General Discussion

BLUF: Where would you think a good start might be to look into/start bugging people about possibly getting USERRA protections for TDART slots? My Congressional Representatives? A military rep somewhere that has more lobbying clout? Tom Cruise? Crazily enough, my 38-yo, Billy Madison-ass is UPT complete and a couple days from graduation and official wings on my chest. I’m stoked for PIQ and beyond as I continue to grow as an MWS pilot. But, one of my biggest gators is getting closer to the boat: the end of official pipeline orders after my 140-150 days of unit seasoning. To continue to become better and more qualified pilots, the Reserves have switched to civil-s…

Out of curiousity.... Anybody know of anyone who switched from a reserve pilot slot to AD while in UPT (phase II)? Is it possible? Guppyguy

I retire at the end of this year and was recently hired by DAL. I'm considering joining a reserve unit after retirement because I enjoy the flying and teaching. I've had a few people mention its a terrible idea and I will lose money big time. Anyone here in the program or ran the numbers?

Don’t know how many on this forum knew Reagan Whitlow, but he died in a private plane crash tonight, the C-130 community lost a fantastic pilot and better person. Here’s a toast... https://www.kark.com/news/local-news/update-pilot-killed-in-plane-crash-was-retired-lt-colonel-in-air-force/1478582383

https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/29/retired-military-pilot-died-hero-trying-to-save-kids-from-drowning-at-florida-beach.html I didn’t know him, but I’m sure someone here did. rest easy

Anyone have any recent first or second hand experience retiring and then joining the reserves or guard. I heard of one or two people doing this since I first heard of the program advertised around 2007, but wasn't sure if there were any more recent examples. Wondering what the pain level might be for approval these days. I know the financial benefits might be negligible for doing it.

For those of you recently retired or remember, does it really take a month before anything shows up? I retired 28 June and just today my pay shows my "Separated Reserve Pay" account which just shows my last AD paycheck, when can I expect it to say something along the lines of "Retiree Pay"? Yes, its an AD retirement.

I'm about to retire at the end of the month. Off the top of your head, can you remember anything that you had to sign up for in terms of benefits that was time critical? Anything you would have done differently or forgot to do? Thanks and happy holidays

Trying to decipher DoD regs regarding Time-in-Grade (Lt Col) and retirement. Lets say I have 20 years, been an 05 for two years, and I put in paperwork to retire. Lt Col TIG requires 3 years to retire as a Lt Col...what does that mean? I understand that I can't wear a retired Lt Col hat to the BX but does it drastically effect benefits? Or...can I not even apply to retire until I hit 3-years TIG? As I read it, under the high-3 retirement, they average out your highest 36 months of service...so if you have 1-year of 04 pay and 2-years of 05 pay...thats the average, right? Not quite as much money as getting 3-years TIG...but better than never having been paye…

Many of these topics have been discussed here piecemeal before, but my Google-fu has failed to turn up any dedicated thread. I know we have many retirees & separatees (current or imminent), so hopefully this thread will be value-added. So, I've dropped my papers--I get promoted to "Mister" on 1 July. So far, the retirement outprocessing stuff has been a lot like a PCS, just more painful. I think I've got my brain wrapped around most of it so far, with a couple of glaring exceptions. I'm hoping some of the ORFs who have gone before me can help me work out the best answer(s) for myself & my wife. Particulars: retiring as an O-5 with 21 yrs, 8 mos; marri…

Not a very exciting thread I'm sure! What do folks get their family members when they retire? Everyone does flowers at the ceremony and I'm guessing it is like a funeral at the house with many sets of flowers for all the woman-folk... I know it is not typically a time to celebrate them, but I'd like to make this as much of a day for at least my immediate family as I feel they have put up with a lot of sacrifices along the way. Thoughts? Obviously jewelry, but is there something that is a bit unique? Anything besides jewelry? Kids are nearing or in teenage years. Thanks!

