Leaderboard

Yeah I don’t really care about being anonymous. I mean, my home station ICAO is listed in my profile... 552 ACW, OG/CC, Tinker AFB, OK. Col Richard Land. He said what he said in front of all the officers in the group. He’s not hiding how he feels.

Bottom Line: If the unit really likes you and can justify it, you'll get the age waiver. Think high scores, unit bros really like you, and the leadership can justify the need.

Been in the ANG for almost 26 yrs and we have never used the terms IPZ or APZ, at least not in our OG. Position Vacancy is used for an “early” promo. Other than that, it’s typically when a promo packet is put up or you meet ROPMA. Each unit handles their promo timelines differently. We have hired many folks off AD (from USAF, USN, USMC) that had been selected for next rank, but hadn’t pinned, that ended up having to wait to get promoted. Leadership has to think about Force mgmt-how you fit into unit rank structure, how it affects other folks, how long you plan on staying in the ANG. It is very different than AD and there are only so many positions.

It was a joke. I’m pretty dumb but not that dumb.

Because the stop loss has already started, just not by that term yet.

It’s Lord R. The rabble rouser. Ignore. Ignore ignore.

I look at it this way...my airline job is a pretty cushy job even during the busiest parts of the year or when I get a crappy schedule. It isn't a hard job... Do I want to give that up to go back to AD for 8hr days, 5 days a week, less pay, and some unknown TDY's or god forbid a deployment? That's an easy answer, NO F-ING WAY! What does the AF have to offer me to get me interested: queep, CC's who care about their rank and future promotions, low morale, and a never ending supply of extra duties outside the purvey of my job? I haven't even looked at the money aspect because I left AD primarily due to how miserable it had become. Flying was great but when I wasn't flying life just got tiring in the AF and was only getting worse. The POTUS himself could come out and say "All additional duties are hereby gone". Nothing would change because every CC (be it SQ, OG, or WG) is going to still assign them with some BS excuse because in the end it looks good on them and their OPRs. It's sad but that's the reality. Now add in all that along with less money. My profit sharing check last year was in the ballpark of $20K and that was with 3 months of MIL Leave due to a deployment along with a significant amount of other time lost preparing for said deployment and trying to fly to stay current throughout the year. The carrot they hold is the retirement aspect and bonuses...I will get my reserve retirement when I hit my 20 and will collect when I reach appropriate age. In the meantime I will far exceed what the military can offer in terms of pay and bonuses at my airline all for less work. Returning to AD for 3yrs isn't going to be enough to get me a full AD retirement. Therefore the insignificant amount of "points" that will be added to my retirement (in my personal opinion) isn't enough to entice me to return to AD and take a break from the airlines. I can build my retirement savings far bigger in the airlines than I can with a few extra points for far more work and the typical hassle of AD. Just my personal opinion of course...to each their own. Either way I hope it remains voluntary and no one is "forced" to return if they don't want too. For those who chose to return, good on them and best of luck!

Here are my (very quick) numbers that I did for my cost analysis on going back. I assumed 80 credit hours, a profit sharing check might be $10k if I get one, normal progression at the airline, and estimated taxes ( I live in a very high tax state). I looked at different situations for if they offered the bonus or not, and whether I'd get an assignment that got partial tax free (Didn't think too much into it since it's hypothetical... think TDY to the Phillipines CZTE zone every now and then if you need to. I absolutely would not volunteer to deploy). Going back to the AF for 3 years would cost me $177k. I usually do way better than 80 credit hours a month, and didn't bother to run it for any premium pay trips since the difference was already huge. Interestingly, if they offered the bonus and I got some tax free, it looks like the money might favor going back. However, it's still comparing apples to crabapples. I think the A1 would be smart to sit and try to think the way we are (including those that haven't left but are running their own numbers). How do we make up in value the expected difference in value that someone choosing to go another path is looking at. There's only so far an O-6 (many of whom don't really care about you personally) can go with telling you - "you should want to serve just because its service!". Well to me (and roughly equivalent - those choosing to separate) that statement costs $175k to accept for a 3 year tour. Do I want $175k or, having already served my country honorably, want to do another 3 years of queep, and putting up with all the stuff I'd have to put up with. I know my assumptions are very flexible, and also that I didn't factor in an extra 7.5% retirement increase, nor any effects on a VA rating resulting from more service. I lose: current expected situation $176,877.06 assuming no profit sharing $155,677.06 no profit sharing and 6 mos tax free (~15% taxes) $34,261.06 no profit sharing and getting the full bonus $71,677.06 no profit sharing, 6 months tax free and the full bonus $ (63,738.94) with profit sharing and the full bonus $92,877.06 with profit sharing, the full bonus and 6 months tax free $(42,538.94)

Yep I got an extra $17 on my mid-month pay... thanks for the 12-pack of Sam Adams, AF!

I’m 33 but been in the Navy for 8 years as a naval flight officer. However, 95% of the units ive contacted for boards coming up in the next year, said they are considering age waivers for those that exceed. Now since I’m a prior, that may have different implications. But the attitude I’m taking is, I’m going to make them tell me no. I always preface my initial phone call or email with that and it has been met positively so far except for one ANG squadron. To clarify, that squadron wasn’t mean or cold about it, they simply said they weren’t entertaining waivers at this time. So my advice, reach out, be direct, and ask the question. Worst they can say is no.

Who is "we"? Is there a need to protect which Ops Group Commander this is? If more posts like this would put a commander's name to the incident, it might be helpful.

A GOFO doing this would fail miserably. Get a handful of crusty Iron Majors and give them free-reign from the CSAF direct to evaluate the various jobs that “need” to be filled.

I know a bunch of people at HAF who genuinely care and are trying to successfully implement Fingers’ reg reduction/rescinsion/simplifying. It’s not going to be easy given the timeline and pervasive AF mentality of more refs from on top...but it is being worked.

Out of curiosity, I called the AFPC 800 number and asked them about the program. After the 18 minute hold time, the person that answered had no clue what I was talking about, and thought I was referring to the program to bring back 25 officers. I was transferred to a rated recall office somewhere else in the building, but the SME was gone already (1532L in San Antonio).

Im sure. I'm in one. If I told you what my job and actual workload is, you'd probably lose all hope in the air Force. I have yet to hear of an effective way for individuals to call these positions out. Right now, the only method is to convince their commander to let the slot go unfilled or (ideally) do the paperwork to lose the billet. We all know no commander would do that in a million years. Thus the pilot shortage and perpetual cycle of filling useless roles.

Got this from my civilian company security manager...