M2

Errrr....Univ of Phoenix and DeVry ARE actual universities, just because they have online programs doesn't mean they aren't "real." Matter of fact, I am about to start my second Masters degree from American Military University. I know that some of you are saying "why?" as I am retired and no longer "need" a Masters (and I already have one). Well, several reasons. For one, despite the burden it may seem, an advanced degree can be a learning experience! Secondly, the AMU program I am going into ties well into my new contractor job, and it never hurts to give yourself an edge in the business world. Thirdly, my company is offering 100% tuition assistance with only a one-year commitment afterward, it's almost as good of a deal as the USAF is offering! Bottom line, a grad degree—whether through the USAF or via a company—is a great opportunity that will never hurt you if you take advantage of it. However, passing on it can adversely affect you down the road. I got my first grad degree—a MS in Info Systems—as I thought I might be going into that world after my USAF career. I didn’t enjoy how highly technical the program was, but it was a well-paying career field. However, a different opportunity presented itself after I retired and now I want to maximize my advantage as I follow this path. Maybe some of you young pups haven’t realized this yet; but life doesn’t always go as you thought, and it is always smart to have a backup plan (or two). And the best way to do that is to be prepared, as the more prepared you are, the better you can adapt to those “surprises.” It is a simply matter of survival… Cheers! M2

Now I am getting the same problem with the 'View New Posts' option... Cheers! M2

Gimme Math not your best subject? Still, good shit and something I am gonna pass on tomorrow at work. Cheers! M2

From this... To this... WTF!² Cheers! M²

And if you need some motivation, having a current TS/SCI is worth $$$ when you retire/separate! Cheers! M2

Let me tell you from firsthand experience, the retirement check is a good thing! Add some VA disability on top of that, and make an effort to live a long life, and you will be sitting pretty. However, all that said, don't place all your eggs in one basket. Invest as much as you can, as wisely as you can. You can never have too much money! Cheers! M2

By the way, apparently back in 2005 they dragged 73-1664 out of the desert back and into the paint barn. She now sits inside a hanger at the Flight Test Center Museum, looking very sweet! (Click on pic for man-sized version) Cheers! M2

Actually, I found a copy at the shoppette, but the lady behind the counter told me it wasn't the issue with the TI in it. I told her it was, and she said they were suppose to be taken off the shelves. The only reason I asked for verification is that our shoppette isn't always "in the know." I have to admit I didn't see it at first, but I removed the 'blocker' that prevents anyone from actually seeing the covers of these horrible magazines, and it was tucked up behind some other mags, so it is fairly feasible that it was overlooked when they removed them from the shelves. I have to say that if it true that AAFES pulled the issue from their stores, what a friggin' joke! The reaction already has been overblown (what a great term!), now is the USAF worried that the troops might actually get to see one of its finest nude? Cheers! M2

AT Got it and sent a reply. I've heard a rumor that AAFES has been told to remove the February issue of Playboy from their shelves. This from a pretty reliable source. Can anyone verify? Cheers! M2

Here is a link to the full Center for Defence Information (CDI) report: V-22 Osprey: Wonder Weapon or Widow Maker? Cheers! M2

This was posted on Miltary.com today... Cheers! M2 (Editted to add link) [ 25. January 2007, 11:52: Message edited by: M2 ]

Robert Young Pelton's License To Kill on private military contractors is interesting, especially in light of the recent shootdown of a Blackwater helicopter and the execution of four of the people onboard. Cheers! M2

Yep, I got popped for making an illegal left turn from the center lane. Luckily the cop believed that the car in the left lane had waved me to go ahead, which was the truth but didn't negate my illegal turn. What made matters worse was that I tripped getting out of the car, making it look like I had been drinking (I hadn't). I also got ticketed for allegedly going the wrong way down a one-way street in Ann Morrison Park (across the river from BSU, if I remember correctly), even though I told the cop I had made a U-turn prior to the one-way area. Based on the advice of a motorcycle cop I knew, I went to court on that one and won; and a week later there were 'No U-turn' signs where the incident happened. Good times... Cheers! M2

