Champ Kind

In reference to that story: Wow, there's one guy who won't be making O-6.... I couldn't imagine how accidently punching out of a perfectly good, 36 & a half million dollar plane, hence causing it to continue flying for over a minute until it crashed, would advance your career.

Say, actually.....Why don't you make it more interesting and share a handle of bourbon or something before you take off, I mean, since you seem to have such a grasp on flying in your current, sober state. Apparantly you are able to handle anything the sky gods may throw at you now, why not mix things up a little? This thread exhausted its usefullness long ago. Hopefully I don't catch the aftermath on CNN or in "Aviation Mishaps Quarterly" or some crap like that. Have a blast guys. [ 09. November 2004, 15:49: Message edited by: PhlashNU04 ]

Chuck, Why waste your time looking it up? Let these kids play Top Gun or Iron Eagle in their Cessnas and crash & burn if thats what they want.....survival of the fittest.

You morons have my complete blessings for this little endeavor, under one condition: make sure you take Tyler with you.

Got back from Brooks today! Passed everything (WOOO!! Actually, everyone in our group passed, so that was awesome.) Hit up all of the above locations, and I must say, we had a freakin BLAST. We rented a van and it ended up being about 30 bucks for each of us (5) for the trip, so that wasn't too bad at all. The people at Howl at the Moon loved us, don't know how many hundreds of dollars we spent in our group of 12 on alcohol. We beat the cover because we got in at like 2 minutes till eight, and there was no line. Spent about 3 or 4 hours there (lost track) Ate at Ritas and Mi Terra (best Mexican I've ever had) Polly Ester's was pretty dead, but still looked like a neat place. Hot, scantily-clad waitresses at Mad Dog's. Dirty Nelly's was a sweet Irish pub. ....probably others, just can't remember. An awesome trip at the Air Force's expense (especially since we're cleared with Brooks now!), the first of many I hope. Thanks everyone for your advice on where to go, hopefully we did ya proud! (By the way, I made sure tip some Corona's for C-21 Driver and had many'a margarita for lovelacm!)

That's one of the foremost things on my mind. But also, it seems that for almost every one person I talk to that says what you just said, there's another that says something to the effect of "I couldn't have made it through UPT without my wife (girlfriend, significant other, etc...)

Never been to San Antonio before... Some buds & I are going out there later next week for our Brooks stuff, and I was wondering if I could tap into the vast experience of "good times" from everyone on the board to find out where a few young Lts can go around the city and the Riverwalk. Any tips would be appreciated, since we have a limited time there and we want to do it right (sts) Thanks a lot!

http://www.af.mil/media/photodb/photos/031...F-0000S-001.jpg

Anyone know if one would be allowed to go to the clinic on base and practice the depth perception test by looking into the scope they have there? I've heard that just doing it (sts) is a huge way to improve your test results. I'm heading to Brooks in about two weeks, and I'm a little nervous (even though I've pretty much settled with the notion that if its "meant to be", it will work out.) I'm concerned because, during my FC1 about this time last year, I failed the depth perception test the first time around, because I just honestly couldn't see which ring was standing out when I looked into the scope. But, when they did that 7 or 8 -part test on me, I passed no problem. In short, I just want to get good at passing using the "normal" method so that I don't have any flags raised up when they test me, and make it easier on everyone. Thanks a lot!

