General Discussion

Hi everyone, With the holidays coming up I thought it would be a good time to post this question for anyone who would like to buy a gift for a friend/family member that will soon be attending OTS/TFOT or UPT, or for themselves if they have friends/family asking what they would like for gifts this year and would like to suggest something that would be useful in their upcoming training. So what are some good gift ideas or things that you wished you had while at OTS or UPT that would be useful for someone who will be attending sometime in the future? Thanks, and happy holidays to all!

Hey all, I am early in my first assignment and have begun looking at (online) masters programs to start. I have an undergrad in aero engineering and wanting to improve my application to TPS/U2/B2 programs down the road. After reading AFI99-107 and talking to others, it seems that a technical masters is desired for having a shot at the TPS board. My question is there any specific masters or schools that would stand out? I am leaning towards Embry Riddle's MS Aero program but curious on other degrees such as MS Flight Test Engineering, etc... Also planning on tuition assistance to help max extent possible. And I will take any gouge on recent TPS boards, haven't seen any rec…

Greetings, I'll start with a disclaimer: I feel absolutely blessed to have the opportunity to fly with the Air Force, every unit is different, and I want to fly as much as possible with my unit for the next few years. Question for the Reserve guys who have been around and have some experience with TDARTs vs ARTs vs TRs. I'm coming up on PIQ and will then go on to fly Hercs, and not sure if I should sign up for the TDART program or not. I really like the flexibility of orders (and money) as well as the retirement points. Am I wrong in assuming that TDARTs get limited retirement points similar to ARTs? I will also have my ATP coming out of PIQ so I could potenti…

Word is a hydraulic malfunction, crew declared an IFE, and upon landing one of the main gear collapsed and the aircraft ran off the runway. No injuries, thank God! https://www.kmbc.com/amp/article/b-2-bomber-sustains-damage-emergency-landing-whiteman-air-force-base/37599054

Primarily by combat arms users in the army. But doesn't 3M also make some of spongies we as aircrew use? This might be a case to follow if you have hearing loss....

The 2022 National Defense Strategy was released today: https://www.defense.gov/National-Defense-Strategy/ While the content isn't surprising, the escalation in language, tone, and specifics from 2018 National Defense Strategy is. https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf The trend line continues to reinforce the Thucydides Trap theory.

What's up y'all. had a question about tattoos and the regulations. I did a search and did find a thread back In 05 and was wondering if they're still the same. my situation: been hoping to get a tattoo for awhile, but wanted to wait till after BMT to get it. Long story short, I was DQ'd at MEPS for the most menial thing ever a few weeks ago and have been waiting to get my waiver approved. I also was hoping to get shipped off after the Hollidays so I can have family time and finish up my 1st semester of college. this gives me about a 2 month window to get a tattoo and let it heal. When going through the medical process I was quite frequently asked if I had tatto…

Are there any facts or rumors regarding where the CAA mission will be headed in the future? The last I heard is it is totally discontinued with no official plans for reinstatement. https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/ready-fire-aim-great-power-competition-without-combat-aviation-advisors Can anyone with experience there comment on their time there? From the outside, it seems like it was a good time: unique deployments, lots of cool training for skills outside of the plane, and doing meaningful work.

Does anyone have experience dealing with getting continuation after a DNP? Some NJP is in the picture from a few years ago that I thought I had recovered from, but that still played into a DNP for my first look at O-5. I’m assuming it’s not going to change next year. I’ve assumed I would get double passed over, but I was expecting a Promote at least. Does a DNP likely mean a DNP next year and how does that affect continuation? Thanks for any experiences.

Question for the crowd. Does anyone know of opportunities that will allow you to collect your retirement, but also retain the ability to go on orders for short periods of time? Examples could look like: Part-time technician that could do things like sit alert from time to time. White jet instructor (DSG/ART) that can turn a few sorties a month at a UPT base. A "points" only gig like USAFA liaison officer - not sure if something like that would even qualify for USERRA. Why? To be able to collect basically the full retirement, keep flying military jets, and also retain full USERRA control over one's airline schedule when necessary. J…

Hey Guys, Looking to gather some info on an upcoming PCS. There’s a potential to go on a marine exchange. Have any of you bros done one? Looking to see if it’s a good opportunity/QOL. Any general experience is helpful, however this is a F-35 marine exchange to be specific. Thanks!

