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ThreeHoler

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Posts posted by ThreeHoler

    F35 navy crash rumor?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Had a buddy when we were copilots who claimed he uttered the words “I completely disagree with every decision the aircraft commander has made up to this point” every 30 minutes just to have it on the tapes.


    This was a no shit thing that happened on a KC-10 from Japan to the US about 15 years ago. The cargo boom walked up into the cockpit every 25 minutes or so and announced that loudly for the cockpit mic to pick up. The first time or two, everyone else up there just looked at each other. After the third time or so, they locked the cockpit door and didn’t let him back in.

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted


    You still payback any unearned portion per the ACP agreement. I think the only caveat is medical DQ, where you stop receiving, but don’t have to pay back any.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk



    Not always true. Call Bob or whoever works in the ACP office…you might be able to keep it if 2x passed over and not continued.

    Aviation Continuation Pay (ACP - The Bonus)

    in General Discussion

    Posted



    I remember signing a petition on some GeoCities website (remember that) around the turn of the century.

    The fact that reservists maintain the exact same quals but only got paid 1/30th of the flight pay per AFTP always irked me. I hope it goes through but much like expanded Space A benefits for reservists (which made it into the NDAA but never got implemented) I’m not holding my breath.



    IMO, ARC should get the full ACIP as long as they meet the same requirements of AD: 4 hours in a month (OFDA creditable month) within the last 3 months.

    Question on administrative discipline and discharges

    in General Discussion

    Posted


    The scenario being described would be unlawful command influence if the member was Article 15d based off of the superior commanders desires. If it was simply admin action only it’s not technically UCI but not the best optic.

    Dream-the best example I saw about discussing admin and NJP was from a former MXG/CC I worked for at CVS. There was a weekly forum for all the commanders to discuss ongoing situations with the GP/CC in a private room at the Golf Course over breakfast. This allowed all the commanders to know what was going on and learn from one another 100% complete transparency and the GP/CC never told them or myself to alter their course or plan of action—asked questions sure and gave advice based on his experience but only for the benefit of all to learn from one another.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


    This style of weekly status of discipline at the OG level has been my experience at two separate AMC bases.

    Changing/Switching airframes

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    It’s for those in the MAF who either didn’t get what they wanted out of UPT to go to their first assignment allowing them to “right a wrong” or by wanting to get promoted into leadership and not by flying skill. This is done by:
    1. Not be a good pilot.
    2. Become an exec.
    3. Fly less as a lackluster pilot.
    4. Solely upgrade because they’re the Sq/CC’s “HPO.”
    5. Cross flow into another MAF aircraft where they won’t fly much because now they’re usually an ADO and solely upgrade for their career progression, not their skill.
    Here’s an example of a douchebag Phoenix program product.
    https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/379th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/Biographies/Article/2274232/colonel-jeremy-e-williams/
    Terrible program that promotes terrible aviators into leadership positions.


    How did he spend 2 years as a UPT student?!

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I once added 50 random points to the tanker ORM sheet because it was impossible to score over a moderate. We had been jacked around the clock for two weeks so the scheduler could “optimize # of missions so everyone got the same # of air medals” (circadian rhythm be damned).

    The “ADO” lost his shit. I calmly told him I had every intent to fly but that we were so far in the sleep red that we needed risk awareness and acceptance at the Sq/CC level.

    We flew. And the sq stopped scheduling that way the next day, putting most everyone back onto consistent (for sleep patterns) lines.


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    • Like 2

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    No, def not toxic.  I’ve been in shoes similar to you in a deployed environment.  At a certain point we are appointed with executing the mission. I’d look at any of my ACs sideways if they cancelled due to WX being 300-3/4 when mins are 200-1/2.  Just go out there and get er done dude.  However, like you, I was sensitive about having my AC’s backs if they did make the tough call even if I disagreed with said decision.
    Tinker, different story.  Crews were not safe to fly and got their butts chewed for ORM. Not to mention it was a training environment. That’s a huge foul on part of said OG.  
    Let’s cultivate a climate where ACs are empowered but at the same time are willing to lean forward and get the mission done in the grey zone. 
     
