If I could rate lower than 1 star, I would…read more
So picture this: I do my homework, check the official CIF website, and it proudly tells me "walk-ins start at 0900 on Fridays." Great, love that for me. I show up at 0900 sharp, motivated and ready. There's a sign out front saying the entrance is at Building 807 . Cool, follow the arrow. Walk down the road: 808...809...810...814...815...816...still no 807. Look left, look right--801, 802, 803, 804. Guess what? Still no 807.
We finally take a gamble on an open door. Walk in like it's a speakeasy. "Is this the entrance?" The guy says "yes, what can I do for you?" The building is literally 808, not 807. Already off to a strong start.
I say, "we need IFAKs." He gives me the classic CIF side-eye and goes, "hmm okay, come with me." Leads me straight to the IFAK station, I'm literally standing in front of the gear I need, and he says, "walk-ins start at 1230, come back then." Sir??? The IFAKs are right there. Why do I feel like I'm in an Army escape room?
He even tells another worker, "remember their faces, they'll be back at 1230." Okay, whatever, I'll play this clown show.
Fast-forward, it's 1210. I'm standing in line listening to every person get asked, "Do you have an appointment?" and every person respond, "No." Spoiler: the line doesn't move.
Then a new guy strolls up, asks what I need. I say "IFAKs." He hits me with, "We don't have any," and just walks away. Excuse me?? I'm flabbergasted, jaw on the floor.
I push back: "Sir, we were here at 9 this morning, they showed us the IFAKs, they said 1230." He's like, "hmm who said that?" I tell him it was another short man in a gray shirt. He disappears, comes back, and suddenly it's, "you're lucky, I have 3."
Lucky?? My brother in Christ, you had them the whole time. It's now 1330 and I'm still standing here, still waiting on an IFAK, and the line has not moved an inch.
Moral of the story: CIF Fort Bliss is a mythical labyrinth where time doesn't exist, rules change every 20 minutes, and the only way to succeed is sheer dumb luck.
Would I recommend? Only if you enjoy being gaslit by supply clerks.