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That's valid. I was AD and then ANG and I'll tell you that the guard being used like AD is crushing the guard. Guard fighter guys can make RAP flying less than their AD counterpart and historically it's been because the average guard guy is WAY more experienced than the average AD fighter pilot. No white jet tours, no ALO assignments, etc. A guard baby could spend 30+ years flying combat coded jets non-stop and possibly the same tail numbers. That type of experience is impossible in AD. But you start deploying guard units like they're AD units and suddenly there isn't anyone in the guard with 30+ years of experience because they decided the time away and the loss of income wasn't worth it anymore. No idea if my experience was typical, but I'd bet the average experience level in my guard unit dropped by 690 hours in my 8 years. That's close to two tours in CAF units worth of experience (assuming no circles in the sky deployments). That's brand new wingman to IP loss of experience. That's a big deal. The part timers flying for 30 years straight may not be the tip of the spear in current 3-1 knowledge, but throw them into a crazy situation no one has thought to train to and their experience will bring them through way better than the 700 hour CAF IP that can rattle off all the threat data.

22 states with Guard fighter units. From the article: Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, head of the Idaho Air National Guard and the state’s assistant adjutant general, told Air & Space Forces Magazine that it was the first time the group collected the signatures of all 22 adjutants general who serve in states with Guard fighter units. I believe every state has at least one ANG Wing, with many states having multiple wings. For a long time, each state had at least one flying wing, but I seem to recall that's not true any more, with at least one state losing all flying missions.

Maybe it’s all a big ploy to win a bunch of money on polymarket and pay down the national debt. Might be the only strategy that makes any of this make any sense

IEA proposes Basra–Ceyhan pipeline to bypass Hormuz IMHO this mindset is the long-term solution. More than one pipeline over multiple paths through different countries so we get away from the single point of failure. Definitely expensive and will take years but some things are considered not worth the cost until the real pain hits to force the issue. As long as modern military forces especially aviation (and civil aviation) need liquid dinosaurs to function this is the way.

Definitely a fair point. I remember a time when the CRAM would only tell you something was inbound and your only defense was getting to a shelter. Depending on what's inbound will largely determine if firing a given weapon system is worth the risk. Anything that's kinetic has a non-zero risk of hurting someone.

I didn't even realize we only had 22 states with ANG units... Holy shit

I think I read your vibe and see your point, like a guy always dipping into his emergency savings account to get through the month, is it really money you set aside for a problem or are you really just not budgeting correctly? I spent more time Guard than AD and saw both sides, good and bad. IIRC, historically about 1/3rd of our (and other Western militaries) are reserve forces, for financial affordability to keep immediate military capability of an appropriate size and your strategic reserve for the big contingency. Obviously we are past that model and using our Guard/Reserve (ARC Air Reserve Component) beyond the historical concept. But why? My guess is the total cost of an ARC member and their dependents, all benefits, is enough to deal with the thrash in statuses. Is this a good way of doing business? Maybe but methinks we should revisit the concept. Guard leaders are sounding off about problems keeping units viable https://www.airandspaceforces.com/guard-leaders-congress-air-force-needs-100-new-fighters-a-year/

What's his wallet say? Also - not for Catholics

Anyone know how many got picked up for UPT last year? I know the statistic they published probably didn't include the late add-ons. Top of my nugget I know 4 people who weren't even alternates, but got picked up a month or so later. I'm assuming number has to be at least above 100. Just curious.

Maybe when you decimate the heads, the guys with the guns are going to be calling the shots and the suits you're negotiating with have no say in what happens.

Reminds me when I was in SOS and we had the ANG/Reserve briefing. They were going on about how involved they were augmenting the AD force during the Iraq/AFG steady state. They asked , "Isn't that great?" I guess maybe if they're trying to get those points for retirement or whatever. But, no, I think utilizing these forces like they're AD is hiding real manpower issues, and abusing the folks who signed up for a "less strenuous" but longer reward commitment. Happy for feedback, but that shit bugged the fuck outta me.

As many times as the admin wants to keep raking in the profits from online betting platforms.

