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I thought Homestead would be an awesome place to live until I actually went there.

A younger dude here so maybe I could offer my 2 cents on why the big cultural shift for me. In the start of UPT I was stoked to go fly jets and get paid for it and could never understand why the older dudes always said they could not wait to get out. Fast forward to the end of UPT and I am already thinking of my indentured servitude of 10 years (experiencing terrible policy decisions and witnessing the best IPs pulling chocks because they couldn't deal with Big Blue anymore, also terrible Officers IMO getting promoted for kiss assery). But I remain optimistic and think maybe out in the CAF since UPT is AETC (grass is always greener...). Well get out to the CAF and realize things haven't changed that much in the terms of shenanigans in leadership. I have more queep jobs and assignments to do since we don't have the manning and that is more of an emphasis then flying and getting really good at your primary job as a pilot. Combine that with getting kicked in the junk by AFPC handing down some crap non flying gig or flying gig at some dump of a location. Also our FAM telling us (I'm an 11B) that our side of pilots is hurting as well and instead of having bargaining power since we are so few and far between that we will have more work and have less chance of doing some assignment we may want. So instead, we are now going to be stuck at Dyess or Minot for longer than we ever wanted to be there and there is nothing we can do about it. Add on top of that having a Lt Col DO black border patch telling me if he were in my shoes he would get the hell out at 10 and go fly for the airlines. I look for a reason to stay in the Air Force everyday but the Air Force always sends me back more reasons to go. So combine that with airlines paying 200k plus a year in a location that you want to live in, only doing your primary job of flying and not even a full months of work, guys don't have to ask themselves twice if Big Blue is the better gig. Side question. Anyone heard if they are going to open up this crossflow to fighters to the Bomber Bros? Leadership has not mentioned a word of it and I think it is to keep us in the dark a little bit so we all don't abandon post. All of us are 38 quald and I know a ton of people that would take the chance. I have a healthy reality check of the answer being no because Big Blue is hurting in the 11B community as well but anything is possible in this AF as we all know. Thanks again fellas!

The concept of "the one" is on the same shelf as Rapunzel and tooth fairies, and watching a bunch of military aviators try to play the role of "dear Abby" is on the fringes of my comfort level- much like when bqzip's mom asked for a glass-bottom-boat. Does this kid want to be a pilot? Does he know he will study more in one year if UPT than he did in 4 (or five in my case) years of college? Or is he worried about some chick getting her feelings hurt because he has to prioritize his one shot at flying for the military over Sunday morning trips to bed bath and beyond? Is she willing to make the effort to visit so he can keep from washing out thus being sent to be a finance officer that fvcks up my BAH? Kids these days. Get off my lawn. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/938315/af-narrows-locations-considered-for-basing-new-rpa-units.aspx Praise Jesus

To be sure, drones stunted my my professional growth. However, when I was fortunate enough to go down range in the mighty viper after my stint in the black hole, the 1400 hours I spent watching Hajis through the Robot one-eye had some very transferable skill sets. I knew the capes of the droids which came in very handy while strike planning on the fly with the Jtac/Droid operator in dynamic situations. Also, when you watch the bad guy for the amount of time I did/ you have, you gain an intuition about bad-guy behaviors and can sift through the chaff of a civilian tending his goats vs ISIS trying to camo an arty piece in a water truck. Be grateful to return/go to a manned platform, but once you gain some experience in your new airframe, don't be afraid to share your experiences. BL, don't sell yourself short and good luck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FIFY.

Actually got to chat with a guy from Homestead flying Vipers a couple years ago. He was a full-up heavy guy, T-1s and everything who got picked up. Also flys for a major airline. Super awesome guy. His advice was if you want it go for it. Im no mother Cleo, but I will say I have seen a huge influx of 11Fs rushing KC-135 units due to the minimal requirements to stay current. Most of those guys seem to miss the fighter but have a hard time taking the pay cut to fly fighters in the ANG/Reserves, especially since AD is putting more and more requirements on those dudes to shoulder the deployment load. So only 2 days a month seems like a pretty good deal to them.

1. get a prenup 2. get married on paper 3. bank the extra BAH 4. profit

Short answer, it depends. I have seen a select few B-1 guys get into F-16 units (Buckley/Ft Worth) but that's a rarity, but it can be done. Your issue is going to be all the other fighter guys around you getting out, they will get picked above you just because they are a proven entity, a quick TX with no IFF. Find the unit that is always hurting (Homestead) and test the waters there.

I was starting to get uncomfortable myself. So in hopes of derailing this thread, here goes... Screw the Air Force. Leadership sucks. Go to the airlines, the grass is greener. FU Chang. C Model drivers are homos. DD-214 blanket. Et cetera, et cetera. That's better. The Baseops I know and love.

As always, thanks for the info Duck. I'll just keep loving the one I'm with as much as I can until ADSC is up and I can PC to some pointy nose Guard/Reserve unit.

Sorry brother. Our 11Bs were told specifically no. Bombers are hurting just as bad. In fact the email from AMC mentioned crossflow to fighters or bombers.

Like stay the hell out of Southern California...

Since Star Trek is turning 50 and this is decent list, Spock says... What you want your cake and eat it too? Every time zone on US soil with a Droid base, a GA companion aircraft for brief escapes to dance the skies on laughter silvered wings... that's not that hard to do Air Force.

Not everyone catches the yellow fever.

I think a lot of what happens is we grow up. Bright-eyed LTs become husbands and dads and start thinking about life after the AF and making more little league games. Priorities change as we get older and the AF can't control that.

The difference between girlfriend and wife is as significant as the difference between having her accompany you or expect you to fly/drive a few hours to see her. On one end of the spectrum is the wife accompanying you to UPT and at the other end of the spectrum there's the girlfriend (not even fiancé) expecting you to do the bulk of the travel in a long-distance relationship. Let's just label those two ends of the spectrum as good and bad, respectively. I saw lots of good examples flourish in UPT. If you know she's THE keeper, she probably needs a ring. If you're not willing to do that, you've already answered your own question but just haven't yet come to grips with that answer. I'm with Hoss. I know a lot of divorced dudes, but none that (after seeing the world for far more than a 2-month abroad program) pine for the one that got away - especially one they weren't willing to commit to at the time when it mattered most. The amount of emotional and personal growth/change that takes place from college graduation to becoming a flight lead or AC is an order of magnitude greater than any growing up you did in college. There are many stories of college sweethearts that last forever, but if you want to maximize your chances for marriage success - wait until that maturation process runs its course.

I'll throw in my 2 cents. Been married to my wife (1st and only) for 10 years. Got married a year before UPT. I was very upfront and honest that I wouldn't have a whole lot of time besides Saturday and half a day Sunday, until I was done with UPT. She actively supported me because she knew it was my dream and she wanted me to be happy. 10 years later, we have been through countless deployments, TDYs and short notice interruptions to our life. She's been a single parent for probably the majority of our youngest kid's life with me being on the road. I think you need to be upfront and honest. Paint her a realistic picture. If she is a keeper, she will stick through it with you. However I have never once put my "career" in front of her. That's not saying that she has always been happy or that it's all been easy and yes there are some things that you just have to do as part of the job. If you have messed up priorities expect to not have the same family you started with when you retire/separate. I've seen it all too many times. Most of those guys leave with a lot of bitterness and regret. The Air Force will one day be done with you, but your family should be with you forever. You have chosen a tough life. Rewarding but tough. Not just on you, but your wife and your kids never forget that.

Hey champ, don't worry about offending me. By all means, please continue using similar "witty" references.

In fact, memorize this...

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He really sent me his contact info. Proof: Definitely going to rank 1 or 2 at UPT.

F-15E 1. High, you'll be busy, whether you're at home or away 2. Reasonably stable, but busy. Expect 1-2 AEFs per assignment plus numerous exercises/TDYs 3. Pretty darn good 4. Around until at least 2035, good upgrades planned 5. Mountain Home, Lakenheath - amazing / Seymour Johnson - not so much We bring some capabilities no one else does, but we also have our limitations compared to the 5th gen guys. We're popular right now due to our load out, comms and long legs (for a fighter.) I suspect the reason you haven't heard a ton from the fighter guys is that if you aren't 100% sure this is for you, it probably isn't, as you'll quickly burn out. Deployments are fun, but the 12hr+ days for years on end at home will wear you out if you don't love it. If I have to talk you into a fighter, it isn't for you. That isn't meant to say that you can't make it, but that you may not want to. If you've always dreamed of flying fighters, you will have zero regrets and kick yourself when you look back for even thinking of another option.