Leaderboard

Funny and appropriate for today.

Pilot or bust.

Keep an eye on the Coast Guard if needed...almost totally operational...management has eyeballs on what's important...Generally not condemned to some sandy pesthole...You could be a cutter Captain if for some reason aviation doesn't work....

At Manas years ago some idiot called crew rest for people walking up and down the hallway in one of the dorms with those pants on making too much noise.

And you’re in a great place now! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

As a former Marine, I can heartily agree to that! I’ve never before and never after have been in a situation where everyone was truly equal, for better or for worse.

Counts as part of HHG. I don’t have the reference but that’s how it played out for me.

Postal PPM is a thing. I did it conus to OCONUS. As long it’s mailed through the USPS, totally legit. The govt will reimburse you for a flat rate for the weight of stuff being shipped.

PPM isn't normally allowed for Transocean PCS', requires a big waiver Mailing was HHG for me, USPS shipping receipt listed price and weight for reimbursement. That was 12 and 8 years ago

Everyone wants to blame the cops but these aren't problems cops can solve. The largest change needs to come from politicians and city leaders.

Recognize that when people feel compelled to say “officer first” they usually mean “aspire to be a leader,” and don’t understand how that works in the flying world. Also realize that the type of leadership that happens in combat aviation is inaccessible to those who haven’t spent years studying combat aviation. A non-rated Captain with many subordinates may see a rated Captain with none and assume that the rated captain isn’t a leader. They don’t see the briefs with hundreds of pages worth of information conveyed in 65 plus or minus five minutes. They don’t see the planning process in which the mission commander coordinates for every domain, service, and discipline of physics to achieve a goal handed to him by the Army four star. They don’t see the split second decision-making that will drive success or failure. They don’t see the meaningful eye contact when you go over something one last time because ing it up will be a disaster. They see a tired Captain with messy hair, who’s never officially supervised anybody and therefore can’t possibly be a leader. That’s not the non-rated officer’s fault; their exposure is movies about aerial combat that’s portrayed more like boxing than war. Give them time, and they’ll get it eventually... or they won’t, and they’ll be sent to tell you that aircrew aren’t leaders. Be a leader; scoff the people who want you to prove it in a silly way. Fly, fight, and win. Don’t apologize for it.

Some words from his OH-58D pilot brother: “If you can keep your head, when all about you, Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too... If you can dream and not make dreams your master... If you can meet with triumph and disaster, And treat those two imposters just the same... And lose and start again at your beginnings, And never breath a word about your loss... If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve you long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the will which says to them; “Hold On!” If you can walk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much. If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—YOU’LL BE A MAN, MY SON!” Years ago, Kage mentioned to me he liked this poem, “IF” by Rudyard Kipling. I read it and instantly fell in love with that poem and scribbled it into my green Army notebook. I’ve reread that poem probably 1000 times. Kage embodied the very essence of Kipling’s exhortation. He was ever-composed and brought calm to any situation. His stoic nature drew men to him and he was able to lead without ever losing that common touch. He dreamed and strove diligently to fill the very measure of his creation. Not too long ago, we brothers met up in uniform and honored the passing of our WWII vet grandfather. We were all in tears while we folded the flag over his casket and knelt to deliver it to our sweet grandmother. Soon, Jacob and I will stand over another casket, at another gravesite... Kage will be between us yet again. But this time he won’t help fold the flag, he will be draped in it. We love you Kage. Always. You aren’t just my kid’s hero and my rascally kid brother, you are a MAN, and a beloved son.

As I think back, it seems like Kage has always been setting the example. All he ever wanted to be is a fighter pilot. We both put our names up for ENJJPT. I didn’t make the cut, and he was an alternate, even though he had a strong package (sts). I remember I was kinda bummed, but it didn’t seem to phase him. He was already focused on the next thing with a smile on his face. In UPT he was a few classes ahead, and every time I saw him I would bother him with questions. Didn’t matter what was going on, he would take the time to talk with me. I used his instrument gouge in T-6s where he effectively summarized the entire 217 into an easy-to-study format. It must’ve taken him forever to write. He was the same way in 38s, never too busy to give me advice. Truthfully, I looked up to him as a pilot. He was a natural talent, worked his ass off, and knew his stuff cold. His passing has made me think about the example that I have set for others, and whether I would be so lucky to be remembered the same way. We lost a good one. A toast 🥃

You may have heard other students and IPs saying, “If you ain’t first, you’re last,” but that’s just not true. You can be second, third, fourth...hell you can even be fifth.

If only woke people would listen to this black person. Such a wonderful man.

I’ve seen multiple instances where a wing king tried to fire some group commanders only to be told no by the numbered AF commander. The firings that I’ve seen kept quiet were due to infidelity (2 married squadron commanders).

I'll pick up that torch. 6. Crozier retires with an O-6 pension. 7. Lands a comfortable, high-paying gig. 8. Writes a book and/or becomes a news SME. 9. Looks back at his decision with his head held high. 10. Realizes he's much happier now that he's out of the shitshow that is the service.

So was Welsh. Lots of hopes were high. And he decided to front load a RIF and then cash in all of his chips trying to park the A-10.

Holding out hope that any CSAF will materially improve life for airmen is just asking for disappointment. The best we can hope is he just doesn't further f it up.