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The best advice I've received since getting passed over came from another man who had a similar experience (checked the right boxes, nothing negative, excellent line operator, surprise non-promote): "Your life just got a lot easier, you just don't know it yet." He pointed out the importance of people (for however long they might stay in the AF) that can call a spade a spade without worrying if it will hurt their promotion chances. He also pointed out that once you're done in the USAF, no one gives a second thought to if you're a retired major, colonel, or general...it simply doesn't matter. If you're a pilot, a dispatcher, driver, or someone else, that's your job, end of story. He flies big civil planes now where his work day is done and he's headed home before the engines stop spinning, and a driver is waiting on him to take him to the hotel which is already paid for. (strange how you never hear about dispatchers, drivers, and baggage handlers in private aviation demanding the same treatment as pilots at those companies in name of "fairness") That perspective made me realize it doesn't matter who gave the "you're not promoted" news nor how. No changing it, and it's the AF's loss. No matter how important they might be saying pilot retention is, they've made it clear again that line performance will not get you promoted nor continued. To the AF, it all boils down to lines of text on a piece of paper, regardless of how excellent your aviation record, how many lives you've saved, or how many combat sorties you've flown. To me, none of that defines my value as a pilot or a person. If the AF doesn't want talent, that's their problem, not mine. How much more do I need to know? FF

Worth it

True, you need someone else to fly while you get ATIS

I guess that gouge worked out for Brabus

Lucky bastards.

No uncommited eligible option. Im actually surprised. 1-2 yr option is great for those few people who are waiting out a pcs adsc. I bet that inflates the take rate and allows afpc to claim victory.

"The Air Force said airmen whose service commitments expired in fiscal 2016 or earlier will be ineligible, as are those whose commitments expire in fiscal 2018 or later. Airmen who have been recalled under the Voluntary Recall to Active Duty program, inter-service transfers, colonels or colonel-selects, and rated officers who are medically disqualified from aviation service are also ineligible." Aside from the normal restrictions, notice how there's no early-eligible option (2018) or re-attack options for people taking prior bonuses wanting to re-up. Seems like chaff that will only profit a very select group of pilots to see who bites instead of a broad reaching attempt to retain talent. Not saying it's not shrewd, but it's certainly not a massive confidence booster. Almost like they're trying to find out EXACTLY where the "line" is where they can retain just enough pilots without over-shooting. I'll be interested to read the actual message.

Not to be pedantic, but it really does matter: you would pocket $75,000 at the absolute top. Make sure you factor taxes in when making this decision.

Holy sh!t. Over 10 years; that's one hell of an achievement.

I read an ACSC paper that was posted here that covered the BENT program. It was sold that there were limited resources/flying hours, and priority was given to those who made the commitment to serve beyond their initial ADSC, or something like that. Reading the ACSC papers are fascinating. Each time, the AF has gotten through it by not changing anything, but riding it out until the next economic downtown. Notes are mine from random scrolling through. 1988: https://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a192791.pdf "USAF pilot retention has once again decreased to an alarmingly low level. The combination of factors present in the current situation--large pay inequity, the perception of reduced benefits due to constrained budgets, and lucrative opportunities in the civilian economy--has the potential to make this pilot retention crisis the worst ever in for the Air Force" 1993: https://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a270298.pdf "An exit survey of pilots in 1979 showed job satisfaction, geographic stability, little say in future assignments, job opportunities, and senior Air Force leadership as the most often cited reasons for separation". "For example, on one occasion the Air Force issued leather flying jackets to currently rated pilots in an effort to increase morale. Some have proposed a "dual track" Sysyem for pilots which would allow th 'pilots who want to concentrate on flying to avoid some non-flying duties typically required of pilots desiring promotion and advancement in the Air Force. " "In an effort to improve the retention of experienced senior pilots, there have been proposals to develop a two track system for pilots. This system, often referred to as the Dual Track system, would allow pilots to remain in a career track similar to the one they are in currently, or alternatively enter a track where they would be a pilot "specialist." Air Force Major David Evans explains that a pilot in the specialist track ". . .would no longer be considered for promotion, PME, or other non-flying related programs and would retain his current rank for the remainder of his service". " RAND Study in 2000: www.dtic.mil/get-tr-doc/pdf?AD=ADA533214 The United States Air Force is facing the largest peacetime pilot shortage in its history. This report examines the origin and nature of the shortage along with retention issues, and shows that the real problem is experience levels in operational units. etc etc. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Oh wait, another one! 1999: https://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a397320.pdf Deployments are a significant factor in high operations tempo for the military. Another factor related to the end of the Cold War and operations tempo is the downsizing that has occurred. Since 1989, the USAF has reduced its overall strength from almost 600,000 airmen to less than 400,000 in 1998, a 33 percent decrease in end strength.13 The smaller force combined with the higher operations tempo impacts the individual airman directly by increasing personnel tempo. Today's economy also contributes to USAF retention problems. As a result of the healthy economy, the unemployment rate is only 4.3 percent, a 30-year low.14 The result is competition for employees. One particular labor market where competition for employees is especially fierce has been the market for pilots. This market has been competitive because there has been a hiring boom by the airlines in recent years, not only because of the healthy economy, but also because of the need to replace a large number of airline pilots reaching mandatory retirement age. .. USAF senior leadership at the February 98 CORONA conference identified this high operations tempo as the primary reason USAF pilots separate from the service. .. There are a variety of USAF initiatives intended to improve aspects of quality of life and thereby increase retention. These initiatives are intended to address two of the reasons highlighted in chapter two, personnel tempo and compensation.

