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It sounds like you're looking for virtuous opportunities where none exist. This isn't a loophole. The state government of Texas has decided that people who have the aforementioned medals do not pay various state taxes and fees. Do you ask the cashier at the grocery store to charge you sales tax on produce? Do you stay out of the carpool lane with three passengers because you have enough time to just sit in traffic? Do you calculate your income taxes using only the top bracket because you make enough and can afford it? There's a huge difference between using a benefit as intended (free registration for military medal recipients) and taking advantage of a program that was not designed with our unique circumstances in mind (getting food stamps because your entire income was tax-free from combat zones). If you're feeling generous, take the money you save on license fees and donate it to a good charity. The money will be used far more efficiently to benefit people on a local level.

A Cessna 208 with a 105mm howitzer sticking out the side.

Regular Joe can buy priority boarding if they want it. Or get priority boarding through credit card or frequent flyer programs. The airline chooses to give you, as AD military, an item that is accessible to any one willing to pay for it. So it's the same as taking a any other discount.

https://warontherocks.com/2018/05/a-call-for-senior-officer-reform-in-the-air-force-an-insiders-perspective/ Any O-6s or HPOs care to weigh in on the above? Obviously I left well before the level of discussion in the article, but is the O-6 exodus as bad as he makes it out to be? I knew higher ranks were Political (as is being an Officer in general) but he makes it sound like it's more tribal than a country club in the deep south.

After doing a tour at the Navy's T6 FITU (their version of PIT) I always said "What's easier, a student fam 1 ride or an instructor fam 1 ride? ...the student fam 1, because he'll study."

Skitzo you’ll make O-5. If for no other reason simply because you used the term “catagory 1b level strat” which I’m not sure what it is, but sounds like something O-5s should know. Seriously though, you’ll be fine. What you’re describing sounds like what an average board member puts in the “yes” pile.... assuming no derogatory info.

To your point, I’ve seen AFRC guys who stayed way past 20 YOS mil due to the radiation burns from the post-9/11 furlough years. Can’t fault them a bit for keeping two jobs, not being sure how the airline side of things would eventually turn out. I also don’t fault guys for the often hated phrase “keeping doors open”. But simple things like doing (dumb) PME can keep the promotion opportunities open for many years, particularly on the AFRC side. Having done Active Duty for over a decade, I enjoy the relatively low bar set in AFRC for progression. A pulse and PME is all that’s required for O-5. Masters and PME for O-6. One the flip side of that, I also don’t fault an ARC baby who got hired at an airline in his/her first 10 years on mil service, starts making great money and having amazing time at home, and finds the inherent stupidity of PME insatiable, retiring as an O-4 with a smile. Different strokes for different folks. In my AFRC unit, I fly with farmers, police officers, firefighters, teachers, dentists, airline pilots, you name it. My family’s best plan has literally nothing to do your family’s best plan. The ARC does a much better job of embracing that mentality than anything I experienced on AD (i.e. everyone should be a CSAF in training).

Jeez, of all the things to bitch about, this is pretty low on the list... It doesn't bother me that someone with three months of service is leaving San Antonio and getting to board ahead of the boatload of retirees who did 20+ years any more than it does someone in uniform going to the head of the line during one of my rare visits to the commissary. Those perks were offered to us when we were in uniform, and it was our choice whether to use them or not. Nor do the free tags bother me, and you see a ton of them here in "Military City USA" (as S.A. likes to proclaim itself). If the state wants to offer free tags to certain individuals, that's their decision. At least the recipients did something to earn the perk, unlike many other government benefits. However, I will agree on the overhead bin issue. I am getting sick and tired of being told I need to stuff my small backback under the seat in front of me because some buffoon who is bringing half of what they own onto the plane needs to stick their obviously over-the-limit sized roller bag into it because they also need to jam their backpack under their seat. Tough shit, if the airline isn't going to enforce their own rules I am not going to reduce the meager legroom I am already getting because someone can't check their shit like the rest of us! When people thank me for my service, I just smile and thank them back. They are trying to be nice and I sure as hell am not going to piss in their Wheaties for it. Only a complete jackass would do so. Such gestures are getting less and less common in our society these days, so if someone feels compelled to show a little appreciate towards a servicemember than I for one will be grateful to them. Cheers! M2

