Leaderboard

For my last 3 or so years on active duty, I adopted the practice of calling authority figures in my chain of command "management" rather than "leadership". Fortunately, I had Squadron leadership that rocked and were flying top cover for me, otherwise I'm sure I'd have added another LOR or something to my already-impressive record of administrative slaps on the wrist. SQ/CC: "Hacker, have you briefed Group leadership on the ADVON plan?" Me: "Sir, I did brief management, and they did not have any questions." SQ/CC: "Why do you keep using the term 'management'?" Me: "I'll call them "leadership" when they re-earn that title. In the mean time, I'll call them what they actually are in practice." SQ/CC: "I guess I won't be putting you up for Wing Staff anytime soon....you're dismissed."

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Three years to the A-29? Where have I heard that before. Oh yeah, that's right. In the very first post of this entire thread. About eight years ago.....

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I told leadership that I'm off this sinking ship next October and magically, 4 months later, here's your 6-monther to the Deid. If you are reading this Chang...this is one of the 69 reasons people have had it. You want more fighter SP throughput, deploy an experienced IP from T-38s, while ramping up class sizes. That'll help the burden on others. 23 Oct 18 can't come soon enough.

It is not about the plane it is about the mission and I believe the rationale in the AFSOC case is FID. Dusting off the Marine Corps Small War Manual, something about training partner nations to provide for their own defense. I see the logic, but AFSOC is feeling the pilot manning pinch like everyone else and I can't see how they are going to find pilots for this "new" project. Now if they want old washed up guys to come back on contract and fly it

Chang, don't know if you are reading this, nor who you are. But let it be known that almost every one of my peers plus 3-4 peer groups below me are talking about the airlines and at least going guard/reserves. LTs are already talking about it. You guys are in deep deep trouble and let it be known that you guys did this to yourselves. A few years ago, when people asked about these issues and the pilot shortage at large we were laughed at, told to stop complaining, etc. Now look where we are: 4 star generals going to the airlines with their tails between their legs while the airlines laugh at us. Fortunately for the sake of the country, many of my peers will continue to serve in the guard and reserves; do the same effing job as active duty minus a lot of the PC crap that has tainted our armed forces. Were Rainman here on these forums today he would disagree, but at the end of the day, those in the guard and reserves provide the same product to national security. Active duty is not any mightier or worthier. We love this country and love putting on the bag to go "hack the mish," just not on active duty's terms because senior "leadership" has decimated the patriotism, drive and morale of those bright eyed kids wanting to fly fight and win.

Play those cards close hold, else Big Blue will award you with that 365 or worse

I have two short tours under my belt. Yet, I have not told a soul I am going to retire in 3 years. If they get me for a 365, I will definitely be pissed. DONT TELL PEOPLE YOUR GAME PLAN. Just color so you can slide out the door.

I signalled I was leaning toward punching next year when ADSC is up...I too get a six month vacation to the sandbox. We have identified a trend.

Dude, Unless you are Goldfein himself, NOTHING is going to change. We've heard the call to cleanse the system of toxic leaders before and nothing came of it, the primary reason I ran for the airlines and a guard unit at my first opportunity almost three years ago. If you want a toxic community look no further than AFSOC. Two of the worst most caustic humans that have ever lived have risen to become General Officers in AFSOC. One gave 30+ commander directed Q-3s while commanding the 15th SOS. As a Group/CC and deployed JSOAC/CC he hammered a dude in my community for losing his weapon down range, only to lose his gun a short time later and have it covered up by his command chief. He openly hates anything outside of his realm like the Weapons School and actively fought to end the program, going as far as shaming people who wore their graduate patch, then surrounded himself with patches downrange. As the Group/CC he flew a CV-22 into a tree, almost rolling the aircraft into the dirt. That little escapade got him a commander directed Q-3 of his own from the Wing/CC which would have ended any other officer's career, his punishment was to be there Wing/CC at Cannon where I hear he salted the earth and left a trail of destruction. Through all of this and multiple IG complaints from people I respect, NOTHING happened and he is now a two star select. Until you fix assholes like him, NOTHING will change. When I dropped my separation papers there was some doubt, the brothers and sisters I fought with were incredible people who shaped my life, now I look at the decision as the best of my life because I don't have to watch toxic leaders destroy the Air Force I love.

In case there are any young Zoomies, USAFA can't be on initial ADSC aka your first five years.

