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This was already posted in the "What's Wrong with the AF?" thread (as a good thing), but it deserves its own thread for now. Release of the change to 39-2903 has re-authorized colored Friday shirts, name tags, and morale patches. Note that this applies to everybody, not just flyers. Can I get a harumph?

They take the specs from the customer and give them to the engineers. I think.

Another small victory. New change to AFI 36-2903: 8.3.6. Morale Patches and Tabs. Wing Commanders may authorize the wear of morale patches on the shoulders of the FDU on Fridays, or during special events. Small morale tabs may be worn on the exposed Velcro of the left sleeve when the pen pocket cover is removed; wear is not restricted. Squadron Commanders will approve and maintain a list of acceptable morale patches and tabs for wear by assigned Airmen. 8.4.5. Nametags. Cloth nametags for FDU/DFDU and flight jackets will be 2 X 4 inches in size and worn over the left breast pocket. As a minimum, the Aeronautical badge, Space, Cyberspace or missile operations badges (if awarded) are mandatory and nametags will contain individual‘s name and rank (rank is mandatory for enlisted personnel). Embroidered badges will be consistent in color with MAJCOM approved nametag colors. In the case of subdued nametags, embroidered badges will be black or dark blue in color. MAJCOM supplements to this instruction will standardize nametags (i.e., background/border colors, squadron logos, naming convention, etc.). Nametags for Leather A-2 Flying Jacket will be 2 x 4 inches, brown or black leather, simulated leather. Emboss with silver wings or badges, first and last name, rank, and USAF. Note: Commanders authorized to wear the Command Insignia pin will wear the insignia on the left side of the nametag. The insignia will be worn only while performing commander duties. Exception: Wing Commanders may authorize the wear of morale nametags on Fridays or during special events. Squadron Commanders will ensure name tags are in good taste and reflect proper military order, discipline, morale, and image. 8.7. Undergarments. Undergarments are required with the FDU and DFDU. During flight operations all undergarments, to include cold weather undergarments, must be cotton or fire retardant material and must be on the safe to fly list maintained by Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). Undershirts will be crewneck style and tan in color. Exception: Wing Commanders may authorize Airmen to wear a designated unit standardized color undershirt on Fridays, or during special events.

Our commander has been pretty awesome about this whole thing, just sent this email out to us

It's a trap

It's their country now, they can do what ever they want with it. If they don't like terrorists taking a city, then they'll go kick ass. If they tolerate it, now we know how much they care. If we even hint at bailing them out, then will always seek to have us bail them out. Time to stand like a man or cower like sheep. It's fucking pathetic that our military leaders are even putting intent on newspaper to bail them out. Out

Huge win for non-rated Weapons Officers reagrding ABUs. It's about time. The Weapons Instuctor Course Graduate Patch and/or USAF Test Pilot School Patch (graduate or instructor) may also be worn on the pocket of the ABU. Wear only regular size embroidered cloth badges or specialty insignia. Metal pin- on type qualification badges are not authorized for wear on the ABU.

Great, now when will strippers and hot local civilian chicks be allowed back in the O'Clubs as legend has it?

It wouldn't hurt to confess your sins. Examples: - I failed to do PME before I pinned-on - I neglected to do my Master's until I was a Captain - Sometimes I show up for work late and leave early - I tend to pencil-whip queep - On occasion I log an event which I didn't really do You get the idea. Think of it as a reverse OPR.

Does that mean the LOC I got last year for wearing a moral patch can get shredded? And yes, I am serious...