Agreed. You mean I get the privilege of sitting in this tin can with no leg room for an extra twenty minutes? Gee, thanks. The biggest perk is that the registration is free, and renewing it is $5 instead of the standard $80~ish. You better believe I'm willing to display an Air Medal to save $75.

Overhead bin space.

Sidebar .... getting the va rating stuff (if any) figured out as soon as you separate is paramount. It’s not about the money (and you can decline it if it suits your moral high ground). It’s about getting service connection and a “chain of evidence” established while its fresh....so that 40 years from now when you need a kidney transplant because the chem trails cocktail of the month turned out to be carcinogenic you aren’t thoroughly screwed. Dont scoff the va stuff. It’s worth the effort early. And glad to hear you’ve got everything all figured out ....

If true, I guess the Air Force found a way to circumvent allowing pilots to roll up their flight suit sleeves.

What the heck is an AC-208?

This is how I differentiate between what I accept and what I don’t choose to participate in. I’ve never preboarded, and when I go out to eat I make sure I tip the majority of the discount back to the wait staff on top of the 20% pre-discounted amount.

https://warontherocks.com/2018/05/a-call-for-senior-officer-reform-in-the-air-force-an-insiders-perspective/ Another article highlighting the open secret of how we choose our senior leaders. And suggesting the only fix is for the people who benefited from the system to believe the system itself is the problem. Or we can just vote with our feet, like most of us are doing.

I see a difference between discounts that don’t affect anyone but the seller (Lowe’s, Epic Pass) and ones that allow me to gain an advantage over regular Joes (overhead bins and seat choice).

Make sure your out-of-the-box thinking fits inside the box.

Eh, I used to be upset about this, but really what they did was buy advertising. Just like buying a tv commercial, maybe better (never once heard "launch avoidance maneuver" at a pro sports event). All part of recruiting. Airshows and flyovers aren't cheap either, and kind of in the same vein. No one seemed to get outraged at military flyovers at events either, because, hey, they're free, just minus the cost to operate that multi-million dollar jet(s) turning dinosaurs into noise as a patriotic act, while coming out of the training fence. I'm sure the pilots/crew were consummate professionals, and never accepted sideline seats at the event they did the flyover for after landing. How about the blue angels or the thunderbirds? Pure recruiting and advertisement for the services.

TLDR: Who cares? So long as they aren't harassing a company to give them a discount. I'm sure no one here got the Amex platinum or other premium credit card, then got the fee waived for their active duty service. Or used the admirals lounge while flying on American on orders. Or used an USO lounge at the airport. Or put your frequent flyer or hotel points number while traveling in official business. How about taking advantage of reduced or free hunting/fishing/parks permits? How about booking a hotel at the gov rate when not on orders? What this attitude boils down to is: "Service itself should be its own reward." Where have I heard that before? Hmm... I remember my dad telling me about the days when he'd go out in the field (army), and BAS was reduced since meals/MREs were provided. Imagine if every day in the Deid that you'd pay a portion of your BAS for chow hall food. Outraged? Get over your sense of entitlement, BAS is so you can eat, and you had government meals provided. Dumb 2LT wearing a flightsuit while traveling commercially? Teaching moment. Airman wearing ripped jeans and looking like a slob? Maybe there's a reason some units have their jr enlisted travel in uniform. My point is, if a business is offering a perk, who are we to judge other people that take advantage of that perk? (Obviously there's a limit...you can't sign the AF up to lease tankers in return for a job with the contractor) I'm pleasantly surprised if a business has a military discount, but I'm by no means upset if they don't. Tip the waitstaff based on full price before the discount, and maybe a bit extra, especially if they give me a discount unsolicited. I'm just a guy doing my job, and sometimes that job involves going some pretty cool things that most can only dream of doing. It's their way of saying thank you. I'd rather they said thank you by supporting and voting for politicians that use military force judiciously, and holds the services and president accountable for use of the military.

