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Would it be reasonable to assume that they chose the T-7 to play the long game? If the AF chose the same or a similar trainer as everyone else, they wouldn't be fulfilling their wishes of producing better pilots than any other country. I agree though, it is a gamble with how much the fleet and syllabus are struggling. Regarding your solution. I think an interim trainer would have been the right choice, but do we even have enough money to procure that?

After looking around and getting the lay of the land a little bit more, I feel like I'm about to get fried/chewed for posting in three different sub-topics

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am a prior-enlisted Marine who is trying to become a military officer and aviator, and I am hoping some of the members here with Air Force, Air National Guard, Reserve,and/or cross-service experience might be willing to share their perspectives. I spent well over a year pursuing a Marine Corps officer/aviation path, but encountered significant medical issues during the accession process. Ultimately, I had to work through a lengthy medical-records correction process with U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (they are responsible for both USN and USMC and maybe even USCG). I am told that the process has finally been resolved, but it cost a great deal of time and effort. I still expect medical hurdles, but at least now malpractice and/or erroneous records are purportedly eliminated successfully. I have not yet submitted an officer package to any branch because I never made it past the medical hurdles. If I could choose my ideal path, I think it would probably be an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve fixed-wing pilot DSG/TR UPT slot. I realize that it is an extremely competitive route and that many applicants never receive such an opportunity. I am grateful for the chance to serve in any capacity and understand that I may ultimately need to pursue a different path. I also realize many successful DSG/TR UPT applicants possess prior military aviation experience, and/or FAA civilian pilot ratings, or some combination thereof. In my case, I may eventually need to spend significant money pursuing FAA medical certificate before I can even begin PPL training on my own dime. On the testing side, I took the ASTB without any formal preparation and scored an 8/8/8 with a 59 OAR, which I understand is competitive for USN/USMC/USCG aviation programs, notwithstanding all other non-testing requirements. If I decide to pursue Air Force aviation, I understand that I will need to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have googled how that works, and I still feel like I have no idea how to attack scheduling and studying, but I will research further (I didn't study for the ASVAB and I didn't study for the ASTB, but maybe I should study for the AFOQT/TBAS!). Also, I know the Air Force may not let me fly because I didn't go to a really awesome school and get a STEM degree. I know the Marine Corps will let anyone fly if they can run 3 miles fast enough (half-joking). The Air Force wants you to have a bigger brain, and the pedigree to match! Likewise, I understand that USAF medical accession is only one hurdle. If I successfully navigate MEPS and/or DODMERB, I would still need to satisfy the Air Force's aviation medical requirements through ACS? My understanding is that the Navy and Marine Corps use NAMI, while the Army uses DAM, but USAF uses ACS. My primary question is this: Do you all suspect that, based on the rumors of what you've heard, Air Force medical in general is stricter than other branches' accession standards, and/or Air Force ACS is stricter than the other branches' aviation medicine (NAMI and/or DAM)? I understand that every case is unique and that waiver decisions depend on the specific medical issue involved. I am not asking anyone to predict my chances. Rather, I am trying to determine whether it is worthwhile to invest significant time in pursuing Air Force pilot opportunities before beginning that process. (I am mid/late 20s and don't have unlimited time or money). Even if I can potentially eek into flying as an airman, finding a AirGuard and/or AirFR unit to sponsor you for DSG/TR UPT slot could be an even more difficult feat than an active duty USAF aviator. My ultimate hope is that someone who was experienced in multiple branches might give me their thoughts and advice (I know that is a Hail Mary). I appreciate anyone's thoughts! I also have juvenile misconduct. As a sixteen and fifteen-year-old, I was drinking and smoking marijuana. The Marine Corps had to get the Marine Corps recruiting command to waive that when I enlisted back in the day. Obviously, even though it is now more-ancient of a concern, it still matters, and requires a waiver again! I would also like to thank some of the aviators and military leaders who inspired my interest in military service and aviation over the years, including my Buck Sergeant grandfather, and also Joe Foss, Jimmy Stewart, and a certain Air Force colonel/general who spent a suspicious amount of time around a Stargate. Thank you all for your time, your service, and any advice you may be willing to share. Semper Fidelis, and Aim High.