Sorry but I’m not going to re-litigate every foreign policy intervention in modern history in your requested format.. I doubt anyone here wants that anyway. But in general I think just wars are defensive ones. Politicians know this is how most people feel which is probably why every nonsense offensive intervention is sold to the public by invoking “WMDs” or “preventing the spread of communism” or some other “Imminent threat.” Also it’s funny you say I’d make a better politician than soldier because I’m generally anti-war. AFAIK it was our military senior leaders advising Trump against moves on Kharg island while Lindsey Graham was pleasuring himself to the thought of another Iwo Jima. If you think our politicians are against wars, I genuinely don’t know who you’re talking about. But this is the Iran thread and I’m talking about this war, the lies that got us into it, and the chaotic mess our president continues to exacerbate with his nonsense statements and nonexistent strategy. I noticed the strait is closed again.. so when oil spikes and the Dow takes a dump tomorrow will we be admitting the victory declaration was slightly premature? I wonder how many more strait of Hormuz Open-Closed-Open-Closed cycles will need to happen before we realize that Iran isn’t quite as decimated as we’d like to believe and the president is just wishcasting foreign policy by tweet

Got intrigued enough to fact check it. Sadly wrong, although still entertaining. Al Gore: Mar 31 1948 Hillary Clinton: Oct 26 1947 John Kerry: Dec 11 1943 Bill Clinton: Aug 19 1946

Apr 17: “Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World!” Apr 19: “I hope they take it <a deal> because, if they don’t, the US is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran. NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” Fellas, that’s it. You heard it. No more Mr Nice Guy. This shit is so incredibly embarrassing and stupid.

Your comment actually does bring up an interesting point even despite your framing of internal government fracturing in Iran as an unmitigated win. Who is in charge in Iran right now? Are we even negotiating with the right people? If we agree to something will it be followed? Some of us kooks against more middle eastern regime change boondoggles actually warned about this.. when you create a power vacuum, often the most radical elements fill the void. Gee where have I heard this story before

Matt Lohmeier’s story. “Call sign Courage” https://callsigncourage.com

First time here! Looking to retake the AFOQT here in a month or so, and then fingers crossed 🤞

Hey ya'll, long time. Its good to see the site is still up and running. I have a trip coming up, and am really excited as it is my first time out the door. However, with me still trying to fly raptors for my home squadron, It made me curious. what are some do's and don'ts? My supervisor who is also trying to fly raptors told me that the pilots like to take us out sometimes and I really don't want to mess anything up. Although I have built somewhat of a rapport the last couple years, I want to connect with the guys even further without hindering what I already have. I'm sure I am overthinking this, but was just wondering if any of you fighter or heavy guys could share your 2 cents. I appreciate the help as always gents! -vvikz

First time applicant as well! and Yes. Hopefully I'm able to submit a package this year. Been a busy year.

Again, this has already been addressed and answered so now we're just replaying the same song. Prices spike during conflict - we know this. The point is that things are trending in the right direction. Not getting worse. You're ignoring that. They still have ballistic missiles? Ok, why aren't they using them then? Why aren't they fighting with everything they've got to stop us from collapsing their economy and regime? If they're so strong, they'd be striking back - that they're not is the tell. If they thought they had a shot militarily, they'd be taking it. They're calling "uncle" is what it is. But you're ignoring that. The mullahs rule Iran? Says you. Currently it seems to me that there is a split developing between elements of the IRGC and the foreign ministry - as evidenced by Iranian authorities saying the straight is open, whilst elements of their "military" fire on ships. Seems like some sort of fracture may be presently developing internally. But what do I know? I'm only reading the news. You're ignoring that. What is the alternative history you'd like to have seen play out? You won't articulate it. You will reference past agreements which weren't working (October 7th anyone?), but point at it as if it were succeeding. You ignore that. By my calculus, we're knocking down foreign policy dominoes one after another. You clearly believe in the Obama/Jake Sullivan-style approach to foreign policy. I don't. That approach was never feasible and has been fully discredited. I get it. You don't like this war. Strange considering it's gone quite well given previous estimates as to how "difficult" an Iranian conflict would be. Do you not see them as our adversary? Do you not see the utility and sometimes necessary use of military force? That's what it seems like to me. You strike me as someone who'd rather be a politician than a soldier. What about this: what conflicts in the past, which we have engaged in did you agree or disagree with? You can put a simple +/- if you think our participation was good or bad on the whole. I just don't think you believe in just war. Bosnia? Desert Storm? Iraq II? Afghanistan? Libya? Korea? Somalia? You don't even need to do that. Just give a little expository about any modern conflict you think we were justified in our intervention. See, I'm beginning to suspect that you just don't believe in war as a means to an end. You're ignoring too many positives for it to be anything except that. That we have a current one going on is just the latest thing you get to come onto the internet and vent your butt hurt about.

I'm not very optimistic either. However, I do think slowly releasing funds, or as ClearedHot_AI states, "leverage" after conditions are met and continue to be met, is very different than dumping off pallets of hundreds. If we're gonna do that let's just pay them in pennies, released from high altitude. We're discontuing them anyways...

Most definitely a no dibs on goats and sheep.

Kind of like the “Maryland father”