Ill Destructor

I'll quote myself: You're absolutely right... not even in the club yet. But in my opinion, the Air Force as an organization has something less than a serious warrior reputation. I'm not knocking on the men and women who are flying and fighting their asses off with, as you say, "every drop of ferocity, aggressiveness, and bravery since Korea." I understand that and that's why I want a part of that. There is certainly a warrior spirit amongst those pulling the triggers. I'm just complaining about the "Chair Force" image that has been cultured during the last decade and a half or so. Seriously, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women who have put their lives on the line for God and country. Just griping about today's persception of the military... it's no longer romantic as the technology has become the showcase. Edit: And perhaps I should have said Vietnam instead of Korea. Sorry. [ 11. August 2006, 12:08: Message edited by: dbarbour ]

Personal opinion here: The Air Force uniforms have sucked for years. Years and years. Blue sucks. Blue is not a warrior's colors. You know blue is used by most major corporations as a company color to instill a feeling of stability and trustworthiness... not aggressiveness. To hell with the blue. Yeah yeah... it can symbolize the "wild blue yonder," but whatever. Yawn. Chair Force indeed. And all this talk about a lack of tradition in the Air Force... there was a tradition, alright. But that effectively died with the Korean conflict. WWII was the high point... relatively simple machines flown by gutsy, gritty men with 5 o'clock shadows, nerves of steel, ready to fight in 5 minutes time... and no missiles... just a gun. These were men... in the shit, in the thick of the fight when you could see your opponents face. Alas, technology has killed that tradition. It's hard to have a real tradition when your branch of the service is built on technology and much less on raw guts and grit. The Army and Marines put boots on the ground, get into the shit and kill their enemy with a much more personal weapon, a gun. They put themselves in immediate danger 'cause they are in the thick of everything. That is why you see "Semper Fi" bumper stickers and "USMC" tattoos on troops who spent a mere 4 years in the service. The trials they have endured are crazy compared to those of the Air Force. The USAF doesn't have any real enemy. No one flies against us. They bury their machines in the desert and instead choose to shoot missiles at us. We don't place an emphasis on raw fortitude and determination. The Air Force is not hardcore. The other branches are... at least more so. (The Navy has tradition 'cause navies have been around since God created them on the little-known 8th day.) If the brass wants to build tradition, they need to kill the business-like atmosphere they've built. Get back to the basics, the business of kicking ass. Have a warrior's spirit, not Warrior Tuesdays. Get hardcore. Personally, I feel that the Air Force is stuck being the junior branch of the service for all eternity. Eventhough we're getting into space ahead ofthe other branches, once we become a true space-capable force, the other branches will swoop in and usurp the real power and reputation. At least IMHO. Sorry guys... Just shooting from the hip (and probably talking from my ass). And don't take offense to any of this. I speak mainly of the AF leadership's whiney, quivering, "let's play dress up" reputation... not of the men and women who are out there kickin' ass and takin' names. EDITTED FOR A FEW MINOR SPELLING MISTAKES [ 10. August 2006, 00:01: Message edited by: dbarbour ]

Funny thing about this board... no matter the day of the week, there is always someone posting and then qualifying their statement with "but I'm pretty drunk right now." That's simply awesome.

Here's some sound advice from a favorite band of mine: Reach for the sky 'cause tomorrow may never come. In other words, live with no regrets. If your ultimate goal is to become an Air Force officer, do whatever you must to make it happen. You get one shot at life. Do you really want to sit around 30 years from now and wonder "what if?" Before making your decision, though, be sure to talk to someone knowledgable on entering the Air Force at 35 to make sure you're armed with all the knowledge you can get before jumping in feet first.

Thank you for the info. As I'm sure it is with most others shooting for a slot, this is bound to be the most intensive month or two of waiting ever.

I appreciate the response. Hopefully my recruiter will be on the ball and give me a call as soon as he finds out either way. Ugh... the waiting will suck. Can I expect a wait of a month or should I be thinking two or three months?

This much I knew. The question is basically what can I expect next in the OTS application process? (I kinda mispresented my question originally.) Interviews? I've submitted my application to my recruiter earlier this week which will be presented to a board this March. What can I expect in the meantime?

I recently submitted a packet for an OTS pilot board in March (or so I'm told). I've read a lot about AD boards here, but am interested in the differences between the two. Is there an interview with the OTS board or is it based solely on your application/submission? Any other differences I should be aware of?