Jump to content

zrooster99

Supreme User
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    589

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    5

 Content Type 

Posts posted by zrooster99

    1,000 Retired Pilots Can Be Recalled to Active Duty

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99

    17 minutes ago, Guardian said:

    Would love if you could share how you got TERA

    Easy!  I got passed over twice for O5, and the second time just happened to be 2014.  Not really option A, but it worked out in the end.

     

    As HU&W indicated, it was more about timing.  I think I was assisted in my outward movement by one of those toxic leaders CH referred to.  His nickname, at one time anyway, was "The Knife"...

    1,000 Retired Pilots Can Be Recalled to Active Duty

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99

    On November 11, 2017 at 12:47 AM, Learjetter said:

     

    I still peruse the forum but rarely post. Mostly because I'm a dinosaur and understand no one really wants to read my opinion on the topic of the day. Also cuz i read the forum on a phone and posting on a phone is a bitch for me.

     

    I've posted advice and sarcastic snarky quips and occasionally PMd with some of you young'uns. Occassionally, Ive posted something someone found controversial, which can be fun, and sometimes reading the threads challenges my own perceptions and beliefs. But in reality, I retired in 2015 and the USAF of 2017 is one I barely recognize -- my opinion is probably less valid as anyone currently serving. Reading through a thread if i see a post i agree with, then theres no sense in my "piggybacking" or "piling on".. I have no idea if I've ever met CH or Liquid or Chang or any of the other senior members. But I served with only 1 toxic leader in my career. I mustve been lucky...or I spread my own share of toxicity. Either way, im not qualified to address it..or many of the other issues on the board.

     

     

     

    I was a ROTC-recat: non-rated officer, then went to SUPT. IP/EP in Lears, KC-10s, and Hercs thru crossflow. Took the big 20YAS bonus the first day I was eligible. Ended up on staff and retired when it was clear I wasn't returning to fly or being considered for command.

     

    I think Fingers is actually trying to address the combat readiness of the force. To that end, I did what I could in my little sphere of influence. I encourage you do the same.

     

    Unfortunately, I think xaarman might be right...feet on the ramp is very effective at getting folks to show their cards early--therefore making the management of the red and blue lines easier to predict. And Im sure theyre looking at it as an option. Hope they dont choose it.

     

     

    It's funny how quickly you become irrelevant after you get out.  I've been out 3 years now, and quit coming on here because I realized how quickly my world and this one diverged.  

    What brought me back was this discussion.  I know the official word is that the AF isn't planning to make anyone come back off retirement, but I've heard different rumors.  Is there any insight into the probability of getting called back?  As a TERA retiree at 15.5, I haven't even hit 20 since commissioning yet...

    Thunderbirds

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On March 23, 2017 at 1:19 PM, Day Man said:

    solid quote, almost 13 years later :beer:

    13 years later.  I've since flown two MDSs in two MAJCOMS, retired, and am now flying for a civilian cargo outfit.  I stand by my statement.

    • Upvote 5

    History Friday

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99
    Additional

    On April 10, 2017 at 1:25 AM, ClearedHot said:

    Terrible news.

    I've known Rocky for many years, he was quite the character and remained connected to aviation through a group of remote control aviators in NW Florida.  The group of "Old Guys" were my heros, most were former military with incredible stories of service to their country.  I wish you all could have met them...Dr Jack who lied about his age to enlist and serve in Korea, he used his GI Bill to complete Dental School and raised six kids almost entirely on his own, his wife died shortly after the sixth child was born.  He was so proud that he got all six through college.  There was another character named Ugo Ferrari who served 28 years on active duty and another 24 as a government civilian developing weapons. And there was Rocky who dealt with the injures form being shot down for the rest of his life but never asked for special treatment.  He was gruff but would do anything for anyone.  Rest easy gentlemen.

    Yeah, I'm the former VP and current safety officer of the RC club.  Rocky taught me everything I know about RC...  Knew Ugo before he died too.  Thanks for the words.  Like you said, Rocky was gruff as hell, but had a big heart.

    • Upvote 1

    History Friday

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99

    Gents, I wanted to take the opportunity to honor a friend and this seemed like the most appropriate location.  Please relocate, if not.  My good friend and mentor died just a few hours ago.  Though not Air Force, he was a life long aviator, Navy Fighter Pilot, and warrior.  He was an A-4 driver in Vietnam and was hit over South Vietnam and severely injured when he ejected over the South China Sea.  My friend, Navy Lt Rocky Kranz, died today of liver cancer.  Here's a toast...

    • Upvote 5

    History Friday

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    On August 17, 2016 at 4:51 AM, JarheadBoom said:

    If you're on Facebook, the group "Round Engines Forever!" has a lot of knowledgeable folks on board, who currently own/operate radials for both work and pleasure.  It's a private group and they actively weed out idiots, so the signal/noise ratio is favorable; you might find some resources there.

