brabus

Thinking about building an AR-15 pistol - want to do it relatively affordable (goal is < $600 pre-optics, better arm brace than the tube, etc.) The gun is for backyard fun/home defense, not for competition. Looking at places like PSA, Ghost Firearms, etc. Any recommendations, things to watch out for, etc?

Killing ISIS while your friend shouts at you on the radio and getting a big hug from him when he got back in one piece. Best/most rewarding days of my life. Outside of combat, SEAD and FAC(A) are great because they're both very dynamic...I like the challenge of flying into the fight with a decent plan, but knowing it will change 69 times in the next hour and I'll have to make those 1 sec decisions that will determine win or loss. Flying fighters is like playing a very competitive team sport...it never gets old (but the queep and AF bs sure does!)

No, I was talking about heavy dudes teaching phase 3 in 38s.

It's been a thing at CAFB for over a year at least, maybe more.

Make it say "doesn't want to leave, won't quit" and that describes 69% of the GS workforce. The AF gets a shit product for way too much money with these useless individuals. Theyll get the same shit product for way to much money with an indentured pilot force who stops giving zero fucks at year 10 of 20.

Behind on FHP and green dot, more time required for UCI prep - there will be no weekends for the next month to support the wings priorities. Oh and remember guys, we care about families! Also, you're deploying for 6 months in 34 days, sorry not sorry we didnt factor that in...

Don't think that applies to every T-1 guy, but I still remember a sizeable difference between most of my 38 IPs (all fighter/bomber, couple FAIPs) and my phase 2 IPs (all non-CAF). Certainly not in bromanship, but yes in flying ability and in several cases, instructional ability. The two tracks/mentality are not significantly similar that one can excel at teaching either. My 38 IPs probably would have been shitty T-1 IPs. Secondly, yes I think most guys could pass PIT and teach basic 38 stuff. But the mentality difference, lack of CAF experience, etc. is not growing that student to be ready for IFF and the CAF squadron that lies beyond.

Yep, that's who I'm talking about - wasn't aware of the requirement to already be in the AZ guard to apply.

Tucson will send guys to UPT. You get seasoning at another unit and then come back to them. If you’re shooting for that region of the country and/or a FTU career, worth looking into.

I disagree, if you know you want to fly, then go to college and fly afterwards. Enlisting makes you older, and therefore less attempts available to get hired on a pilot board. It is also not a guarantee to get hired at your home unit. The CC's opinion on said subject matters a lot as well, since they have the final say. Some CCs are heavy leaners towards hiring internally, others don't care if you're in the unit when meeting the board. You (and the pilot who gave you this advice) have no idea who will be the CC in 5 years and also don't know that unnamed CC's opinion regarding this.

ISR is the Avenue for the paperwork; your CC will have to sign the 1288 initially...so talk to both.

You won't be forced into BRS.

Honestly fairly low based mostly on age, secondly on non-T38. A lot of fighter guys are bailing from AD in that age range and it's unlikely a squadron would hire a non-fighter guy over current/qualified guys. But, it never hurts to go visit a unit, talk to the dudes/the CC and see what they say. Every unit is different, in a different manning situation ,etc.

He could also get an E3 out of T-1s. And he doesn't know what he doesn't know, his mind could change significantly once actually flying in the military. 38s keeps all doors open, T-1s closes doors. It's a no brainer to do enjppt if possible and figure your wishes out there.

You just described what several AFSOC and ACC assets do during the current fight...so...good luck. Go ENJJPT - Flying 38s was fun, you still have a decent array of options for assignments, and Wichita Falls seems to be the best UPT base out of all of them (location-wise and the local town is better than the other options). I say all this as a guy who didn't go there. Lastly, its fine to think about what you think you want to fly, but keep an open mind. Talk to your IPs as you go through UPT - dismiss those who tell you "the other guys" are assholes, suck, mission is lame, etc...they have no idea what they're talking about if they never flew it. If you have a bunch of non-fighter IPs, seek out fighter guys for perspective. Do the opposite as well. You might stay steadfast on the AFSOC idea, but you may also surprise yourself at what you end up putting on a dream sheet 2 years from now.

I wish I had done that, at least once. But I think it would only work in theory, you'd still get fucked over somehow...forced out of your rental house/paying for a hotel out of your pocket, all of your shit not getting picked up on time out of said rental house, etc. I think it'd be a great play for a single guy, probably not so much with wife/kids in tow.

Something to think about - It's not really "just" one year; you have to consider SERE, FTU, IFF?, etc. You're looking at 2+ years gone from home...doable, yes, but is it going to suck a lot (especially with a kid), my opinion is yes. Good luck with whatever you guys decide.

No, just telling Matt BGI clearly does what he's looking for in the short term.

Have some friends who travel for BGI, company pays for all their travel, hotel, per diem, etc. They go for a week every 6ish weeks

I believe your only recourse for full reimbursement is writing a request to SAF (the "secretariat process" as the JTR calls it). In the memo, explain the untimely PCS wrt the baby, the financial burden (airfare after first car if you do it twice, airline tickets, etc.) I can only speculate on the probability of approval, but it's worth a shot. I thought about doing this, but honestly didn't have a very good argument since the car I have shipped on multiple PCS is a hobby car/not a primary driver. If this fails, you do still get mileage for the second car (and more per diem for your family if they travel separately via air while you drive one of the cars). That money can at least offset the shipping charges if you choose to do so for QOL. Also research shippers, do not go with some random guy and a flatbed trailer (there's a lot), it's worth it to spend a little more and get your car undamaged and on time.

Know several guys who have the platinum, seems to be the best amex out there. I convinced them to waive my delta reserve card fee as a technician, so don't want to push my luck with a new high-fee card, but I will once I'm on a longer set of orders at some point.

Upgrading current 5th Gen fighters to "5.5 gen" is a different proposal than developing a new 5th gen fighter. I think we should do upgrading as well as continue forward with 6th gen. The reason you can't stop at 5.5 and forgoe 6th gen is because future technology we know we'll be able to make happen in 10-20 yrs isn't stuff we can bet the farm on that it can be simply "bolted onto" an F-35 or F-22. The most likely situation is those technologies will either be completely infeasible to put on a current 5th gen jet, or there will be a reduction in overall capability if put in a 5th gen jet vs. a new 6th gen jet specifically designed for/around those technologies.

I would enjoy seeing Lockmart get kicked in the junk, but starting another 5th gen asset to counter Lockmart's product would still be an incredible waste of resources at this point. Their competitors are better off focusing on how to win the 6th gen contract. Shack.

Already done...6th gen; it would be ridiculous at this point to create another 5th gen fighter. Now finding a way to re-open the Raptor line and produce more of those, abso-fucking-lutely! We need more, and if Japan will pay, then go ahead and let them have some Raptors.

Tbirds put together a solid memorial and roll call yesterday for Cajun. The turn out was impressive, but certainly not surprising. Here's to you brother, well see you on the other side