17D_guy

Lots of ways to address this question. But the short answer is: sure it's been discussed, but as BuddaSixFour has pointed out, highly skilled technical organizations have spent trillions of dollars developing software and it's still buggy. The gov't and/or one of it's contractors isn't going to do better. There's always a new hack that people can't plan for. And that's a good thing. This cyber stuff moves too fast for development the USAF way. Look at the problems w/ the F35 software and that's a very specific set of design parameters. Now imagine that for everyone's different set of desktop boxes and the USAF/DoD directing the fix. We'd lose a few GDPs worth of cash w/ nothing to show. Also, there's already products out there that provide serious security (ex. SE Linux) w/ NSA contributions. On our 2 normal networks Win7/10 is fine. Properly administrated they're fantastic operating systems. Are they currently properly administrated, no. Is that my cyber-bro's fault, partially. But, at the end of the day all this tech stuff is cool.. but it's the bag-o-meat sitting at the keyboard that's going to screw it up. We all hate the stupid LARPing CBT we have to do annually, but it's at least made people ask me if something was stupid.

Thanks. I do need to add that the tech-advisor thing will have to be closely structured and monitored. As in - no previous federal service at or above a certain level 2 year max stint before a "cooling off" period ensure no single company/org is sourcing a lot of individuals easily fire-able, moveable, and easy for an individual to quit I think the last one would be mitigated by the fact that there's no career to ruin. You tell the thanks for their service, they get on social media about why they were unjustly terminated, etc. Congress is going to listen if you let a former VP of Facebook go for a stupid reason. Otherwise it'll be the same thing as when those Generals were coming back as "leadership consultants" while allegedly hawking their contractor gig merchandise. How much money do those fuckers need.....

I've been thinking hard about this one. Every way I look at it, I don't see how having civilians cross in at the O6 or higher-level is going to translate to meaningful change for Cyber. I've got Cyber O6's that I know now agitating for meaningful changes: real mission assurance, real network advancements, etc. They can't get it done and they've been in the system the whole time! What's some civilian with no history, contacts and context going to bring? Dear Lord.. if he/she starts on staff without ever having supported an operational mission... the hate we get now will only be magnified because the leader only isn't in touch... they've NEVER been in touch. We aren't like civilian companies where we can dump one vendor for another. We're beholden to DISA for services. We're beholden to our MAJCOM/NAF for mission requirements. We're beholden to AFSPC/24AF for "cyber mission requirements." Finally we're beholden to the IMSC for... something. Couple the serious mission challenges to the promotion and "up-or-out" and you're going to demoralize the cyber force. We've already got enough problems with not having a career cyber person in cyber leadership. Now you're going to shift some of these few O6 slots to civilians coming in? How exactly am I supposed to believe there's any credibility at all with AF Cyber Leadership if this happens? It's already difficult enough as it is and I've been told very good things about the folks in charge. Finally I don't know many "cyber leadership" civilians who could do well on our PT systems. Hire civilians as non-line tech advisers, increase the industry internship opportunities, allow more sabbaticals, develop/promote Technical MS programs (AFIT doesn't count), provide mid-level (vs high-level) cyber leadership/operations training (less demanding CNODP/Cyber WIC) and get some damn career cyber leadership visible to the force. I will note none of these even start to address the problem with current GS-civilians who are retired O's and SNCO's who refuse to do anything meaningful to move Cyber into the current decade. For them the AF hasn't changed since the day it retired, and by God it'll be the same when they retire again in 10/20/30 years.

Yea, sorry, should have included it. https://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-Action/As-I-See-It/Why-Whack-Military-Housing-Allowances-.aspx?utm_source=Legis&utm_medium=email&utm_content=legis&utm_campaign=JuneAsISeeIt

It'll drive up costs on all rental properties, just like it does overseas. Again, it's going to screw the lowest ranking Airmen and dual-mil families the most. The MOAA article showing actual changes in compensation is the best write up of it I've seen.

This self inflicted timeline failure is amazing. Basically the AF is destroying itself to identify people earlier than any other service for GO positions years in advance, because otherwise they won't get to an important position 20 years from now? And.. that's on a timeline we set. As a service we're aware of it. I've spoken to a few Col's now who've stated it's a problem, as well as a retired 2-star. We're aware of what it's causing in the force, causing in leadership positions, causing in promotions... and we continue to do it. So.. we control the totality of the development timeline. We control the training, evaluations, assignment, education and even living locations and conditions of those who the Air Force has decided will one day assume responsibility for vast portions of the Air, Space and Cyber enterprise. But we just can't seem to get it done compared to the other services who identify their folks later in their careers?

my location was under 40%

I think BFM, for me at least, highlights the most important part of this whole discussion with this single point. There is no way the AF, as an organization, has ever rewarded or recognized someone immediately for a sacrifice or helping out. Not in a meaningful, life impacting way. Get a piece of paper or a RMO.. fantastic, but it doesn't make up for being gone from my family AGAIN. I say this as the deployer, and having my spouse deploy. I say this as a dude who's come to accept that I LOVE getting awards, and getting my Airmen awards. There's nothing I can point to for them to say "it was worth it" for a lot of the "requirements of service." Everything is delayed and nothing is guaranteed. You're not going to get that next promotion if you take this excrement-sandwich job. Busted your ass all year in some staff position working some legit-important mission stuff, then fail a PT test? Sorry, no decoration/gucci job/whatever for you since you've failed to "uphold standards." Even then, this regard the reward is delayed. Leadership can't even guarantee a strat for your OPR.

