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He's a nav? Now it all makes sense!

Multiple thoughts on this topic. I'll go objective to subjective. Financially: the 'bonus' is still 25,000 to 35,000 dollars. It was introduced in the 1990s, yet has not substantially changed since then. in 2015 when I took mine (25,000 for 5 years), it should have been at least 37,000 to account for inflation alone. I didn't do my homework. I recommend others do theirs before deciding. By comparison, if you separate at 12 years of service and join an airline, a part 135 operator (think flying twin otters or -8's in hot places), a cargo carrier, or even a cargo carrier feeder to a major cargo carrier, you will make more money in the following 8 years than you would have in the Air Force. Moreover, the Air Force continues to insult their pilots with the need for a bonus and the option to take it...and sometimes no bonus at all...while GIVING doctors, surgeons, and dentists professional pay that exceeds the aviation bonus while not requiring a "take"...in the AIR FORCE. Not the dental force, or the medical force, the Air Force. This year, as a reservist pilot, I will not get an aviation bonus because it was not offered to pilots in my air frame at my base, because clearly the air force is good on pilots...while medical professionals get an automatic bump to account for the money they aren't making on the outside. Objectively the USAF demonstrates that it does not value it's pilots and is unwilling to truly push for retention improvements. The fellas at RAND have routinely updated their data that shows retaining a USAF pilot at 12-15 years for another 3 years using a $100,000 per year bonus is more cost effective than producing new pilots. Just like big blue, we'll completely ignore the safety improvements of retaining experienced pilots in one of the most complicated and dangerous corners of the aviation world. No, the USAF simply continues to accept the shackles that congress places on it regarding the restricted pilot bonus instead of pushing HARD for a professional pay similar to the medical career fields. That lack of effort shows me all I need to see. However that financial analysis ignores the quality of life items, right? Unfortunately a QoL analysis only puts more nails in the coffin. For example, pilots are likely to marry spouses in a like-status, like-education-level, and like-earning potential bracket. In short, we choose to partner within our peer group. Yet the Air Force completely ignores this fact and continues to move us every three years, thereby negating our life partners the opportunity to professionally put down roots and create a career, thereby stifling their earning potential. Yes, the air force has claimed new programs to improve this problem by letting pilot homestead, but they are largely lip service programs that have shown to kill career progression. Take a look at how well the career pilot program went...for the four individuals that got accepted. Or perhaps AFPAK HANDS, which I watched get used as a "force shaping tool" to force 8 senior MAF MWS IPs decide to separate instead of taking that as their next assignment (circa 2016). That trend has not changed. The senior leaders of the USAF refuse to force the middle leadership to abide by the simple rules of organizational excellence: Train and equip and prepare your people so well that they could leave and be hired by any other organization immediately, and treat them in such a manner that they don't want to. My own story included an advisory that my last three years before hitting 20 would include a PCS (I'd been in my API-6 'flying' non-flying desk job for 2 years) and a 1 year deployment...because 2.5 years in the desert and 4.5 years total gone from home in 17 years wasn't enough. When I asked for special consideration as the job I was filling is difficult to fill, I was flatly told no. So I voted with my feet. Then the USAF promoted me 3 months before my separation date...and I still separated (promotion carries no ADSC). But let's shift gears and assume I decided to apply to be commander a staffer or whatever career progression track big blue would advise me to take. The peek behind that curtain reveals nothing but another curtain. I've been close personal friends with enough commanders to have learned that becoming a commander, an aide de camp, or attaining some other advancement position does not actually allow you access to change, fix, or improve the system as we all secretly hope to do if given that opportunity. Instead, you are rewarded with a PCS, school, or lateral move every 1-2 years. Moreover, you get the exposure to discover that the senior GS and SES community as well as the bad O-7s (there are good ones, but the bad ones abuse their influence and tend to poison the well far beyond the abilities of the good ones to fix) and their staff sycophants continue to perpetuate the self-promoting trend of the USAF. That leaves the hard working 'good guy' O-6s and O-7s swimming very much upstream if they want to institute sincere and good changes. I know several of these excellent men and women, and I pray their influence changes the USAF. I realized that fighting that battle was not in my blood, so I couldn't continue on that road. What's that have to do with the bonus? In short, those who were going to stay would have done so anyways. Those taking it for the money factor only may not have done their homework to realize they could make much more elsewhere. So it's not really a retention bonus, it's a 'thanks for staying, we want to lock you in and take away your power to say "no" pay'. Hence I say, unless you know you and your family want to stay at the whim of the you-are-nothing-but-a-number AFPC assignment process until the end of whatever commitment you are 'offered', don't take the bonus.

