otsap

Similar news out of Holloman. The new DUI policy as briefed yesterday, on CAF/Resiliency Day no less: If a member gets a DUI, their squadron will form up in service dress outside the Wing building, while the sq/cc, shirt, guilty party, and supervisor have a meeting with the Wg/CC. Once the meeting is over, those 4 will join the rest in formation, and march to the front gate all together to change the DUI sign. They will depart for the front gate at 1610, with the stated intention of marching in formation while retreat plays at 1630. Good times.

If I'm understanding the rack and stack of approvals for VSPs correctly (year group, AFSC, ADSC remaining), based on what others have said, then any '06 year group, 11M, will be racked and stacked generally pretty similar to what UPT class they were in (08-01 thru 08-15). Does that check? Because the folks in the earlier classes would've had ADSC's starting sooner. What would change this order would be how weighted the other ADSC's are, such as for GI Bill transfer, TA, PCS, etc. If AFPC is just adding up all ADSC remaining for a given individual, then that would mix it up completely. But if more weight is given to the UPT ADSC, then a dude from 08-01, in this example, would be in a better position for approval than a dude from 08-15.

I thought the 6-year waiver was for VSP, but Palace Chase still required completion of at least 2/3 of your ADSC. Isn't the FY14 Force Management change to Palace Chase just the 1-1 instead of 2-1 service commitment? If I missed that little detail, I've got some paperwork to fill out.

http://english.yonha...005300315F.HTML ETA: How's the short term looking now?

For a point of reference, here's an example with two single-filers who each made $80K in 2012, Person A and B: A/B 80K/80K = Total income -5K/-0K = Traditional IRA contribution 75K/80K = Taxable income 14779.60/16029.60 = Taxes paid 60220.40/63070.40 = "Take home" pay -0K/-5K = Roth IRA contribution 60220.40/58070.40 = Final income after taxes and contributions Person B paid $2150 to shelter $5000 in their Roth. When Person A withdraws their $5000 in retirement, they will pay the effective rate, assuming their income during retirement comes from their retirement savings. If we assume that Person B saved really well and will have the same income during retirement ($80K), then in this scenario they contributed to their Roth at the 25% marginal rate to avoid a 20% effective rate. Credits are irrelevant because they're dollar for dollar returns. All things equal, a $1000 child tax credit for Person A and B is $1000 in their pockets. Deductions are irrelevant also, though slightly more confusing as to why. The deduction you get for contributing to a Traditional is on top of other deductions. So again, if all things are equal, then Person A will have $5K more in deductions. The only difference, which is in Person A's favor, is the possibility of their additional deductions knocking them down to the next marginal tax bracket. Or you can go with the pros. That's fine too.

The sentence in bold is where we differ. Because your IRA options are Roth or Traditional, and Traditional is taken off the TOP of your tax bill (your highest marginal rate), then that rate must be considered and applied toward the alternative, the Roth. (Edited for duplicated post)

Not calling you out specifically because I don't know your situation, but I see people make a mistake very frequently concerning Roth vs. Traditional. If you are earning money tax-free, which is pretty specific to military, then by all means go for the Roth. However, if you're in a staff position or other job where you don't deploy to get tax-free (or earning money like the average American), then Traditional will be your best bet. Child credits, mortgage interest, etc, are irrelevant. When you contribute to a Roth IRA your taxes are front-loaded at your marginal rate (your highest). With a Traditional IRA, you are taxed on the back-end, during retirement, at your effective rate (based on ALL tax brackets). A second consideration is the money you will save by paying less in taxes by reducing your taxable income through contributions to a Traditional IRA. That money is lost if you contribute to a Roth. It is nice to know that the money in your account is yours, but unless you're earning money in a tax-free zone, the math simply does not favor a Roth IRA. Crunch the numbers if you must. But remember to include the large differential between marginal rate (Roth) and effective rate (Traditional). I mention this because of your post above. When someone roll's over their Traditional into a Roth, it causes a "spike" in their marginal rate, exacerbating the scenario. Just make sure you run the numbers yourself to see what is best. On a personal note, I don't want to give the government any more money than I have to, any earlier than I have to. I know, it's not quite logical, perhaps. I guess it's just a mentality, but there it is.

I think this is partially what is being referenced when people discuss government (dis)incentives as it relates to personal responsibility.

I was wondering the same thing about Ray Romano in the back.

To those who took the risks to get the intel, to those who died trying to get it, just to find that bastard...

Sad but true. Consider the guy who started selling "pet rocks"; he's a millionaire. One born every minute.

Are the new RPA locations of Whiteman and Ellsworth going to be ACC or AFSOC units, or perhaps AFGSC?

Probably the most valid point. Yeah, it's a 40-50 minute commute, but you only do it 7-8 days a month. Another thing to consider when deciding is leadership. You'd have to ask people about personal experiences, so it'd require more research, but it's definitely something to consider.

2...on the cynical beltway mentality. But in addition, they want this in 2012? So after 7+ years of OEF and 6+ years of OIF, NOW they decide that they need an airframe like this, and lets put a "rush order" on it of 3 years down the road. It's ridiculous that it should take that long. The airframes already exist. We even have the necessary airframes set up for attack capability; they've been tested for at least the last 3 years. However, I'm glad to see the Air Force is thinking "joint fight". Cause the Army/Marines have been asking for this kind of support for years. And sadly, I can say "years" while simultaneously NOT referring to the beginning of the war; it's been that long. I'm sorry but all those sweet F-22's aren't doing jack in this war. RANT - Off topic - They same goes for UAV's. We don't want them cause we're "pilots". But if that's what the war requires to win and save lives, then that's what we should be clamoring for. I doubt the soldiers in WWII WANTED to storm the beaches, but they believed that they needed to in order to turn the tide of that war. It cost many of them their lives. So it's a bit embarrassing when I hear people complain about UAV's cause it'll cost them their...what, prestige? Bragging rights? Wants or desires? Pretty small potatoes by comparison. It's all vanity. Selfish pride will cost you more than what there is to gain. RANT - Done. The point is it's about time. Had we listened to our "sister" services' needs a while ago we could've saved lives, money, and all the rest.

Fail Safe. Nukes, Cold War, B-58's, Drama...it's got it all. And it's in black and white! Edit: Oh yeah, and Walter Matthau

I believe the appropriate radio call would be: "Tower, Key Lime Air, ....whoops" DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- A Frontier Airlines jet attempting to land Friday at Denver International Airport came within 50 feet of a smaller charter plane that had inadvertently entered the runway, federal aviation officials said. The Frontier crew spotted the Key Lime Air plane in time, aborted the landing and continued flying until it could land the jetliner a short time later, authorities said. No injuries were reported. Frontier and Key Lime officials declined to comment. Neither the airlines nor the investigators would say how many passengers were on the two planes. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating. The NTSB said the Frontier Airbus A-319 from St. Louis, Missouri, had emerged from low clouds as it was about to land about 7:30 a.m. when the flight crew saw the charter plane. The charter plane was to fly from Denver to Garfield County Regional Airport in western Colorado. It was snowing and misty at the time, with half-mile visibility, but NTSB spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz said there was no way to tell whether those conditions contributed to the incident.

Sort of. Giving someone the death penalty, due to lawyers, appeals, etc., costs roughly the equivalent of incarcerating them for 60 years. He doesn't deserve a quick, painless death, even 20 years from now. He deserves to slowly rot away. Remember, life in prison, especially solitary confinement, is a death sentence. Just a much slower, more miserable death. And if someone in the prison gets to him and finishes him off, at least it won't be painless and peaceful. Let him rot for years and live with the fear of retribution, daily. I consider that a far worse fate.

You don't "owe" anyone, especially people who didn't get a pilot slot, a damn thing. What's the rationale here? He doesn't want his pilot spot, but because there's someone else that didn't make the cut he should stick it out for 10 years? I doubt those 10 years would be too fun for him, or more importantly, anyone who had to fly with him. I'm 27 and just joining the AF. The 18 year old version of me had to attempt to make a decision about the rest of my life, and chose wrong. There's little doubt that happens to be the majority. It's a good thing you're figuring this out now. Go tell someone cause I would hope that if you voiced your displeasure with UPT and lack of desire, they aren't going to want you there either.

After reading what trailmix said, I'm with him. My "shin splints" are almost exactly what he described and I doubt I have fractures, just horrible shin cramps. Thanks for the website and info trailmix.

I just started getting shin splints about a month ago so I feel your pain. I've tried everything you mentioned as well but without success. There is only one way I can avoid them, and it has worked every time so far. I have to do two things. First, stretch your calves and more importantly your achilles tendon, like it's your job. And I mean stretch it good, none of this 30-40 second stuff, spend a good two minutes on it. It's the first thing I stretch and the last thing before I start running. Second, increase your speed sloooowwwwly. I use a treadmill so this is a little easier, but I start at about 5mph (after walking a couple minutes to warm up), and increase the speed by .5mph every two to three minutes, until I get up to my desired speed.

Do we ever send pilots elsewhere to train in the same way other countries send their guys here to ENJJPT and such?

You could decline your promotion. Have you tried that? (Edit: can't spell) [ 27. January 2006, 13:47: Message edited by: otsap ]

I have a pair of Silencers, made by Native Eyewear. They're the most comfortable glasses I've ever tried on. Extrememly lightweight, and they are amazingly clear! Plus, they have a lifetime guarantee against scratches. They have some carbonate layer on them so they don't even get those little scratches that tend to slowly ruin visibility.

Do you get flight pay during IFT?

A B-52 seriously? Weird. Good info, thanks!