brickhistory

WHY is that our problem?

To change the line a little bit: "Da good Lord says you'll be fine, but I'm fooked..." My XDS is in the heart of their recall range. Not amused.

RAF Museum - not the Duxford site, which is further away - is geographically small but packed with good stuff - particularly actual WWII stuff - captured Luftwaffe aircraft, etc. Imperial War Museum is overwhelming. The Tower of London. A double-decker bus tour - takes 1/2 day, goes by a lot of stuff, lets you pick what to follow-up on. Damned expensive place, however.

For M2 and other Texicans... https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vt7FDTpzGvo?rel=0

"Or" I can just wait until she wants to get something else. Win/win.

Surprises or Wonders Never Cease... About a month ago, my wife surprised the absolute sh1t out of me by saying she wanted to get her CCW. This is after some years of practically calling me paranoid or a freudian gun nut for carrying, collecting, and shooting. So, who am I to argue? Set her up with a state-mandated CCW class which she took today. From what she described it was very much like the lowest-common denominator class that I took with another place when I got mine in Nebraska last year. Academics, test, basic qual on the range (essentially able to pull the trigger and make a hole appear on the paper target...) But, to add to this turn of events was her choice of handguns. We went shooting/shopping/trying different ones on Friday. From .22LR, .380, 9mm, we went through numerous guns trying to find what she liked and would actually shoot and carry. Naturally, my challenge was/is to not overwhelm with advice or even talking (since I'm only the husband), but eventually she came to the realization of a snub-nosed revolver due to ease of manual of arms. She did listen when I encouraged something larger than the .22 which she liked because of the no recoil. Being retired USAF, she had shot the Beretta M9 but hated it. Too big/heavy, too intimidating in the mass class that Big Blue runs, etc, etc, etc. And she went with a .38 special. I am not unhappy. So, I will be welcoming a S&W Model 642 Airweight into the family by next weekend after doing the on-line purchase and FFL transfer dance. Range report to follow.

The guy was asked his personal opinion on a new, still controversial subject that affects both straights and gays. He was sacked because his commander didn't like that opinion. Not, based upon the article, on how well he did or did not do the job, but for having a different private opinion. Nice diversion of the argument, but I am sticking to the topic at hand, a differing private opinion. And, by the way, as a commander, you don't get to "fire" your first sergeant based upon your perception. You have to prove, via documentation and formal proceedings, on why you want to replace your first sergeant. Command by personal whim. I think there have been a few threads on that. And I pity the future of the USAF because I see it is strong with you...

Gotta love the "support mind, body, and soul" mantra for gay rights and marriages within the USAF being displayed. Ok, the rules now are it's all good and everyone's equal. Right, play by those rules or get out. Fair enough. But enthusiastically support, even in your private opinions, something you find objectionable? Being a professional is not good enough in that you carry out those rules despite any private thoughts on the matter? Did and would you make the same argument when gays were getting kicked out for being gay and the 1st Sgt was involved in that process and may have thought differently, i.e., "I don't agree with the 'no gays' rules, but I have to do my job." It appears that only one view is permissable, let alone acceptable now. 'Tolerance,' indeed. Off to 're-education' camp for you. Also regarding the "cheerleader" first sergeant theme: True, that individual is supposed to help sell the commander's, and Big Blue's, policies and rules to the troops (BTW, not just the enlisted). But he or she is also supposed to be the voice of the troops back to the commander: "Hey, boss, got a minute? Lemme close the door..." Sad what you think of them and sadder still if that is all you've experienced.

Yep. Not saying it's wrong, just drastically different than what we do at present and dudes should think about it carefully. As well as pointing out that hobbit's OP was valid, IMO.

Foul. This did happen previously during hobbit's and my time which doesn't precede you all that much. Wonderboys in an Administration hit on this idea, thinking it and they are the sh1t for thinking it up. Then it blows up in their, well actually the nation's face when dudes punch because the ring at the end isn't brass, but peanut butter. Not to mention that the promotion rate, and, most likely, PCS rate will slow down dramatically. Look at the RAF for examples of such or Guard/Reserve units. Wanna be a captain for 12 years? A major for 10 or more? That is the inevitable result since the officer caps will remain in place.

