Bergman

Agree completely. In my experience, people were much happier in the AF in the 90s. Even the people who were getting out weren't leaving because they'd been screwed over, or were pissed at big blue in general. The commanders were largely pretty good, people did their job and went home to their families. I hate to say it, but in my opinion the AF is measurably worse in every area. I've been trying to think of just ONE thing I can honestly say is better now than then, and I can't come up with anything. Seriously. It breaks my heart.

A point to consider...a first-year pilot at United or Delta would get over $10,000 in "bonus" (profit sharing) which would go up to over $20,000 in the second year, and possibly way beyond that depending on how much you work. IMHO staying in because of the money is not sound logic. People should want to stay in to serve their country, the quality of flying, and a sense of comaraderie while making a livable wage. The problem is that the USAF is doing everything it can to stomp out the camaraderie, regulate the flying to death (and take punitive action on a whim...a la Q3s for wearing a baseball cap at OTBH), and force people to constantly choose between service and their own family, which isn't fair to the member (179s, 365s, etc). So that's the issue...you can make more money at the airlines, have a better QOL, and your family with be better off also. That's an easy choice, and it will continue to be until USAF leadership gets their shit together.

I wonder if this is just typical AF spin to say "we're running out of B-1 crews who are able to deploy again." As to B-52s in theater again...if you thought the ATO was already a colossal waste of time/gas getting jets to and from the fight, imagine how much the BUFFs would suck up flying from BFE and back every day, as the closer bases can't support them (wingspan/outrigger gear).

http://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379thAirExpeditionaryWing/News/Display/tabid/298/Article/643030/farewell-b-1-the-b-1b-lancer-sets-rotational-records-before-leaving-aor.aspx Who is going to replace them? Or are we just curtailing the bomb dropping for 6 months?

Wow. What a truly shitty deal. The entire US military needs to GTFO of Afghanistan immediately if not sooner. If you are an ARC IP and thinking of taking this deal, slap yourself. All of the major airlines are hiring and any military IP is well qualified. Go to the airlines and don't ever look back. Lord I hope the tanker bros don't get hit with this crap. I feel for you herc guys!

Now they are all sitting in the boneyard...most of them Code 1.

True. One of a number of reasons I don't live in DC!

The main problem with your theory is if you get hired by a heavy unit, you will fly T-1s in UPT. Highly unlikely a fighter unit would even consider hiring you without having at least flown T-38s. Has it happened before? Yes. Is there a chance you could go to ENJJPT and fly -38s even though you're going to a heavy unit? Yes, but very unlikely. As was mentioned previously, already-qualified pilots are bailing to every airframe right now, especially fighters. Trying to get a unit to stick their neck out for some weird one-off T-38 TX course then IFF then B-course unit-transfer guy is extremely unlikely IMHO.

Speak softly...and carry a concealed .45.

There are empty rooms right now. Everyone has their own, and the vast majority have gone straight to their 'permanent' room upon arrival.

Dependapotamus! "You had me at Tricare"

Wow. That was a really great read and spot-on. Can we send a leather-bound copy to Gen Welsh?

That's the cleanest B-52 ever!

You have to admit it's gotten worse of late. Squadron commanders have also become the scapegoats for many an incompetent O-6. Also nothing new, but IMHO happening in larger numbers.

Wait, isn't that akin to treason??

392 rooms with 784 NCOs housed in them. Sounds like the same criteria for BPC occupancy will be used. Translation: aircrew are staying in the CC. As predicted. Fucking shoe clerks.

Scoobs, you're trying to pick a fight and it won't work. I am and always have been proud of my branch of service, whether it was during my AD or ANG time. I just don't believe in the way the AD is treating its folks lately nor do I think it's going to get better any time soon. Therefore, I personally recommend against it. FWIW I had an awesome 7 years on active duty and I wouldn't trade my time there for anything. But times have changed. My opinion is that the other branches of service are about the same, although the size, shade, and smell of the turds is just different. Some people are into living in tents or on boats or in crappy barracks and/or walking everywhere. Perhaps I've gotten soft in my old age, but I've held this opinion since I was 18...the other branches just aren't for me. FWIW I have immediate family and many close friends who have served in each of the other branches and I'm not dogging them; it just isn't for me. Just like they argue the USAF isn't for them. My main point that by joining active duty right now, a person who goes in as a pilot would be limiting their options for ~12 years. Maybe things will get/are better than what I've seen. I sure as hell hope they do.