I also have two short tours and 8 years to go. We'll see if my luck holds out. At least my return date is in this decade, so that should help.

tar_heel Obviously, I am a little late on the response, but I hope you decided to apply anyway. As the other two dudes said, make a unit tell you no. I have a vision waiver and wear contacts when I fly, along with a good number of pilots in our squadron. Never take yourself out of contention. Hope you ended up applying. if not I'm sure we'll have another board next year if you don't get picked up by then. LAPS

I told the MPF I did a year on the ROK when enlisted and I wanted to know if that counted as short tour credit. They checked my records and gave me credit for that in VMPF. It's listed under my short tours to Iraq and Asscrackistan.

Wow... what a coincidence. When I put in my Palace Chase App, while it was going through the wickets, I got tasked with a 6 monther to Iraq. That made my decision sooo much easier. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Last years info for my Wing: 35 eligible, 7 PRF's sent to AFRC, 2 promoted

light attack would persuade me to stick around at the end of my commitment and i think others would do the same

I'm neither deployed nor at AFSOC staff. It's bloated. As you know, staff experiences vary. Mine may be anomalous. But I've been at a major HQ for a year and have yet to see any rated person used for their rated expertise. I know the plural of anecdote is not data, but it's hard to hear statements like yours about how AFSOC is hurting for pilots. We need an audit, especially of joint billets. sorry for the thread drift.

Too bad, as you mentioned STOP LOSS is a viable retention tool and we obvious need tools like you.

You must be in a different KC-135 community than my KC-135 community.

I'll add another little gem from that era in AFSOC..."if you have to choose to be a better aviator or officer, be a better officer." This to a room full of CGO's, the youngest out of UPT/UNT to the CGO's who have been around a bit. It was the trifecta of leadership with my squadron/CC during that time frame. As said above... two are two stars (or select) while the other is an O-6 on his way to a star from what I hear. Additionally, the HPO syndrome wasn't even hidden, when it was stated that "CGO" awards were reserved for certain "types" of people. I recognize that there HAS to be a meritocracy, just like there has always been through high school, college, and sports at all levels. Although, the AF likes to hide where you are in the system, unless you have the decoder ring.... I never thought that this profession would be the example of how not be a part of the team. When you are at war, you need everyone to be apart of the team, even if they are the worst performers. If they don't deserve to be there... we HAVE systems to weed them out (and I don't think they are the systems the AF has been using in the last 5-10 years). The AF forgot how to work as a team, because "performance" had nothing to do with breaking things and killing people. At least for a time period in AFSOC. It is better now, but I know those who came before are still out there. That is a big part of what has me leaning towards "greener" pastures.

I work with the guy in question. Well maybe. The dude I work with was a DL newhire, but high time fighter/trainer guy, no prior airline. As such, didn't have the 121 hours to hold 88A in NYC, even though his seniority could hold it. No biggie, he's dropping 3 year recall to AD in order to get his O-5 TIG. AFRC wouldn't give him a way into an O-5 flying billet, due to Blue falcons sitting on the pot too long and timing older people like him out. He said nah, not going down like that, so back to regAF he goes for 3 years to collect. ROTC, pretty sweet gig. So, O-5 retirement check and back to DL with added seniority/pay. People have options these days. Def a buyer's market for those who are getting calls.

I grew up riding in cars...I'm basically a certified mechanic.

Well the wife and I have talked and when my commitment is up I'm going to become a homemaker and support her career. My wife's job is super important and she works long hours with others so I'm going to start a club for the other husbands to have get togethers and build up the spouses network. Granted she teleworks so all of our meetings (and kids play dates) will have to be over Skype but with all the things going on in the world I think there should be a better support network for her coworkers dependents. Her job keeps her so busy and now that we have kids someone has to sacrifice their career, she may be going overseas next year for six months or so as well to manage stocking toilet paper in the Doha office even though she works in the medical field. Maybe if we're lucky while she's gone, I can volunteer to help set her up for success and get her more face time with her boss and maybe help her get her next promotion. I think she's going to volunteer to coordinate the company gift exchange this year so my plate is going to be FULL over the coming months in preparation. I also heard there is a program to be a prime spouse (it requires a week of mandatory training and being on call one week a month), I may try that as well. What do you all think? Now imagine if I were being serious you would think I was crazy. Why do we do this to ourselves?

ill play devils advocate i thought GC was a funny troll if you didn't take him seriously

Don't waste your time on Chang...now, for something more entertaining. FLBP Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums