B-O-double-Z

AirGaurdian, Yeah, I know your techincians will be activated too, but are they (techs) going to get to work "two weeks on...two weeks off" like your activated reservists. Do the ones working "two on, two off," stay on orders continually? If so, is this so your airline pilots don't have to take mil leave from their jobs, and can make full military pay and half airline pay at the same time while activated?

AirGuardian, Yeah...Barksdale is is the B-52 center of the universe. Our A-10 squadron is sort of an afterthought down on the south end of the field. We will be taking up more real estate in the future. BRAC results say we are getting nine more hogs. Talked with Nap yesterday. He told me you guys are getting activated, but that you'd be working two weeks on...and two weeks off. That's pretty cush. You guys must have a strong airline pilot mafia to pull that off. How's that work if you're a technician.

I know most of the A-10 guys at Boise. They are a bunch of good dudes. I deployed with them in '99 to Tripani, Sicily for two months. We based out of there while the Kosovo thing was going on. It was a blast. Boise is cool town too. I've been up there several times for various reasons. If I ever considered leaving my full-time gig here at Barksdale for another A-10 Guard or Reserve unit, I'd try for Boise. I've instructed a couple of their UPT graduates in the A-10. One of them was probably the most talented young guy we've had at Barksdale. The other one didn't do so well. He was a former Marine helo guy--went through fixed-wing qual--and then to A-10 FTU. He was an outstanding guy and worked his ass off. He made it through the FTU by the skin of his teeth, but subsequently made some flying mistakes in the unit. They FEB'd him. He kept his wings but they reccommended him out of single-seat aircraft. It was shame because he was a stand up guy and we all worked our asses off to get him through FTU training.

Yes...Football!...the ultimate metaphor for everything else in life. (apologies to all who don't share our ethusiasm...perhaps your neck is just too thin) Most of my brothers, fathers, and Gods were borne out of the gridiron. Rainman, I've seen life from the perspective of a small fast offensive lineman and a big slow linebacker. Had to learn the linebacker position in college. It's not something you pick up overnight. Worked my ass off and may have started earlier at another position. I'd say it took me two years just to become competent. The O-Line is all about intellect, mental and physical toughness, and craftsmanship. Linebacker is concentration, balls, and zen. In the end I was a one year starter (played every snap on D my senior year) and did a good job. I would have loved to have been a three year starter...but that one season was worth it. Lessons learned... At times you'll be humbled--forced to honestly face your inability and mistakes. Keep trying. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition... It's gratifying to master a difficult skill...something that not everybody can do. It later becomes a source of confidence and strength. Kind of like being an Air Force Pilot!

Snake, Tom was a senior when I was a freshman. He was a starting linebacker and classic AFA ballplayer...small, slow, not much to look at...but he'd knock your f&cking head off. Trust me...you'd want him on YOUR side in a street fight.

Rainman, I heard that Zuke has gone "native" up there in Alaska. I heard he bought land and build a house way out in the boonies to retire to. I don't think I'd like to endure the winters there. I'd have to do the seasonal bush pilot thing. Yeah...I figured you for an offensive lineman. My linebacker coach at the Zoo told me there are only two things that are true in life; Women are trouble...and guys who play on offense are pricks. I'll second your call for fundemantals and throw in my plug for repetition, repetition, repetition... You got to take a lot of snaps before you can consistantly see the keys. Good stance. Concentrate. Know their formation tendencies. First step...read step. (Forget about what the tailback is doing. The fullback and guard will take you to the ball everytime.) Second step...fly to the ball. Get there with your feet under you. (and in a bad mood) Explode through the hit. Wrap up. After you knock him down...help him up. [ 19. April 2005, 08:17: Message edited by: B-O-double-Z ]

TUG, That's cool... I didn't realize you could fly so much as a CFI. What kind of instructing do you do? I own a couple little taildraggers ('76 Taylorcraft F-19 & '85 Taylorcraft F-21) and fly the sh!t out of them when I'm not doing my day job. I flew one to Nashville last weekend to see an old academy bud. I started out flying in the Air Force without any civilian ratings--didn't even have a private. Did it all backward compared to most of you guys. I went back over the years and have gotten extensively involved in civilian aviation. Along the way I've picked up a Multi-Engine ATP, Commercial SE Land and Sea, Glider and a couple business jet type ratings (LR Jet & LR 45). I'd like to do some instructing but haven't gotten off my ass to get a CFI rating. When I'm too old to do the military thing I'd love to try some bush flying in Alaska. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's done some flying up there. Take care.