The way the AD treats people is vastly different than the way the ANG treats people. I can't comment on other services, but my empirical evidence would suggest that they are worse than AD USAF and as such, should be avoided. You can probably research this and prove me wrong, but off the top of my head...UPS is the only major US airline to lay people off in the last 10 years. That was more due to management being stubborn than a legitimate business need from what I've been told. The airlines have also gotten their shit together since 9/11. It isn't the same industry as it was back then...better management, better long term planning, better overall business models. I'm not trying to rehash the age old military vs. airlines topic...just pointing out that if someone were to go AD tomorrow, they're basically out of options for 12 years. There are other avenues available to serve as a pilot in the military without giving up control of your life and career.

While doing so likely wouldn't kill your chances, personally I'd give her $10 and tell her to head to Starbucks until you were done. What could you possibly gain from having your wife with you while informally interviewing with a unit (which is exactly what this will be)? She'll just get bored after the first 6-9 minutes and get the glazed eyeball look going, you'll feel bad, then rush out of there before you've had a chance to interact. Get hired first, then if you feel like it bring her and the rest of the family by the squadron to make sure it's a good fit for everyone before signing on the dotted line. IMHO.

I have seen two guys attend full-time MBA courses in the last 4 years. Both were guard bums and made it work; their spouses were fully on-board with the time and financial sacrifices necessary and it has worked out well for them. I believe they both used the Post-9/11 GI Bill to make it happen. They would fly in the evenings or on days they didn't have class, and take trips in between semesters.

Rainman was right 99% of the time, but I think on this one he missed the boat. IMHO you'd have to be an idiot to go AD right now. Those dudes have no control over their lives for the next 12 years. With the current AD USAF mindset and deployment rate, that would be a miserable existence - provided you even made it to an actual airplane and not an RPA. Beyond that, and despite what Butters may say, right now is just the beginning of the most robust airline pilot hiring in history. ARC bubbas can still serve in the military yet retain the ability to get a decent additional/follow-on career much, much sooner. Advice to OP: It's a time-proven formula...pick the unit that you think meets your needs and will be around the longest, and enlist in the unit. MX or something in Ops seems to work best (70% of our pilot hires are either crew chiefs or boom operators, 20-30% off the street civilians and 0-10% other areas from base). Be good at whatever job you end up in. Have a good attitude. Go out of your way to meet the pilots and express an interest to them. Go get your pilot's license. Take the AFOQT and do well. Go to college on the GI Bill. Start applying during your last semester and hope for the best.

I would argue those points with you. I don't disagree that you (A1) are using "facts" to make these decisions. I would argue, as others have stated as well, that these "facts" (i.e. performance vs. peers, career progression, etc) are based on a fundamentally flawed system that favors box-checking ass kissers much more so than the people out there legitimately getting the job done. What process was used to determine who got the axe? OPRs? Squadron Commander rating? The bottom 10% on paper were cut, but that doesn't necessarily equate to the under-performers. The former-USAF folks I've seen flow to the airlines have been outstanding. My empirical evidence would suggest that they certainly are not the bottom 10% ya'll were aiming for. I sincerely believe the USAF is well into a pilot manning crisis and the guys running the show don't even realize it yet. As usual.

At least the class will be able to remember who their guest speaker was. Of course, just because you're memorable doesn't mean you're good.

What I don't understand is how the program rings up at $1.7 Billion for 2 jets...$850 million each. Boeing lists the price of a standard 747-8 at just under $358 million. I find it hard to believe that the A/R receptacle and other "mission mods" cost enough to more than double the cost.

Do your best to not mention the 4000+ hours at UPT.