ThreeHoler

This is my #1/69 beefs with "the system." I despise those who push the first draft onto the ratee. My experience with my own OPRs has been similar. I was actually taken aback when my rater wrote my O-4 PRF draft and sent it to me to make sure he didn't miss anything important. I was expecting to have to write it myself. I start every OPR by opening the shell with blocks IV and V blank. I write almost every bullet from scratch, except in the case of a 'team' bullet that all my ratees worked on, then I might craft one bullet for the team and re-use it in their OPRs. Is it time consuming? Yes. Does it take a lot of work? Only if my ratee gives me lackluster inputs. But that is my job as a rater. I do my best to accurately reflect the contributions of all my ratees and I write each OPR to the level of stratification (or lack thereof) they have earned. I hate writing OPRs. But I hate watching people struggle to write their own more. However, I give my ratees the option to attempt writing bullets should they wish. Most of the time I don't use their bullets in any way, but it gives them an opportunity to see how they wrote a bullet versus how I would write a bullet for the same event. Hopefully, it will help them when they have to write bullets for their ratees. Sadly, this is one of those things that we, the unwashed masses, can address and fix by standing up as a group of FGOs and CGOs to write OPRs instead of pushing it to our ratees.

Have you seen the DOPMA ceiling recently? Just ask any 2003 year group guy...they'll tell you all about 113/mo pin on rate. There are lots of O-6, O-5, and O-4s staying for max time. Each one of these ranks is "full."

Unregard.

Tyson ripped off Joe Louis: "Everyone has a plan until they get hit." What he really said: "Everybody has a plan until they get hit. Then, like a rat, they stop in fear and freeze."

Don't know you from Adam, but for those who are wondering...from my second-hand knowledge of recent talks, this bit lends a good bit to Liquid's credibility. Post on brotha-man. Sometimes the naysayers and doomcallers on here just get to be too much.

The United States Air Force?

Supposedly, the DoD is starting up "360 feedback." http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20130501/NEWS/305010023/Dempsey-360-degree-reviews-could-help-select-better-leaders "May you live in interesting times."

My insights as a supervisor. It is tough given the constraints of the OPR writing guides. You can't say something negative without making it a referral. And you can't always count on the presence or absence of a strat...our wing restricts starts to "top 15%" only. Makes it tough when you supervise a flight and you can only give out #1/x because 2/3rds of your flight is enlisted. So, unless you are creative and/or lucky with close out dates...some good people (your #2s) don't always get strats. Meaningful strats are "#x/y CGOs" or "#x/y Lts" and to a lesser extent "#x/y IPs" or "#x/y ACs" and meaningless strats are "#1 pick for..." or "#1 pilot." However, to write an OPR to "the level of a person's performance" is the key in our fucked up system. This is what distinguishes a bad OPR from a good but not the best OPR. If the person is a performer, the bullets should scream it. Every bullet on a great OPR has meaningful impact and result. Use either "action, impact, result" or "action, impact" format. I prefer the latter personally, but I know the board looks for the former. On a mediocre to poor OPR, the bullets don't pop. They don't show leadership. They read along the lines of "person was here, did stuff, some vague result." Also, the composition of the push line matters. "Continue to challenge" is the classic weak push, but there are other ways. Typically no job push or a weak PME push. Finally, for the really bad OPR that doesn't fall under the referral process, you have the "spelling and grammar" at your disposal. This requires a note from the rater or additional rater so that the chain doesn't kick it back. Usually to the effect of "spelling and grammar mistakes on this OPR are intentional." I've only seen that used once in my career though. I don't like the way we do OPRs, but I know how to work within the system to get accolades for my performers and how to communicate that someone is a bump on a log. Some days I wish I could write something like "His officers would follow him anywhere, but only out of morbid curiosity."

Or cat food?

From the same paragraph: Nothing to see here, move along.

She looks anorexic as fuck. Get that woman a sammich.

Anyone called the phone number recently?

Most TCAS systems inhibit RAs below 900-1200' AGL. If they were at 400' AGL, then the Embraer shouldn't have received an RA...and if they maneuvered in response to a TA...ugh.

Yes. It works just fine. You may wind up taking a few extra classes depending on your luck with the order of your classes. I wound up taking one extra class by doing exactly what you asked.

Has to be trolling. If serious...you are part of the problem. I see far too many people who can't fly the airplane if the automation isn't working quite right. I also see far too many pilots who can't fly smooth and stable AP off tanker refueling, let alone do good receiver work.

"Be advised..." FML I hate that phrase.

So, how come the FE didn't "save" the deployed KC-10 bubbas from landing on the wrong runway and/or without clearance a few years back? Guess no one is perfect. Except me, of course.

What is this I don't even

I love that the 1000' roll bar and the LOC for 19 are both OTS. Sound like landing short by five aircraft lengths.

The first order was placed in September 2012 and arrived April 2013. This is the second order.

CVR/FDR were installed in many mil aircraft that didn't originally have them after the Dubrovnik 737 crash.

Current and former KC-10 people: The 2d ARS is putting together a group buy of KC-10 Breitling Aerospace watches. Peggy Ulmer is coordinating everything. She does not have a BODN account, so please contact her via KC10Spouse at gmail. There are currently 13 confirmed people in the group and we need at least 12 more to make the order. The deadline to order is 15 Jun. This should have the watches arriving in time for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus. The price is $2757 (40% off retail) and the payment is due in full prior to the order. If you wish to have the watch shipped to you, it will cost a bit more. Please contact Peggy for all details.

What Champ said. Print your 1351-2s from DTS and take themto MPS.

Yokota days only count when you're TDY overnight away from Yokota.