Information regarding Sean's funeral: Below are details about the service for Capt Sean M. Ruane for those of you wishing to attend. Be advised we are working airlift for active duty military from Moody, DM, and Nellis, but still working it. If you are flying commercial, recommend you fly into Pittsburgh International Airport Friday morning (Jan 24th) and can attend one of the viewings on Friday. Thursday’s viewings will primarily be attended by those within the Pittsburgh area, while we’re trying to save room for military and personnel from out of town to attend the viewings on Friday. Please look below for hotel discount information and stand by for additional hotel discount info and rental car discount info. All CC’s also will be getting the same details to spread to the squadrons as well. Please, if you know of anyone wanting to attend, share this information with them so that everyone has a chance to pay their respects to our beloved brother Sean and to the Ruane and Roderer families. Thank you and godspeed. Thursday, Jan 23: -Viewing at Copeland Funeral Home --Location: Copeland Funeral Home 981 Brodhead Road Coraopolis, PA 15108 --Time: 1st Viewing: 2-4 pm 2nd Viewing: 6-9 pm Friday, Jan 24: -Viewing at Copeland Funeral Home --Time: 1st Viewing: 2-5 pm 2nd Viewing: 7-9 pm Saturday, Jan 25: -9am: Precession will depart Copeland Funeral Home for Christ Church at Grove Farm. The funeral Service will begin at 1130am at the Christ Church at Grove Farm. Funeral location: Christ Church at Farm Grove 249 Duff Road Sewickley, PA 15143 Only close friends and family members are invited to attend the reception after the private burial service. Reception Location: Airport Sheraton Hotel 1160 Thorn Run Road Coraopolis, PA 15108 Reception Start Time: 2:30pm Sheraton hotel: 1160 Thorn Run Road Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 262-2400 $89/night, Group Code: RBA23 Marriot hotel: 777 Aten Road Coraopolis, PA 15108 (800) 228-9290 $89/night, Group Code: Mention the "Ruane Funeral" Embassy Suites hotel: 550 Cherrington Parkway Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 269-9070 $99/night, Group Code: C-CSR Wyndham: 1 Industry Lane Pittsburgh, PA 15108 (724) 695-0002 $65/night, Group Code: _____ (still waiting for response). Base Lodging : 2275 Defense Ave Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 474-8230 $56/night, Group Code: _____ (still waiting on response for discounted rate if possible).

Tony is a brilliant guy… "What's wrong with the Air Force" is that we lose actual Leaders like him that we can't afford to lose because of a system that is so broken that actual Leaders are not allowed to lead. He was assured multiple Stars if he had stayed, but I think he will actually be able to more for the military and Vets on his chosen path.

If troops in Flight Med get to wear sports jersey's during football season, then I don't see why we shouldn't get to wear tabs with a sports team name/logo. Though I'm sure those who root for the DC NFL team will get a call from MEO (just joking...or am I?). As for who decides what is acceptable, it sounds like from the AFI that it is up to the Sq/CC...which means that anybody above the Sq/CC can tell him/her that it's not acceptable (since that's how it goes for everything else). And as for enforcing the standard, well of course you will be required to take a picture of the tab, make an eSSS and route the tab for approval to your Sq/CC, and then will have to keep the signed copy of the approval letter on your person at all times. I'm sure a new form will be developed specifically for the process.

First: Awesome! Second: This gets us closer to what we used to have. We didn't just win the lottery. Imagine if your wife who used to be faithful, cheated on you for a few years, then decided she was going to be faithful again. Do you have an amazing marriage now? Third: This won't stop REMFing from those that can't do their job. There are a lot of bad regs out there for them to enforce or conspicuously comply with. Fourth: Regarding Liquid's post about wing commanders; wing commanders should lead. If the mission of your wing is to kill people then it might be okay to have patches celebrating that. If they don't know how to lead then maybe they shouldn't be wing commanders.

Warning - Boring non-eventful story ahead: Nope, I was trying to be a good LT and head up a base event. Long story short, I forgot to take it off when I had a meeting with the AD WG/CC. My SQ/CC was waiting for me when I got back from the meeting with a nasty email from the WG/CC in hand. I got chewed out and the LOC. I use it as a valuable reminder though of the difference between AD and ANG (I'm AD in TFI). My ILANG bro's would be constantly trying to steal it from me and their WG/CC has asked me a couple of times if I could order them for his entire SQ. I'm over it, but I use it as a warning to all the FNG's that you can get highlighted negatively for the dumbest shit. Anywho, now that the reg has changed I'll see if I can redeem myself and head up morale shirts and patches for the SQ!

Keep the union strong. Don't cross the picket line for such a small concession.

Also you now can wear sister service badges that you earn including the Ranger Tab.