Retirement of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley DOD News Links 1 2 There were some rumors of who might replace Secretary Donley back in April shortly after he first announced his retirement, but it seems the last few months have gone by fairly quietly regarding this transition. Of moderate newsworthiness, as reported when he was previously appointed and now re-addressed as the new acting Secretary, Under Secretary Eric Fanning, is openly gay. I doubt this needs much, if any, discussion, though it is mentionable. Any opinions on his departure, rumors of change, or discussion of replacements?

From Inside Defense: Discuss. Edited to title correctly.

This was already posted in the "What's Wrong with the AF?" thread (as a good thing), but it deserves its own thread for now. Release of the change to 39-2903 has re-authorized colored Friday shirts, name tags, and morale patches. Note that this applies to everybody, not just flyers. Can I get a harumph?

I heard a rumor the other day that the AF is looking at hiring prior active duty pilots back on to active duty. Apparently mother AF has paid too many dudes to get out and is now a ton of pilots short (1k). Any other rumors out there? If so...what are your options (UAV, UAV, or UAV). I know they have done it in the past (2003)....even gave guys the bonus to come back in. Some of them got pretty sweet assignments. Could get intresting. Anyone in the know?

ALL, I've been DNIF for a few years and the docs are saying I can return to fly. The way the classification AFI reads, it seems that if my current community will release me back to the rated world, the community that needs a pilot from my year group can claim me. I no longer have a RDTM and would like to stay at my current location to fly it's aircraft. Has anyone experienced this to know how it would be handled?

My jaw is on the floor. These are crazy. Anyone know the artist by chance? I want some prints! I mean seriously...damn! I just can't find a signature or any background on the pictures.

Got the message today around 1730L...RIF names were released to my Sq. Initial look seemed to match the VSP eligibility year groups. I did recognize names that applied for VSP. I was on the list. Didn't apply for VSP. Good luck to us all! 03' 11M

Most of the guys on this board havent seen a RIF (myself included), but is this what it was like after Gulf 1 and other historic AF RIFs? Air Force notifies force shaping lieutenants 5/10/2006 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Today, 2,084 lieutenants in the 2002 and 2003 accession year groups will learn if they were selected for retention by the Force Shaping Board. Each officer is being notified personally of their status by their senior rater. Officers deployed will be notified by either the deployed commander or their home station senior rater. The Force Shaping Board, led by a two-star board president, was broken down into panels of …

Hey all, My wife and I are both military and according to the FY14 Force Management Program I fall in the "RIF Board" category but my wife falls in the "Force Shaping Board" category (based on our year groups). Does anyone know what the difference is between being RIF'd vs being Force Shaped? From what I understand, they are both equivalent to being laid off by the military, but there has to be a difference (if there are two separate categories). Thanks in advance. ~Just a Regular Dude

Obviously there are a lot of (more) disgruntled rated dudes after the VSP debacle who are still meeting the RIF. Hypothetically speaking, if you were given the option of a "do not retain" on your RRF would you do it? Thoughts on chances of being RIF'd after VSP denial? Potential repercussions of a "do not retain" if retained?

The Air Force lost a great airman today when 1lt Anthony Riggan and his wife nicole passed away in a single engine plane crash in Co Springs on their way home to spend Christmas with family. https://www.krdo.com/news/26248211/detail.html Anthony was a B1 pilot at Ellsworth AFB and a UPT classmate and good friend to me and many in the Air Force community. He and Nicole will be sadly missed.

End of an era. We'll miss you brother! I look forward to seeing you beyond the big blue. I'll even let my wife sit on your lap again!

Colonel Robert L. Howard, age 70 and believed to be the most-decorated living American before his death, passed away Wednesday from pancreatic cancer in Waco, TX. Here's to him! Biography: Colonel Bob Howard is a native of Alabama, with his home record San Antonio, Texas. He entered military service on July 20, 1956 and was medically retired on September 30, 1992. He received a direct appointment from Master Sergeant to First Lieutenant in December 1969. His thirty six years of military service included over 33 years on airborne status. He participated in two movies concerning airborne and special operations missions, both featuring John Wayne. He made …

To him. And prayers for his family. https://www.ktnv.com/news/one-dead-after-aircraft-crashes-during-training-mission https://www.youcaring.com/julieschultz-943161