Had to tap burner occasionally with the RF-4C behind a ANG KC-97. We were at high AOA because the AAR speed was so slow.

Big problem is these idiots come out here and think it's perfectly normal to pay stupid prices for real estate, because it's a "good deal," compared to the exorbitant prices they're used to in the city. Then they start to vote in the same idiots they just fled. Like a beaten wife who thinks their husband has really changed, they think it will be different. Stay where you're at and don't fuck up our area too!

For what it's worth, I trust the vaccine because of the pharmaceutical companies, not in spite of them. Conservatives (including myself) love to tout how the free market in America fosters more medical innovation than anywhere else on the planet. And I really believe that is the case. Most drugs are developed here. If you need world class surgery of pretty much any kind, you come here. The system isn't perfect but on the innovation front, we solve the shit out of medical problems. And the covid pandemic is the perfect example of that. 9 months ago the US was the covid dumpster fire of the entire world, and now because of these vaccines we are more open, back to normal, and with lower case loads than almost anywhere else. That's an amazing achievement and it has absolutely nothing to do with the government. It has to do with the awesomely smart people who figured this shit out and who would have never signed off on it if the benefits didn't outweigh the risks. It also has to do with the fact that the free market incentivized these companies to make a vaccine that would actually work. They knew they'd have to compete with other vaccine brands and they also knew the mother of all global class action lawsuits would be waiting for them if they porked it.

Delta just changed their addendum in airline apps. So if you’ve got an app soaking…be sure to reaccomplish that section.

It’s scary how much you trust them. California public health experts were telling people to not lay down on the beach to prevent COVID infection. Fauci openly lied to you on national tv. And yet you hand them your freedoms and berate other Americans who don’t do the same. Sad.

Lol. Being employed by the Fed makes me trust them way less. I see first hand now how under resourced, understaffed and incompetent the majority of offices are in the Fed every day. Just look at the What's wrong with the AF thread and speak no further.

Every flu shot that I received was under threat of the UCMJ. Haven't had one since. ...also haven’t had the flu since then so 🤷🏼‍♂️

If the last 16 months has taught us nothing else: If something is boiled down to a catch phrase and wielded as a cudgel, be wary.

Yep. I live in the DFW metroplex. I see it all the time. Libs have ruined literally everything they’ve touched. Please don’t California my Texas.

Quoted for truth, one of the best summaries out there.

thanks for the scoop dude

Based on no data, because by my count, you've discounted every source of data. You don't trust the federal government (while employed by the federal government...interesting irony there). You don't trust the CDC. You don't trust the NIH. You don't trust the FDA. You don't trust the vaccine manufacturers. You don't trust the data from state and local governments. You don't trust the WHO. I'm just curious what actual information you do trust to make these decisions. I'm also curious if you'd have the same disdain for medical professionals if you were being treated for something other than Covid. Would you go on Google and second-guess every decision your oncologist made? Maybe you'd argue with the x-ray technician about your kid's broken arm?

No, I choose to get my data from a wide cohort of studies. I deliberately do NOT pick and choose. This included me looking very closely into things like hydroxychloriquine and mask usage. And when I find out that over 90% of them agree that one thing is more likely than the other, I go with that. Science is not some way to just pick and choose whatever you want while ignoring the other side. It’s humanity’s best method to settle emotional debates - like the one you are trying to have right now.

How many of those compelled vaccinations were of the mRNA variety? It's not unreasonable that people are leery after witnessing how almost every aspect of the pandemic was mishandled. When the anthrax vaccine was introduced, there was serious skepticism as well. It was at least partially warranted: I know two people personally that had severe side effects from their shots and anecdotal stories of several others who had adverse reactions. None of this would be an issue if the pharma CEOs, military, and gov't all guaranteed compensation to families of individuals that reacted negatively to the inoculation (ie death or systemic health issues). It's curious to me that on one hand we can be so convinced of the "science," but on the other, if something were to go wrong for an individual after taking the shot, we'll get fed the line "correlation does not equal causation." To be clear, I hope the Covid vaccine is the medical miracle of the 21st century and that we'll look back on this situation as a blessing in disguise, realizing the virus acted as a catalyst for a historic leap in immunological technology.

