Young, far-from-home and unaccompanied Published Jan. 7, 2009 By 1st Lt. Frank Harnett 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A tour in Alaska can be a chance for adventure and full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences or it can be a lonely tour marked by isolation and harsh, cold weather. If you are a young Airman this might be your first assignment and first steps into a military culture. This is my second assignment, and again I find myself far from my home in Pennsylvania. In the short time I have been in I've noticed the traps that some Airmen fall into when they are on their own for the first time; abusing alcohol, following the wrong crowd and mismanaging money. I also know what has worked well for me when I move to a new place and want to share what I have picked up along the way. Keep in Touch Chances are you already own the latest cell-phone with free long distance. Take a moment and use it to call your parents or siblings, phone calls are a great way to keep your bond while you are away. These are the people who will be happy to hear about your latest accomplishment or learn more about what you do to defend our country. The next time someone asks your parents, sister or brother what it is that you do. Don't settle for "He's in the Air Force." Keep them informed so they know to respond with "He's an Airman that fixes fighter aircraft that protects military members over in Iraq." Every Airman makes personal sacrifices in their duty and life can be a bit tougher if you are far from home. This is when a few words of support and appreciation from family can relieve stress and help you focus on your tasks. Share your Experiences Relocating can be an adventure. Finding a new restaurant, movie theater, or bookstore can become a challenge if you are a newcomer. New opportunities are also waiting to be discovered and when you do find them, sharing them your friends makes it all the better. I've posted pictures of my travels around Alaska on my Facebook profile. My friends can see photos of a moose roaming around my neighborhood, me fishing for Halibut in the Gulf of Alaska and hiking in Denali National Park. Comments started coming from my family and old friends that I haven't heard from in awhile. Some didn't know I moved to Alaska and are now making plans to visit since they were convinced by the photos I posted. Your life is a story, and you never know who might want to flip through the pages. Do Something Different I've noticed the Airmen who hate their assignments or location are usually also the ones unwilling to try out new and different things. I grew up in central Pennsylvania and went to college in a big city. Since college I've lived in Louisiana and Alaska. Life in the east coast is different than life on the Gulf Coast or way up North. Before I left Pittsburgh, I never went two-stepping, never threw a pot of boiling water into the air and watch it freeze at 40 below, never ate "mudbugs" (crawfish) nor did I think much of Mardi Gras. That has changed since I joined the active duty-ranks. Every location brings new traditions, events and food. Instead of being sad about missing family traditions or your favorite, you can create new ones. You can eat turkey and ham on Christmas anywhere, but only in Alaska you can have halibut and moose (also known as Alaskan Surf and Turf). These lessons helped me out when I have had to relocate and put down new roots. I've found that each new assignment, new location and new job can lead you to another adventure. Keeping a positive attitude and making the right choices is what determines if you thrive or fail. It's Your Decision You are the common denominator in your life, so whether or not you have a good or bad experience is entirely up to you. That being said find out what's out there and have adventures and experiences you can remember for a lifetime.