Wizard, You are a good sport young man. I have a feeling you'll do well at whatever you pursue. Best of luck!

How many hours do you have now? It took me four years of flying full-time for the AD Air Force to accumulate my first 1000 hours. Are you going to be able to do this during college? I like your enthusiasm...but thought that a reality check might be in order here. It's doubtful that you'll be a contender for a decent airline job when you finish your initial training and seasoning with the Air Force Guard/Reserves. You are probably looking at five or six years of military flying (minimum!) before you'll be competetive for a major airline. The guys flying in Guard/Reserve heavy units are racking up a lot of hours right now because of the worldwide deployments. That may not be the case in five years. What's the point of being a single Air Force pilot if you aren't going blow all your money drinking and chasing ###### while you're still single (and maybe even a little after you're married)! Anyway...I know many of the folks on this site are heavily biased toward the Guard/Reserves, but don't discount sticking with ROTC and joining the AD. You'll be commissioned, go to flight school, and have a real job with real pay and benefits. And after your commitment, you'll be a legitimate contender for any airline, and half-way there toward a lifetime retirement if you choose to make the AD a career. Besides...how are you going to keep all those wives happy on part-time Guard pay?

Shaved Dog's Ass, I haven't been stationed in Korea...but plenty of guys in my unit have...and they all say it was an awesome assignment. Good luck and I hope you get your first choice out of FTU. We have three initial qual (IQ) A-10 guys here at Barksdale and one of them will be headed to Korea. wnanna, Good luck getting into a Guard or Reserve fighter unit. If you need advice or a point of contact in a particular unit...PM me and I will be glad to help you out. flyguy, Chill out man... I'm not particularly interested in trying to dismiss you. You are obviously on this site because you're interested in learning about, or commenting on, military aviaition. SnakeT38 has flown for the active duty, the Reserves (in my unit), and is now a major airline captain. Him...even responding to your post...is like Picasso taking time to give you a painting lesson. If you're cool...there just may be some sh!t you could learn from him. I'm taking time to post on here because it's an interesting forum and I want to get accurate information out to dudes who are legitimately interested in learning what's it's like in the Air Force. I've been in the Active Duty, the Guard, and now the Reserves. I don't know everything...but I know enough to comment and lend perspective to most dudes on this website. Your original post was funny (the part about dudes swinging from my balls). That's cool...bring it on!...but don't get bogged down in this sh!t and take it personally. And by the way...there's plenty of room left on my balls if you want to want to hop on. Cheers!

Saluki, I like your enthusiasm, but your facts are a litte off. The A-10 hasn't had HARS as the primary bombing mode since the early 80's. It was truly a "bugger on windscreen" bomber back then. The Aircraft has had an INS from the early 80's. This was a step up from HARS and provided wind correction. The bombing was still challenging and the sight depression had to be set manually and corrected for winds. From about the 1992 on...the Hog got LASTE (Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancement) in addition to an INS. This gave the jet a true CCIP (constantly computed impact point) capability. The jet has been extremely accurate from this point on. In about 2001, the Hog got a GPS integrated with the INS...that combination is called EGI. LASTE has gone through several iterations; 3.3, 4.0, 6.0, Suite 2. We now have some limited integration with the Litening II targeting pod and the ability to drop laser guided bombs. PE (precision engagement) will give us an updated cockpit and full targeting pod integration and JDAM capability. In parallel with the development of PE, the Guard/Reserves are looking at cheaper integrations for smart weapons and data link (generally refered to as smart MFD). If PE gets killed...the Guard/Reserves will at least get piece of the pie with Smart MFD.

It’s cool. I enjoy the sparring. One of the things I like best about being a fighter pilot is all the jostling, arguing, and cajoling that goes on in a squadron. I’ve worked some outside the Air Force, and chalk it up to valuable life experience, but it’s hard to beat the daily grind of being in a squadron. It’s one of the last bastions that I know of where it’s not only acceptable to be honestly accessed and critiqued by your peers …it’s absolutely imperative. It’s not for everybody. At times it can borderline on a hostile environment. You have to bring it strong everyday. But I’ve come to realize that I love it and thrive on it. The Air Force has tried hard to snuff out every bit of individual personality and warrior ethos…but they can’t! That’s why I’d still advise the young guys to join the active duty first if they have a choice. The Guard/Reserve is cool, but it’s full of worn out bastards who are more interested in counting their money and keeping their fat wives happy than pushing it up in the cockpit. A young active duty fighter squadron is a rich environment and an annealing process. You’ll hone your skills and opinions in a crucible of superior individuals. You can’t pose your way through it or your homeboys won’t respect you. Mistakes are tolerated…but only if they are admitted.

