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It's good to hear that you won't let this setback keep you from providing the level of support we've come to expect from finance. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sage advice from a skilled operator! Before I commissioned, my SA was so high that they notified Luke AFB 4 years ahead of my arrival to allow enough time for them to come up with a syllabus tailored to my exceptional SA. I'm sure you have a similar experience hence your lack of patience for those not as gifted.

What do you fly?

Good lord. Do they have a good price on tampons? You need some.

If you have the lifelong dream of flying AF jets, apply for every opportunity out there. Especially AD. You have to realize that while there are certainly never a shortage of things to bitch about on AD, the majority of dudes on here making the most noise don't know any different - most have no experience outside of AD. Most of them don't realize that at least part of their problems reside within themselves, and that they will eventually be just as dissatisfied as a civilian. I've been enlisted, a min wage civilian, a traditional college student, a civilian professional (Engineer), and AD AF for the last 10 years. Trust me, the AF isn't as broken as most around here think it is. Yes, there are issues, but that's life. All the things you mentioned are real benefits of this job that are hard to find elsewhere, and they make the BS worthwhile, at least manageable for 10 years. While I'm not looking to stay beyond my 20, I have no regrets about leaving a good paying, stable civilian job for AD. Good luck.

The best thing about active duty is the retirement at the end...

Same old song and dance. The time for communication and openness has long since passed. Just deny my flipping VSP app already so I can Palace Chase.

Having instructed early stage guys from all three sources, it doesn't matter. Tilt rotors are tilt rotors. Addressing the relative strengths and weaknesses from each pipeline (and they all have systemic strengths **and** weaknesses) amounts to a few hours of focused instruction. The individual matters far more than their prior experience.

Nice try, comm sq

... they're...

Take an Easter bunny marshmallow (a.k.a. a peep) and smush it down with your hand. Voila, you have a marshmallow in the shape of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un! For reference, here is the North Korean leader...

Not a derail. You specifically called out this guy's SA for flying an airplane. I want to know what you fly to make such a statement. I'm sure I'm not the only one since you dodge the question constantly. Please, share with the class your credentials on the matter.

Any idea when the 2nd round of TERA begins? Posted from the NEW Baseops.net App!

Transparency, you know...just like the President promised us. Wait...is it not happening?

Just a guess...17D? Call me crazy.

Meh, accessibility, which varies greatly from base to base, is no excuse for price gouging. Yeah, they price match. If you bring an ad in from a local retailer who has the item in stock. Who the f still gets newspapers and reads the ads anyway? Definitely not the young guys in the dorms. Also the last 3 assignments I've had the BX has been across base from the dorms near the housing area, where everyone has cars. Don't get me started on compulsory tipping at the goddamn commissary. Nothing like watching an 80yr old lady try to load my groceries in the car.

Quibbling. Just don't shop there, problem solved. The BX isn't subsidized like the commissary, so if you don't shop there, it will eventually go away.

But is it constantly eating cake?

- Go Guard. - If you're 28-29, shotgun apps everywhere, immediately! - Getting turned down 2x isn't all that uncommon. - Go and visit the squadron...multiple times if able. It will help your chances big time. - When you get back from training, you can go back to making your 100k (plus an additional 20-25k/yr as a part timer). - Profit in both money and experiences - Being Guard allows for opportunities to take high paying jobs AND fly. A few of our guys who have worked their way into very lucrative careers (we even have an E-9 who is a multi-millionaire)...

If you are interested in being a pilot for the military and not concerned with having to deal with the career development stuff (PME, Masters, etc), then going and flying the line for the ANG is probably a better bet. Personally speaking, I have greatly enjoyed my military flying career. I've been luckier than most with assignments and gotten to do some very cool things. I've had some raw deals as well, but overall I have enjoyed the experience. I will bitch about stuff as much as the next crew dog, but I enjoy this job. One word of caution, the luster of the job will wear off at times when you doing things you know are absolutely pointless. Military flying is a lot like golf. You swear you're done with it and then all of a sudden you hit a great shot and you remember why you love it in the first place. Good luck to you.

1. Would I trade a $100K civilian job for the experiences, bro's, etc that I have the opportunity to encounter? ABSOLUTELY 2. Would I leave my $100K military pilot job for a $40K civilian job TODAY? ABSOLUETLY 3. Would I join the AF as a non-pilot? ABSOLUTELY NOT Bottom line, guys in our line of work are not after the money -- we want a quality of life and job satisfaction. As those things fade (as evident in the 2000+ posts mentioned above), guys will leave and seek greener pastures. Most of us have been in this game for 15+ years and have the Balad Hard Rock cafe t-shirts already.