I wonder how much deserved chiefing will go on for those unaware they need WG/CC and SQ/CC approval for most of these things and need to wait for it.

http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2903/afi36-2903.pdf

Read the fine print before you go looking for an E-9 to piss off...."Wing commanders may authorize" morale patches, colored t-shirts, and Friday patches. Get your Wing King on board before you all go out and try to out-Chief a Chief.

well fuck. I get 2 Fridays to do this before I go on terminal leave.

Wow. I'm almost speechless. Big win for Welsh (I'll give him credit) and a big F U to those that killed this stuff a couple years ago.

Let's have some fun with the uniform police! I'm guessing this new change won't be too publicized... My plan is to get all decked out on Friday....Friday patches, pencil tab, single name nametag, bright red squadron shirt, and then maybe stroll around MPF or finance...maybe get lost in the MSG building.....phishing for Chiefs. Of course, I will have the appropriate pages conveniently printed in my pocket to correct said Chief....bye-bye...thanks for playing...your prize is a home version of our game called STFU!!! Good hunting boys! Cap-10

Yes, I rechecked my math and found that the only people this could happen to would be someone who was 2 below to Lt Col then was passed over for O-6... Not likely. Still seems messed up, but sanctuary keeps them from kicking you out without retirement benefits, not kicking you out with an early retirement. At least now the "E" in ESERB that stands for "Early" makes sense.

Someone tell me why we have NAFs again?

Yes, however you also come out on both Eagle Lists for Sq/CC Command of the MDS's you've flown. Which one you rank higher on is the MDS that you'll command. My personal feelings are there's some great folks that get picked up to crossflow via a PHOENIX program, however a majority of the ones I seen were the Sq/OG/Wg Execs who didn't fly that much in their first MDS, only upgraded to IP/EP because of their PRF's, etc. Also what do you think they're going to do when they crossflow? Here's your Wing job, OSS ADO, whatever and wait around for school/staff. So by the time they're Sq/CC they marginally flew two MDS's, however now they're the boss making decisions for younger crew members on their flying careers. Just because you turned left in a KC-135 doesn't mean you can do AR in the C-17, or land a KC-10 doesn't mean you can fly an assault in a C-130. Straight into a -135 PTX class. Enjoy!

Yawn. Nobody forced you to marry another .mil person. Single and mil-civ folks everywhere roll their eyes at shit like this.

Well, there is that danger of not making that last surfacing thing. I am unaware of any such risk with ICBM duty. I surfaced successfully around 240 times from beneath North Dakota. And the fact that it takes a couple of years and a mega-buttload of money to train a nuke submariner.

Answer is, it depends. Any controller speaking to an aircraft has a responsibility to make sure it goes where it's supposed to, as I mentioned in the other thread, whether it's a Tower controller or an Approach guy. From what I can tell, Branson's tower is a contract tower, which means any Approach control services are conducted off-site in Springfield, or by Kansas City Center. Center approach services are usually only done late at night, taking over for approach facilities that close for the night (if they're not 24 hour ops) and generally are one at a time operations, as depending on terrain and type and location of the emitter center radars are optimized for higher altitudes and don't do so well for lower altitudes. Additionally they have a much slower refresh rate, about 10 seconds per full 360ª sweep. Anyway. If whichever facility the pilots were talking to was still open, then yeah this is very bad for whomever was working the aircraft. But from what I can see on airfield info for http://airnav.com/airport/KBBG, Tower hours are 0700-2100, which were the same as my previous tower. If the tower was closed, then most likely the frequency becomes a CTAF/UNICOM and there'd be no one on-frequency to observe the wrong track and issue any warnings or guidance. Usually at night Approach or Center frequency changes (ships) the aircraft to Tower 15 miles out or so, sometimes more esp if it's slow...and other facilities don't have ready access to neighboring facilities' frequencies, so if Approach or Center shipped the aircraft they wouldn't have a ready way of issuing correction, short of transmitting on Guard. I did see a media report yesterday that someone in ATC did attempt to warn SWA, but there was no detail (typical). Air carriers are supposed to monitor Guard, but if some guys are having full fucking conversations over Guard (happens all the time!) then it's effectively com-jammed and useless. All it takes is one or two guys to monopolize the frequency. Finally facilities do have portable, tunable radios however they're limited in range. It all depends on what time SWA landed, I'm too lazy to look it up, but I'd say there's a decent chance BBG's tower might have been closed, and if so there's nobody to warn them. Maybe Springfield or Kansas City were trying to warn them on Guard, but obviously they didn't hear either from low altitude/poor reception, other people dominating Guard, the radios turned off, distractions in the cockpit, etc. Finally...for places open, yes there's phraseology for an aircraft inbound that's not in sight: CTRD means Certified Tower Radar Display.

