I entred the Air Force Sept 1977 and left in March 1982. After basic and Chanute, I spent the remainder of my time at Eglin AFB, Fl, working for Chief Bob Barrow and Asst Chief Joe Bundrick. I worked mostly at Ben's Lake station, some in (then) TAC and mainside. I was one of the firefighters that got hurt in the backdraft at the mini mall, and I also responded to the large propane fire in Shalimar.
Loved the time I was in, and it certainly helped throughout my career in the fire service.
Even though the technology is ever improving there are some tried and true rules to live by;

The person next to you is your brother or sister, and when you roll out always remember that
If you can cook you are the most important person in the station
It is a family affair
If you find something in a dumpster in a fire station it is junk. We are an ingenious lot, we can make McGyver look like a rookie