FourFans

Don't you dare tell the TF that, or the USAF for that matter...because the TF ALWAYS gets what they want. For the record, I couldn't agree more: Logistics = put it on a truck or a boat Deliver an Effect = move it by air Just sayin' FF

https://www.npr.org/2020/02/29/810537586/u-s-signs-peace-deal-with-taliban-after-nearly-2-decades-of-war-in-afghanistan Let the over/under bids begin.

Ok, I’ll stir this pot. I’d honestly want to hear his answer if he were fully read into the scope and scale of the challenge and given time to develop a solution for US broad-spectrum dominance. I’ll bet it wouldn’t look anything like the net-centric lumbering command and control beast we use right now. Smart people do things better than we do. If you’ve seen how an AOC works, you know I’m right. Just sayin

The defense rests. Don’t take the bonus.

Just for some kids that don’t know math: 1999 bonus and cap were introduced: $25,000, which it’s been in some form or fashion for a while, though it took far too long for big blue to realize that not just fighter pilots are important enough to offer a big bonus to... 2019...it’s now $35,000 Inflation says that 1999 $25k should be >$38k in 2019. Apparently flyers were more important in 1999 than they are today. Let that sink in.

Nope, but I did just get my separation date approved to depart the AD exactly at 17 years from commissioning. After what I’ve seen from AF “leadership”and personnel management, I couldn’t be more sure of this decision. No retirement, but I’m hoping the AFRC and airlines will appreciate whatever I have to offer them. No bonus is worth the abuse the USAF is dishing out these days. Dear USAF: Now you can say my morale is pretty darn good.

Concur. They work mostly 8’s with a day off every week. Several bring the family.

609th AMD at Shaw. Pretty sweet deal for a non-tax free location. PM me for details.

Standby to standby. The first FTU class is in progress and they’re about halfway through the pipeline. I might be able to get a temp check from the class when they role through my corner of the 13O FTU. I’ve taught one hour with them so far, and they are a broad cross section of the AF. Most seem intelligent and motivated...not voluntold...to be where they are. A1 Promotion roadshow will be a good place for promotion questions. More to follow when I can pass it. FF

Never give up hope. Keep your head down, do your work as best you can, and keep doing the right thing by those under your authority and influence (yes those are two different things). You can help those coming after you a LOT by going through what you’re going through. I say this from 2APZ to O-5. I PCS’d from where I got passed over, got a new SR who is worth his salt, and got a DP without even a full year in the seat. I’ve got a line number to O-5 now. Senior Raters know a good officer when they see one, and the current guidance is to promote good men/women. It’s all about attitude. Don’t give up, and definitely don’t draw your validation from the USAF’s bankrupt promotion system. You have a LOT more to offer. You’re not done yet. FF

The question is still hanging out there: With all the AFI changes out there, is continuation still a thing? Handgrips are raised, standing by to squeeze triggers. (Yes, I’m old and flew the tweet)

My turn to jump on for a Trident Loan debrief. I was matched up with Jon and his teammate Lisa. They are rockstars. My bride and I had the pleasure of making this purchase while PCSing from Eastern Europe to the Florida panhandle...during hurricane season. On top of that, my bride and kids got here about two weeks ahead of me. Before I hit CONUS, we went through the entire loan approval, house selection, rate lock, and initiated closing. Team Trident got us a fantastic rate (better than some other major banking/loan companies by .5% in our specific case), and were up front and completely transparent with the entire process. Jon and Lisa were apparently on the job 24/7 because I was getting updates as soon as they were available. As mentioned before, the housing market regulations now require a metric ton of paperwork. Thankfully Lisa is a level 74 ninja master at that stuff, and we were able to digitally sign everything. Taking it a step further, Marty, Jon, and Lisa made it clear that they understand the unique situation of pilots going through the transition to the airlines. In fact, some on their team are doing exactly that right now. They understand our earning potential, and reassured us that the temporary drop in paycheck due to the job change would not jeopardize our financial status for the loan. All told, team trident is populated with honest, extremely hardworking individuals who are diligent in making the home loan process as transparent and painless as possible. On top of that, Jon and Lisa went out of their way to answer any questions we had in language we could understand, and made sure that our family got settle into the local areas as smoothly as possible. These are some great friendships that we've started. Trident is fantastic and we'll definitely be bring them any business we have in the future. Outstanding work Team Trident! With our sincerest gratitude, FourFans and family.

Scrolled?

Well, the USAF gave me its second thanks, but no thanks for O-5. Not that I expected much, but it was a last chance for big blue to plant a seed of hope that they see the light. I guess the pilot problem isn’t bad enough to need to give high time IPs hour a reason to stay. My morale is gunna be pretty darn good...with delta, or southwest, or fedex, or... Data point for the masses: clean record, 3300 hrs, MWS Pilot WO, JDAL staff complete...never touched the HPO track. This is what the USAF does not want: professional combat expertise. Palace front (hopefully) in 16 months. Apparently I have to avoid a BIS to keep my 20 year retirement viable.

Right there with ya. I might have an “I’m going to the airlines! Freedom!” party this Wednesday. Praying they thoroughly jack it up and deny me continuation too.

Likewise

Maybe Deborah James can help. I hear she’s good manpower problems.

We could call the team skynet.

Just saw the advisory from higher: 0518 board results delayed "30 days" due to hang-ups at the "national level". Duck, somehow this is your fault.

The way I see it, being a pilot in the USAF right now is like flying spins in an ejection seat equipped jet. We're in the spin at pretty high altitude, hanging with it. Changing the ADSC reg told us (mid-spin) that our ejection seat has a min altitude of 15,000A for a safe ejection. Could I stick with it and probably come out ok below that? Maybe, but why risk it? I just found this out in the middle of the event, do I really want to press to test? You'll start seeing a lot more pilots reject staff assignments, and/or reject requal after those assignments. Separating at 12 years of service will become the norm...especially with BRS. We few caught in the middle before will probably punch instead of going for 20.

Duck's future isn't riding on this one, so it'll be on time.

Why? Because that's hot. How many prop strikes you think the FTU would log in a year?

Reads: "I think we just got our asses handed to us."

So it's harder for bad guys to read their subdued SOAR nametags and patches.