Spot on. I had a candidate for political office knock on my front door the other day and ask my what my concerns were. When I told him that the US public and elected officials had lost accountability of its military and almost entirely ceded control to the President (and largely, the generals) he looked at me like I had just stepped off a UFO. It was as if he wanted to say "How dare you question what our military is doing? Every man and woman who wears the uniform is a hero, and every mission he does is just and right and holy and in keeping with the best traditions this country has to offer!" Then I asked him, politely, if he could tell me some of the countries in which we had troops that were actively involved in armed conflicts. He mentioned Afghanistan, struggled to find any additional countries he could name, and began stuttering. In his mind I could see the Ma, Apple Pie, and American Flag T-Shirts give way to an overwhelming sense of embarrassment that he, a candidate for public office, had no clue what our military was doing. The fake hero worship that we have all encountered is the US public's apology for the abdication of their civic duties and not actually giving a shit what their military is up to. The pilot shortage and likely coming shortage of the other branches will probably fix this long term - people will stop volunteering for the military and/or get out when they realize there's no coherent strategy in the conflicts we are engaged in, but the disconnect is a major problem. Just ask the Romans.... http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/the-price-of-professionalization

You guys are missing the point. We’re rapidly becoming a military class system separated from our fellow civilian countrymen. Not only that but becoming extremely entitled with all our “benefits”. Common question I get asked when I tel military people I’m planning to get out is “oh I wonder what your disability rating will be!” YGBSM I’m a healthy dude I don’t need any disability. “Oh but you should get checked out just in case you can get some money from the VA!” thats the type of entitled thinking that’s seeping into our military culture. Entitlement. It’s not good.

Met lots of “recats” who were either unsure how they had been recatted or felt they had been sold a bill of goods. Will be decades before the TAMI hangover is gone.

We just had two bros get T-6 and T-1 waivers/instructor slots, they were A tour dudes who didn’t recat though, and only been out of manned for 3 ish years. I’m a UPT-D dude from the 2015 round, just got my drop sheet for my new assignment, expecting a return to manned at the end of the year. They denied waivers for 3 of the latest UPT D guys to recat. We are all getting forced back. Dont give up hope brother.

Getting into the check-of-the-month club makes a lot of follow on decisions much much easier. Recommend.

I also took the extended bonus out to 20.5 years. I had an awesome job crushing enemies, doing well at it, my family was happy, and I thought it could continue. My last three years have been awful, I was at an irrelevant non-flying staff job & it was very disheartening professionally. I inadvertently brought my unhappiness home and my family, to my shame, was affected by my foul mood and lack of professional satisfaction. I knew I was rolling the dice by taking the bonus, but I rolled snake eyes and it was worse than anticipated. Not everyone who stays in the service past their commitment is a Kool-Aid drinking careerist. However, if I could make the choice over again I would have left the service and not taken the bonus. And I will certainly leave when my commitment is up because I just can’t stay in an organization that doesn’t care about its people or its mission..... and by not caring for the people doing the mission, the Air Force has shown me they don't care about the mission. For those who leave when their commitment is up, I salute you brothers and wish you the best. For those who stay, I salute you as well and hope that you will be gainfully employed by commanders who care about you.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is what we call a unicorn...

The medal plate free registration only applies to one vehicle. I've got 2 cars with medal plates. When I found out that I would no longer have to park in the hail storm bullseye DFW employee parking lot, ride the employee bus, and endure the pain in the ass 20 minute ride to or from the terminal squashed in a mass of humans with questionable hygiene habits during our tremendously enjoyable summer heat waves and I could utilize covered parking at the terminal for free, HELL YES I got a medal plate.

