhere safe!

Cheers! M2

[Guest Burrito]

Question for the married with family doods on base. Any of you make do with only 1 car? I'm trying to decide whether or not to bring both of my cars.

[Jon - Trident Home Loans]

I have a couple married classmates that don't have 2 cars and it's a big pain in the ass for them. You'll be showing up and leaving at different times then other people throughout your training. If you take that car then your wife is suck at the house all day. You can bum a ride here and there, but it'll get old quick. If you have 2 cars, definitely bring them.

[Guest C-21 Pilot]

I read thru the CAFB post above and really didn't find what I was looking for.

We're considering a UPT IP position next after our stint here at McChord and want to move back to the south and out of the C-17. I'm looking real hard at either CAFB or San Antonio (PIT)...for a T-1 position.

Anyway, I'm looking for places to live for a married guy w/ 3 kids, one of who will be in middle school about to start HS. I'm open to drive 45-60 minutes in an effort to live in a descent area...

Specifically, I'm interested in:

1.) Schools

2.) Jobs for spouse (CPA, Personal Financial Manager, Auditor)

I've never been to CAFB, so looking around on the internet is a mute point until I get some advice.

-Cheers

**Edited to reflect spouse's job**

Edited March 18, 2008 by C-21 Pilot

[The Kayla]

What is your spouse's job currently? Meaning: is she a Nurse, Teacher, retail worker etc. That way, hopefully someone in that area (CABF/PIT) can give you an idea of jobs for her.

I would think that if you move down to Randolph, jobs would be plentiful, since that base is located in San Antonio.

What is your spouse's job currently? Meaning: is she a Nurse, Teacher, retail worker etc. That way, hopefully someone in that area (CABF/PIT) can give you an idea of jobs for her.

I would think that if you move down to Randolph, jobs would be plentiful, since that base is located in San Antonio.