First term Airmen in confinement

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  If there is one building on where base members of Team Offutt don't want to find themselves, it is the 55th Security Forces Squadron confinement facility, but for first term Airmen it isn't an option.

As part of the First Term Airmen Center's week-long course, attendees take a tour of the facility and a lucky select few play the part of a new inmate in-processing.

"The airmen are typically very new to the Air force and some are away from their families for the first time," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Lance Hillenga, 55th SFS confinement guard. "When left to their own devices, they can get lost. We try to remind them that although basic training and technical school is over, there is still a standard to be upheld, and if it's not, you may come see us in an official capacity."

Many of the visitors have a shared opinion about the tour.

"When we ask anyone who has been here for a tour what they remember, first thing they say is 'they yell a lot,'" Hillenga said. "This is true, but we also try to share the unique and historical background of the confinement facility itself. This building is the oldest operational confinement facility west of the Mississippi river and was built in 1894 for a mere $13,031. The Fightin' 55th took custody of the building in August 1966."

For U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephanie Battle, 55th Intelligence Support Squadron and one of the volunteers who played an inmate, the history was the furthest thing from her mind.

"Having them yell at me was nerve racking because other than BMT, I haven't been in an environment where someone is constantly yelling and talking at me, rather than to me," she said. "I was so flustered that I wasn't able to properly articulate what I needed to do. It was very stressful."

Battle, whose lifelong dream has been to be an Airman, arrived at Offutt in early June, and it was her first, and hopefully last, time visiting the facility.

"This tour was a powerful deterrent," she said. "We all have our own set of values and we would like to think we wouldn't put ourselves in this situation, but you never know."

Real-life inmates can find themselves in Offutt's confinement for up to six months.  In which time their stay is in most cases meant to be rehabilitative.

"My favorite part would have to be that, as a staff member, we get to re-mold airmen that have lost their way: not only in a corrective capacity, but in life," Hillenga said. "We help build our inmates up, to make them more productive members of the Air Force and society. We encourage them to take college CLEP exams, seek counseling if they desire it, and provide a positive and structured environment to reach personal goals."

For those who wish to visit the facility as a guest rather than a detainee, they are more than welcome.

"We have given tours to multiple groups and squadrons around Offutt such as NCO Professional Enhancement students, the Boy Scouts of America, distinguished visitors, wing and squadron commanders," Hillenga said. "That being said, not all tours given include in-processing, we do this more for the transitioning Airmen and NCOs."

But, the invitation is open.

"The tours given are, in my eyes, generally well received by all whom attend," Hillenga said. "The most popular opinion seems to be 'we never want to come back!'"