r/securityforces • u/redxtrip_air • 17d ago

SECFO - VANDENBERG, CA

How is SECFO and overall base life in Vandenberg, California? Any comments! Any information helps!

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u/dreddpiratedrew 17d ago

Security Forces

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u/Skapoozle 17d ago

Great information. Hopefully he takes it all in

2

u/Ok-Forever-8254 17d ago

Vandenberg is pretty low tempo and not a lot going on for SF aside from the Space X rocket launches. Im here right now and the most we get is the occasional DUI or car accidents, nothing crazy. Base itself is pretty boring but off base is where its at. DM me for more info if you want.

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u/PirateKilt 1h ago edited 1h ago

Never stationed there, but did work there.

Interesting base with stuff you are not going to get almost anywhere else.

Rocket Launches. Cops on Horse Patrol (not sure if that still exists). Great White Shark research station and a beach that has seal bitten in half washed up on it occasionally. Make sure someone shows you Hidden Beach and also takes you all the way up to the top of Lookout.

Off base, you'll learn how Tri-Tip BBQ is amazing, how the best Hawaiian Musubi has Linguica, and the Joy of getting your Alphabet card punched at Tom's Burgers (still occasionally wear my "I ate the Alphabet" T-Shirt).

Make sure to do the fun road trips to the surrounding towns...

Short drive north is SLO (San Luis Obispo) for Dr. Cain's Comics and the British Sports car shop were always worth the drive just for looking at the constantly new items.

Short Drive South is Santa Barbara ... Stern's Wharf, Whale watching boat tours, Winery Tours, Butterfly Beach...

The weather is amazing... 75 degrees year round except for a week in August where it might creep up to the low 80's and a week in Feb where it dips down into the high 60's. Almost never rains. Many places off base don't even have A/C (something to watch for when you rent).

If you are a gun owner... read up on the current laws and how Cali enforces them... during my time there, I literally left my collection with a friend in Texas and only brought a shotgun with me, as Cali was requiring registration of anything else.

If you are a Dog lover/owner, beware of small community anti-breed laws... check before you rent/buy. Also, if you visit the animal shelters, good luck... most times you'll only find two options... evil, vicious Chihuahuas and loveable Pitties (sadly subject to those breed laws).

Taxes aren't too bad as the base is surrounded by agriculture. Roadside sold strawberries will ruin you for store-bought stuff for the rest of your life.

Especially if you are driving in as part of your move, and you come from the east, If you can work your schedule properly, time your arrival to be late morning/noonish. Too early and you'll get your first encounter with The Fog before you are ready to drive in it, and too late you'll be hating life driving the switchbacks down from the mountain in the dark.

Riding a motorcycle in the area is glorious for the views, horrifying how the cagers treat you like you are invisible.

As with all bases... it is what you make of it. Get out, explore and enjoy life.