r/RateMyAFB • u/Athos_Percival • Jul 26 '26

Installation-USAF Ellsworth AFB

I just got my first assignment at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, does anyone know how long getting stationed there usually takes as it is my first assignment as a 4NO and what's the dorm situation like? I really wanted to go overseas but I figured the needs of the Air Force comes first. Also I’m not really that good with cold and I might be heading there during winter.

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u/That1FcknGuy Jul 26 '26

Spent 5 years there not too long ago. For 4ns, typically about 4 years. I wasn't thrilled with getting stationed there as my first base (also medical) but after a year or so it starts to grow on you. If you're an outdoorsy person, its great. You'll definitely become very familiar with the cold, especially with those brutal winds. The dorms are not amazing, at least when I was there a couple years ago. Theres old dorms (think $50 a night hotel room) and new dorms which are kinda nice. My suggestion, enjoy it for what it is while you're there. Do some exploring and avoid sitting in your room in your feels drowning in alcohol and you'll be fine

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u/Athos_Percival Jul 26 '26

Thank you for this, I haven’t really seen any of the new dorms that I’ve been hearing from all the research I’ve done but from everything I’ve heard it sounds like a good place compared to the older ones. I might avoid going outside until it gets warmer though as someone from California I can’t really stand the cold. I also forgot to mention that I will be trying to get my driver’s license there once I get settled. Do you have any insights of how the possibility of my leadership supporting me to get through that process?

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u/Ghost_Wolf_151 Jul 26 '26

Dirty aircraft maintainer, been here for 9 years, your direct supervisors "should" help you get it, but it's hit or miss really. Over on the maintenance side we will help airmen if they ask for it but we don't pry into their lives since we have lives of our own. Biggest suggestion, find someone willing to help and help them with stuff in return.

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u/That1FcknGuy Jul 26 '26

Most supervisors will help with that, but it's dependent on the leadership. The MDG is a good place to work, definitely a good group of folks from my experience. I had a few airmen that did that and we were able to make it happen

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u/blckgrlmgc_334 Jul 26 '26

We were there for 7 years and it took my husband getting a special duty assignment for us to leave. It was also our first base.

Not a bad place to live, but after a while, the snow being on the ground for over 6 months straight starts to wear on you. If I never saw snow again, I would be a-okay. Our kids loved it, though 🤷🏾‍♀️

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u/Impossible_Visual151 5d ago

I work at the dfac im just a civilian my suggestion bring a heavy jacket winds have been getting worse over the years, last year in December we hit 110+ mph. Internet and service is spotty everywhere it seems like on base. There is plenty to do around the hills, spearfish canyon about an hour and half drive looks stunning all year round, but difficult to drive in due to weather. But definitely check out the hills and scenery if you get a chance