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gimmeaplane

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Posts posted by gimmeaplane

    Questions on TPS (Test Pilot School)

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by gimmeaplane

    On 3/3/2018 at 3:40 PM, Muscle2002 said:

    Bullseye283 should probably be aware that GPAs are typically higher among pilots than they are among CSOs, which are generally higher than the Engineers' GPAs.

    Fightin’ words for nerd flag!

    (Depends on whether order of merit, medical, and/or personal interest drove career path.)

    Pilot Shortage Deepens, USAF is SCREWED.

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    8 minutes ago, ClearedHot said:

    I am assuming that was part of the baseline for the testing they do today?

    Not sure if addressed at me, but I was talking about a computer color vision test.  The AF DQ rate is now significantly higher from what the docs report vs the old tests, and this is a win in their book.  Navy allows the same computer test now, but with a lower passing score.

    Don’t want to derail the thread, but min acceptable standards should apply to every “gatekeeper” standard, e.g. if the somebody who’s an inch below/above some anthro standard can do the job, then we should adjust that standard.  Then we’ll DQ the least number of otherwise high aptitude candidates.

    Whether or not we can identify/measure aptitude is a different problem.

    Pilot Shortage Deepens, USAF is SCREWED.

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by gimmeaplane

    On 2/21/2018 at 2:53 PM, VMFA187 said:

    That’s about the performance levels we’re seeing at our fighter fleet replacement squadrons, or FTUs. Performance markedly lower all around than what was typical 6-10 years ago. 

    It doesn’t help that they cranked up the DQ rate with the computer eye test in that exact same timeframe.  Tighten the crank too far on one thing and something that matters has to give...that something is aptitude.  Sister services aren’t exactly crashing a/c left and right with old school tests.  Bros on waivers wouldn’t have made it through the front door today.

    EDIT:  I notice you have a VMFA tag, so not sure what the USN/USMC issue would be unless they did something similar.  Point remains for the AF pipeline.

    • Like 1

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    12 hours ago, flyusaf83 said:

    And please don't tell me this isn't "fair" for the shoes who don't have the opportunity to be a technician and promote.  If that triggers them, they should have thought about that before becoming shoe clerks.  They don't offer the AF a valuable skillset. Pilots do.

    More should have the chance to go to pilot/nav/abm training and pass, or not, based on aptitude in the actual job.  Regardless of whether or not you want rated officers in charge of more fields (universal management badge has its downsides), the AF needs to make more rated officers.  That means more schoolhouses and relaxed medical standards for entrance physicals.

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, hatedont said:

    Don't they RIF the people with negative indicators first, especially officers? DUIs, PT fails..etc. In 2011, I had two friends RIF'd. One for a DUI and the other for a PI at UPT. The PI was after the club was let out, and the cops swept up lots of people in Del Rio. Anyway, the cops called him a model to mimic. He completed UPT and went on to fly tankers. 

    If you cut/non-promote enough people, you'll run out of negative indicators pretty quickly.  Also, most of those peeps will take hint and separate on their own.  And you nailed it with an example of how some negative indicators are BS.

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Disappointed and helplessly observing good people not making the cut.

    Somebody asked me in the last RIF (I was eligible) if I worried, assuming that I wasn't because I had stumbled (luck & timing) into a "high-vis" job.  I told them hell yes I was worried.  The AF doesn't cut 30% without making big mistakes.  The mission in a leadership role, right after the actual mission, is pimping out the good people as well as possible.  'Cuz somebody else is pushing an asshole (no sts).  All it takes is one bad rater in one assignment to completely F this system in an unrecoverable way for a good officer.  If I have a point, it's this: learn the game for your ratees' sakes.

    Sidenote: I knew a sharp dude, was his Gp/CC's #1 FGO, and got cut in that RIF.  Big Blue makes mistakes.

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    4 hours ago, ThreeHoler said:

    They are called aggregate DPs. If a SR doesn't have enough IPZ to earn a DP outright (i.e. 1 IPZ for a 58% DP allocation) then his IPZ is combined with all the other IPZ in similar circumstances into an aggregate pool. These records are competed at the MLR for the total number of aggregate DPs.

