Hercster

I am, at least for the next couple weeks. I haven't heard anything about a gag order, but it's funny that everyone in the office is following this. I just think it's great that everyone is outraged. The higher ups probably know about this but are chosing to ignore it in hope it'll go away.

I think it was posted somewhere else but here it is again, it it's edited format. ASAB Team, Before I get into the immediate 1-meter Targets listed below, I’d like to describe a theory intended to illustrate WHY you’ll be seeing increased attention being given to uniform/grooming standards here at ASAB. This theory, developed by a couple of political scientists named Wilson and Keating, was given tons of air-time by Mayor Rudy Giuliani when he began a crusade against crime in NYC. When the Mayor began his campaign he was met with all kinds of resistance from dissidents expressing reasons why the plan wouldn’t work…. After-all, NYC was considered the crime-capital of the US at the time. Using the philosophical perspectives behind the “broken windows theory”, Rudy G. was able to reverse-engineer MANY of the inner-city woes back to a common reference point or “starting line”. That turning point began as broken windows or graffiti started appearing in a neighborhood… relatively inconsequential things when paired against gang-violence, drug offenses and murder. To span that gap, the theory suggested that broken windows and graffiti told the people living in the neighborhood that small things like appearance, pride, and enforcing low-end standards didn’t matter. Before too long, more broken windows and graffiti would spread-out from these original epicenters and eventually turn parts of the city into war-zones…and establish new thresholds for what the local population considered normal or allowable. It was like an “Apathy Bomb” that had fallout raining on everyone. Prostitution, panhandling, drug-deals, and robbery became the norms in most run-down places because the root cause (apathy) was the flavor of the month/year/decade etc. The first step Rudy needed to take was to hit the root cause…the outward displays of broken rules and the other physical manifestations of apathy. Within a few years, this enforcement of a new baseline would revive NYC, instill pride, and earn it the reputation as one of the safest cities in America. In NYC today…the broken windows are fixed immediately & the law-breakers are targeted with vigor. So, why does that matter here? Because there are quite a few broken windows that we’re going to start fixing – beginning with Uniform & Grooming standards. If you’re a broken window, there’ll be a few people doing maintenance on you. That way the threshold will be clear. Target 1. Grooming standards apply in the PTU. That means males will be clean-shaven in public…unless on a shaving waiver. Shaving waivers will be carried by those on waiver…in every uniform. It needs to be current or you are out of our uniform standards. In addition… If you look like you’re on day two of a shaving hiatus…expect to be addressed. Yes, I realize that some will get beard growth faster than others…but I don’t expect to be confronted by Grizzly Adams out on the street or in the DFAC. BOTTOM LINE HERE: YOUR military image should be personal, like the reflection in your mirror. When you step into public view it becomes the military image of ASAB…and I’m not down with an inappropriate image being reflected against the rest of us. Target 2. Mustaches. If you wear one, it will be worn properly. Tom Selleck’s, Pancho Villa’s and Robin Old’s mustaches do not meet the AF standard. Period. For ease in reference, I’ve included a picture for those of you who may be visual learners. If you’re approached by me or someone else scoping-out your ‘stache…it may be because you’re pretty close to the vertical line. It’s not personal…just 100% professional. If anything, I hope everyone takes a look in a mirror at least once during the day for a vector-check on ALL standards. NOTE: Some folks may actually think that purposefully wearing a mustache “out of regs” is cool. Think again, since your example is far from cool & the people in your leadership chain might start questioning your commitment to other standards. Mustache wear STANDARD: AFI 36-2903 Excerpt: para 3.1.2.2. Mustaches. Male Airmen may have mustaches; however they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and