Homestar

Fear of progress. Bureaucratic inertia.

Amazing what those engineers and astronauts accomplished with less computing power than sits in your modern phone.

Word.

I put my DoD ID number into DTS as suggested earlier in this thread and booked travel from DCA to DFW and back. Traveled last week and used DCA pre-check lanes and got to keep my jacket, belt, and shoes on. Liquids (3-1-1) can stay in the travel on, as well as laptops. Easy peasy. Got the pre-check logo on the boarding pass at DFW and the TSA made me take off my jacket (boo!). The watchful eye of the x-ray machine guy caught my half drunk V-8 that I forgot was in my carry on and chastised me appropriately.

The only thing I can think of is that Republicans in Congress are just happy that there was a budget deal that could pass both houses and get signed by the President. They think that since they just gave away the house, the Democrats will be willing to negotiate on future budget issues. But as long as Harry Reid is a member of the Senate I think the Republicans may as well give up. This is one-way compromise, and the only way to move your agenda forward is to win back the Senate. I would be fine with a COLA cut as the price of passing a budget (heaven knows this Congress needs to finally do that), if the civilian retirement were affected by the same COLA cut. But it's not.

Helluvaway to treat the men and women who have been doing the leadership's bidding in Iraq and Afg for the past 12 years. That's cool.

Did I read that right? You paid over $60,000 in taxes in 2011? Yikes.

At least she wrote you back. My (Republican) rep and senators didn't bother.

At least they fund illegal immigrant medical care with this bill.

Yeah, paranoid schizophrenic having an actual schizophrenic episode within arms reach of the President. Wonder how that debrief went at the Secret Service.

Can someone explain this to me like I'm 5 years old?

https://www.businessinsider.com/tony-carr-pentagon-budget-vultures-target-personnel-2013-3 From Tony Carr

At least the president made the order to fly the flag at half staff. Most of the time people just decide to fly it half staff on their own. Many times I've driven onto base only to wonder which former senator or president died, only to find out that nothing has happened that warranted national mourning. Now, whether Mandela warrants the symbol of national mourning in the United States is debatable.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131122/BENEFITS/311220011/More-pilots-than-thought-collecting-225-000-bonuses

Sounds like someone has been trolling the Air Force Times forum.

I think the AFPC robot sends out the hiring email. If I remember right they highly value receiver training, so if you're a KC-10 guy you're golden. If you're a KC-135 guy then a tour through McConnellstan could help you out. Edit...just saw your location.

I have had exactly two instances of overpayment in my 10 year military career. Neither were my fault. I think you may be an outlier. I've spent many summers at Camp Al Udeid, and regardless of how stupid I think the place is I've never witnessed a "sock" check. I have had airmen at the door remind me to take my hat and sunglasses off whilst taking off my hat and sunglasses.

I went through TSA pre-check on Sunday at DCA with my CAC. First time in a long time that I haven't taken off my shoes and jacket at the TSA screening. Good to know about the traveler number.

via Imgflip Meme Maker

Haven't seen that one yet. I am scheduled for an 8 hour resiliency class though.

All the talk about what's appropriate for the "workplace" highlight, for me, the true trajectory of the Air Force specifically and perhaps the military in general: today's military man is just working in another corporate job. It seems to me that the most resistance to the elimination of heritage, nose art, dirty song traditions, etc come from those who are most involved with the business of killing (the modern fighter pilot, and sarcasm that RPA guy with 1,000 kills /sarcasm). Most Air Force functions can be contracted to civilians, but the actual killing has to stay in house. These communities are understandably upset that they're being forced into a corporate business mold of behavior. I personally didn't want anything to do with the fighter traditions, so I joined a different community. Also I sucked flying the Tweet. I also agree with Liquid in that sexual assault and harassment have no place in the military where we uphold a more stringent code of honor than the rest of the country. But the Air Force is clearly moving toward a more blended type of corporate identity, one that sets aside a month out of the year to honor the homosexual lifestyle, so don't be surprised when the notion of giving your life for your "wingman" goes away.

It can scratch the paint job on the yoke. /sarcasm

I would argue that government trying to "equalize" the wealth curve is what is causing the polarization of American politics today, coalescing around a health care regime that intends to overcharge young, healthy people in order to cover old, sick people. Zuckerberg starts Facebook, makes billions, and creates thousands of jobs. The Waltons made billions and created hundreds of thousands of jobs. Gates made Windoze and earned billions, and created thousands of jobs and funds some pretty amazing philanthropic endeavors. One man's largesse does not in the least take away from my (or your) earning potential. This America, land of the free. Otherwise, the American dream is dead.

Edit: disregard.

Impossible when your leaders are raised in Washington, D.C., instead of Sparta.