I posted this under another topic about bringing wives to UPT in the "Pilot Selection Process" topic board...... I figured I would also post it here to make sure I was able to get the best advice from everyone. Thanks a lot, as this means a great deal to me, and I (we) want to do the right thing..... _______________________________ My girlfriend (not wife) will be done with school this December (she's up in VT right now). We've really been throwing the idea around about her moving down to Columbus before I start UPT in March 2005. We're not engaged, but we have been together for over a year and a half, and things are going well. However, I've never lived with anyone before (besides roomies, of course), so her coming down would be a big step. Plus, I don't think I will be able to move off-base until about Feb 2005 (as per the Columbus regs regarding single UPT studs, and I really don't want to get married JUST so that we can lived together and draw BAH, as many stud do). Lastly, I'm concerned that she will not be able to find employment in Columbus, and I just don't see how we could both live off of my O-1 pay (not with her bills and mine together.....It may be POSSIBLE, but it would be the "not going out at all and eating ramen noodles" possible." One solution I've thrown out is having her come visit for a few days or even a week or longer to get a feel for the area, possibly find a job and an apt, and just move down to Columbus before I am allowed to move off base. When my name comes up on the "off-base list", we could move in together. Bottom line: I really want us to be together for UPT for all the reasons listed above (particularly by IAGuardWife......great post(s) by the way!). But, I want to make sure that we aren't rushing into anything either, and that we don't kill ourselves financially just because we don't want to be geographically separated. ANY input on this situation would be GREATLY appreciated. I have always wanted to be an Air Force pilot, but I really love this woman and I don't want to forced into a situation where I'd have to "choose." Thanks a LOT! [ 16. October 2004, 00:42: Message edited by: PhlashNU04 ]

Amen.

What airframes usually attend? Obviously the fighter/bomber guys go, but I've also seen Helo guys wearing the patches. (CSAR guys I figured). Do Tac Airlift crews ever go? Just wondering..... Thanks!

I'm a LT awaiting UPT at Columbus (Class 06-07) I was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction as to where/how I can change my residency to a state that does not require taxes. (ie, TX, FL....some others I've heard, I'm leaning more towards FL though due to the proximity right now) What is involved in this process? Where do I go? Do I also need to get a new driver's license and auto plates? What's the cost involved? I have heard that all it takes to change your residency is to simply have an address (ie PO Box) in the desired state. Is it really that simple? As always, thanks a lot!

Well, I might be able to offer to good perspective on this subject, because I just met with a First Command rep about 3 weeks ago.... First of all, let me say this....I am a USAA member. I have been one for 3 years. They are a great service. I've never heard anything bad about them, and they have always treated me GREAT. I do all of my banking through them, I have a credit card with them, did my car loan, and I'll also be doing my ROTH IRA, and car & life insurance with them as well. That being said, as soon as I walked into First Command, and told them I was a USAA member, they immediately started talking down about it, and said that maybe I would "wise up" one day and shift over to First Command. The rep that I spoke to did give me some pretty sound financial advise, being a newly-commissioned 2nd Lt who has never lived on his own before. After that though, the sales pitch kicked in. These guys work off of commission (USAA employees are paid salary). The simple fact is, he has a product to sell. I entered First Command first to gain some financial advise, and second to start investing. This was not enough for this rep, though. He insisted that I begin a life insurance policy with them. When I looked at the rates, and saw that the difference in premiums between now and when I'm about 23 was negligible, I told him I was going to hold off, and put more money into savings (just as he'd advised me to do). After some insisting, I just flat out told him I wasn't interested. He then resorted to scare tactics, and handed me a letter supposedly written by a 1LT, US Army ("Ret") that was diagnosed with some rare disease, not covered through SGLI, was medically separated from the Army, and now had "nothing to fall back on." I told the man that this was a very, very rare exception, and that if I researched this further, I would probably find that I would be more likely to be struck with lightning than to get some weird illness. That pretty much ended our meetings, aside from several more pressuring phonecalls that week, asking me if I would reconsider. Bottom line....Those guys have to get people to buy their products, or they don't get paid. They have a 50% up-front surcharge on their investments. You don't make your money back until you're 5 years deep into it. They push life insurance because it is one more way to get money out of you. I feel much more comfortable with an organization such as USAA. USAA caters to the military (in my opinion), while First Command, well, tries to exploit. I know you didn't ask for a comparison between the two, but, I feel that USAA should be used as the benchmark from which to judge all other organizations, and most just simply can't offer what they can... My personal advice...Steer clear from First Command. You can go to another organization (even if its not USAA, though I wouldn't recommend it) and receive almost the exact same products and services for less money, and certainly better treatment. Just my two cents, and besides, hey....you asked!

