MaintChief

Iraq is on the verge of becoming a failed state/falling into civil war. It does not have a stable governing structure and the prospects of it having one are slim. We imposed a government on a people without resolving the structural problems. Remember, it was a one party state under a strong leader who kept the factions under control with an iron fist. Once Saddam was removed, there was nothing to prevent the in-fighting that had started and continues to this day. Remember, we stayed in Germany and Japan for decades before we allowed them total self-governence. And we did not have insurgencies to fight either. We did not "fix" Iraq. Iran is exploiting the Sunni-Shia divide and it will blow up in our faces. Iraq is not safe for Americans (not that is was) now that the Army has left. Then why don't you educate the great unwashed, since I obviously don't have the benefit of your superior intellect and access to information? As for the originall topic, my apologies for getting off topic. I was reponding to a post and gave my opinion, do I have your permission for that?

You don't deny that the countries that we are based in are not democracies? You don't deny that the countries we are based in treat their "guest" workers as little more than indentured servants? You don't deny that women, in the countries we are based in, are treated as 2nd class citizens? You don't deny, that once away from our bases, that the general populations are viewed as a threat ? That the governments are repressive regimes that fear their populations? You don't deny that the reason we are based here is for the oil? You don't deny that Iraq is a failure, and that we are setting A'stan up for the same?

Just spouting my opinion, along with everyone else here. I'm well aware of the official reasons we are in the Middle East and why we do what we do. And everyone is well aware why we are on our knees kissing the ass of despots left and right so that we can have our permanent bases here. So save it.

Refresh me on the reasons we left PSAB?

Maybe because it is offensive to women and to American citizens who are asked by their government to defend a totalitarian theocratic monarchy? As for respect for their culture, I have been coming to the Middle East since 1990, there is very little that I respect about their "culture". It appears that you have swallowed the big-blue kool aid in regards to appeasement of 13th century tribesmen. Do you really want to go in this direction? Just asking... An add...they already know that we are Westerners and/or Americans. An abaya does not conceal that. Neither does wearing a polo shirt and Dockers, we are still targets. Would you suggest "out of respect for their culture" that we prostrate ourselves 5 times a day towards Mecca while in their country? Their official religion requires this, all other religions are forbidden. How about killing atheists in our ranks who are deployed to their country? After all, their law requrires death for atheists and apostates. Oh, I see, we only have to hide who we are when we are off the installation. Got news for you...they know who and what we are. The best thing that ever happened was when we left PSAB. Too bad we are still here in the Middle East but that is what a lack of political leadership and political will gets you, not to mention failed military strategy.

Oh, I know who makes the rules. And I am all for an O-3 directly confronting the E-6 and reaming them a new one in the case stated above. Yes, the O-3 may be in the wrong about his/her sunglasses, but the E-6 is also wrong in their approach and in their deportment.

