Splash95

Euro: Correct, EC's use CANS rather than SCNS. It was pretty weird to get immersed in SCNS during the FTU and then learn a completely different system once I got to D-M. Chicken: I would assume sh1tting on 551st students (and, before the 551st, 19th students) for any number of valid or not-so-valid reasons has been part of the gunship culture for many years. Maybe now that Spectre is retired and many of the current cadre "grew up" in the W, that has changed a bit; or maybe not.

That link doesn't work either.

Fair enough. I only took part in the Cannon side of the community apart from a TDY or two to the promised land of HRT. In my experience, the standards were VERY high, many crew members (as you mentioned) either washed out of IQT/got Q3'd soon after/got quietly shuffled out of the community, and I didn't get any sense of an acceptance of lesser quality in comparison to the Florida days of yore. Still, my perspective is admittedly limited. In regards to the broader topic of this thread, gunships will likely be at Cannon for a long time to come, but I believe those who operate them will continue to be well-trained and professional regardless. Also, for what it's worth, I deployed less often in the AC than I did in my previous non-AFSOC platform.

Have you operated gunships out of both Hurby and Cannon, or otherwise what's the basis for that statement?

Posting here since I can't find a dedicated health care/insurance thread: Is Tricare Reserve Select generally the way to go for ANG members? Background: O-3, unmarried/no kids, good health, PCing in a few weeks. Much appreciated.

I just asked the TAMP question as well, and my AD MPF told me they couldn't even answer the question until they "ran" my ID at my final-out; they said they could run it right then, but that would make my ID stop functioning. I've also read here that I definitely get TAMP although the MPF will tell me I don't. Any authoritative source for that? On a somewhat related note, do I get 5 years of free VA health care since I've been deployed, or am I reading that provision wrong? Thanks for the help.

Sq/CC stated today in a CC call that AADs are now masked until the O-6 board. Or (for the cynics) until the next CSAF takes over...

FIFY

Approved. 2007 12S, <1 yr ADSC left, FY14 PC with position number. Welcoming the return of that feeling of excitement and possibility that has accompanied all but one PCS/extended TDY of my career.

Congrats. How long from submission to approval? My app (FY14 PC) has been sitting at "Palace Chase OPR" for almost a month now. When I called TFSC, the only nugget of info they had was that my case had been looked at that day and there was something about RDTM. She didn't know what that was, so I searched BODN and found that it's basically my core AFSC/MDS--which has been 12S/AC-130H for 2+ years so shouldn't be an issue. I just want an answer even if it is no.

App got kicked back on a technicality. Fortunate coincidence: I got medically approved and got a position number from the unit around the same time so I was able to apply under FY14 PC rules. We'll see what happens now.

PC submitted yesterday. 2007 12S, just under 1 year ADSC remaining (TA and PCS/training). Got an Intent to Hire but no position number yet. Went through the process with zero help from my "current ISR" (he isn't at my base and never responded to a single e-mail or call over several weeks), but other recruiters were nice enough to help out even though it wasn't really their job. ChkHandleDn, I hope that's not the case!

I'll be there (with the gunpig) and would be interested in a rendezvous if there is one.

This guidance actually came from the OG, not the wing. From my reading of the 2903, the OG/CC doesn't even have the authority to restrict the parent reg (only MAJCOM, NAF and Wg/CCs can), but this isn't a big enough deal for me to get crucified by openly fighting it.

Shack. Though I do agree with WheelzUp about the presumptuous screen name.

I'm very interested to see how all those in Clovistan with no other light at the end of the tunnel will react to these developments.

Basically every other poster in the last several pages of this thread would beg to differ.

Then I'm glad it isn't anymore. I've asked a few E's in my unit who were right in the middle of this, and they said the only illicit activity found was underage drinking. Big whoop, plus can you really blame dudes in their situation for boozing? Unless some major piece of this story hasn't made it to my ears, the inspection was a bullsh1t move and one more morale-killer around here.

Yep, boss forwarded me the same email. I really hope my chance to spend 8 weeks somewhere other than Afghanistan or Afcannonstan doesn't go down the tubes.

Solid material, thanks for sharing di. I'm probably less cynical and angry than the average BODN poster, but the point about deployed conditions is valid. From the books I've read, stories I've heard, etc., deployments of yore were often wild and wooly experiences. These days, we go and spend months and months in desert sh1tholes with no booze, no conjugal visits, no p0rn, Maxim-type (clothed) pics ripped down from sh1tters and hooches, no sports or music to speak of (oh wait, I forgot, TiB tours!), no civvies, no leaving base, and very little freedom from the shoes (thankfully I've had some shielding from them being in my chili 24-7). And yeah, the fact that we're out there hacking the mission, protecting the good guys and killing the bad guys is what matters, but dudes would be a lot happier if they had some outlets. Having deployed only a few times myself, I have all kinds of respect for guys in AFSOC and elsewhere with double-digit deployments who have stuck it out despite the suck seeming to constantly build. I'm not a huge partier or skirt-chaser myself, but the stifling, super-PC influences in the AF today disgust me and certainly motivate me toward becoming one more dude who punches at his first opportunity.

Any recent 12S PC applicants on here?

Keep on dreaming even if it breaks your heart...

What he said. I don't understand how this move would cut costs.

Pilot was a friend and colleague from my last unit. First personal friend to be lost in the line of duty. Great guy--like others who have commented here and elsewhere, I couldn't find one negative thing to say about him.

The is one actual bar in Clovis, it's called Kelly's and I've found it unremarkable at best. There used to be a couple of others, but I heard the owners retired and sold their liquor licenses to Allsup's gas stations (or maybe to one of the churches which reportedly hoard them). The "nearby" college town of Portales has at least 2 or 3, the most popular of which is the Dawg House. I've never been there but have heard very mixed reviews, for instance that the owner hates military guys. If you're much like me, your social life will revolve around getting out of Clovis. I've spent weekends (or longer) in Lubbock, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Tulsa, C-Springs, Denver, Dallas, Houston, Tucson, Phoenix, Santa Monica, Atlanta and Destin in the year and a couple of months since I PCSed. However, work commitments and exhausted leave days (I have about 5 at present) will probably curtail my travel in the near future. As for housing, I bought a house since, like others, I found little appeal in the rental market. I'm not too concerned about taking a loss when I sell the place as long as it's not the kind of catastrophic loss that would be brought about if the base closed. I should add that I'm renting out half my house (3 br/2 ba, 2000 sq ft, in one of the actual good neighborhoods) for $500/mo plus half the utilities. There probably aren't many similar deals around, but if your first stop at CVS is the 551st (which I assume it will be), ask around a bit and check the bulletin boards--you may find something better than what's publicly advertised. Anyway, welcome to Cannondahar! (the most recent I've heard, to add on to Clovass, Blovis, Clovistan, Afcannonstan and FOB Cannon)