    That lot of T-28s on Platinum has apparently been for sale for at least a decade (I learned this from the above-referenced FB group).  I don't recall seeing an explanation for why they haven't sold, but there's got to be a good reason why no one in the warbird resto business has snapped this lot up, if for nothing else than salvageable parts and engine/prop cores.

    Thanks!  And, you're exactly right, if they've been there that long, there's got to be a good reason.

    History Friday

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99

    This seemed like the most appropriate place for this.  If not, please point me to the correct thread.

    I've had a lifelong goal of owning a "legit" warbird (which I've mentioned on here, previously).  I'm finally in a position where I can legitimately think about buying a T-6 in the next two years.  I've been an aircraft owner since 05 and have a strong background in both civil and military aircraft MX (particularly, I know what the challenges of maintaining an old radial are...and I used to help my Dad maintain an SNJ).  My current aircraft co-owners (also AF pilots) are on board.  So, the ass pain seems to be worth it to me/us at this point.  Two questions for those who have some experience and contacts in this area:

    1) Besides controller, trade-a-plan, and platinum fighters, does anyone have a good resource for finding said aircraft?

    2) Mostly out of curiosity, does anyone know why TBMs are so "cheap" (when compared to other warbirds): http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!warbirds/c1q5a

    Incidentally, you can pick up a complete (in pieces) T-28 for $35k or a whole bunch for $300k...  Seems like a deal if your convieniantly aligned...

    Tops in Blue (TIB) - WTF?

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by zrooster99

    On December 27, 2015 at 0:33 PM, Prosuper said:

    I endured them for 23 years and their salute to Disney in the AOR, it's a rite of passage, embrace the suck and quit your whining. You could be the poor bastard AMC crew dog that has to schlep their ass across the globe. 

    No shit.  I had to drag their dumb asses from Bagram to Manas (marking the end of a very long duty day for me) when I was a 17 Co... I had two MSgts practically demand to sit up in the cockpit for the leg.  They got a flat no from me as seats in the cockpit where reserved for productive members of the force.

    • Upvote 2

    Camp Lemonnier

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Kind of nostalgic for me to see this thread pop up...  Did 4 rotations there from 2010-2012 ( SOCOM)...  Doesn't sound like too much has changed.

    OBTW, Viperstud, if nostalgic is too big a word for you, let me know and I'll draw you a fucking picture.

    • Upvote 4

    Tony Kern

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Had him for two classes at the zoo.  One was a history class (don't recall which), and the other was an elective where we studied one of his books on safety and created a test question bank for a future class on it.

    This was 16-17 years ago, but I remember him to be very personable and approachable.  He was also good in the classroom...always made the lessons interesting.

    Latest JQP post. AF digging deeper for bodies for deployment.

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    It was partially about appearances. The foreign military I dealt with were all non-rated. The only pilots I met were on social occasions. My boss was honestly just afraid to make the change. During the discussion, he no kidding said "you guys have a reputation for getting shit done" and he was reticent to get rid of the ridiculous rated requirement. That's from a non-rated dude. If a loggie feels that way, he is not the only one. My position was a holdover from an old CAOC where there were a ton of rated dudes there before. There was no reason to hold on to it, but I digress.

    You're a moron. Someone who insecurely throws out obscure words to impress the bros and cover for his inadequacies in other aspects of life ought to be smart enough to read my first sentence. I made a general statement (used the word "generally") and never argued that there was an inherent superiority among all of us. We have tons of douchebags that produce very little in the Viper community. Some get weeded out, but some stick around. In general though, we are more results oriented than a lot of support career fields. Others like us: SOF, MX, CE (specifically EOD and firefighters), SF (I flame them routinely, but never for work ethic). That's not a complete list. I will eat my words when a flying squadron that I'm in:

    - Turns into a ghost town at 430...just because it's 430

    - No kidding locks the doors when we have some down time (maybe weather CNX a go and end up doing training)

    - Shuts down during the duty day to farewell someone on something other than a pre-planned wing down day

    - Shows up 2 hours late to do PT (ie, go play fvcking ultimate frisbee)

    That shit is routine is some places. Yes, I am calling out their work ethic. It's no surprise we end up waiting on things like orders and pay when those practices are condoned.

    It blows my mind that we all agree that treating everyone the same is BS, yet when someone actually points out the differences between us some nancies get all butthurt. Cultures and work ethic vary greatly around the Air Force. Some of it might be inherent and be the reason why certain types end up in certain places; some of it is likely learned. It takes almost 3 years to make a wingman and not all that learning is in the jet. That's a little different than a 3 month tech school followed by office hours (except of course when closed for training or a farewell).

    It's not that obscure...I'm sorry you're intimidated by it.

    Your post did nothing but further convince me that you don't know what you're talking about. Incidentally, I'm not defending the many douche nozzles in many of the support agencies that frustrated the shit out of me by closing for training 7 out of an 8 hr duty day, etc... It's one the reasons I'm very happy to be retirred. What I'm saying is that I've seen plenty of douche nozzles on the rated side, and some shit hot dudes in non-rated AFSCs. Your post, to me, comes off as naive and immature.

    • Downvote 3
×
×
  • Create New...