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am a prior-enlisted Marine who is trying to become a military officer and aviator, and I am hoping some of the members here with Air Force, Air National Guard, Reserve,and/or cross-service experience might be willing to share their perspectives. I spent well over a year pursuing a Marine Corps officer/aviation path, but encountered significant medical issues during the accession process. Ultimately, I had to work through a lengthy medical-records correction process with U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (they are responsible for both USN and USMC and maybe even USCG). I am told that the process has finally been resolved, but it cost a great deal of time and effort. I still expect medical hurdles, but at least now malpractice and/or erroneous records are purportedly eliminated successfully. I have not yet submitted an officer package to any branch because I never made it past the medical hurdles. If I could choose my ideal path, I think it would probably be an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve fixed-wing pilot DSG/TR UPT slot. I realize that it is an extremely competitive route and that many applicants never receive such an opportunity. I am grateful for the chance to serve in any capacity and understand that I may ultimately need to pursue a different path. I also realize many successful DSG/TR UPT applicants possess prior military aviation experience, and/or FAA civilian pilot ratings, or some combination thereof. In my case, I may eventually need to spend significant money pursuing FAA medical certificate before I can even begin PPL training on my own dime. On the testing side, I took the ASTB without any formal preparation and scored an 8/8/8 with a 59 OAR, which I understand is competitive for USN/USMC/USCG aviation programs, notwithstanding all other non-testing requirements. If I decide to pursue Air Force aviation, I understand that I will need to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have googled how that works, and I still feel like I have no idea how to attack scheduling and studying, but I will research further (I didn't study for the ASVAB and I didn't study for the ASTB, but maybe I should study for the AFOQT/TBAS!). Also, I know the Air Force may not let me fly because I didn't go to a really awesome school and get a STEM degree. I know the Marine Corps will let anyone fly if they can run 3 miles fast enough (half-joking). The Air Force wants you to have a bigger brain, and the pedigree to match! Likewise, I understand that USAF medical accession is only one hurdle. If I successfully navigate MEPS and/or DODMERB, I would still need to satisfy the Air Force's aviation medical requirements through ACS? My understanding is that the Navy and Marine Corps use NAMI, while the Army uses DAM, but USAF uses ACS. My primary question is this: Do you all suspect that, based on the rumors of what you've heard, Air Force medical in general is stricter than other branches' accession standards, and/or Air Force ACS is stricter than the other branches' aviation medicine (NAMI and/or DAM)? I understand that every case is unique and that waiver decisions depend on the specific medical issue involved. I am not asking anyone to predict my chances. Rather, I am trying to determine whether it is worthwhile to invest significant time in pursuing Air Force pilot opportunities before beginning that process. (I am mid/late 20s and don't have unlimited time or money). Even if I can potentially eek into flying as an airman, finding a AirGuard and/or AirFR unit to sponsor you for DSG/TR UPT slot could be an even more difficult feat than an active duty USAF aviator. My ultimate hope is that someone who was experienced in multiple branches might give me their thoughts and advice (I know that is a Hail Mary). I appreciate anyone's thoughts! I also have juvenile misconduct. As a sixteen and fifteen-year-old, I was drinking and smoking marijuana. The Marine Corps had to get the Marine Corps recruiting command to waive that when I enlisted back in the day. Obviously, even though it is now more-ancient of a concern, it still matters, and requires a waiver again! I would also like to thank some of the aviators and military leaders who inspired my interest in military service and aviation over the years, including my Buck Sergeant grandfather, and also Joe Foss, Jimmy Stewart, and a certain Air Force colonel/general who spent a suspicious amount of time around a Stargate. Thank you all for your time, your service, and any advice you may be willing to share. Semper Fidelis, and Aim High.