    Is it an accurate impression that MLR drives the SR's adherence to the rules/customs of PRF writing?  My understanding is that SR credibility is a large factor in how many additional DPs they win for their people at MLR.  Does it take on the feeling of an awards fight club or is it a straight review/scoring of records?  Most of us will never see an MLR, and it doesn't get the same attention as the actual board, but it seems to play a big part in outcomes.

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    8 hours ago, TreeA10 said:

    You miss the "any excuse for a party" rationale.  During a TDY to Vegas, we had 7 guys get promoted.  They put together quite the soiree complete with political incorrect implications of excess alcohol and strippers invited but in a non-working capacity.  Apparently that whole pole thing is a lot more physically demanding than I thought if the number of ladies wearing knee and ankle braces is an accurate indication.  Guys were still rolling back to the hotel at 3pm the next day.  So, enjoy what you can, when you can because, otherwise, all there is left is bitching and complaining.

    This.  Parties make the world go 'round.  I don't care about the reason.  You got promoted in the same timeframe good dudes and dudettes got the RIF, or non-vol'd, or...?  Party.

    Party about small victories over the machine until you have an opportunity to fix it.  Then:

    1) Do the right thing.

    2) Party.

    • Upvote 2

    Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Q&A

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    27 minutes ago, bluedevil said:

    TSP Gurus,

    Looking for some advice on allocation for TSP contributions. 

    Background: 1st Lt, 2.5 years in, current balance ~$10k, currently contributing 15% of base pay monthly (~$570)

    Continuing to increase contributions with the plan of maxing by the time I hit the 4 year mark.

    Currently all in Lifecycle 2050 fund.  Any thoughts/strategies appreciated, thanks guys.

    TSP is a good managed fund (I personally put half retirement savings in TSP and half in a Roth IRA), but make sure to have liquid savings for life.  10% or so in TSP and the remaining savings in a mix of liquid (non-retirement account) managed or index funds.  That way you have cash for a home, car, or whatever when you need it.  And don't forget to keep cash in the bank.

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

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    That is an interesting point. For the non-rated types, does big blue have any tactics to keep you from sniffing free agency or is it just a series of PCS and school ADSCs? Do they try to hit you with deployments when you are new at your base so you still have PCS ADSC and can't 3-day opt it?

    If this is a factor, it's a dangerous game to play with flyers right now; hardly a day goes by without seeing one of the bros posting an airline interview or hire notification.

    Edited because Siri screws up everything

    Non-rated often compete for the few meaningful deployments (GHOST/JCAT/etc.). The any AFSC jobs are a waste for everybody and generally avoided. Any other generalities are very AFSC specific, but most who VSP'd or got RIF'd found jobs quickly.

    Questions on TPS (Test Pilot School)

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Done both DT and OT for multiple MDS. Both are rewarding, but different. Functional DT/OT test teams talk; the degree to which that happens is personality dependent.

    AFTC: you do a bunch of work, get a couple heavy hitter issues fixed, and then the SPO takes the credit.

    53 WG: you do a bunch of work, get a couple heavy hitter issues fixed, and then AFOTEC takes the credit.

    If you are the sort of person competitive for both TPS and WIC, understand their missions before submitting apps. Both camps attract people who don't understand their purposes.

    • Upvote 1

    Promotion and PRF Information

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by gimmeaplane

    So to change the subject up a bit. Does anyone have any insight into what the promotion board was looking for specifically during this past December board for major? Our AAD's were masked and our status for SOS indicated simply whether it was complete or not. Did this make things easier or harder for the board?

    I had a friend not promoted and this individual checked all of the boxes. I do not know exactly what boxes this individual checked, but I assume the board saw something that excluded him from promotion. I remember you guys/gals saying some people think too highly of themselves in regard to promotion and the promotion board will usually get it right.

    Let's get back to ignoring Chang. Does anybody have gouge on instructions to the board? I (incorrectly) thought one of my guys was competitive for school and the best I could tell him was it's probably in the instructions. He's doing just fine in the big blue machine, but getting the right people IDE slots sets things in motion.

    Edit for Engrish.

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