Smith & Wesson Model 439 not my photo If a M1911 and a Browning Hi-power had a baby, it would be something like this. First, the history via some google-fu: S&W developed the Model 39 in the early 1950s to compete for a US Army effort to replace the 1911 (when has that ever happened and how many times?). Specifically, Big Green was looking for a double-action 9mm to be a NATO standardizing weapon and round as well as taking advantage of the double-action of the German P-38 of WWII fame. S&W came up with the Model 39 and then the competition was cancelled. So they went to the civilian market where it did ok. Incidentally, the Vietnam-era SEALs used the Model 39, including a silenced .22 version called the "Hush Puppy" for silencing the biological ADT alarms of the VC of the day. Fast forward to the 1970s and the second generation, the Model 439 came out. It fixed some of the issues with the original Model 39 - weak extractor mainly. The Model 439 was the first semi-auto to be adopted by a major police force - Illinois State Police - which began the switch from .38 revolvers to today's semi-auto armed police forces. So with that background, here is my report on this new-to-me Model 439. This is a Colt Commander-sized semi-auto. It has a better hand feel than even a 1911 (which is the best, IMO) with curved mainspring housing filling up the center of the palm. The fixed front sight is large, but has no definition for my old eyes, so I had a red insert put in. The large rear sights are adjustable. Capacity is 8 + 1 of 9mm. Controls are 1911/most semi's standard. Recoil is soaked up by the steel slide and aluminum frame. This is not a light-weight gun. But the nose didn't rise very much and follow-up shots were easy and quick to do. I put 200 rounds of 124 gr. FMJ through it yesterday. Zero malfunctions of any sort and it hit where aimed from 25 yards down to 3. The double action is heavy but not as bad as, say, a Walther PPK/S. But you aren't going to accidentally fire this thing when the hammer is down. You will have to mean it to pull the trigger in double-action. In single action, there was a little play before the trigger took up tension, but the break was clean and precise. Could be because this is a used gun. (After buying, I took to a gunsmith for a full R&R since I didn't know the full history of it before I bought it.) A trigger job could be on the horizon to lose the slight play. The slide-mounted decocker/safety is on both sides and easily reached/manipulated. I like this gun. I could easily see it being a carry piece especially for those that like 1911's for such. And, for me, carrying it with one in the chamber, but the hammer down would be more instinctive than the 1911 condition one cocked/locked. No insult intended for those that do, just that I haven't trained for such. My thought pattern is that if I need to draw, I need to fire. And my lizard brain is likely to be the only one working at that moment, so adding a step of 'safety off' is one I will screw up. Obviously, training and practice could overcome this. But since I don't carry a 1911, I don't need to. But I digress. Breaking it down to clean it shows the old-school of it as well. Kinda 1911-like here too. Push and remove the slide-lock pin, slide off, mainspring/guide rod off (and it's a looooong spring), barrel bushing off, barrel out, and there you have it. I like old-school steel and wood guns. But technology has passed them by in a lot of ways. For less weight, I can carry more ammo in a modern polymer 9mm. I can also carry smaller, more concealable pistols. But in the day, or if this was all I had, I would have no problem carrying this one. It is flat like a 1911, points well, and operates in a standard fashion. It also would make a good night table house gun. Pros: Feels good Low recoil Shoots well Looks good Cons: Heavy compared to modern counterparts Complicated engineering compared to modern counterparts Limited magazine capacity I like this pistol enough to where it made the display gun cabinet. Just a classic, classy looking pistol

"Night Fighter" by C.F. Rawnsley and Bob Wright. Rawnsley was the R/O, radio (for radar) observer (nav) to John Cunningham, a high scoring RAF night fighter ace in WWII, later test pilot for de Havilland. Often spoke to SOS and ACSC classes before he died. Fantastic description of how being a pioneering WSO/nav worked as well as bringing radar into aerial warfighting. Have read these so many times through the years. And he writes in a (Brit) crew dog sort of way that keeps the reader interested in what could be a boring radar 101 briefing, as well as excellent combat narrative. Started me on my illogical fascination on the topic.