It's odd that guyz who likely have a page full of injection records from flu shots to the dreaded Gamma Globulin would be so worried about another vaccine. In any case the refusal cases are essentially a self selecting cohort whose data will be studied for years. Researchers pay big money for such folk.. They are a badly needed population full of data points that will really help to analyze this event and hopefully make the next time a lot smoother..There will be math..sociology..medical...religious..and all kinds of Phd's riding on this one for years..Hell...they may have it nailed before a new tanker makes the ramp...

Had to watch last week's and today's races today. Last week - pretty good, although the battle at front took all the cameras off the midfield mostly. This week - it sure does look like Mercedes is kinda coasting (pun intended) this year while they, in their own words, focus on the massive rule changes for next year. Good on Leclerc for his recovery-ish. Is it a 3-D chess corporate move on Merc and/or F1's part to break the endless dominance of Mercedes so that fans don't become more bored or a gamble that seems to not be paying off by relying on past technical work to carry them this year? Bottas is gone next year, I believe. Norris continues to kick Riccardo's ass. Wonder if he, Riccardo, will try to run to another team next year? This'll be third time he's faced a better racing partner. His tactic has, thus far, been to try another tea where he can be the top dog.

The same medical professionals (1K of them) who said that the anti-lockdown protests were dangerous due to the spread of covid but the protests after the Floyd shooting was ok because it was for a better cause? (see link below). https://www.wsj.com/articles/health-care-workers-say-protests-are-vital-despite-coronavirus-risks-11591790600 The covid pandemic has been heavily politicized from the very start by both sides…but one side was all about using the virus to increase government control and reduce individual liberties all in the name of saving lives…and then gave a pass when it suited their agenda or their own personal lives (let me know if you or others want more examples). So when it comes to the mask wear and the vaccine, it should be up the individual, and that should be respected. My parents got the shot and I support their decision, and likewise I have a lot of friends who don’t think they need it and/or don’t feel comfortable with taking a vaccine that isn’t FDA approved and only authorized under emergency status, and that is also fine. Yet we have some on this forum who still believe you’re killing your neighbor if you don’t get the shot or don’t wear a mask—and that’s the problem. By the way, if people who have had the covid shot can still get covid, as well as still transmit covid/infect others, then why aren’t vaccinated people still required to wear a mask? Especially if the mask was more so about protecting other vulnerable people around you and less about protecting yourself? (this wasn’t a direct post to you Bronco, but rather addressing others on here who say to trust the medical folks no matter what and if you don’t get the shot then you want others to die)

Absolutely NO government source would be accepted by me. From nearly the get go, federal/state/local "leaders" have politicized this goatrope to the point where nothing is trustworthy. It's a scary world; I'll make my own decisions for me and mine.

As we’ve seen, also dubious...

It sure is interesting listening to politicians in DC talk about the increase in violent crime going on across the country. Biden’s tired and confused presser on the issue was really hard to watch. We are going after rogue gun dealers…. I had no idea that the ATF or FBI had never gone after rogue gun dealers before. It certainly isn’t hard to understand or to predict this if you’re willing to be honest about it. When Democrat politicians create a culture of crime via a defund the police movement, demonize law enforcement officers, do away with cash bail, incentivize single parenthood, decline to prosecute criminals, create martyrs/heroes out of life long violent thugs, etc you are going to see a sharp increase in crime. And innocent people will suffer. And our country will continue to fall apart. I can’t imagine pairing the message and behavior of Democrat politicians with policies that would make it harder for law abiding citizens to protect themselves. Scary stuff.

I don’t post on here very much and I’m sure this post will get a lot of hate…but it needs to be said. If I recall you were passed over not too long ago. After reading this statement about handing out Article 15s I’m thinking maybe big blue got something right the first time. This kind of “leadership” is the problem, not the solution.

But "Trust the science" bro. I finally got around to listening to it. Out of curiosity I typed ivermectin into google. Top hit was FDA saying not to take it. 🙂 Infuriating

So much emotion with this from everyone. My family got the vaccine because my wife works with immunocompromised children that can’t get it…. not because we are concerned about ourselves. Every M.D. we know got it the minute they could (even pregnant or nursing)… so we trusted their decisions and followed, because as it turns out, I’m a pilot and not a medical professional.