I admire your faith in big AF’s ability to take action when confronted with a retention problem

Is anyone really arguing that flying heavies is hard (I’m a heavy guy. It’s not hard)? Just quit being a dick to your tanker that’s all. Sometimes they have to turn through the sun. And sometimes your tanker just sucks. And sometimes the fighter guy breaks the boom nozzle off in his hole. Carry on. 😎

Don't worry Duck. He forgot Special Ops Fighter Pilot. That takes even higherer aptitude.

Just when I got all the fvckin cats in the basket, you say something like this. Do you realize this pissing match happens every couple months? Nobody wins.

There’s enough hate to throw at the Air Force without throwing it at each other. Y’all buy some whiskey tonight and just chills.

O-4s: “we are leaving at the end of our commitment.” AF Leadership: “Say no more, let’s ask the Navy Lt why AF O-4s are leaving” Seems about right to me.

Alright Buckley Hopeful/Hopeful/Business is gone. I appreciate those of you who contacted me. I will do my best to keep up with this, but I rarely view this part of the forum. Just let me know if something needs cleaning up.

I only paid attention to 2:27-2:30

I’m my experience, the incompetence that you have experienced is really just the tip of the iceberg. It’s a wonder the Air Force even functions at all. Having said that, flying in the military is phenomenal (most of the time) and few things can top it. The people in your squadron will be the best people (most of them) you will ever work with. Everything else pretty much sucks on Active Duty. Complete lack of focus on anything resembling actual combat effectiveness/efficiency, bases shutting down for the dog and pony show for the next 4-Star asswipe who comes to town. Who pretends to care about the people but really you are just a number on his bio and an asset to be bargained with. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there is this organization called the Air National Guard and while some units are more like AD than others, it would allow you to keep your Lockheed job and be apart of something bigger. I would never in a million years let my son join the AF, but would actively assist him in joining the Guard. Bottom line it’s your life and your decision but there is a reason there is a mass exodus of pilots right now. However I do have 2 friends who enjoy it and are planning on staying in.

No I don’t regret it. I’d do it again in a second. Is it a fucked up organization? Fuck yes. But I got to be America’s Combat Olympic team on the reg and it fucking rocked! Do something and be a part of something bigger than yourself you won’t get that behind a cubical *Vodka infused response.

Without seeing the charge sheet, and from what was reported, he sounds fucked. The rape/sex assault charges will walk him into a court martial, however military justice uses Lesser Included Offenses (LIO’s) a lot. That’s where another charge, that’s not originally charged, is found to be considered by the panel or judge, but cause the terminal element of the LIO is in the original charge. Example: Government charged him with rape (Art 120). A terminal element of rape is to use force or fear. Panel or jury find he wasn’t guilty of rape because of lack of force or fear, but that he did physically assault her, so now they find him guilty of Assault Consummated by a Battery (Art 128). His odds of going to prison are extremely high due to the charged crimes. And they’ll throw in all the catch all’s like Conduct Unbecoming (Art 133). If he’s sentenced to a dismissal, that’s the officer version of a diahonorable discharge. If he isn’t sentenced to a dismissal, he’ll go to a Board if Inquiry a few months later and the Government will use his court martial conviction, as trivial as Conduct Unbecoming, against him to have him separated. If he’s over 20-years, he’ll only be allowed to retire if SECAF approves it, and it probably wouldn’t be at the O-6 rank. The military justice system has ruined a lot of lives because of the politics. And if you don’t think this kind of stuff will never happen to you, all it takes is one false allegation.

So Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President Barack Obama has taken to making derogatory statements about the current Administration's actions in public venues. Today, two former Obama NSC staffers published a NYT editorial recommending that European countries expel US Ambassadors (I know, they should be dead ones, but I digress...) over the US' withdrawing from the Iran deal. Because "if the US doesn't live up to sacred agreements, then this is expected action. " You know, the deal signed by one guy but not a binding treaty and unsigned by another guy as if it never existed.