General Discussion

I am a current AD 62E Officer who was lucky enough to get picked up for UPT on this year’s Active-Duty UFT Board. I am thrilled to finally be living out the dream but am seeking advice for those who have been in my shoes.....late to rate. I am a 1st Lt who, pending any drastic UPT scheduling delays, should be completing UPT right around the time I hit Capt. As someone who is currently removed from the flying community, I have all of these aspirations for making the most of my flying time, and hope to get plenty of operational experience, and even have hopes of potentially attending WIC. I also (potentially naively?) plan to retire, as I sit here at a little ov…

I have had it suggested to me that since I will be late to rate (got 5.5 years in currently...closer to 6 when I START UPT), I will have to work twice as hard as my peers when I get to my primary MDS if I hope to get past Maj (or even to Maj?). I'm really not worried about making GO, I just want to fly and keep flying as long as possible...0-5 SQ CC would be nice too, but that's about it. I know I'll probably be way behind in my primary weapon system (whatever that ends up being), but on the plus side I've got 5+ years of experience leading units ranging in size from 50-250 enlisted troops fairly successfully as a maintenance guy(some good E-7s and E-8s helped a lot wit…

I’m an active duty Capt who managed to escape the MSG and about to start UPT at Columbus. I heard some gouge (from two Lt FAIPs) about late rated guys who end up tracking T-38s rarely end up in a fighter. Do they not like sending older folks to fighters (I’m 29)? Is there some truth here or is it just anecdotal Lt rumor? P.S I’m still very much a free agent on what I’d like to fly, I’m not a fighters or bust dude just after information

Hey all, Just wondering if anyone has heard of doing a lateral pilot transfer to the Navy from the Air Force. I am a T-38 grad from Vance that got assigned C-21s to Ramstein, which is a pretty sweet gig. But I just got word that I'll no longer be able to compete to go pointy-nose for my next assignment and will be forced to the heavy world. I love being in the Air Force, but my dream has always been to be in a single seat jet, and I'm just not ready to let it go. I've got just over 8 years left on my pilot training ADSC and I've been researching ways to get to a fighter after my assignment at Ramstein. I've looked at Palace Chase to a guard or reserve unit, bu…

So I hit 20 years of service on 31 May 2015, and requested a 1 June 2015 retirement date. I have an ADSC for Advanced Flying Training (MWS Requal) that takes me to 10 December 2015. I put in my retirement request with a waiver asking to waive the final six months of my 3 year ADSC. The guidelines state that the waiver has to show that it is in the best interest of the Air Force. My justification included the following: 1) Letting me go six months early saves the Air Force six months of O-4 pay + six months of flight pay. 2) The AF is actively Force Shaping. I did not take the recent TERA offer because I was deployed, and doing so would have required me to s…

Big Blue needs you to present a PowerPoint to a deployed location, even if you are needed at your current unit: https://www.jqpublicblog.com/leaked-memo-shows-depth-of-air-force-manpower-crisis/ Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

Howdy folks, just graduated school and I'm on my way to Laughlin to wait (APT) for an IFT/UPT class date. I'd sincerely appreciate any and all wisdom y'all have on PCSing, inprocessing at a new base - especially Laughlin/UPT, the IFT/UPT pipeline itself, etc. Thanks a bunch! - Ike

Just got some short notice UPT dates for Laughlin. If anyone is currently there I would love to discuss the current state of UPT, ROM expectations for this winter and lodging for accompanied members. For reference I'm a guard 135 guy who will be PCSing with my wife and dogs in mid September. As a broad discussion: How many hours are students currently expecting to get during UPT (2.5?) If I hold a single engine CPL, what PIC time can I log during T-6s (Only solo time?) Any advice/study guides I should familiarize myself with prior to arrival? Thanks!

I'm a casual right now, but thinking about taking my LSAT before JSUPT starts. The test expires in five years, so I am looking for any law school advice as something further down the road in my career. Would it be beneficial to get that out of the way now? Or, wait until later in my flying career to apply to AFIT? How long usually does it take after training to pursue a professional degree? Any input would be appreciated!

Anyone here tackled a law degree as a Guard or reserve pilot? Im in that position to start next year, and wondering how it all works out. Were you able to keep the flying to a sat. level? Not looking forward to it by the way, but something to fall back on!

The subject has been touched on in the past, but I'd like to open a thread to highlight all that is lame with current Ops at the 'Deid. When the shooting war was starting, everybody was too preoccupied with the no-$hit mission to worry about queep. Then the jets started coming back with bombs and the shoe clerk mentality started to grow. Here's my first story - Over in 'Ops Town' we had a bathroom that was just a short walk from our Ops Tent. By the time we got there, there was a good deal of penned-in graffiti on the walls of the $hitters. Standard $hitter immature crap. Well somebody got fairly pissed about it, sent in some dudes to paint over the walls an…

Leadville, Colorado has the highest field elevation in the United States and the third highest in the world. It sits at 9927' MSL. I am thinking of taking an OST (off station trainer) there in mid march. I am curious if anyone here has been to the airfeild. I tried a search but turned up nothing. The webiste for the airport has some interesting info, but I'm looking for firsthand military experience. Thanks!