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I am a prior-enlisted Marine who is trying to become a military officer and aviator, and I am hoping some of the members here with Air Force, Air National Guard, Reserve,and/or cross-service experience might be willing to share their perspectives. I spent well over a year pursuing a Marine Corps officer/aviation path, but encountered significant medical issues during the accession process. Ultimately, I had to work through a lengthy medical-records correction process with U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (they are responsible for both USN and USMC and maybe even USCG). I am told that the process has finally been resolved, but it cost a great deal of time and effort. I still expect medical hurdles, but at least now malpractice and/or erroneous records are purportedly eliminated successfully. I have not yet submitted an officer package to any branch because I never made it past the medical hurdles. If I could choose my ideal path, I think it would probably be an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve fixed-wing pilot DSG/TR UPT slot. I realize that it is an extremely competitive route and that many applicants never receive such an opportunity. I am grateful for the chance to serve in any capacity and understand that I may ultimately need to pursue a different path. I also realize many successful DSG/TR UPT applicants possess prior military aviation experience, and/or FAA civilian pilot ratings, or some combination thereof. In my case, I may eventually need to spend significant money pursuing FAA medical certificate before I can even begin PPL training on my own dime. On the testing side, I took the ASTB without any formal preparation and scored an 8/8/8 with a 59 OAR, which I understand is competitive for USN/USMC/USCG aviation programs, notwithstanding all other non-testing requirements. If I decide to pursue Air Force aviation, I understand that I will need to take the AFOQT and TBAS. I have googled how that works, and I still feel like I have no idea how to attack scheduling and studying, but I will research further (I didn't study for the ASVAB and I didn't study for the ASTB, but maybe I should study for the AFOQT/TBAS!). Also, I know the Air Force may not let me fly because I didn't go to a really awesome school and get a STEM degree. I know the Marine Corps will let anyone fly if they can run 3 miles fast enough (half-joking). The Air Force wants you to have a bigger brain, and the pedigree to match! Likewise, I understand that USAF medical accession is only one hurdle. If I successfully navigate MEPS and/or DODMERB, I would still need to satisfy the Air Force's aviation medical requirements through ACS? My understanding is that the Navy and Marine Corps use NAMI, while the Army uses DAM, but USAF uses ACS. My primary question is this: Do you all suspect that, based on the rumors of what you've heard, Air Force medical in general is stricter than other branches' accession standards, and/or Air Force ACS is stricter than the other branches' aviation medicine (NAMI and/or DAM)? I understand that every case is unique and that waiver decisions depend on the specific medical issue involved. I am not asking anyone to predict my chances. Rather, I am trying to determine whether it is worthwhile to invest significant time in pursuing Air Force pilot opportunities before beginning that process. (I am mid/late 20s and don't have unlimited time or money). Even if I can potentially eek into flying as an airman, finding a AirGuard and/or AirFR unit to sponsor you for DSG/TR UPT slot could be an even more difficult feat than an active duty USAF aviator. My ultimate hope is that someone who was experienced in multiple branches might give me their thoughts and advice (I know that is a Hail Mary). I appreciate anyone's thoughts! I also have juvenile misconduct. As a sixteen and fifteen-year-old, I was drinking and smoking marijuana. The Marine Corps had to get the Marine Corps recruiting command to waive that when I enlisted back in the day. Obviously, even though it is now more-ancient of a concern, it still matters, and requires a waiver again! I would also like to thank some of the aviators and military leaders who inspired my interest in military service and aviation over the years, including my Buck Sergeant grandfather, and also Joe Foss, Jimmy Stewart, and a certain Air Force colonel/general who spent a suspicious amount of time around a Stargate. Thank you all for your time, your service, and any advice you may be willing to share. Semper Fidelis, and Aim High.

