Squadron Bar

Guys, the military “hero” / “thank you for your service” / “veteran” culture has jumped the shark. At the airport today waiting to board, and the Delta gate agent announces “anyone w a active duty military ID can now preboard”. Damn near 25 people made their way up to the gate...including a brand new 2LT RPA pipeline student wearing his flight suit (very tacky). Now it’s not these individuals fault they took advantage of Delta offering them early boarding. But as military members we need to think of what that’s doing to the general public’s perception of its military. If I’m a first class passenger I’m going to be slightly annoyed that some 19 year old dressed in cu…

Hey, guys and gals. First, a disclaimer: I'm not (yet) in the military and just a long shot old guy trying to get a Reserves/Guard UPT slot, so I am not posting this from the inside. That said, I am a big fan of the financial world/retirement options and, in my travels researching squadrons and poking around their pages for info today, I randomly stumbled across this article that could be important to some folks. It basically says, if you're one of the fortunate ones that can max out your TSP at $18,500 and you're in the BRS with a match program, you want to make sure you're spreading the $18,500 in contributions out over the ENTIRE year and not maxing out early. Ac…

Where is this info? When is the "board"? When does 2010 year group pin on?

Just saw this: https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/542725002 Don't wish this on any one. But you could get quite an upgrade. Like shopping for a new car and get anyone you want. Good news for the vet.

One step closer to STOPLOSS

Traditional guard guy currently on full-time orders. Expect to be away from home of record for another 1.5yrs. We do not currently own property and have have been thinking about buying a house very seriously over the past two ish years. We've spent this time researching what we want and we already have lived in the area we are looking (we know we like it there). Come to find our dreamhome listed a few days ago, seems to be the right place for our kids, the price is right and all the features we wanted. We don't want to lose our chance at getting this place especially since we haven't seen anything of note pop up in-market as we have looked the past few years. Is it crazy …

BO brain trust, I usually stay away from surveys, but I'm humbly requesting info from you all. Here's the deal: Left AD, started a business that gives us the latitude to help other military folks start something of their own as they transition, and we're looking for more data about helping the military community succeed in starting businesses. https://bit.ly/militaryentrepreneur I really appreciate it... feedback, spears, snarky comments, ridicule... all welcome.

ESPN Link Seriously, of all the issues going on in this country, the FBI is wiretapping collegiate coaches for bribery? Who are the victims here? Are we really shocked that athletes are being "compensated?" How about scholarships? That's a form of bribery right? So many questions...

LM Airbus A320X add-on for Lockheed Martin’s pro-level Prepar3D installs a possible Spyware component: https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2018/02/21/flight-simulator-comes-bundled-with-password-stealing-stowaway/

I brought this topic up elsewhere with military pilots I know, and it turned into a pretty good thread. A number of them are airline Captains and provided great perspective. I doubt I'll see anything new here... but since it was quite a fun and lively discussion, I'll ask. "Center the bug"... it's what airline pilots do, right? When you roll out of the turn in LNAV, you put the heading bug at 12 o'clock. "A married bug is a happy bug." "Heading to follow..." In 28 years as a military pilot, I seldom cared where the heading bug was if I was navigating on something other than a heading. In the U-2, I bugged my flameout heading. On final approach, I could bug…

... at least according to this individual. https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/01/28/california-teacher-slams-military-members-as-lowest-low-in-classroom-rant-caught-on-video.html According to the El Rancho HS website, he can be reached at work at 562.801.7500... then dial 0... then dial his extension of 57003. I'm guessing he had a lot of calls today, since his voicemail is full and not accepting any more. I'll try again tomorrow.

This luggage tag, presumably owned by "Viper Driver Tweak" was found by an associate of mine at the aeropuerto in Erie, PA. It is currently being held hostage by the Swedish Bikini Team, who are threatening to suffocate it with their boobs and/or thighs if ransom demands for its return are not met. If you know Tweak, and he cares enough about this $15 bag tag to save it from certain death from overexposure to soft, delicious Nordic flesh, contact me to help arrange to get it back. Photos/video of the bag tag torture threats unavailable at this time.