HeloDude speaks the truth! This is only the beginning. I'm not saying stay in or get out. I'm saying if you decide to stay in, don't be surprised when your "retirement" gets f*cked with. Although I know the numbers are overinflated when they talk about "military pensions and benefits consuming more than 70% of the budget," there will be increasing pushes to change our retirement and pension system because of the rising costs of health care, drawdowns, modernization decisions, etc. Why don't we look at ways to not tie DoD's hands when things like healthcare cost increases consume more of our budget. My suggestion, since everyone loves to talk about different pots of money, is to just take the military retirement and benefits "budget" out of the DoD budget all together and make it its own entity in something similar to Department of Veteran Affairs all together that way you can monitor and control its growth without impact on the "active duty" budget. That way we aren't having to make decisions on modernization and operations on the backs of retirees and veterans. Defense cuts would simply mean cutting capability/changing strategy and not pensions and benefits.

Chang, On Sept 11, 2001, I was a senior in high school. I felt a combination of intense rage at our attackers and a solemn duty that "to whom much is given, much is expected." As someone who felt very blessed in the gene pool and upbringing, I felt it was my solemn duty to lead the fight in defending my country. Here we are, almost 13 years later. Numerous deployments later, when I look myself in the mirror at 0 dark 30 in some sandy place, I can't convince myself anymore that I'm defending our country. A nation that doesn't care enough to commit to win its wars, yet still commits its troops to sacrifice their relationships, futures, bodies and even their lives. I do what I do solely because of the duty I feel to my brothers on the ground. The rewards of an Air Force career? I look at the timid souls around and above me, those who in so many cases lack the intellectual honesty or critical thinking to question what exactly they are straining their families for any more. I see, all too often, people afraid to leave the peaceful mediocrity that is the essence of most Air Force careers. These people have turned a bold, fearless organization into one that the Stasi would admire: thou shalt follow the path and the dogma or find thyself forced out. I've got some things I still want to accomplish. When they're done, I'll forge my own path. Like so many on this board, I know that if I take half the talents and work ethic I've put into flying and apply them to something else, I will succeed. Have fun with your pathetic little check from mother government.

