so.it.goes

I do agree with you in that regard, and certainly appreciate your post... Have a good weekend.

I'm NOT telling you that, and I'm not going to argue something I did not say... I believe I made my post clear in saying what I felt I needed to say, and made no mention of HOSS or his posts. What I actually said was I completely disagree with everything in your quote(s) above, your presumption of what the Fathers had in mind for our nation, and the fact that the more studied you are about religion the more likely you are to agree with it/you. My intent was clear and unequivocal. I will also say the wording of your reply is still laden with hostility and condescension. Perhaps you don't mean it, but that doesn't erase it. That is all. Try any Arby's

I usually don't get involved in these discussions, because little good ever come of them, but tone down the condescension. From someone who seriously practiced religion, used it as my guiding compass in life, had one of my majors in Religious Studies, and was committed to working for churches and going into the seminary to begin my life of religious service, I agree with none of that anymore... Along with everything you have said. You know what changed my mind? Actually reading and studying (seriously) the Bible itself, in complete context, in the original languages... That's all it took. My point: Don't act like the depth in which someone has studied "religion" gives them the same opinions as you, because you may be sorely disappointed.

This I don't get. I had an IP who actually said he wanted to get out and "do the 9-5 job thing"... He said this because he went from ROTC/Academy straight to UPT, straight to AETC. I've worked the civilian "9-5", and it ######ing sucks... I think we as humans are innately prone to the Grass-is-Greener mentality, and, in the case of AF aviators, we may need to remind ourselves that, in the scope of all existing jobs available, we have a good thing going for us.

I don't think what you've described is all that typical as of now. The greater preponderance of my buddies that I commissioned with, went to IFS with, and am with at UPT had breaks in training. Luckily almost all of us had civ jobs to return to during those times. Some of us had breaks as long as four months in-between AMS and IFS/SERE, and then another break to head to UPT. My unit put me on orders for a month, but that was just because it was the end of the year, and they had days to burn. The rest of the time I went home and min-ran my civ job... it was awesome. Regular pay, and 1/4 the responsibility, since they had already "filled my slot", sts. Your results may vary, but this seems pretty typical with the guys I know, and a big "who knows" in the current fiscal climate.

If anyone is interested, I'm going to be selling my copy of the Sporty's Complete "Learn to Fly" Course. I used it to prep for about a month before I headed to IFS, and it was incredibly helpful. I only had about 10 hours going in to the program, and these DVD's and study guide came in huge for me as far as learning the basics. In fact, a lot of the info directly mirrored the academics of week one at IFS. Here's the link if you want to research it: http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/product/17125 I'm selling it with everything that came with it, including the online access information and FAA knowledge test prep. The DVD's went from the case to the computer, and back again... Pretty much pristine condition. It has great reviews all over the place and retails for $249. I'm probably going to be putting it in eBay tomorrow as well, so if you're interested, PM with a Best Offer. Hopefully it can help someone else out at IFS like it did me.

I'll be the voice of dissent... In the words of Peter Griffin, "I did not care for it". Certainly not with the hefty price tag attached. Oh, and I'm a Kentucky guy, so I like to think I know my bourbon, but to each his own... maybe you'll love it.

You can be my wingman anytime...

Please don't make blanket statements like this... He may be from the left, but does not speak for everyone. This is part of what is wrong with modern politics, in my mind. I am smart enough to know the difference between someone firmly implanted on the right and a "right-wing nut". You can't lump everyone in the country into one of two categories...

Would anyone at Columbus right now be willing to take a couple pictures of the different housing areas and post them, or point me to where I can find some online? All the pictures on the privatized website look very fancy and nice, but from things I've read online, it appears that they are neglecting to post pictures of the less-than-desirable accommodations (I guess that would primarily be Capitol?). I saw the pictures on the baseops page, and they look pretty crappy, but someone said those haven't been updated since all the renovations occurred... Help a brother out?

Did you have many zero hour people? It sounds like it was mostly ROTC wash-outs?

Okay... Thanks?

I'm looking for a good CC that both I and/or my wife could use... Any suggestions? Full disclosure: I've done a little research, but am not really a gun guy... yet. I'm interested and willing to learn. For my wife to handle, I'm looking for something with an actual safety, not a long trigger pull, like some I've read about. Thanks, guys.

It still LOOKS terrible, but I must admit I'm intrigued. Anyone ever seen him in Reign Over Me? Not a comedy, but probably the best acting performance of his career.

I was actually invited on just to meet a quota... Action of an affirming nature. I agree that In Bruges was better (I own it as well, and it is, without question, the best movie Colin Farrell has or ever will be in), but I don't think by a massive margin. The dialogue was just as witty and quick, the editing was good, but the story line was way too underdeveloped... Think the movie easily could have gone an extra half-hour. This was a pretty terrible year (year-and-a-half) for films though, so this was probably the best one I've seen since Drive.

Do a lot of guys with families live off-base? I'm not looking to buy AT ALL, so are there any decent family places to rent that are still close to base? I know UPT is a lesson in maximizing available time, and this may be my wife's only chance to live on an AFB (Guard), so we're definitely leaning more toward on-base housing... However, I'd also like to have an idea of a back-up in case there is no housing available.

Burn...

Well-said... You absolutely cannot jettison religion from any aspect of the situation. It is not an ancillary by-product, or something to do socially on Sundays, as in our culture. Religion is literally everything to them. As someone who studied Religious Studies and spent a significant amount of time in the Middle East, I am amazed at the disparity in the intensity of devotion of Muslims as opposed to other religious groups. It is simply unmatched, for better or worse (I would submit the latter)...

I don't know if that was meant jokingly, but I don't get it... I consider myself quite liberal and loved this movie... dark/black comedies are my absolute favorite. Speaking of which, if you like that type of film, definitely check-out "The Guard" (some Redbox locations have it). It was directed by the brother of the guy who directed "In Bruges"... both were shown and well-received at Sundance and Cannes...

Funny... Funnier... Funniest...

I've seen several of his videos. Incredibly fast and witty...

Best possible response... Well done.

Agreed... Heard "Total Force" a LOT in six weeks, not just pertaining to OTS.

To me it sounded like it will definitely be a Total Force training program in the near future, but also that there's a lot of red tape to overcome yet. The explanation my flight got was that it would be cheaper for the Federal budget (dropping from 13 weeks to 9), but the States are pushing back some, because it would increase the training time/cost of Guard guys 50%... Don't know if that is actually the case, but that's how it was explained.

I was there too, and, if the new merger program is as close as the staff made it sound, I feel for the Guard guys from this point on. Six weeks was plenty, and after seeing the BOT program, it looks like they just fill 13 weeks with wearing PT gear everywhere and yelling out "TD" knowledge before meals. After seeing AMS and BOT side-by-side, there is no way I would want to do BOT.