Just heard about this... T-6 Instructor Pilot Dies After Ejection Seat Goes Off on the Ground (airandspaceforces.com) An Air Force instructor pilot died early in the morning on May 14 from injuries sustained when the pilot’s T-6A Texan II training plane ejection seat activated during ground operations the day before, the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, announced in a press release. “An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway,” the wing wrote, adding that the pilot’s name is being withheld for 24 hours to notify his or her next of kin. (full story at title link) 🍺

Anyone know what reg covers gear pilots are authorized to be given through O&M purchases? Trying to spend end of year funds and take care of guys without buying tvs and chairs. Thanks for legit ideas!

https://news.usni.org/2024/10/15/growler-crew-members-status-unknown-after-crash

If anyone was wondering why the U.S. Army plans to cut 6,500 aviation jobs from the active duty ranks over the next two years, here's your answer! UH-60 Black Hawk Cargo Drone With Clamshell Nose Breaks Cover The new U-Hawk can lug thousands of pounds of cargo internally that would never fit in a standard Black Hawk, and launch scores of its own drones and munitions. Sikorsky has unveiled a new, fully uncrewed version of the Black Hawk helicopter with a completely transformed front end that swaps out the cockpit for clamshell doors. Depending on how it is configured, what has been dubbed the U-Hawk can move thousands of pounds of outsized cargo intern…

Who and what occupations get to work at NORAD? Can pilots volunteer to work there?

I forwarded on the request for donations to the family of the F-15E aircrew KIA and several people to whom I sent it forwarded to folks on their list. Somewhere prior to the sixth degree of separation, somebody shot back the following to one of my family members - "when a man dies in combat his children are guaranteed college where ever they choose, (I believe) on the US government. I personally know of twins that went to college with XXX and XXX just told me of another family as well. So, this may really have happened, but this organization and credit card giving alarms me a bit." I'm 99.69 percent positive this is BS. SGLI is all we've got and seeing as how t…

From military.com: Link: https://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/07/30/af-wants-60-light-airlifters/?wh=wh I guess the good news is that there are going to be 60 more manned aircraft.

I'm waiting on my first set of orders. The NCO in my ROTC office has had them done since Monday, but he's waiting on Finance to approve the Funds Cite. What is this, and how long does it usually take? Thanks BLud

Does anyone else find it a little sac religious (pardon the pun) that SAC is now “Strategic Airlift Command???” When I see articles about SAC in action overseas, I am expecting shit to be nuked. You think they could have come up with a different acronym for an airlift command.

I'm gonna start traveling here in a few weeks. What size bag will fit into a travel pod? Any suggested bags that are good for taking all your shit downrange?

Howdy- I'm trying to plan my cross country (T-6) and want to remain overnight at KDWH. It's listed on the AETC Letter of Agreement list, which just means we can land/refuel there, right? I've got another list that's labeled "14 FTW Joint-Use Civilian Side Tracker", and KDWH isn't on there. I've been told by the step desk at Randolph that they indeed do remain overnight at KDWH, and that there's some AETC-wide RON tracker. Where can I find this? I asked my IPs, and haven't gotten a good answer. They keep referring me to the local 14 FTW list. Thanks!

It looks like there's a new member in the Muammar-Qaddafi-Batshit-Crazy-Muslim Club: Karzai to lawmakers: "I might join the Taliban" If this isn't a journalistic misquote, I think we need to have a Pred pilot earn a DFC for this idiot.

Breaking News: Shooting in Wichita Falls Don't know how valid this is, but my friend said some of the people gunned down were service members. If you have any friends or relatives over there, might as well be safe and check on them...

Visited the forum from time to time, finally joined... I'm an E8 nav heading to UAV's in November. Looking for some gouge on Vegas, Creech, the squadrons, etc. I volunteered btw, so no need for sympathy. :) my vegas experiences so far have been red/green flag related, so looking for info on N.Vegas, pace of life, anything you guys want to share. Looking forward to washing the isr stink off...Thanks for any info guys!