I think the writing is on the wall. Congress has already shown they are willing and able to cut our retirement, entitlements and benefits. Having been a nation at war for over a decade, our military is tired. People are tired of the constant deployments, constant PCSs and fear of going to crap assignments and locations. The powers that be don't even want to compensate us for the frequent and significant sacrifices we have made to 'serve' this nation. I fortunately have had some amazing leaders at the squadron level but I wouldn't follow most senior leaders to the bathroom, much less to the battlefield. Senior leaders keep us busy with queep, inspections, complex policies and continue to make it harder and harder to advance without butt snorkeling and stepping on everyone around you to get to the top for the prize of the almost past tense 'retirement'. Well since congress showed their cards, I'm ready to show mine. I'm burnt out on working harder than those around me to end up sitting at a desk, not flying, afraid of another non-flying assignment all at the risk of retirement not even being around when I can actually collect it and benefits being compromised - essentially nothing to show for living a life that is unstable and unpredictable. I can surely see why the most intelligent and hard working leaders leave!-- and then to tell us you will cut 25,000 Airmen so those of us remaining can bear the burden when they are gone.. Continuing the cycle of doing "more" BS with less, no thank you! Like others have said, I have served my country, it's time to move on to do something different; Be at home with my family, be able to have children without feeling my stratification is at risk by doing so, actually fly an airplane, not spend 40+ hours a week at a desk doing queep and additional duties, not deploy, not PCS and not worry about getting screwed over by lazy functionals who just want to fill a billet. To be honest with you, id leave the Air Force for free. This is a different Air Force than even my parents served in. When my 10 years are up the Air Force won't even be able to pay me to stay. As people have cited, there's a real issue with the quality of today's military senior leaders. With the Exception of General Welsh who has proved to be an exceptional leader, the fact remains, he is is only one man. There is so much disfunction on so many levels in the AF it is starting to become clear to even the lowest levels. I would still like to serve in the guard or reserve in some capacity but I like many others do not feel the cost benefit analysis of staying on active duty given the lengthy list of sacrifices tax payers ask of us passes the dummy check. My husband, also a pilot feels the same. We have both seriously fantasized about vsp since word was released. Good luck continuing to recruit a future volunteer force with the conundrum and debacle we have come to know as the Air Force. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll bite, although I feel as though my response would fall on deaf ears. I have thought about this question for many years (I'm not just about to pin on Capt) and have come to quite a few answers to that questions. My answers are three fold, with a summary at the end. The short of it, we just aren't even. 1. Integrity First- This catch phrase is used to encompass the expectations of subordinates, but not accountable to self or superior. I have seen blatant betrayals from senior leaders when the "deal changes", during any feedback session, or through the horrible personnel management. 2. Service Before Self- The comment in itself reeks of cold war propaganda. Many people subscribe to the God, Family, Country mentality but the Air Force would have you believe that you would put all personal desires second to the Air Force needs. The "needs of the Air Force" have been met personally by my by missing the majority of my own birthdays, christmas and 4th of July celebrations. I have also put the service first by moving to undesirable locations on a timeline chosen for me by the Air Force. In return I am rewarded by the likes of TAMI 21 and multiple RIFs. It is of absolutely no surprise to me that this concept of a one way street with no expectation of the service to show gratitude for my dedication to it's cause. 3. Excellence in All We Do- I can't believe that this even exists as a core value any more. We have punted the majority of the leadership challenges that have come our way in recent years. The least of which is not defined by the current state of large scale acquisition programs. The fraud, waste and abuse run rampant among spineless senior leaders more focused on the nest promotion than holding peers and superiors accountable for their actions. I believe excellence exists in the warriors that I have flown with in combat. I believe whole-heartedly that it exists in most squadrons. I do not believe that it exists above that level. The last, and most important, is the informal "affirmative action" implemented amongst company and field grade officers. The Air Force has gone to great lengths to ensure that we are all wingmen, warriors and leaders. We have reverted to baseline stratifications, masters degrees, PT tests and PME completion as a measure of success instead of number of combat deployments, hours spent in the vault or countless early morning, late nights and endless TDYs. I want to be very clear. We are not equal. A pilot should not be measured against a personnel, maintenance or finance officer. We aren't the same people. We, as aviators, assume an inordinate amount more risk when we execute combat airdrops, prepare for air-air refueling, or execute a combat mission. We aren't even. When reviewing commissioning sources over various years you will find that pilots are required to be the top 50% or better (10% at times) of their peers. Further, at SUPT, T-38 candidates must be in the top 50% of their class. We aren't even, we aren't even close. So, when 10 years into my career a commander stratifies pilots amongst pilots it should be assumed that those numbers are easily the top percentages of the Air Force. Through the personnel management programs we have attempted to even the playing field by placing emphasis on PME and AAD. Yes, I expect that a Personnel 2LT after having completed 4 months of training in his primary AFSC should have the time and energy to commit to those. Conversely, after 12 months of SUPT followed by 6 months of MWS specific training, followed by 6 months of MQT a pilot is given the opportunity to be the WORST pilot in the squadron. From there he is expected to work 12 hour days, spend weekends preparing for upgrades and countless days and weeks on the road. We aren't even. So, you ask why, that's why. We aren't even. We aren't even close. In a completely humble and non assuming context I contend that we just aren't the same people. We are cut from a different cloth and the Air Force has attempted to make us the same guy. So, after 12 years of military service I will cut my losses and take my chances in other ventures. I am willing to wager my military retirement that my statements above are of more substance than mere narcissism. I'm disappointed in the Air Force, in it's leadership and the way in which it downplays it's most valuable resources. We just aren't even.