The side stick changes everything, as well as digital flight controls. If the F-16 is buffeting (like the T-38) its probably time to do a controllability check and/or eject, it doesn't even compare.

Curmudgeon, if it pleases the court

OPR yes. Fitness test, not sure. Depending on your SR he/she may withhold your retirement medal if you are not current on PT test.

In an age when the bonus is supposed to be getting better, it's somehow gotten worse for 11Hs. From 25K over 9 years to 28K over 5 years. Fck this shit.

Jessica Davies

This. A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.

Being the grumpy old guy can be a hell of a lot of fun, too!

Bravo ..... from waaaay back!

+ a few months can make all the difference...

Does this mean Qatari customs dolts will be bigger a-holes? I personally know of several aircrew to be permanently banned from country: one for having a can of dip, one for having a funny moustsche drawn on his CAC, and one for "making a funny face" at a customs dude. The Deid is reason 847 why guys are bailing left and right. F that place and F the Qataris.

Pcarros, I used a very outdated Barron's which was still pretty good - just ignored the areas that weren't applicable. I think what helped the most is I was wrapping up my private and had just taken the knowledge test a month earlier. If you're a ppl the aviation areas should all be very easy. Otherwise I'd make a ton of flash cards. If there are concepts you don't get then checkout YouTube. I work full time so I'd come home and study 6-10pm and about 8hrs over the weekend. I think that routine for 6-8 weeks would make anyone prepared. I I tried that nelnet test awhile back and absolutely bombed it. I can't remember at all if it was similar to the real test Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

They can't do that when they're doing high speed brake checks to "burn off excess fuel" and catching the brakes on fire.

And that has nothing to do with the current situation between them and their neighbors. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

What is the over 6 years flight pay going to be raised to? Haven't been able to find any specifics.

In my 11F community (same communtity as I referenced above) BMC is 5 sorties/month. Normal RAP is 6/month with some optipns for 3 month look back. Hot pits, tankers and double turns are the name of the game for part timers. 4, maybe 5 days a month, + a 1 week SIM trip/ yr, and occasional TDYs are more than enough. Some months you get RAP, some months not. It's all part of being/dealing with part timers. Most of my squadrons part timers would quit if leadership mandated 7 days a month. That's unsustainable for guys with other jobs, even airline guys...especially when they hit 3rd year or captain pay and take massive pay cuts to drill.

Now you've cracked the code... Not saying I agree with it, just saying... Chuck

Oh man you're not the only one. Dude they are harder. Let's just say my feelings got a bit hurt after I finished too. Haha

I start to get sore and floppy after about 3

What in the world are you talking about? Can you provide some examples of your personal experience with "whiny little bitches who don't want you to infringe on their safe space?" I ask because I was stationed there for two years in the Army and five years in the Air Force. I went to grad school at UCLA. I have skied every mountain (except June Lake and Northstar), kayaked nearly every river, and surfed from Santa Barbara to San Diego. I have even spend many a fun weekend in San Francois with my wife. I think the single most annoying person I ever ran across in all of that time covering every inch of that state was one D-Bag in Monterrey who was smoking a joint just steps away from a restaurant we ate at. My Texas experiences? Just like California without the outdoor activities I love. You sound like someone from Georgia talking about New York in 1859.

I wasn't sure who it was directed at but I figured it was quality advice for a newbie regardless

I don't think the plywood shack I made and lived in for months in Afghanistan met fire code either, but big blue didn't seem to have a problem with it.

SAC Demo Team at Offutt 1985.