Think the dead girls school would beg to differ on "always." What deals did Hunter do in behalf of the us govt? What deals has Kash done? Apples and F22s here. Also, wtf is this MOU? This is winning? Trump says deal to end war will be signed on Sunday, Iran questions timing | Reuters https://share.google/hB6xIBxBUw7A8UzRZ

Concur - that’s been one of the maddening parts watching this from the outside and seeing the machine do something completely at odds with their purported main goal, make more military pilots faster. Why bet the farm on something new, not in or ready for production when you could buy ready now? When your advanced trainer that you fly now is really ready to be retired, why buy the model that will take the longest to actually get on the line flying? I think it was earlier in this thread someone speculated the T-7 was selected to keep the St Louis based Boeing plant open to keep the door open for the F-15EX and more Superhornets if wanted. Probably was one of the real reasons they went with it, besides domestic supplier preference. I’m actually neutral on that because I see the 3D chess reasoning but again they should have aggressively hedged, argued for an interim solution available now and continued the T-7. Hindsight being 20/20, I would have gone with a mix, 50% training in general aviation aircraft available now flown by military instructors (IA-100 or Grob 120, KA 90) and 50% in a PC-21 or M-345. IFF bound and ENJPT guys would get wings first then go fly the remaining T-38s until the T-7 hit the line.

Hello, Fighter type here. I’m on what is likely to be my last assignment active duty. I’m interested in going guard/reserve but a little intimidated if I’m being honest. I always see that the guard bros typically have really extroverted personalities. As someone who is a lot more introverted at work I was wondering if or how that would impact my ability to get hired. I still socialize with the bros, work hard, go to roll calls and all that… but I’m not typically the guy getting invited to go golfing if that makes sense lol. Anyways, AD has made flying fighters not worth it at this point but I’m not ready to give it up. Thanks in advance.

Probably for the best. The Navy should be going with an already proven platform vs the T-7 just like how the Air Force should have as well. We waste so much time and money trying to reinvent the wheel when we don't have to. UPT is a great example of that. We don't need some new revolutionary trainer aircraft, we need something that works. Same with the syllabus and all of the changes in the last 6 years for UPT. New pilots are coming out of UPT with less experience and that puts more pressure on the FTU to teach things that they should have learned in UPT like TOLD. /rant

Lotta news lately The War ZoneGermany And Spain Launch ‘Team Gen 6’ After Europe’s Next...The emerging coalition could reshape Europe’s future fighter landscape, but it still needs political backing, lots of funding, and likely more partners. The emerging coalition could reshape Europe’s f

Some interesting photographs of A-10s that have been fighting in Iran speak to somewhat of a strategy, at least on the surface level. This picture highlights something I mentioned early on, they have been using a lot of lower yield munitions most likely due to CDE constraints imposed by the ROE? A lot of the early video showed much smaller detonations from what I would have expected, now I see why. The targets have always been military things that empower the IRGC and never the Iranian people. I see a lot of APKWS, SDB and what would appear to be 500lb class bombs (GBU-38/54)....2 X 2000lb munitions (they don't have the traditional marking of a GBU-31 or a GBU-10...wondering if they were slick MK-84s? Could be just a painting issue. Regardless, there is some restraint on display.

True but if you read the book you will see they've been conquered far more times than they have conquered anyone and it now part of their identity to the point of paranoia. Likely why they have been able to stomach horrible ground and pound tactics seen during the Iran/Iraq war. The book was really an eye opener for me. I don't disregard everything he has done. The Abraham Accords were historic and the actions at the start of this term to bring manufacturing back to the 48 could payoff handsomely for our economy, although likely after he leaves office. The one issue is perhaps my biggest problem with the DNC aside from open borders. Under Clinton via things like NAFTA we gave away the store in the name of "globalism." You kind of just made my point for me....Hunter was not appointed or confirmed but was making deals left and right...

Thanks for the book recommendation. I'd also add Persia was once the one doing the conquering, with a vast empire. Everyone I've dealt with from a culture like that has a long memory. Chinese, Greek/Turks, and Persians. I'd say the only difference is the Brits, but I suppose since empires fell out of favor and they "gave up" the empire it's kinda different. Either way I've never thought Trump was a "good" negotiator. He's just had some form of "fuck you" money before and now is finding out the GDP isn't his fuck you money specifically. And Kash is the Dir of FBI, What appointed office was Hunter holding in the Obama Administration?

Wish I could help. Everyone I know is retired. I went to a Hercules Operators Conference, HOC, in 99. Five days. A tour was part of it. Search says Hercules Orion Conference now. Maybe you could score a five day TDY? Lockheed Aero puts it on. Maybe contact them?

From wikipedia here's her relevant Committee assignments as Congresswoman: Armed Services Committee for 8 years with 2 of those on the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations; Foreign Affairs for 6 years, & Homeland Security for 2 years. Her military career was as a medic, MP and Civil Affairs officer. Score that how you want, but there's at least some experience. She left the Democrats to be an independent in 2022 then joined the Republican Party in 2024.

Judging by Russian performance, I'd bet what Putin gets briefed is not how things actually are...which leads to decisions based on "it's all good Boss!" Those can appear pretty irrational.

Does anyone have intel on getting a tour of the C-130 plant at Marietta? I know it's closed to the public, but as a career C-130 driver, do they offer exceptions?

I feel confident saying Rubio has done his homework on Iran. By all accounts he's a squared away professional and understanding them and many others sits squarely in his wheelhouse as Sec State. Whether anyone actually listens to him, that's another story. I second Persian Puzzle. Excellent context about how they think. "Bad negotiating" (regardless of disgrunted's semantic argument...) is probably the best phrase to explain precisely how they think. To them, Politics and international relations are war by other means, not the other way around. But in the end, they are similar to China, though on a small scale. They may have big words and big rhetoric, but almost everything they do is centered around remaining in power and controlling their own population. The IRGC and current regime need to go. Persia is for Perisans, not Arabs and Islamists.

Upset about Kash drinking when Hunter was snorting coke off Ukrainian hookers while he helped make foreign policy and millions for the "big guy"....right...lol. 100! You say it was working despite reports of secret enrichment facilities...and even if that is not true...they still developed TBMs and gave hundreds of millions to terror organization that targeted Americans. I certainly don't want another forever war, I truly don't want my kid or your to go fight or endure the things I did. I also hope we don't invade and as much as I admire Razin, I think Pete's ability to provide outside the box solutions is questionable. If it were me, I would lock a bunch of senior Captains, Majors and Army/Marine E-6/7s in a room and let them come up with a plan to remove the IRGC and empower the people.

The War ZoneFour U-2S Spy Planes Would Be Restored In Bill That Would...Congress is also moving to again block the Air Force from retiring the entire U-2 fleet amid continued questions about capability gaps.

Boeing pulls out, sts The War ZoneBoeing Drops Out Of Navy's T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement C...The field of competitors to design and build the Navy's next jet trainer has narrowed to just two teams, and both are putting forward twin-engine designs.

You might be on to something here. Maybe send Ted Cruz a bottle too so he can learn the population of the country he wants other peoples kids to invade

lol now we bring up the NPT.. so would it matter at all that our BFF in this whole debacle has secret nukes and isn’t a signatory? Or do we just invoke international law when it’s convenient? Don’t bother answering that part, it’s a rhetorical question But yes, agreed Iran has done shady stuff and lied and violated agreements. I don’t really count random security council resolutions as agreements though.. they’re pee pee schwacks delivered from an external organization. But yes they have also violated things they agreed to. The reason we “hang our hat” on the JCPOA is that it was the most recent agreement and seemed to be somewhat working. IAEA said they were in compliance, and they only ramped up enrichment activities after we unilaterally pulled out of the deal in 2018. So yes Iran lies but we also randomly pull out of deals we made.. So where does that leave us? I guess if the argument is that Iran can never be trusted to adhere to anything, all this negotiating is a giant waste of time and we just need to sack up, invade the country, and topple the government.

I thought she is still a Dem and had little background in intel. That's my narrative. Check my work.