Never underestimate the effectiveness of filing an IG complaint, anonymous or in person. The complaint will be investigated. And never underestimate the effectiveness of walking in to the IG office and just talking to them about your situation. Your right to talk to the IG is protected by law. A reprisal complaint is a much bigger deal than a complaint about bad policy. Most leaders take great care to protect the IG process and protect themselves from reprisal, which is relatively easy to prove. Most IG "complaints" are resolved as assists, misunderstandings, or frivolous, meaning they usually fix the problem without elevating to the finding of substantiated complaint. This particular case would fall under Abuse of Authority. A commander requiring professional development in correspondence to be completed before considering them for in residence PME, when CSAF and A1 have specifically said it does not need to be done, is abusing their authority. CSAF knows there is a disconnect between what he says and what happens in the wings. He and A1 said there will be a policy about this released shortly. I recommend not continuing the correspondence lessons unless you want to. If your leadership requires you to continue accomplishing correspondence, talk to them directly (like Sally did) or let the IG know.

Uhhhhh.....your phone/iPod and a speaker cord..

This has to be one of the more foolish decisions made recently. Lack of low level and NVG experience aside, it will be the first time they've seen a landing area smaller than a relatively sterile 5,000ft+ runway. It'll be especially great coupled with the new Kirtland exclusive syllabus that seems to take much of the New River phase (including contact) and moves it into sim. Nothing like having your first dusty/restricted/slope landing, all while trying to judge winds and recon the site, be in a nearly $100 million aircraft. That is assuming you managed to find one that wasn't broken or stuck PL'd in a LZ for 10+ days. I'd be really interested in hearing the supposed logic behind the change. Would it be incorrect to assume it was highly political and predominately featured FW leadership in the process? Yes, they've been taking fixed wing transition guys for years, but they've mostly been operational before and have quite a bit of experience. The Rucker leadership was very vocally opposed to this decision when it was initially brought up a year or so ago, after they started dropping to T-1's. The only stated reason I heard about a year ago, albeit in a roundabout manner, was "helicopter pilot's lack of familiarity with the enroute structure." Yeah... because that's what gets you killed when much of your mission involves regularly flying below 200' AGL, at night, on NVG's, with TF/TA, landing to unsurveyed LZ's in remote areas. It seems as if nearly all the 22 class A's regardless of branch, have been in the terminal area. Who am I kidding though, I'm sure they'd have been prevented if only the crews had more experience filling out DD-175's. All that being said... I'm sure it'll be a popular drop out of T-1's/T-38's and they'll end up with some quality studs in the pipeline who'll adapt well, but that still doesn't make this decision any less idiotic or help prepare them any better.

In military planning (MDMP, JOPP) we analyze courses of action (COAs) by determining if they are Feasible, Acceptable and Suitable (or Adequate). Some add Distinguishable and Complete. In your decision, you need to decide if "going AD" is Suitable/Adequate (accomplishes the mission, complies with guidance or in your case, meets your needs and desires). You need to decide if "going AD" is Acceptable, or worth the cost. Is it worth giving up what you have and spending the time, effort and energy to meet your needs by "going AD". Some on this forum will tell you it is not. Only you will know whether "going AD" is Acceptable or Suitable for you. You need to spend some time determining if "going AD" is Feasible. Do you have the capability or resources necessary to do this? Determine if you can get a commission in the AF, qualify for pilot training, complete pilot training, get a security clearance, etc. There are many disqualifying factors. Since two ANG units have turned you down, it may not be Feasible. Very few people are offered the opportunity to serve on active duty or in the ANG as a pilot. I have not regretted my decision to serve on active duty and I would do it again. Good luck with your decision.

I'd consider rolling the dice depending on when the training and in-place date are for this deployment. That's putting a lot of hope that your VSP app will be approved; If not, you're deploying. If you 3-day opt, you set a separation date and I think become ineligible for VSP, except that you applied for VSP before notification and subsequent 3-day opt'ing for this deployment. I wouldn't put it past some head AFPC chode to throw out 365's to nullify VSP apps. Why the are we even tasking 365's anymore, Do we really need that kind of continuity, or is this just more support staff to justify command billets?

If you're PCS there. Taking leave to go. Maybe even if you're there TDY (good luck). See you there, hopefully.

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 shirt with a foil dragon on it or some sweet South Pole jeans! All the candy your heart desires. And shave bump cream! And this is supposed to be a benefit? Poor old retirees think their getting a deal.