will not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from both corners of the mouth. See Figure 1, to reference points B, C, and D. BOTTOM LINE HERE: Everyone who converses with you in a business or personal capacity will immediately see your lack of regard for the standards..it will be as plain as the nose on your face (or what’s under it). Figure 1 USAF Mustache ad Sideburn Standards Target 3. Untucked shirts or rolled-sleeves in the PTU: I’ve heard every excuse in the book…but have also seen some validated issues. If the shirt is tucked into the shorts PROPERLY (not “bloused” over the waist-band) and the shorts drawstring is cinched-up (not left baggy like MC-Hammer pants from the 90’s)…you can probably run like a scalded cheetah and it isn’t coming out. I’ve actually tested the theory on folks before…and they’d probably collapse from exhaustion before the shirt popped out. If it does, you are part of the 1% that has a longer torso than the shirts were made to support. If it comes out…tuck it back in immediately and you’ll be fine. There isn’t a 3-step or 30-second rule in effect. Do it as soon as you can. BOTTOM LINE HERE: I don’t care what you think about the standards…they are still the standard, so keep you out of it. If I had the option, I’d do a lot of things differently….but I don’t. Target 4. Rolled sleeves in the DFDU: Easy to spot since everyone else across the AOR can’t push their uniform sleeves up (and most folks know that requirement). DFDU “no-roll” sleeve guidance is documented in AFI 36-2903’s at the Air Force, CENTCOM, AFCENT and ASAB levels. Not sure why it’s reiterated in every single level of our uniform standards…but regardless of the “alleged” overkill, it still seems to be an issue. BOTTOM LINE HERE: In much the same way that Aviation checklist discipline is important…uniform standards discipline is also significant…it tells us how to maintain the Human Weapons System. Target 5. Tobacco use in unauthorized areas: Way too much evidence to support a lack of integrity in this area. Cigarette butts thrown near buildings (which probably means folks are smoking right outside the doors). Besides the wanton disregard for other people’s health, the wanton disregard for our shared community spaces also needs to be addressed. I cannot begin to tell you how diametrically opposed I am to having non-smokers clean-up after smokers. So smokers should expect further activity in this realm very soon if self-policing doesn’t work. If the rule-breakers can’t be reigned-in, we’ll possibly be looking at dropping the number of designated tobacco use areas in the B400 areas down to ONE. BOTTOM LINE: Want to get on a recurring cigarette-butt clean-up crew? Break the rules and you’ll probably be in the starting lineup. REQUIREMENT – Help fix these issues…and don’t let our cultural “norms” transform into anything less than full/mandatory compliance. Attack apathy early…and often if necessary. If you need help…elevate to someone who can. BOTTOM LINE: Leaders at all levels need to do two things. Meet the standards personally…and ensure compliance in those who don’t. The broken windows can’t all be fixed by just a select few since this isn’t a spectator sport. Start with you…and work your way out. If someone informs you of a shortfall…be thankful. That person is simply doing their DUTY…and actually cares enough about you to say something. ROCK BOTTOM LINE: Don’t get confused and think that all of the aforementioned things are “Chief Xxxxxxxx's” requirements. Nope. Those are the result of 74 years of history/heritage. All of those requirements are purposefully stated in AFI’s signed-out by General Officers and by YOUR Wing Commander. They are also enforceable under Articles 92 and 134 of the UCMJ. Make no mistake about it…we simply execute policies, standards and directives…our Commanders create them...and the cycle will continue for the next 74 years - with, or without us. V/R Chief Xxxxxxxx

Wow, apparently this is gaining quite a following over here. Glad to see there's at least a few people left in the AF who recognize BS when they see it.

I'm just waiting for the day when this "requirement" is pushed to the O's. I feel for the E's. Maybe a finance or comm guy (like this steller command chief) can find the extra time in their cozy office, but a MX dude or SF sweating out in the sun all day? Forget about it.

