Students, MTLs prepare for holiday 'Exodus' Published Dec. 16, 2011 By Steve Hoffmann 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- It's beginning to look a lot like Exodus, everywhere you go. With a pep in their step and a twinkle in their eye, nonprior service students go marching by. From now until Wednesday, as they lay all snug in their beds, visions of sugar plums will dance in their heads. Folks, it's time to go home for the holidays. And for many, this will be their first trip back home since they joined the Air Force. Joy to the World! Biblical connotations aside, exodus simply means a large number of people leaving an area. But when you factor in the excitement and joy that these students feel about going home, perhaps there are some parallels that can be drawn - minus the fear of marauding bands of Egyptians on chariots chasing after them. "It's probably a bit like the parting of the Red Sea, logistically," said Chaplain (Maj.) Mark Thomas. Tech Sgt. Julie Hammond, 81st Training Group military training leader, concurs. "Filling out paperwork for roughly 2,400 students is quite a big ordeal," said Hammond. "We need to know where they are going and how long they'll be there. We have to have addresses, phone numbers and make sure they are not going to any restricted areas of the world." "We also have to prepare for the students staying behind," added Tech Sgt. Shaun Wilke, 81st TRG. "We have to get everyone ready to consolidate into one dorm and make sure we can do accountability for them. We probably start a month and a half out. For the MTLs, there's a lot of administrative work that needs to be done." Still, it's a festive occasion for everyone involved. As the students fill out their paperwork, get on their planes and leave, MTL starts to mean more like 'minimal training and leading', which means MTLs get a break too and a chance to spend the holidays with their families. And according to Wilke, it's also a perfect time to catch up on some maintenance work in the student dormitories and training facilities. However, for various reasons, there are some students who stay behind. It's estimated that around 150 students will be staying at Keesler for the holidays. But whether students are at home or at Keesler, the holidays are the holidays. According to Thomas, the Fishbowl Student Center at the Levitow Training Support Facility will have extended hours, 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Dec. 19-22. There'll be wireless Internet, gaming systems like Xbox and Wii, TV, holiday decorations and a relaxed atmosphere. The Fishbowl will be open 1-6 p.m. Christmas Day with movie marathons, food and gifts. From Dec. 27-29, Keesler will be ready for some football with big screen TVs at the Fishbowl and in the dormitory where the students will be staying. But for Airman Basic Elizabeth Shelton, 338th Training Squadron, she's filled out her paperwork and ready to go home. "The process has been pretty easy. The MTLs have been very helpful," noted Shelton. "I'm just looking forward to being with my family in a stress-free environment." The same can be said for Airman Basic Joseph Lengfelder, 338th TRS, who will be taking part in his second exodus. "It's nice to have this time to go home," said Lengfelder. "In the operational Air Force, it's a little harder to do that. I'm looking forward to seeing my family." According to Wilke, there's another reason why the students are excited to go home. "This is their first chance to show off to their friends and family," said Wilke. "It's their first time to go home to their families and see how proud they are of them. It's a chance to show everybody what they are doing with their lives." The Holidays at Keesler Dec. 23 and 30 - noon, free golf clinic for nonprior service students at the Bay Breeze Golf Course. Clubs available at no charge. To sign up, call 377-3832. Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 - Free golf all day at the Bay Breeze Golf Course on Christmas and New Year's day. Carts and rental equipment not available. Dec. 31 - 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., free New Year's Eve Party, Vandenberg Community Center. Ring in 2012 playing video games, pool, ping-pong, cards or board games. Watch the ball drop on the big screen. Nonprior service students only. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Club New Year's Eve Party, Bay Breeze Event Center ballroom. 80s theme, live entertainment, contests, hors d'oeuvres and late night breakfast. $35 for Air Force Club members, $45 nonmembers. Tickets available at the collocated club through Dec. 22, at Bay Breeze Pro Shop Dec. 23-31 or at the door. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., New Year's Eve Party, Gaudé Lanes. Bowling, dancing, party favors, food and drinks. $35 for adults, $25 for ages 6-17, free for ages 5 and younger. Alcoholic beverages sold separately. Vandenberg Community Center - 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Friends and Flicks. Free event, popcorn provided. Vandenberg remains open during exodus. Students will be able to visit the "V" to play pool, video games, board games, watch TV and more. Vandenburg will remain open during entire exodus period. Except for Christmas. Will still have ongoing programs, movie night Wednesday. Exodus dance on 17th. 3 different new years eve parties - Club, lanes, vanden. Fitness centers will be open. Student golf clinics during exodus period.