Leaderboard

But seriously, good on him for making that option available.

I'm all for doing a quality control check of UPT IPs. But that is a different issue than what MWS someone is coming from. Rushing a copilot through AC upgrade to PCS them isn't good, but that doesn't mean the guy with 2000 PIC hours wouldn't make a competent IP. I think we've placed too much emphasis on what planes people flew, and not enough emphasis on how well they flew them.

As a former PIT IP, who actually volunteered for AETC even though my Commander was saying it was a career killer, I understand the elimination of blanket waivers. Sometime back in 2015-2016ish timeframe I saw a huge uptick in “waiver guys” coming through and it was a huge problem. My issue though was the guys that were RPA, MWS CoPilot, then AC upgrade enroute (if at all) to UPT IP. Talk about a recipe for disaster. These guys were coming in as senior Captain/Majors and had never signed for a manned aircraft before. Depending on attitude they struggled through PIT and then had multiple issues on the line. One guy was so stressed that he started drinking his problems away and even started showing up for work drunk/hungover. So while I get them trying to fix it, you don’t do that to people who have already PCS’d bought a house, etc., all under the name of eliminating “blanket waivers”. We used to say “People Always” or some stupid catchphrase like that. It’s become apparent that the AF organization really doesn’t give a $hit about the “people”. And while an organization can’t “care” about people, it reflects the vision and intent of the people who are in charge/making decisions and policies. I’m so sorry for all those affected by decades of poor management and absentee leadership. When you get tired of the race, hit me up and hopefully I can help you find a truly better life for you and your families. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

a bro intervened on his behalf, and said dude had a face to face with gen wills (who had his FEF), interviewed w/ the general, and was re-instated to t-38 PIT. i'm impressed. met the general in a bar a few months ago and he was GREAT. there is hope...

FYI if you are effected by this: Maj Gen Craig Wills is taking direct questions from people effected by the waiver denials on the MAF Facebook Page and will look into each case to see if he can alleviate burden. "(1/2) Team, thanks for letting me join the forum. I’m the new 19th Air Force Commander and I’m responsible for approving waiver requests. The short answer is that I’ll review each on a case by case basis. Where it makes sense, I’ll approve, but most waivers will not likely be approved. Here’s why: Over the years, we’ve given so many waivers that they had become automatic. Almost 100 last year alone. Unfortunately the result was that we have been setting folks up for failure at PIT and at their wings. Instructing at UPT is one of the most demanding jobs you’ll have. It makes no sense to auto-waive course entry requirements for one of the most stressful jobs out there, especially when the requirements are reasonable. One of leadership’s primary responsibilities is to prepare and develop their people for what’s next. I’m hoping this will help improve the experience levels of our IP force and also help incentivize AMC to invest more in their young ACs.(2/2) Unfortunately, the waiver process is broken; something we’re fixing. The unfortunate result is that folks have been finding out late and as we’ve seen on this page, there’s been real impact to people’s lives. I’m working with AFPC and your bosses to make sure that we fix this on the front end; you should never get a RIP unless you either meet the requirements or your boss has coordinated a waiver in advance. For the wing, squadron and group CCs out there, please lean forward if you think you’ll need a waiver for your Airmen. If you’re waiting on a waiver and getting ready to move, hit me up at xxxxxxxxx or xxxxxxx and I’ll get you a same day decision.Thanks again for allowing me to join the group. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!"

Moving away from all this 11F talk, here’s what UPT is like now. Looks like the demand for quality training by the students exceeds the supply the Air Force is willing to give...

I sure wouldn't trade Pensacola for Sheppard

Leveled off from our max rate emergency descent... but the stud hasn’t pushed power back up from idle yet so someone is going to have to take the controls soon. Rapidly losing flying airspeed. Add bonus. I mean, power.

👆This. Not an isolated experience. Edit: I think we as an Air Force started speeding with good intentions of alleviating the pilot shortage. Fortunately I actually feel like some of the trends are being reversed at the lower levels because the IPs are being heard

For reference, it's definitely an uphill climb. You would not be competitive for an interview in our squadron. (age and scores) Like someone else mentioned there are a lot of younger applicants with better scores. BTW, no one knows what it's like to be a fighter pilot except fighter pilots. I guarantee it's not what you think it is. Saying you are only interested in flying fighters is short sided at best. I'd overhaul that attitude - even if you only apply to fighter units.

