Leaderboard

The vector we've been on for the last two decades is a function of skin in the game or lack there of. Flag officers have the veneer of authority without any culpability. Goldfein had a tremendous opportunity to right the ship when he first took his post. He could have outlined his expectations to the all of us and said non-compliance will be addressed ruthlessly. After his first 3 months in office, he should've made unannounced visits to the 3 largest wings of AMC, ACC, and AETC respectively. Once it became obvious to him that the intent he issued was not being taken seriously, he should have fired the OG, WG/CC, and NAF/CC of each base. I have a sneaking suspicion when he came back for his next visit, things would look different at most wings. From there we could find creative ways to implement the optimum way to handle or completely jettison non-essential "training." It's nauseating to watch these Flags act like all of this is rocket surgery. The timidity that management exhibits when forced to make even the most benign decision is embarrassing...I don't have a lot of answers for how to fix our problems, but I know for sure that traipsing around in your Gulfstream just to tell your CGOs that your hands are tied is not what will stanch this gushing arterial wound.

1. Start saying no to dumb shit that doesn’t enhance the flying mission or breaks the squadron either personnel and/or materiel wise. 2. COCOMS need to be told go fuck themselves by their air counterparts when they ask for unnecessary stuff/people. 3. Every “good idea” from a shoe that takes time away from my day to do my primary job and does nothing to further the mission needs to be smashed before wing standup even ends. 4. Nobody is equal; be unapologetic about aircrew being more important to the mission than finance (doesn’t mean they’re not an important part, but the rack and stack of priority jobs to the mission is clear). Just because Amn snuffy is excited to go TDY for 2 months because he hasn’t been in years, doesn’t mean I should be, seeing as I’ve already been TDY 6 months so far this year. Shitty leadership sweeps that under the rug and placates to butt hurt snuffy when he laments pilots being prima donnas because they want to do 2 week swap outs and he doesn’t get to. Good leadership says “STFU and color snuffy” and lets pilots do the swap outs. 5. Fight for every possible way to reward people and increase QOL. Example: Shitty leadership could easily give bonuses, but personally decide not to because of some twisted personal view. If it’s legal, do it, no questions asked! Example: shitty leadership who pushes people to work arbitrary 12-14 hr days instead of saying “go home as soon as your day’s work is done.” I could go on, but what all of these things have in common is showing value to your people and their mission. Workers who feel valued (intrinsically or monetarily) and feel unrestricted in accomplishing their mission will have far higher job satisfaction. Here’s why this won’t happen in the AF - any leader who takes all this to heart will be fired tomorrow and replaced by a dickless yes man. The AF doesn’t want solutions or men with change on their mind, they want a carbon copy of the same dipshits who have been running the ship into the rocks for decades. Change is bad, the beatings will continue until morale improves.

This. For those who lament the fact that AF management (and your elected politicians) don’t care about the impact of a pilot retention crisis on national security and the likely potential for an increase in deaths/mishaps... well, it’s because they really don’t care. We won’t lose wars against near-peers because we won’t get into them, just approach them enough to scare folks into more spending. That’s by design. If a few dozen pilots mort because of abbreviated/inadequate training, well, America at large doesn’t care. It’s not about winning wars or providing national security, at least not as the primary goal. You’re but a peon in the massive jobs program that is the Defense Industrial Complex, too big to fail. As others have said... once you understand that the purpose of the Department of Defense is to spend taxpayer money, everything starts to make sense. Life is far, far better with active duty AF in the rear view mirror.

Honestly, if you’re still in beyond your initial commitment, that’s on you. By the Major point, you know the rules and requirements of the game. Dont stay with a girl hoping she’ll change. Nothing different here either.

big. dick. energy.

How many doctors have 4 to 10 million dollars in training costs? Zero. He is an idiot. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2400/RR2415/RAND_RR2415.pdf

Wait til people find out they let guys straight out of UPT instruct in T-38s. Minds will be blown. 🤯

IDGAF if Maj Gen Wills “cares” about anything or not. He’s got a job to do, and it’s extremely disappointing that he doesn’t grasp the concept of increased retention pay being cheaper than the expense of replacing experienced guys. He also thinks he can’t afford to compete with the airlines, which is a foolish take on the problem. The truth is that he’s spending billions to train the airlines pilots for them.

How many of them have strafed danger close at night in the mountains, how many of them have landed at a blacked out LZ under fire, how many of them have faced incredible risk to self for the sake of the mission/a bro in trouble? Hell, on a normal training sortie I face about 1000 times more risk than a doc doing something that they couldn’t even fathom doing. Both groups of people are smart, but to act like flying is somehow easier or less important (especially in the mil) is pure dumbassery. General, you’re clueless. He’s not only bad at “comparative” math, he’s showing how much he/the AF values experience and everything you’ve done/sacrificed for the previous 12 years...which is not much. Overall, fail and par for the course.

