I was a Vance T-37 student, Navy Phrog pilot, then went back to Vance to instruct. It was a lot like SERE: very painful but I'm really glad I did it. Surprisingly, the location was not the worst thing-it actually became a plus when I settled in my gorgeous 3BR 2car garage house I paid 120K for. The worst was dealing with the anti-Navy/Marine helo environment at Randolph for PIT. And I ended up going to PIT a second time when we transitioned to the T-6. 12 plus hour days every day for 3 years. That said, I honestly believe the pluses outweighed the crap. The flying was incredible. 2 or 3 times a day, 50+ hour months, getting driven out to your bird in an air conditioned van. 3 new flight suits and a jacket every year, new visors and gloves whenever we asked. Per diem and rental cars every weekend (if you wanted it) on cross country flights to Salt Lake City, NYC, and everywhere in between. My own huge office with 2 plasma screens. Beer every Friday after the last go. Finally, it is one of the best places in the country to work if you're thinking of getting out and flying on the outside. The worst kept secret at Vance is that all the Navy and Marine IPs are in one of 2 camps: the guys intent on getting out and flying on the outside and the guys who are definitely staying in because there's very little competition for a long or double tap EP. The guys who are getting out are free to work their airline contacts among the reservists in the wing. Lots of guys share the gouge and get their 737 type rating nearby. And there are shitloads of AF Guard and Reserve fixed wing guys (students) who are glad to help you get an introduction at their home unit. As a career guy, I also enjoyed it because I got a Master of Aeronautical Science degree from Embry-Riddle on base and the city of Enid picked up the 25% that TA left me the bill for. The city is in the middle of nowhere, but there's no crime to speak of and it's one of the few military towns left that REALLY appreciates its base. Sorry for the book, but I think Vance gets too much bad press and not enough truth. Good luck and let me know if you want me to PM you any more info.