Barksdale has 729 housing units for those authorized government family quarters – 594 for noncommissioned officers and the remaining 135 for officers. 401 are located on the main base and 328 are located on the east reservation. Houses on the main base were originally built in 1932, and the style has been preserved in 172 new houses completed in 1998. The large, two-story units on the main base depict French colonial settings. These homes were placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in April 1992, along with more than 200 buildings on the main base that now comprise the Barksdale Historic District.
All of the units on the East Reservation are eight miles from the main base. Because of the number of styles of housing both on the main base and East Reservation, floor plans are not included in this guide but are available at the housing office. All ranks are eligible to live in military family housing. Waiting times vary based on time of year and category of housing eligibility. Most families can expect to wait for quarters 3 to 6 months or more. Eligibility for housing is based on grade, family composition and date of application. There are no mobile home spaces on base. Housing referral representatives do maintain a list of mobile home parks off base.
Applications for base family housing can be made before arrival by mailing a completed Department of Defense Form 1746, with a copy of your orders assigning you to Barksdale, to the family housing office. The form should be available at any base family housing office.
Because there is a wait for family housing, house hunting is an immediate concern for most inbound people. Affordable housing within easy commuting distance of Barksdale is available, but somewhat scarce. Housing officials suggest you take advantage of the permissive temporary duty for house hunting purposes. It is time that will be well spent. The cost of buying a house is fairly expensive. Prices for a modest two-bedroom home with 1,000 square feet usually begin around $110,000. Three and four bedroom homes usually begin upwards of $135,000.
There are high water tables in the area; hence, no basements are found in any of these homes. Houses in some locales require flood insurance, so be prepared financially for the added expense.
Before attempting to find off-base housing, contact the family housing office, located in Bldg. 3433 on Montgolfier Boulevard or call 456-4703. The service given may prove invaluable. Housing referral specialists have information available on sales and rentals by owner and realtor. They also provide general information concerning VA and FHA loans, area schools, shopping and furniture leasing companies.
Consolidated dormitory management handles housing for unaccompanied enlisted members. All dormitories house people in grades E-1 through E-4. Those E-5 and above may live off base. Unaccompanied officers reside off base.
The Shreveport-Bossier City area is the heart of the educational community in the Ark-La-Tex, offering a wide range of professional, academic and vocational opportunities for Air Force members and their families. There are many institutions of higher learning within the local area offering courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Base Training and Education Service Center staff also has information for those who are seeking opportunities to complete their high school education.
Associate, bachelor and graduate degree programs are offered on base by Louisiana Tech University, Southern Illinois University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Louisiana State University-Shreveport, Centenary College, Louisiana State Medical School, Southern University, Bossier Parish Community College, Northwestern University and Louisiana Technical College offer degree programs off base.
The Air Force also offers extension courses, DANTES and other college testing services through the education and training center. Information is available for commissioning programs, Air Force Education Leave of Absence Program, the Community College of the Air Force and educational deferments. Military members may use either Air Force tuition assistance or their VA educational benefits to pay for their schooling. Additional financial aid and educational loans are available through the financial aid offices at the particular school the student desires to attend and through the Air Force Aid Society.
The Base Training and Education Service Center is located at 723 Douhet Drive. For an appointment or additional information call 456-2615.
Good quality secondary education is provided off base for the children of the military community in both Shreveport and Bossier City. Schools require the child’s birth certificate, current immunization record and last school attended in order to register. Children living on base attend Bossier High School, Rusheon Middle School and Waller or Kerr Elementary Schools, all in Bossier Parish.
Bossier Parish has six high schools, seven middle schools and 17 elementary schools. All of the middle schools are 6th through 8th grade except Elm Grove, which is 7th and 8th only, and Benton, which is 5th through 8th. Caddo Parish has 48 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and 11 high schools.
Additionally, there are more than 15 private schools and academies to choose from in the Bossier and Shreveport communities offering education for students from preschool through 12th grade.
Bossier Parish Public Schools
P.O. Box 2000, Benton 549-5000
Caddo Parish Public Schools
1961 Midway 636-0210
Located on the East Reservation, the Airman Leadership School educates Senior Airmen on the skills necessary to become effective Air Force supervisors. This first level of professional military education is designed to prepare junior enlisted leaders to take on increased supervisory responsibilities and provide qualified personnel to fill present and future Air Force needs. Students receive 189 hours of instruction during the in-resident course in core curriculum areas of leadership, communicative skills and profession of arms. The school term is 24 academic days and culminates with a formal graduation ceremony. Graduates of the school receive nine college credits from the Community College of the Air Force. ALS conducts seven classes annually with 32 students in each class.
The Barksdale Chapel community worships in two facilities. Chapel One, a historic structure dating from 1939, is located at 275 Barksdale Blvd. East. Beautiful stained glass windows enhance the worship environment. Chapel Two, a more modern structure, is located at 724 Douhet Drive, beside the Burger King and near the fitness center. The religious education facility is located next to Chapel Two.
The chaplains, in addition to leading worship services, provide pastoral counseling for personal, marriage, family, spiritual problems and premarital counseling. Those planning on getting married in the chapel should contact the chapel as early as possible. The chapel offers Catholic and Protestant Sunday school, adult study classes, junior and senior high youth groups and exciting singles program. Specific information is available and any appointments can be made by calling 456-2111 during duty hours.
Information about Jewish, Islamic and other faith group worship is available from the chapel office by calling 456-2111.
Masses
Monday - Friday 11:35 a.m.
Chapel One
Saturday 5:30 p.m.
Chapel Two
Sunday 8:45 a.m.
Chapel Two
Sunday 11:30 a.m.
September - May
Chapel One
Confessions
Saturday 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Chapel Two
Religious Education
Sunday 10:05 - 11:15 a.m.
September - May
Chapel Two Annex
Sunday worship
Traditional Communion Service 9:00 a.m.
Chapel One
Evangelical Community
Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
[Communion first Sunday of month]
Chapel Two
Inspirational Gospel
Worship Service 12:00 p.m.
[Communion first Sunday of Month]
Chapel Two
Protestant Religious Education
Sunday School
Every Wednesday 5:30to 7:00 p.m.
Chapel Two Annex
The Barksdale Air Force Base Guide is published by Benchmark Publications Incorporated, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Barksdale AFB. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or Benchmark Publications, Incorporated of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Barksdale AFB Guide is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-81. Editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Barksdale AFB. All photos are provided by the Public Affairs Office unless stated otherwise.
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FROM COTTON FIELDS 