"Desperate Applicant" doesn't seem to be that desperate after all. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I know what you mean about turning down flying F-15s with the Louisiana Guard. They are definitely not even close to being acceptable or even worth applying to. I mean I turned down a BJ from a 9 the other day just because she wasn’t a 10. Live your dream man, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

How does this forum keep falling for this same troll? JC! It's the same dude trolling you all with a new account each week.

If it takes two weeks to knock out the training they think is important, I think we've found a place to start.

Somebody asked if anyone’s seen any changes yet as a result of all the hyperbole... From my little corner all I can see is a bunch of wheel spinning and cheap talk. While the reality remains - with every passing month, as more of my brothers walk out the door, my days get longer. Nothing short of WW3 could make me stay past my commitment at this point. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

What if he said Pro Pilot pay should be $300k/year? He can't make that happen, but apparently it would make a lot of folks feel better. As I slowly disconnect from my past life, I still chime in here because I like Base Ops. But it will be the same complaining as when I was a junior Captain, to senior Captain, and now a few years post separation... and people are still complaining about the same stuff. The time is ripe to get out. But as I said above, don't stay with the girl hoping she'll come around in the next 1-4 years... it ain't happening.

OK minus 5 pts for lack of SA on my part😬. I misread and thought he had been a SGT in the Army. And Duck has never turned down a BJ. But the rest of my post stands👍

Am I the only one that sees a disconnect? I’ve been aircrew, then Intel, and now Cyber, so I get both sides. If you fix, load, AND fly the jet, then you truly are worth more than everybody else. But keep in mind that Snuffy May have spent his shift getting your jet code 1. You end by saying that leadership needs to value your people and their mission. That applies to non bag wearers too. i know who the audience is here but you guys occasionally act like you’re singing “Cus I’m a Pilot” by Dos Gringos And taking it seriously. standing by for return fire...

Had an OG say pretty much that, ask me what he could do to keep me, offered up good ideas, etc. I appreciated him truly valuing my contribution and trying in earnest to make things different so I’d stay. If there were more leaders like him, we wouldn’t have half these issues. So far he hasn’t been fired as a wing/cc, so maybe there’s some hope.

Stay motivated bro... eventually A3 will get back from Vacation and resume package reviews. 6 to 9 months is what I have seen as the average turn around time for approval.

Say, “We care if you leave. We don’t want you to. And, we’re going to fight to keep you. We’re on the Hill right now fighting for you.”

Did the Buckley wannabe just resurface? Bro, if you can't take a little criticism from guys who probably have a few thousand hours in fast movers, 4 ship flight leads, IP's, patch wearers, and especially a fighter squadron commander who certainly has more important things to do than give you his honest opinion then how do you expect to make it through UPT??? There's a reason the ones who get fighters have really good scores and are highly intelligent. By God if you make it to UPT with your current attitude and quibbling you'll find yourself at a CR before you can even have your Ops Limits memorized! Now that you've learned Rule #1 it's time to learn Rule #2: Never miss an opportunity to shut the f*** up

This. Also, the internet is not as anonymous as some people think. There are a ton of bros doing hiring on this board. What do you think will happen when they put two and two together with a 31 year old in real estate with mediocre scores and a letter of rec from a lieutenant? Rule #1: Don't be a douche.

That didn’t take long. They usually last a couple posts before going straight to self-elimination. I’m gonna give you some advice, take it or leave it. This was tame compared to how it is in the real flying community. If you get offended just because people call you out that maybe you aren’t as “desperate” an applicant as you would like to think, then you should either grow some thicker skin or quit now, because you aren’t going to make it. That’s not me being a dick either. That’s just 100% honest truth. People here are willing to help but check yourself. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Agreed... reworking of Goldwater-Nichols to put force providers on parity with COCOMs would be good. AFCongressman still lurking around this board?

In case it hasn't been clear enough. You have about 0 room to be picky with your scores and background. Check yo-self

I'd rather fly fighters in the south than show up to airshows in the north saying, "I always wanted to be a fighter pilot, but..."

Hard truth: low chances at fighters in the ARC (scores, age, LOR sources meh); recommend open the aperture to heavies with a side of attitude change. Or you can not fly jets at all and keep riding the real estate desk to retirement, your call.

Nor have I young one, nor have I... Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I don't have all the answers, I've never taught UPT. But I'd guess many of the same metrics that make a good USAFA, OTS or ROTC instructor make a good UPT instructor as well. It doesn't have to be a 100% solution, and it doesn't have to be a competitive board. You just need a way to screen out the people who shouldn't be there. Getting through that board wouldn't guarantee an assignment... It would just open the possibility.