Here's my dilemma people. I'm getting a new car here sometime soon and I've got some questions about leasing a car. I don't know much about leasing, but in some ways it seems good and in other ways bad. If I did decide to lease, about how much driving does one do while at UPT and all the follow on courses? To me it seems obvious, all my time will be spent in the classroom/flying, therefore, not too much time to be driving all over the place. Have any of you leased a vehicle and regreted it while in UPT or any other time in your career? Just trying to get an idea if I should buy something for my next few years of training or lease it instead. Any ideas?

Anybody know the name of the place that customizes the FLIGHT (not ****in missile) Jackets? They put silk lining in and print blood chits on them. If anybody has info on that it would be appreciated. thanks...

This is probably an odd question, but I was wondering about vacation time. I know you guys get 30 days a year, but do you really get to use it all? If so, can it all be taken at once? I guess I’m having “commitment” issues, and was just wondering how sold my soul would be to the government for ten years or so of flying. Thanks.

Obama to announce plans to begin withdrawal of 30,000 troops Wednesday night. Stay tuned. I won't miss the B-huts one bit but then again I think some of us are still gonna be there for a long time. Maybe he had this on his mind...

I should be leaving the Air Force soon if they process my paperwork right this time. I spent a lot of time stuck in places and airframes I didn't want to be in. It was UPT and AMC. I didn't end up there due to bad performance, it was mostly due to luck and timing. I had a really hard time watching people who failed courses, struggled in UPT, got in trouble, get the assignments I wanted due to missing VMLs, waivers needed for instructor duty, changing rules, or other factors. I feel like my youth was just... wasted and I have little to show for it. I don't have much pride in what I accomplished and I never was truly engaged or challenged. I am angry I spent 15 years of my …

Does anyone know the story behind the Legend of Quijibo? Its a zap that shows up all over. He's been zapped all over the world. Story I heard was he was a Herk pilot at Yokota named after Bart's made-up Scrabble word on the Simpsons. Anyone care to expand on this?

Apparently USAA needs our help. This seems like it could be very gay. New Legislation

Went into the BX for the first time in a few years today looking for a mouse for my laptop. I was quickly reminded why I avoid the place like the plague. The selection is godawful. The prices are typically 25-50% HIGHER than other retailers. Sony X65 headphones? $30 on Amazon and Walmart. Yours for only $80 at your local BX! Microsoft Military Appreciation Touch Mouse? $50 at the BX. $40 online. 3 year old PS3 games? 50% off at $25 at your BX or you could go to the mart or GameStop and get it for 5-$10. Cool speakers for your obsolete iPhone 3? Of course they are on clearance, at $50! Clothing selection is amazing. You can always find a sweet Affliction…

Libyan Rebels Are Flying Their Own Minidrone

According to AF Times: "Gen. Arthur Lichte, who officially retired in January, now sits on the board of directors of EADS North America. A division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., EADS North American announced Lichtes confirmation to the board Friday." And I thought this acquisition bullshit couldn't get any worse. Hey Art, did it ever cross your mind that this might not be the best time to run off and join the EADS board? I mean the whole improper contract award did happen under your watch at AMC. You didn't make the decision but I'm sure you argued the case for your boys. Did the thought even cross your mind that it might be good to sit this …

I don't know why this is an issue every time I attempt it. I get told 18 different things by 16 different people. Attempting to go from LHR>JFK>ORF. Langley is my TDY location. Then am going to book my own (miles) to Tucson for a couple days leave. Optimum would be to fly home (LHR) from Tucson. Attempted to do that and CTO said the following FLIGHT COMMENTS: CANNOT FLY ON GOV RATES FROM A LEAVE LOCATION DELTA WILL ALLOW A STOP IN JFKAmended my tickets to pickup the Heathrow return from JFK. Then they kicked back for this.** CANNOT FLY OUT OF JFK YOU MUST HAVE A ROUND TRIP FROM ORF THE AIRLINE WILL ALLOW A FREE STOP IN JFK BUT YOU MUST FLY ORF JFKSo basically they a…

I was wondering if Al Dhafra had internet available, either wireless or land line. I heard rumor that they were installing wireless but have nevere gotten this rumor confirmed or denied. Someone who has been recently please let me know. Just wondering if I'll be able to talk to my wife using Skype or if will be emails only. Thanks.

All, As many of you know, the C-21 is getting phased down - and eventually out. Congress approved a reduction by 50% a few weeks back. Here is the "unoffical" listing from a buddy of mine who works Chief of OSA/VIPSAM Planning at AMC. Andrews 13 to 6 WP 13 to 5 C.S. 10 to 3 Scott 14 to 9 (to include school house aircraft) Keesler 5 to 0 School house will move to Scott and be assumed by AMC. AAFSA will move to OKC. Ramstein 14 to 8 or 9 Yokota 4 to 3 The rest of the aircraft will probably go to the Navy as trainers, TC-21s and fly out of Randolph and Pensacola. All of this will happen by the close out…