     



    Mins in UPT (AETC) are ceiling and vis. Mins in ACC are ceiling and vis. Mins in AMC are vis only for straight ins (but most AMC pilots never figure that out and keep spewing this 200-1/2 bullshit). What are the mins to fly this approach in AMC?

    https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2111/00150IL6.PDF
    • Haha 2

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    So on the topic of “toxic leadership” and command pressure to fly, I’d love to get opinions on this scenario. And spears as well but hopefully someone can learn from my thought process and your responses.
    Several times in deployed environments, other AC’s have elected to cancel based on low weather given instrument approaches available (e.g. 300&3/4 when an ILS with 200 & 1/2 is available) with no forecast showing it will get worse or significantly better). The phrase they’d always use is it’s the “conservative” choice. Well one time I’m the DO deployed and a guy who is a bit notorious for canceling in that scenario comes to me and says he’s going to cancel. I ask why and he says for weather. I had him walk me through it and there was usable weather at the field at Takeoff and Land +\- 1 hour and also a viable alternate (which admittedly was 250 miles away and would reduce 75% of station time). After showing that, I said I didn’t understand the cancel decision. There was then a bleeding heart speech about backing up AC’s and undue pressure to fly when it was unsafe etc. I’m not particularly proud of my response but I said that I’d back up his decision every time, but I asked if we need to look at our evaluation criteria because we don’t have Pilot Weather Categories and all of our AC’s are approved to what’s on the plate. He said no (he was a SEFE) to which I retorted why aren’t you going then? “Because that’s my decision” and I said “then why do we have the 202v3 if it’s just up to your gut”. He then asked if I was ordering him to go when he felt unsafe and I said no, I don’t have that authority and wouldn’t do that if I did. We canceled the line, NBD and then I get feedback at the end of the deployment from this guy about how I set up a toxic environment and he cited this particular case. That pissed me off but I just let it go and moved on but it ate at me for awhile. A few other guys made similar comments while others praised me for upholding the standard, etc.
    Debrief? Is that toxic? Where’s the line between toxic and upholding the standard? Is this in the same ballpark as the Tinker OG?


    Wow. 300 and 3/4 is touch and go weather for KC-10 IPs.

    Not toxic and it sounds like the community needs a good recentering on accepted risk and mitigation strategies. Maybe there were other pieces, but a highly experienced dude (SEFE) who can’t hack 300 3/4 (when the required weather should be vis only for the straight in and likely 2400 RVR depending on the country) is a drain on your MWS.
    • Upvote 1

    Covid Injection Tyranny - Share and Discuss

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    So after 15 satisfactory years of service, 12 on active duty as a Marine Hornet pilot with 3 deployments, one to combat and having received an honorable discharge after those 12 years, I am being told as a Reservist, to get the vaccine or receive a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge.
    This despite me having to leave my flying billet as an IP 3.5 years ago after being diagnosed with epilepsy despite the fact that the covid vaccines are shown to cause an increase in seizure activity and intensity in a relatively high percentage of those who receive it. 
    Oh, and I also received an email today that said my civilian employer will require it by early December as well or I will be unable to provide for my family. 
    Pretty awesome. 


    Sounds like a legit case for an exemption.
    • Like 2

    What's wrong with the Air Force?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    The MDG/CC is not the authority to approve or deny Ambien in AMC…it is the Sq/CC. I had an O-6 Flt Doc call me for Ambien approval when our exercise crew requested them.

    Short version: I said yes. But I also talked to the AC about all the ways to mitigate before going straight to the pilot’s little helper and made sure I understood why they felt the no go pills were needed.


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    • Like 1

    Captain passed over for Major, looking for advice.

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Covid hit, and their job on the outside no longer existed..bit a few folks in the ass who did what you are suggesting.  
    Just my opinion, I wouldn’t turn down promotion.  There are other avenues to still get out.  What does your commitment look like? 


    One case I’m thinking of happened a few years ago (around the time of the first VSP). A Capt wrote the board two years in a row to get out early. After his 2nd non-selection, his spouse was diagnosed with a serious (expensive) disease. He petitioned the continuation board to stay in as a Capt to 20 for the medical coverage. Had he not written the board, he likely would have promoted.

    Everyone has their reasons…but sometimes things change and you can’t prepare for how they change. I’m not saying don’t write…just be prepared for everything you can think of in the transition.
    • Like 1
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