For starters, no one who isn't already an AC or Flight Lead should be eligible for UPT IP orders, instead of giving people orders and rushing them through upgrade. Maybe a scrub of FEFs before selecting them. Hell, maybe a boarded process like we implemented this year for ROTS/OTS/SOS instructors and recruiters.

^nomination for post of the year.

I sure wouldn't trade Pensacola for Sheppard

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

FWIW, the 2 38 to C-130J guys at Dyess (one of them being the one who now has a T-6 to Pensacola) we’re both formidable IPs respected inside and out of the cockpit. It’s a huge loss to UPT to have their assignments cancelled because of the waiver shenanigans.

You mean we're actually going to vet UPT and FTU instructors? We already screen out HPO types because it would hurt their careers. Now we're removing guys with Q3s or crappy training records. Guess there's a narrow band of not special, but not a dirt bag they are looking for. Good thing we fixed the retention problem and have a large pool of candidates to choose from.

It's not common, and I encourage you to consider @EvilEagle's advice. You are fighting an uphill battle. Some squadrons may be more receptive than others, but if you are only putting your eggs in one basket you may find out that you could have gotten a job somewhere else in another airframe sooner.

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

👆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

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

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!"

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.

Go fuck your face. The author of that "sob story" is one of my buddies and one of the most patriotic, humble, well-liked dudes I've known in my years in the AF. Not many people here have had assignments cancelled after: signing papers for a house, wife finding a GOOD job, and enrolling kids in school mere days before it starts. I don't care what you've been through, that's tough on anyone. Now, because one GO thinks heavy drivers aren't capable of teaching tac form, he has to do it all over again, but now he gets to pull his kids out of school mid-year and enroll them somewhere else. His post should be something we can all rally around as another feather in the "Big Blue gives zero fucks about us" cap. Most of us in his situation would punch at the soonest opportunity, middle fingers in the air. But knowing the author, he will take the kick in the junk and keep moving forward because he cares about Mother Blue and legitimately wants to fix this cluster fuck and leave it in a better place.

IFF is not about employing an airplane as a weapons system. It’s an admin course that teaches you how to speak/do the basics of being a fighter wingman. Hell, it’s right in the title of the course (fundamentals). Even the end of block sorties are demonstration of proficiency, not expertise. I agree the FTU shouldn’t be spending time on that. I vehemently agree that Brabus shouldn’t have to do that during MQT in a Viper. And also, if you think the basics aren’t important in a fighter, I’ve got 2 friends that were great fighter pilots that are no longer with us after making a simple mistake flying instruments. I don’t know anyone who has been shot down in the last decade and a half. To me, if a guy drops a fighter and makes it to the FTU, that’s more on IFF if they don’t like the product. Blaming UPT and scapegoating non 11F for a bad product at FTU and/or in the CAF is off-base IMO. Lastly, how on God’s green earth is a B-52/B-2 guy droning around in the bozosphere dropping BOC or launching SOW “good enough” to teach in a T-38 but some 11M/11S that’s been doing tons of actual hand flying in challenging environments not? No offense to the BUFF community, but I don’t get it.

A lot of emphasis here on SUPT T-38 training for future fighter pilots. You don't need a fighter or bomber pilot to teach T-38 rejoins or tactical. MIF is MIF. There is a reason why IFF exists. If the product after the FTU is shit, you have nobody to blame but the 11F community. Only 11Fs teach at IFF and FTU.

They most certainly are more qualified for the 38 job. I’m not saying that someone who didn’t fly fighters can’t do the job, they obviously can and have been for a while now. However, the skills you develop in a fighter community apply much more to 38s than the heavy world. The pilots who have thousands of hours flying at 100agl in tac formations, or maneuvering air to air, while managing everything else that goes into flying a fighter will have a much easier time teaching the fighter centric aspects of UPT. Tactical formations, low level flying, single seat CRM, etc is all second nature, whereas other communities will have to spend the time it requires developing the skills to effectively fly it, and then experiencing it enough to accurately debrief what they’re doing wrong. Developing the geometry sight pictures of multiple maneuvering aircraft, and assessing what is going wrong with it, is one of the hardest parts to do well. I don’t think it should be limited to only 11F, but there is a definite return on investment if they aren’t required in the CAF. Then there’s the guys who care about instilling the douchey “fighter mindset” and all that BS that I don’t believe in.

Cut up BOne parts roasting on the desert floor at DM as B-21s roar overhead...Thats the future. The crews are staying put for the most part because of assignment cycles (systemic reaction is slow), and because the initial AFGSC plan to take care of them was unrealistic - things that take a lot of time/money/approval/basing decisions and/or are competitive. It’ll likely be a mix of most of those options, but no one place will get all the BOne dudes - you’re not all going to school/staff/UPT. That takes time to settle. And just because your airplane takes a dump doesn’t earn you any extra points in the eyes of big Air Force. Luck and timing. Make your choices appropriately and remember rule #1. Chuck