In my neck of the woods it's top 25%, which can be broken along many different lines (AFSC, position, level). Our current CC does not like strats among year-group, his rational is sound though I've heard good arguments to the contrary. This is the first year I've paid attention to "the game" and it's been very interesting to see the... discussion take place among people who though they were a shoe in for promotion, and didn't make it. Additionally, those that though they were BTZ.. but aren't. We've started sharing that "You Are Not BTZ" article about, and having frank discussions with our peers...since most of the O5's can't seem to be honest about it, or don't know how to. Seriously.. how hard is it to tell someone they're not in the top 25% and be honest about their future prospects?

You know, I love Cyber. I've been doing it for close to 20 years. I crossed from E-to-O into it. I set life goals based on the AF telling me that's what I'd do. I read about it at home, much to the annoyance of my wife (who doesn't want to learn about the new Win10 hack?). All the pilots I've met that actually love to fly do the same thing - study it in their off time, talk about it... sometimes even dream about it. If I'd graduated from my commissioning source and tech school to be told I'm now going to be a MFP/Services officer I'd want to burn it all down. Hell, if they told me I'd fly a Viper I'd still be angry - it's not who I am. That's not being jaded, that's being human. Doubly so if I went to any of the shit-holes the RPA bros are at. This doesn't even begin to touch the outright lies and blunders the whole RPA community has had directed at it from on high. It's almost the same as the missile fields, without the long heritage of shit or "investigations & programs" to fix it. Basically, "You're so important to the USAF and Nation. But not important enough for us to put money, men or brain power to fix it." It's an affront to justice we're taught as Americans and the trust we placed in the institution of the Air Force to go through what some of the RPA dudes have gone through. That doesn't end because you make O4/5/6. It doesn't end because you get to a cushy staff job off the line. It doesn't end because you get more money, or a ribbon with some metal on the end of it. Your lack of compassion, empathy and understanding are very telling. Broadly, you're just another troll, well done. Specifically, you're myopic view on status and money are indicative you're lining right up with that part of the AF machine for box-checking promotion - more concerned about yourself and what you can get, less concerned with the people executing your mission.

Why is that?

So, how does this check against the AMC is burning out crews, being gone too much and reduce crew requirements argument? Not trying to ruin anyone's good time, Lord knows we all need it. QUALS - I play a lot of Battlefield 4 and there's jets in that.

Cyber.. strikes again.

I enjoy this topic very much. Thanks for keeping it updated. I wonder if AFPC will provide the same information for the recently updated SRB for the enlisted in the distressed careerfields. Would be interesting to compare the take rates between the two separate, but different, programs.

But.. how else will we get officers to develop?

I think you've forgotten just how shit on you were as a Lt. I haven't. I had a Col who wouldn't acknowledge me start conversations with me 10 min after I pinned on the tracks. He did the pinning.... But before that.. just a Lt. They 14 years of prior-service = nothing. Bet your ass I celebrated.

DC going after that Marvel money. And with all things in the comic book rivalry.. it looks darker.

Dad was there is what I was wrong about. He was Navy, so... I just didn't put it together being that young that the Marines had to get carried there somehow. My being wrong didn't jack stuff up, him being gone and a whole host of other things did.

My Dad had already been gone for months, and this kicked off in the news. As a little tyke I didn't really think too much more of it than that's where "something" is happening. Though, that's not where my Dad was. I was wrong, and it pretty much jacked the family up forever. War sucks.

Well, this probably belongs in the WTF thread, but dude is back on Facebook saying he was honorably separated and a whole rash of other crap. Here's his last appeal finding, a brisk 11 pages. Pages 2-5 are the background of insanity he perpetuated on his victims. https://afcca.law.af.mil/content/afcca_opinions/cp/cohen-38472.u.pdf

How does it compare to Lone Survivor?

The best people I've worked with Cyber side are out or heavily considering it. If they don't get out entirely, they palace chase. Which is great for them. Meanwhile, I'm sitting less than 5 years from retirement and I'm just... tired. I'm tired, and I've been unable to deploy. So I haven't even felt the suck of the 6/12's most cyber officers have been feeling. I don't have the people to support the missions we're asked to do. The next large AEF-band is coming and it's going to be the super-suck for the base for another 6-months. Where a single Airman takes leave, and I've got <30% work center output. Looking at the already low manning levels and no-shit deploying 30% (as of now) of available Amn. WHAT? Last time it came down to "do we spend all day patching" or "do we spend all day working high priority tickets?" I could not do both. I refuse to hold my Airmen at work for extended periods of time when the AF can't figure out it's manning. I'll burn, but I'm not going to force my Amn to. I can't quit anything like the CSAF wants, because I don't have the authority to quit and the bosses don't want to ask. Plus, what am I going to quit.. equipment accountability? Patching? Issuing new equipment? Making iPhones work? Making VPN work? That awesome IA test? Sure... it might save a little time now, just wait until the next inspection or audit. Especially since we get inspected by non-AF entities who don't care what some Gen said.