Here's another thing wrong with the Air Force, more emphasis on on the (un)important. An email from the command chief at an undisclosed location, edited to protect the guilty: "ASAB Enlisted Corps, Welcome to 5MT accountability one and all. Today marks the day that you are required to know the Airman's Creed and Air Force Song as outlined in my first 5MT to the Enlisted Corps. At no time did I alleviate ANYONE from this requirement, so the demographic is clear. If you are an "E-something", this applies to you. To some it applies even more, especially if you are a supervisor. If in a supervisory role, you are also accountable TO and FOR your people. MANY PEOPLE ARE ASKING WHY I INITIATED THIS 5MT TO BEGIN WITH. Well.Before we delve into the "whys," let's first revisit the "Who, What, Where, and When" parts. Those were provided in BOTH the initial and follow-on emails that I've attached. The "how" was left completely up to you. - Who: Every Enlisted member assigned to the XXXAEW. - What: Be able to RECITE from MEMORY the Airman's Creed and "sing" the first verse of the AF song - Where: In public forums during Wing events or when asked by senior leadership. - When: Primarily by 1 September 2011 - How: Based on your personal preference - WHY: To forge LEADERSHIP and FOLLOWERSHIP capability and to drive Enlisted uniformity during ### AEW ceremonies. BACKGROUND: - VECTOR 1 came directly from AF Leadership: As CMSAF Roy's direction when he told all USAF Command Chiefs to."Champion the Airman's Creed and ensure you and your Airmen are able to recite it". Period. - VECTOR 2 came from me as a reiteration of CMSAF Roy's direction. From both a Leadership and followership perspective. - VECTOR 3 should have come from Your Supervisor: That vector should have mirrored CMSAF Roy's as a matter of loyalty and in a manner of professionalism. - VECTOR 4 should have come from YOU DISCUSSION: Everyone presented with the 5MT requirements had options in CHOOSING their personal way ahead. Their choices will place them into a category of compliance as listed below. Almost everyone should be able to recognize which demographic they primarily align with. Here are the 6 categories: 1. Someone who just recently arrived here & hadn't had 50 days to meet the 5MT requirements. You are still accountable, but you'll be granted more time. Get on it & get there within 50 days from your DAS. You are NOT DONE yet. 2. Someone who already knew both recitations, and were able to deliver them from day 1. You were good to go from the initial vector. Good on you. You are DONE. Would ask that you assist others who aren't quite there yet. 3. Someone who didn't know either of them BUT accepted the requirement and made it happen. If you took it upon yourself to learn them, you are a leader by example. If you took the direction of your supervisor, you are a competent follower. Regardless, you met the requirements and did not fail. Good on you. You are DONE. Hopefully you help those around you. 4. Someone in a supervisory position who knew or learned it, led by example, kept your Wingmen in sight, and pushed your subordinates toward success. You embodied the ability to Fly, Fight, and WIN. You have proven yourself as someone who wasn't prone to sit-back, give-up, and allow failure. Good on you. You are DONE. Your people are probably thanking you for pushing them to succeed. 5. Someone who TRIED their hardest but still couldn't get it memorized in time. You may not fully be there yet, but since the words are in your memory.chances are you'll be able to recite it in a crowd. In any event, I (and other Wingmen) will recite along with you and together we'll all succeed in this 5MT. Good on you for giving it your best shot. You are NOT DONE, so KEEP TRYING until you get 100% of it. 6. Someone who dismissed the entire requirement and neither worked at it personally..nor pushed their Airmen to success. You Faltered and Failed. Period. If you're one who either complained about the 5MT, or openly refused to comply.you're still on the hook. If you're a Supervisor who failed to lead your Airmen to success.you're still on the hook. If you think this is over, think again. You are NOT DONE, and that will become even clearer in the future. DELIVERABLES: The Commander and I have already been asking Enlisted Airmen to recite the Airman's Creed in public. Yes folks, the Wing CC is also on-board in this exercise. So my hope is that we encounter Airmen in categories 1-5 when we're out and about. So far.it's been good. Two excursions, 11 Airmen.11 