You'll find that we agree on more things than we disagree. I am an old school kind of guy...I believe that it was the Lt's or Captains job to go to the meetings and for me to handle the maintenance day-to-day. I walked my aircraft every day that I could. I walked the AGE ready line every day that I could. I wasn't a politican or a Kool-Aid drinker. Making E-9/CMSgt was a surprise...I didn't aim for it. Coming to work every day and doing my best for the aircraft and for the maintainers is what got me promoted. Not PME awards or bake sales. You missed the point on my original post. I am NOT going to call you out unless you make it a point to be an ass about it. I don't care if your sleeves are rolled up, you have a flashlight on your zipper, etc. But if you are at an off-base eating establishment, say for lunch, with your sun glasses on your head being loud in your flightsuit and garner my attention, I will calmly and politely remind you that you are off base, that you are surrounded by enlisted and civilians, and that you need to represent yourself as a professional member of the USAF. I might not be so wordy, but I will get the point across professionally. How things go after that is up to you. I have more important things to worry about/do, and honestly, I hate this part of the joib, but it comes with the territory. I will not call my O-6 buddy because you have a zipper light on your flight suit. I will call him because you were an ass and made yourself and everyone associated with the USAF look bad. We are 100% in agreement about why we have the reflective belt rule. And who makes the rules? The installlation commander is an officer, usually rated. The Chief of Safety is an officer, usually rated. The Chief of Staff of the USAF is an officer, always rated. A lot of rocks are thrown at the enlisted SNCO corps, some of them warranted, but the underlying problems and issues are caused at the paygrades that start with "O". The Command Chiefs and the SNCO Corps have been hijacked by a careerist mentality. And it came to a head when the philosophy of everyone an "Airman" instead of identifiying with your AFSC/community came about. When I came in, I came in to be an aircraft avionics (pick your flavor) specialist. That has fallen by the wayside. It is more important to do the bullshi# stuff now. It used to be more important to know your job. The Command Chiefs think they are E-10's, and use their function as gatekeepers to the WIng CC for EPR's, strats, and decorations as their tools to keep the other Chief's in line. If you are too public in your disagreements with the Wing CCM, your people suffer. The CCM position needs to go away. Revert back to SEA's. Disband the PME mafia. One PME tour in a career, then back to the field. Same with the 1st Sgt position, one tour and back to your AFSC. That would be a start to correct some of the stupidity out there. But the officer side of the house has their responsibility in this too. You guys get to make policy...I just implement it/carry it out. I agree that common sense has fallen by the wayside. And it is on both sides of the fence, both officer AND enlisted.

I'm coming late to the fight but please allow me to answer. First, I am a retired maintainer, attained the rank of CMSgt, and retired last year. I came on active duty in 1981. Except for 3 years in a depot I spent 27 years in direct flighline roles. So, that established, here are your answers. In regards to the little zipper clip-on lights: Per AFI 36-2903, 1.5.1.2. Do not purchase uniform items from unauthorized manufacturers—if it is not authorized or mentioned in this AFI, then it is not authorized for wear (Exception: Allowance Standard (AS) 016 items authorized by commander). The omission of a specific item or appearance standard does not automatically permit its wear. Next, the reflective belts: Again, out of AFI 36-2903 2.8.4. Require protective or reflective items when safety considerations make it appropriate Your installation Commander determines accepatable deviations and wear policies...take it up through your chain of command if you have a problem. Next, a lot of Chief bashing here. Ok, my philosophy: It is NOT my job or responsibility to babysit or correct officers, be they 2nd Lt or O-6. You have your own formal chain of command that you answer to. You do not answer to me and frankly I could give a dam* what you do. But once you make yourself a public spectacle I will calmly and professionally ask you to please step outside or into a room and I will professionally address your failure to abide by standards. If you get butt-hurt, fine, that is your perogative. But you are still under the same UCMJ that I am and I will take it up your chain if you disregard my professional "advice" and you decide to play I'm an "O", you are an "E" games. And you can't goad me into stepping over the line...I have been at this way longer than you and know how to play the game. Also, remember this, I have a direct line, usually, to an O-6 or higher. They have usually known me or of me much longer than they have known you (for those of you not O-4's and higher). I will not be calling them if I did not decide that something was amiss. Bottom line/take-away: I have better things to do than worry about how you look or wear the uniform. Be discreet and don't be an as*, we'll get along fine. I am 100% behind the opinion that a lot of Command Chiefs and their syncopath wanna-be Command Chief's (other Chief's) have lost their sense of priority and what they are there for. It is NOT the enlisted forces concern what happens with the Officer Corps. The Command Chief's need to worry about the enlisted. I saw mission creep at Base-X...the Command Chief was worried about what the officers were doing in regards to SARC briefing attendence. Who cares!!!??? Not our problem. That is your flight commanders problem, your squadron commanders problem, and your group commanders problem. Not a problem for a CMSgt. I'm here to dialogue and share my knowledge and experince, both from the enlisted side and from a career maintainer side. Hope we can have some interesting discussions. MC