Gents, As I sit here from my whiskey fueled perch, pondering the state of the nation, and pissed that the pats didn't lose, I'd like to ask your opinion. What if someone was to run for office on the following premise, accountability. "You all voted in to office people who got this business, our government and country, into mass debt, and continued war spending, monetary, and physical." (it's cumbersome wording, whatever, you get it, human cost) Those elected representatives (for the most part) have not served, their children do not serve, their peers do not serve, they do not know the cost of war. In order to get our country to be a solvent business, and our r…

First commander of the Space Shuttle flew west 5 Jan 2018. Fast facts: Naval Aviator, flew F-9 Cougars & F-8 Crusaders on fleet tours aboard USS Coral Sea & USS Forrestal, Navy TPS Grad, 42 year career with NASA, Flew on Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. From his Wiki page: John Watts Young (September 24, 1930 – January 5, 2018) was an American astronaut, naval officer and aviator, test pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He became the ninth person to walk on the Moon as Commander of the Apollo 16 mission in 1972. Young enjoyed the longest career of any astronaut, becoming the first person to fly six space missions (with seven launc…

More than likely I'll be heading overseas in the near future. Is it worth taking your car with you? I've heard through the grapevine that your car will get dinged up in the 3 months it takes to get there and then you have to deal with converting it to meet the host country's regulations. Then when you go back to the states I assume you have to undo the modifications you had done? The roads are also smaller than here in the states, so would a midsize sedan do ok on their roads? TIA.

Happy New Year gents! I have been trying to figure out for the past month whether I should opt in to the new retirement system or not. I have a sort of nonstandard situation, which I'll explain, so finance at my base has no fricking clue and I haven't found anyone in the same boat as me to compare notes with. I know many of you guys are financially way smarter than I am so maybe you can help me figure this out. OK here's what I'm working with. I'm an O-3 commissioned in June 2013, but I was enlisted in the Army reserve for several years before that. My reserve time got me 7 good years towards a reserve retirement, and a few hundred AD days. So…

New thread for Iranian happenings. Protests into the third day, another chance offered by history to support Iranians who don't want to live in under a brutal theocracy: https://www.redstate.com/slee/2017/12/30/iran-may-experiencing-world-changing-legitimate-resistance-movement-american-media-yawns/ https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/30/middleeast/iran-protests-intl/index.html

To all who are home celebrating with family and friends, may you have a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the New Year! For those who are elsewhere, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please be safe, and when you return the first round is on me! Cheers! M2

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/15/570810197/u-s-army-green-berets-accused-from-within-of-lowering-standards An unnamed SFQC cadre member wrote a letter talking about how the culture at the SFQC has changed to drive graduation numbers up instead of getting the right guy for the job. Pretty damning accusations that sound very similar to a lot of the complaints I hear from the UPT bros. I think the author(s) raise interesting points with not too much in the way of emotional grandstanding. Also, the response from the 2 Star is interesting in his defense of treating the objective measurements as diagnostics and not pass/fail events. Thoughts?

Am I completely losing my mind, or is the “Leaving the Air Force for the Airlines” thread gone? Is big blue trying to squash the exodus by quietly censoring BO.net? We wouldn’t want to allow those still on active duty the resources necessary to make an educated decision about their career paths (that happens during mid-term OPR feedback). What am I missing?

It was announced this afternoon that the commander was relived November 20th because of his "Risk management Style" Nice move Tally...At least she is "personally grateful for his dedication to the 2017 season."

Hi all, especially any Lakenheath folks. I am a published aviation photographer and as the wx looks great this week I will be in the Mach Loop (aka 'The Roundabout'), this Thursday 11/30/17. Appreciate any heads up, happy to send any high-res pics in return. Either contact me through this site, or via email to alexjlovell@hotmail.com. Examples from previous visits here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexlovell2011/albums/72157629639518560 Thanks in advance Regards Alex

A colleague who is F22 pilot for the Virginia ANG had honor of flying a Phantom at Eglin. He flew the aircraft we had at the reunion. Here is the F-22 pilot’s thoughts on flying the F-4: I flew your jet a couple days ago (see attached). I had a little trouble getting the engines started, so I climbed out and shoveled some more coal in the back; after that she fired right up. Ground ops were uneventful, although I couldn’t figure out why the cockpit smelled like body odor, Jack Daniels and cigars…and that was BEFORE I got in it! By the way, what’s with the no slip crap on top of the intakes, it’s like you have permanent icing conditions due to that spray on rhino t…

I have been with this board since shortly after its inception - I joined as a young Captain and tapered off after retiring two years ago as a Lt Col. Due to my departure and shrinking level of current USAF knowledge, my contributions to this board have diminished. But it occurred to me after a PM from a board member that myself and others in my situation still have a valuable contribution to those who are looking towards a post-AF career. So I'm starting this thread as a specific Q&A for airline hiring, with emphasis on direct connection to guys working for the airlines who can mentor and assist. I am not posting this in the "Leaving the Air Force for the Airl…