successful deliveries. WAY AHEAD: I will periodically ask folks if they know it. If they say yes, I may recite or sing along WITH them. I will ask how they gained their success. I will ask if they were vector checked buy their immediate Supervisor. The answers THEY GIVE will tell me who Led and Followed appropriately. If they say they don't know it.there will be tougher questions. BOTTOM LINE: If you are an Enlisted Airman who fell into categories 1-5 - No need to read on any further unless you really want to. Continue to move forward and keep finding ways to meet requirements. If your Supervisor pushed you toward success.thank them. If you Led and followed appropriately.you hit the 5MT and will be able to execute from here on out. ROCK BOTTOM LINE: Hopefully the Airman's Creed will become personal to you. Hopefully you'll realize that EVERY activity you perform EVERY day provides you an opportunity to Fly, Fight, and win. By realizing that "Fly" equates to rising to face the challenge, "Fight" equates to expending energy to meet the challenge, and "Win" equates to overcoming the challenge...it may make some sense. Hope you Flew, Fought, and Won on this challenge. Category 6 personnel.read on below my signature block. There's more. V/R Chief Xxxxxxxx CMSgt X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant ### Air Expeditionary Wing (AFCENT) CATEGORY 6 Just so there's no ambiguity here. If you blew off the requirement , you've failed as a follower. If you're a supervisor who told your people that it wasn't important, you have failed exponentially as both a leader and a follower. By ignoring what your Senior Enlisted leadership directed you to do, you purposefully missed the mark and took down a couple of our Core Values with you . First, You didn't demand Excellence in ALL we do and Secondly you put yourself ABOVE a tasking. two of the 3 core values destroyed in one fell swoop. Now.before anyone starts complaining about the difficulty of the Airman's creed requirements; let me dissect the task into bits and pieces that are easier to swallow. Hopefully this will clarify the failure a bit more. NOTE: The first 5MT went out on 12 July, so the entire period of "training" equates to 50 days. Nice round number, but roughly 7 weeks if you received it on 12 July. - Basic Trainees have 7 weeks of "training days" to learn the exact same things CMSAF Roy asked of us. They do so without the Military experiences that we have. So, the advantage should have been YOURS. - Reading the entire Airman's Creed out loud takes less than 40 seconds, even if you momentarily pause between stanzas . That's less than one minute from end to end. - Chances are, by reading it out loud for 2 minutes a day you'd have had it memorized in 20 days. 3 times in a row per day.20 days in a row. If you did that, you'd be in category 5 at the very least. - Even if using the entire 50 days, you would have expended 100 total minutes of effort. Less than two total hours of time stretched over nearly 2 months.simply reading out loud. No sweat. No toil.simply reciting. - There are 18 total lines in the Airman's Creed, so that equates to learning 2 lines per week. Actually it's a bit less once you realize that 4 of the lines are exactly the same. - If you broke it down by stanzas, there are four. So you'd have had 12 . 5 days to learn each stanza WHAT I HAVE HEARD: Some thought the 5MT was "stupid" so they QUIT on day one and TOLD others to blow it off as well. Instead of shaping the environment through followership and discipline they chose to ACCEPT or even DIRECT failure. That is intolerable. WAY AHEAD: Right now, I don't even know who fits into what demographic.But I'm about to find out. I'll see who knows it or not. If they don't know it, I'll ask how much time they put into "learning". I'll ask for their immediate supervisor's name. I'll ask what their Supervisor did to ensure their success. I'll ask if they were vector checked by their immediate Supervisor. That should tell me enough to categorize those who failed.and those who let them fail. Then they will BOTH make it right. It's called accountability. In this game, everyone gets a trophy. BOTTOM LINE: Never leave an Airman behind, Never Falter.and do not fail. If you're off-track.return to the fight NOW. If you tell me you're reengaging.I'm good with that. V/R Chief Xxxxxxxx /end quote And I like his use of "vector." I don't even get that many vectors on an ILS.

Great story! On the other hand, isn't it very specific, almost to the point of being harmful to future ops?