"We were Crewdogs" I-V "Riding Rockets" mainly about his time as a Shuttle mission crew, but some about his RF-4C backseat time "MAGNUM! The Wild Weasels in Desert Storm" has stories from both front and back seaters - note: I wrote this so mods can delete if too self-promoting There are more; will edit/add as I remember them

"Battle Ready" by Mark Donald. Guy enlists in the Marines, becomes Force Recon, decides to be a medic, switches to Navy, becomes a SEAL, then decides to become a PA in the Navy, stays with special ops. Suffers from PTSD. Who'da thought...

Have seen Big Blue non-vol folks for 365s even when they had less than 365 remaining. Mid-90s drawdown, pilot feet on the ramp fiasco: "Here Mr. former F-16 driver, here's your remote." "But, I'm less than 365 left in service." "Here's your 250 day orders." Big Blue can and will waiver anything to meet its needs.

Knock, knock. Who's there? AGM-114...

Anybody got the number to NSA? Or is me typing their initials good enough for them to start the process on this guy?

And a dictionary...

Again, not getting the point. Ok, Gen Liquid, you just racked and stacked your guys. Me, I'm Capt Snuffy and I think you screwed the pooch on Maj(S) Bagodonuts. And just how would Gen Liquid, Col Piningaway, or any other senior rater react in their gut? Never mind the how does Capt Snuffy know how you ranked anybody to be able to call you out? I can assure you that the average O-6 and above bear does not like being second-guessed either by a senior or junior. I wouldn't either. But the aforementioned rater being called out has recourse to his challenge. You seriously gonna say it won't be done? Different from my experience. Fix what is graded, not rely on the 'courage' of the next 'troublemaker' highlighting his need for a 179. And please don[t come back with a "that's poor leadership and/or that would never happen." Yes, it is poor leadership. It is the rule rather than the exception. And it has and will happen. I get that you think the system needs work but overall performs well. There is an awful lot of folks who disagree and are voting with their feet. Again, nothing new in our AF history. I also will argue that being rated is not the be all and end all and that's who must be taken care of. The CE guy busting his hump, getting it done, take care of his folks, and the other support folks deserve as fair a shot as any rated guy. But the discriminators in play don't work and rewards the wrong things. I will also argue the trap being laid by the Corona piece you put out and that AADs might get hidden again. That'd be great until the next time a new guy decides to reinvent the wheel like happened recently. How many guys got caught flat-footed by that little move? I am all for the wing commander or equivalent being the guy/gal to decide the ranking of his people. But the standards need to be known and of value to military readiness and mission accomplishment, not AAD (nice to have, but of what value?) or Shoe U by correspondence. But the Neidermeyer "all is well" doesn't play well.

While the sentiment is nice, and I actually agree with that, the truth is that those same (majority) of SRs who worked the system to get where they are will score according to that system and will not appreciate the "feedback." Rather, it'll be Capt Snuffy is not a team player, at least not my team. And Capt Snuffy will then join your APZ pile that apparently deserve their status.

By God, if only someone, somewhere had thought of this before. Say since 1947... It's thinking like this that is gonna take this great nation all the way to California one day. edited to add: The system is like it is because the system, i.e., those running it want it that way. It worked for them, why shouldn't that be the measure of success? Otherwise, you invalidate their achievement. And, again, this is not a new phenomena. Look at the b1tches from the Vietnam era. Look at it from the 1980s.

Wonderful, even motivational cheerleading. But it doesn't, and hasn't, fixed the problem. On this site alone, how many threads with how many anecdotes about p1ss-poor leadership and/or senior officers commanding who weren't good aviators? And that's just this site. Multiply it by how many p1ssed, non-led folks who have seen the beast and decided "fcuk that" while Col or even Gen Skippy goes about his or her merry, Kool-Aid chugging way? Billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you are talking about real money...(famous quote from Congress).

Good comparisons. The FNX is not that much bigger than the others and to get the fistful of .45 looks worth it. But for a CCW would be a trick. Nice S&W Patrolman six-gun! That needs a report as well to ensure the old school stuff doesn't disappear with the polymer generation.

Self-published? Not a criticism; a question as I couldn't find the publisher using google fu. I hope the guy sells a million copies. And the lesson learned is that this is something that many of you could do. You have done, and will do, some amazing sh1t, in aviation and people want to read about it. Write it down, get some pics, take a shot at a magazine. Worse they can do is ignore you, best bet is a published article, a little bit of beer money, and maybe more writing.

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