On my orders for ASBC, it says that the report date is 5 July 2004. In-processing is 6 July, and class start date is 8 July. Shouldn't affect us any.

Also, as a follow-on question to that...Is there an organized PT program at UPT? Morning PT? Things like that? Or is it just pretty much "on your own...go to the gym" type stuff? Just wondering, hadn't heard a lot about that part of the program. Thanks!

AirTKE, The number for Maxwell Lodging (the "University Inn"....makes it sound like its going to be flanked by sorority houses with co-eds suntanning in the grass) is posted on the Maxwell website. However, when I called, the kind and helpful woman on the phone told me that there were various types of rooms with differing amenities, and your room assignments were based on your flight assignment. So, in short, you won't know what to bring until you get there. Good luck, though!

Are heavy pilots (particularly C-17 or Herc drivers) eligible for ALO duty? Anyone know any sites that I could go to to learn more about it? Thanks!

I live right outside of Ft. Rucker, AL (training base for Army & AF helo pilots). Several of my friends' dads are retired Army helo pilots, and now work for private contractors and serve as flight instructors for the military. From what I understand, the pay is pretty well (I believe it is dependent on how many hours you accumulated, and what exactly you're instructing). Anyway, that's at least one post-military occupation for ya...

Scubaflyer, I arrive at Columbus in three weeks (1 July), and then I go to ASBC for 6 weeks 5 days later. But I'll be there at Columbus nonetheless. My class start date is slated for March '05 right now. See you there!

I know a lot of it is probably classified, but I do not know a whole lot about SERE other than what I've seen portrayed in Hollywood. Is it really as much of a haze as I've heard that it is? Is there a high attrition rate? Just generally trying to get some information and ask for other resources that any of you may have. Thanks a lot!

Is it considered to be a bit presumptuous to already be telling your IPs in Primary what you want to do afterwards? I mean, I try not to base my actions on the premise of what people may or may not think about me, but I don't think I'd want my IP walking away saying to himself "Who the hell does THIS guy think he is, he hasn't even finished primary yet and he's telling me what he wants to do already...." Maybe that's not how it is at all.... Any words on that? Thanks!

Thanks for the awesome replies, guys! I just found this forum this week, but just by reading through the posts and asking questions and getting replies, I have already learned so much. I know a lot of this stuff can be unpredictable, but it sure doesn't hurt to get all of your ducks in a row before you get into it. Thanks again, and anyone else reading this that has anything else to contribute, please feel free. I'm checking this site at least once or twice a day now.

Hello all, I am very interested in getting into the tactical mobility area of flying. I will be commissioning from Norwich University in about 50 days, and I will be going to UPT later on this fall. Right now, I’m really setting my sights on C-130s and C-17s because it seems like an awesome community to get into, and I really think that the overall mission fits my personality (if that makes any sense) I have a few questions, so PLEASE feel free to answer any and (preferably) all of them: 1. How hard is it to GET C-130s or C-17s? I have read in the forum that the best way to get Hercs is to bypass T-1s and try to get C-12s or T-44s at track select. Do you agree/disagree? What it comes down to is, do MOST people who WANT to fly Hercs (and C-17s) from the onset of UPT get to? 2. How difficult is it to get into AFSOC for Herc drivers? Is there a high demand from AFSOC? Is there a high desire from Herc drivers to get into AFSOC? And could you even go so far as to describe what one would need to do to get into AFSOC? 3. Even if you don’t get into AFSOC, will slick drivers still get to do the mission where you can fly a few hundred feet off the ground, do the dirt landings, fly on NVGs, etc? In other words, do you HAVE to be in Special Ops to get to do the real down & dirty tactical stuff? Thanks a LOT (in advance) for your posts. While I am new to the forum, I have searched through the forum, and read some great posts, but I did not see answers to these specific questions. Thanks!