OK, whereas I agree with C21Cowboy that this discussion should focus on her rack (and I don't mean her ribbons, but that is the right general area); I got the itch to know the facts, and here they are. According to the 40-lb-personnel-brains at AFPC, here are the latest promotion rates for 2006: to E-5 SSgt - 35.87% to E-6 TSgt - 16.76% to E-7 MSgt - 19.86% to E-8 SMSgt - 8.63% to E-9 Chief - 22.83% (Source) But go back to the source and look at previous years, at one point the promotion rate to SSgt was as high as almost 65% (2001) and for two years the promotion to Tech was over 33% (2001-2002). But what the hell, she probably made more in that photo shoot than she will over the next 3-4 years as a SSgt (or even a TSgt). She has "skills" (two nice ones), why not market them?? Cheers! M2

dayswhore I really don't see what being "a prior" has to do with anything, I was one as well (and an NCO to boot!*) but that wasn't required to figure out that she isn't the sharpest crayon in the box! Seriously, with a build-quality like that, I really don't care if she has brains. She is easy on the eyes, and I like! Cheers! M2 * - Just a quick poll...were any of the other prior-Es on here ever an E-4 Sgt? I was, and later made SSgt. But the SrA-->Sgt promotion was one of the biggest jokes in the USAF!

C-21 No, I wasn't that cool! Cheers! M2

Dmeg Nope, hadn't thought about that...but it's pretty good. And speaking of people who need to eat a bacon double-cheeseburger, this was in the news today... Maybe some dudes are into that... But at least Mantart has some meat on her bones, if you know what I mean! Cheers! M2

I'll second that advice on Boise. It's been a long time since I was at "Mountain Goat," and the base has changed considerably since that time; but I doubt there is much that would keep you on base during the weekends. The trip to Boise isn't that bad, Bogus Basin is a great place to hang out when it's hot, or go tubbing down the Boise River. There is a nice Greenbelt that runs along the river and by BSU, and the downtown bar scene was a lot of fun. Maybe not quite 6th Street in Austin; but still a blast. Vandal, do the kids still cruise downtown like they did in the mid-80s? Sun Valley is about two hours away if I recall, it is beautiful there. There are also some hot springs up in the Sawtooth Mountains that are worth checking out. If you can't have fun in Idaho, you aren't trying hard enough! Cheers! M2

I really gotta start going to the Lackland gyms! Cheers! M2

Dude Please tell me you are kidding. You consider this attractive?? Over this? Way to 'ITTUO' for the team! The USAF is going after Mantart 'cause she is an attention whore. Metzger is trying to slip away under the radar. Neither is worthy to be in the uniform (especially Manhart, much better out! :D ). By the way, here she is in uniform! My TI was 5-foot-nothing, 98 pounds with a cheesy mustache and mouse glasses, but he could out-yell a foghorn. to you, SSgt D. D. Rodgers, Flt 515, 3704 BMTS! Cheers! M2 [ 22. January 2007, 17:10: Message edited by: M2 ]

Tertle If you have questions about language proficiency in the USAF, PM me. A good bud of mine is the Command Language Officer for AIA... Cheers! M2

Was that guy named Todd?? Cheers! M2

Mun It depends (the usual answer). Most CONUS bases have at a minimum a carport in married housing; but overseas you have a fair chance of being in stairwell apartments like we were for our last year at Ramstein. My bike stayed outside in the parking lot with a locked cover on it, and a disk lock. Theft isn't usually a problem but that is never an absolute sure thing. Cheers! M2

Other than his stint as Deputy Director for Operations, JTF-SWA and as commander of Carrier Air Wing Eight on the USS Theodore Roosevelt during a combat deployment to the Persian Gulf for ODS in 1991; does anyone know what other experience Fallon has in the Middle East? I don't know the USN well enough to tell from his bio... At least Abizaid is from a Lebanese-American family, and earned a Master of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University, and was an Olmsted Scholar at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. He also commanded the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Battalion combat Team in Vicenza, Italy, during the first Gulf War and deployed with the battalion in Northern Iraq to provide a safe haven for the Kurds. He was also the Deputy Commander (Forward), Combined Forces Command during OIF. Somewhat better qualified for the job, in my opinion...but maybe there isn't anyone with those credentials to replace him. Cheers! M2 [ 05. January 2007, 08:05: Message edited by: M2 ]

Just a short revival of this thread to mention that the January 2007 issue of MOAA's Military Officer magazine has a good article on the Osprey. To clarify the cost per airframe: Cheers! M2