LASDT-Low Altitude Step Down Training LASDT is the training process you go through to become LOWAT qualified. You can get checked out to 500' (Cat 1), 300' (Cat 2), or 100' (CAT 3) LOWAT-Low Altitude Training LOWAT is divided into two currencies; Low Altitude Air-to-Air (ACBT at low altitude), and Low Altitude (Low altitude SAT). LATN-Low Altitude Tactical Navigation Navigating at low altitude on either a preplanned or ad hoc route. LATF-Low Altitude Tactical Formation Flying in Tactical Formations at low altitude while conducting LATN We teach all this stuff here at the A-10 FTU. The basic qualifications are at 500'. The operational units decide if a guy needs to be checked out to lower altitudes. Most operational A-10 guys are checked out to 300' or 100', especially if they are qualified to do Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)

wnanna, Glad somebody appreciated my drunken philisophical musing. Regardless, I do believe what I wrote to be true. Hey...Hemingway was quite a drunk you know. That puts me in pretty good company. Now, you'll have to excuse me for a couple hours. I have to go kick the sh!t out of one of my squadron mates in a BFM ("dogfighting" in layman's terms) sortie.

Upon revisiting my post of last evening (now sober) it does come across a little mental. I've asked my wife to hide my laptop the next time I drink all day. With that being said... Wannalift...I am feeling better now...just got done shooting 200 rounds 30mm and dropping 12 bombs. Spit21fire...Yeah, I was a little harsh. Your question did strike me as irrelevant (especially the part about "how much do you deploy?") if you really have it in your gut to be a fighter pilot. Flying any type of military aircraft places you in a small and special fraternity. Flying a single seat attack plane or fighter is an even a smaller group...and it ain't going to be an option for too many more years. Snake is right. My unit only hires guys with previous A-10 experience. All the other A-10 units (Guard and Reserves) do hire small numbers of the street. Rainman...don't f&cking retire. You can come down to Barksdale and fly hogs for another 13 years. I don't picture you be relegated to yard work and fishing (or a cubicle). Tell Sped and Motley I said hey! Peace out...

And the correct answer is...drum roll please...IT F&UCKING DEPENDS!!!! And if you want to be one...the correct answer is...WHO F&CKING CARES!!!! You're either willing to sell your f&cking mother to pirates to be one...or you're not. Let's put it this way. We are quite possibly in the last generation of manned aerial combat. To put it in perspective, the total period will have been a historical f&cking wink (1915-2025??) in the annals of mankind. If you are one...you'll have ancestors 500 years from now who'll know that you were. You'll be romanticized in a thousand years the way medival knights are today. You can either "sack up" and take your shot boy...or be a proverbial clerk in the check-out line of life.

I'll take a hack at explaining the full-time Guard/Reserve options. There are two permanent types of full-time status; Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) and Air Reserve Technician (ART) AGR has the same pay, benefits, and retirement as the active duty. The difference is that you are part of the Guard/Reserve, and being as such, you don't have to move and endure the assignment process like the active duty. ART duty and retirement is extremely complicated. As an ART you have two jobs. You occupy a federal civil service position and work on the GS pay grade (GS 12-15) for 40 hours a week. You also occupy a part-time military reserve position in the unit. This position pays you additionally, the same as a part-timer, in full-day and half-day increments (weekends, deployments, headquarters tasking). This is normally in addition to your civil service pay (but can be in lieu of in the case of deployments and longer TDYs). The ART retirement is a combination of your civil service retirement (collected at age 56 for ARTs) and your AF Rerserve retirement (collected at 60). You also have a nice 401K with a match of up to 5% of your civil service salary. Your gross pay, the combination of both "jobs," makes ART a considerably higher paying job than active duty. More of the pay is taxable. It is a lucrative career, but there are many pitfalls. You can be forced out from either the military side or the civil service side. Then there's the challenge of physically staying on flying status till you're 56. The total compensation varies, but for most ARTs it is between $100,000 and $150,000 per year. This isn't quite airline captain's pay, but not too bad for doing something you enjoy. And yes...these jobs are extremely hard to get...especially post 9/11 with all the furloughed airline guys flushed back into the Guard/Reserves. If you are fresh out of UPT...don't even think about it. You'll have to pay your dues as a "bum" first and get some experience. My fingers are cramping. I'll let somebody else explain "Guard/Reserve Bum."