Anyone want to go in together on this? https://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/83383363/1980-lockheed-f16

It’s not hurt feelings, it just looks ridiculous when you say flying fighters is a dream and you know you can’t be picky, then say that you aren’t going to apply for units in the south (which is like a third of the guard/reserve fighter units that actually hire off the street). Then you go on to say you’re thinking AD, which gives you even less control over living in places that aren’t “nice”. And it looks even worse when Eagle is nice enough to give you the time of day to give advice and your response is basically, “well I wouldn’t want to work with you anyway”. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Unless he's the type to be gunning for 4 BTZ to O-7, he should be laughing all the way to the beach.

Confirm that VLPAD eligibility itself isnt changing as far as who AFPC is accepting, just who AFRC is willing to release to VLPAD is changing?

They said that they want to value teaching at ROTC and USAFA much higher and for it to look favorably on records. We’ll see how that plays out.

Yes you can. https://www.jacksonvillecriminallawyerblog.com/in_florida_you_can_get_a_dui_f/

That doesn't sound like a problem with AMC pilots in general. That sounds like someone flicked a booger onto UPT. Do you think an F-16 guy with 3 Q-3s on his record would have done better at PIT?

The problem is cyclicle. You need UPT IPs to make MWS pilots. You need MWS pilots to make MWS ACs. You need MWS ACs to make UPT IPs. You don't fix one area without fixing all of it.

Honestly it’s about 80/20, with the heavier side being guys who need additional training out of PIT. I believe that ratio will flip as PIT is being forced to bring their training requirements back up. The OBOGS stand down really hurt the T6 IP force as guys showed up having never flown ET3, were not proficient in close form to the point I wouldn’t want them on my wing in the WX. Prior to the summer of ‘17 the product and pilot performance was pretty solid. I can’t speak too much about what transpired between the spring of ‘17 and summer of ‘18 unless you want to talk about the ignorance of the SAF/IA office thinking UH-60s can replace Mi-17s and AC-208s being an effective asset in Afghanistan. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wills was the DLF WG/CC back in 2008ish (years run together since I was there for 5). He seemed like a good dude then and it's good to see he's trying to make it right. I don't necessarily have an issue with his policy, I have a problem with the execution. If this is the new norm, however, where will these extra 11F/Bs come from to fill the cockpits?

Sample size of one: I left an H model ANG Wing 6 months ago. In my 17 years in the AF I had never been in a squadron with higher morale.

Part of the problem is a lot of communities don't send their best and brightest to UPT must-fills, and commanders have leaned on auto approval of waivers to push a guy that needed more development over his golden children he wanted to keep around. But who can blame commanders for this when AETC notoriously does a poor job of taking care of some folks from other communities.

I disagree with the blanket denial of guys that aren’t 11F or 11B to teach T-38’s at UPT. I agree with the action of not auto approving waivers for shitty pilots (that it sounds like you ran into). I’ll admit, I didn’t know that was the situation with new IP’s coming to 38’s. From where I’m at, the guys my community (or I should at least say my former squadron, can’t speak for everyone) were 11S straight out of UPT and are fantastic aviators. There’s a guy now in the PIT pipeline for T-38’s that got sent to T-6’s even though he won every award at UPT and was the #1 grad. He chose U-28’s. That sort of thing is where my frustration comes from.

That’s actually pretty awesome, in my opinion. Disagree with the action, but at least he’s got the balls to get out there and defend it.

It’s fucking dumb

Your honest opinion is honestly stupid.

Everyone deploys and nobody has a clue what the next ten years will entail. Go for the mission/location that appeals to you, and don’t worry about the rest.

How the hell are we supposed to quantify that?

you seem angry

AWWWW Academy ❤️

Still no Cub time for me to talk about but I have really enjoyed getting comfortable flying the T-6. I really enjoy the warbird community. I also did a backcountry course last summer in Idaho. THAT was a hoot, I definitely need a few more airplanes!

Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't be applying to Louisiana just because the location is not nice but I do completely understand that in my circumstances I cannot be picky. I am actually considering the active duty route now because of this uphill battle. Maybe it would behoove me to grind it out in UPT and secure the fighter slot instead of the guard as of right now. Transfer back into guard or reserves when I have more experience. I'm afraid you may be right. Although fighters was a lifelong dream of mine, I might have to consider that I have a different calling. TBH there are other really cool platforms that aren't fighters as well. I'm going to seriously consider all of this and weigh my options. Thanks for the advice everyone!

so you only want to fly fighters - but you're not willing to be stationed in certain places because they aren't "nice" - got it. Applying to active duty will be the best option for that! goodluck BRO