Thank you for answering my questions with another question. Makes it obvious that you can’t or don’t want to answer them. But coming from a guy who would give anyone an Article 15 for speeding, not wearing a reflective belt, etc…I’m not surprised. You do know that you can see the foolishness of your ways and admit that you were wrong, right? Or are you sticking to your original post below?

Aside from the Red herring of the phrase “anti-vaxer” to slander vaccinated individuals opposed to mass forced vaccination, you’re also ignoring how much we've been lied to. Why should I trust you on herd immunity when we have Fauci’s emails proving he manipulates “herd immunity” and the definition is subjective? ”we could get to herd immunity in a month if you were reasonable.” ”2 weeks of lockdowns to slow the spread.” ”the vaccine originated naturally not in a lab.” ”there are no safe treatments, that is why our only option is using this experimental vaccine” ”the NIH didn’t fund gain of function research in Chinese military labs.” Those statements are used to shout down questions and dissent. Some have now been proven false. Do you not understand why that calls the others into question? “Appeal to authority” is insufficient to convince people when the authorities lie so much.

and then you "fail" the Hogan lol. Airline application process is so schizophrenic. Today's persona non-grata is tomorrow's "tier I" applicant. Kinda like the AF actually. 😄

Replace “mask” with “reflective belt” and you just became what’s wrong with the Air Force. By the way, neither do anything to keep us safe.

You know how your immune system reacts to a virus, but there's a spool up time? Your body also reacts to vaccines, in a more mild fashion, in a way that reduces the spool up time. Think of it this way. In Afghanistan, someone shoots at guys on the ground, and it takes time to PID, get coords, program a weapon, etc. But it you know where Bin Laden is hiding, with a picture of the guy, already know what's in the building...you can react much more quickly. Vaccines are like an Intel shop for your immune system, priming it to react to threats before they enter the body.

You can make that argument. But it shows a complete misunderstanding of how vaccines and the immune system work.

I have a 0.014% chance of death IF I contract Covid...no logical risk management process says, “99.986% of success isn’t good enough, we need to lower the risk more!” When it comes to personal risk assessment, you do you, no judgement here. But it is quite logical to look at the numbers and say, “yeah I’m good with that chance of death and won’t be pumping more synthetic shit into my body.” I don’t have to sacrifice my body for the people who have their own personal health issues...judging those who make such a risk assessment based on the data out there is pretty illogical and misguided. Also definitely go listen to a pod cast or two with Dr. Weinstein as said earlier...holy shit.

I think senior generals are heavily influenced by the whims of the administration. It is also possible that he's busy, doesn't have the bandwidth to fully look into this stuff, and does not realize now nefarious the content he's quasi-endorsing truly is.

As it should be. We should absolutely reap the benefits of our success in dramatically reducing the numbers of sick and dying of coronavirus. Doesn’t mean pawnman is wrong though. Vaccination is not a purely transactional “how does it affect me” issue. Yes, a vaccine will be effective at preventing negative effects for an individual. But the real effectiveness lies in vaccines’ benefits to society as a whole. Vaccinate enough people and the disease can be almost entirely suppressed. I don’t think anyone should be forced into vaccination in a free society, but I encourage everyone I know to get it just for the simple fact that I don’t want to experience any more lockdowns or public health measures that negatively affect my quality of life.

When did Alex Jones make a username on Baseops?

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1365/2497/products/12774-TinFoilHat-May-Move02_800x.gif?v=1542393503 Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Yes, it was an exciting race. If there are some here who haven't seen it, it's worth watching (no spoilers).

What a fucking troll.

Oh goody, another pilot who know more about immunology than immunologists and doctors. Would you extend the same level of credence to a doctor who read about aviation on the internet? Would you believe a guy who flew jets for 20 years, or a guy who googled an article about lift and drag? Dunning Kruger on full display in this thread.

Nah, it just shows the hypocrisy of you and others. You pick and choose info/advice from medical professionals and then get mad when others do the same. Hypocrisy at its finest.

Says the Nav who would intentionally seek out those not wearing a mask who haven’t had the shot and issue punishment under Article 15… Or am I just “trolling you”? Even though you didn’t even comment on the substance of the article I just posted… Let me know when you agree with the medical professionals and start wearing a mask again everywhere you go.

You're right...much more credibility from random strangers on the internet than the people who literally study epidemics professionally.