Seemed like every flight, not mine of course ;) IRC: Incorrect radio call HF: High flare IF: Incomplete flare FTD: Firm touchdown And my favorite EBOR: Excessive Breathing on Radio

This gem was just dropped on us. If your 'stache is out of regs, prostitution will run rampant. It's good to see our focus and priorities are in line with why we're out here: "Before I get into the immediate 1-meter Targets listed below, I’d like to describe a theory intended to illustrate WHY you’ll be seeing increased attention being given to uniform/grooming standards here at ASAB. This theory, developed by a couple of political scientists named Wilson and Keating, was given tons of air-time by Mayor Rudy Giuliani when he began a crusade against crime in NYC. When the Mayor began his campaign he was met with all kinds of resistance from dissidents expressing reasons why the plan wouldn’t work…. After-all, NYC was considered the crime-capital of the US at the time. Using the philosophical perspectives behind the “broken windows theory”, Rudy G. was able to reverse-engineer MANY of the inner-city woes back to a common reference point or “starting line”. That turning point began as broken windows or graffiti started appearing in a neighborhood… relatively inconsequential things when paired against gang-violence, drug offenses and murder. To span that gap, the theory suggested that broken windows and graffiti told the people living in the neighborhood that small things like appearance, pride, and enforcing low-end standards didn’t matter. Before too long, more broken windows and graffiti would spread-out from these original epicenters and eventually turn parts of the city into war-zones…and establish new thresholds for what the local population considered normal or allowable. It was like an “Apathy Bomb” that had fallout raining on everyone. Prostitution, panhandling, drug-deals, and robbery became the norms in most run-down places because the root cause (apathy) was the flavor of the month/year/decade etc. The first step Rudy needed to take was to hit the root cause…the outward displays of broken rules and the other physical manifestations of apathy. Within a few years, this enforcement of a new baseline would revive NYC, instill pride, and earn it the reputation as one of the safest cities in America. In NYC today…the broken windows are fixed immediately & the law-breakers are targeted with vigor. So, why does that matter here? Because there are quite a few broken windows that we’re going to start fixing – beginning with Uniform & Grooming standards. If you’re a broken window, there’ll be a few people doing maintenance on you. That way the threshold will be clear. Target 1. Grooming standards apply in the PTU. That means males will be clean-shaven in public…unless on a shaving waiver. Shaving waivers will be carried by those on waiver…in every uniform. It needs to be current or you are out of our uniform standards. In addition… If you look like you’re on day two of a shaving hiatus…expect to be addressed. Yes, I realize that some will get beard growth faster than others…but I don’t expect to be confronted by Grizzly Adams out on the street or in the DFAC. BOTTOM LINE HERE: YOUR military image should be personal, like the reflection in your mirror. When you step into public view it becomes the military image of ASAB…and I’m not down with an inappropriate image being reflected against the rest of us. Target 2. Mustaches. If you wear one, it will be worn properly. Tom Selleck’s, Pancho Villa’s and Robin Old’s mustaches do not meet the AF standard. Period. For ease in reference, I’ve included a picture for those of you who may be visual learners. If you’re approached by me or someone else scoping-out your ‘stache…it may be because you’re pretty close to the vertical line. It’s not personal…just 100% professional. If anything, I hope everyone takes a look in a mirror at least once during the day for a vector-check on ALL standards. NOTE: Some folks may actually think that purposefully wearing a mustache “out of regs” is cool. Think again, since your example is far from cool & the people in your leadership chain might start questioning your commitment to other standards. Mustache wear STANDARD: AFI 36-2903 Excerpt: para 3.1.2.2. Mustaches. Male Airmen may have mustaches; however they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and will not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from both corners of the mouth. See ATTACHMENT, to reference points B, C, and D. BOTTOM LINE HERE: Everyone who converses with you in a business or personal capacity will immediately see your lack of regard for the standards..it will be as plain as the nose on your face (or what’s under it). Target 3. Untucked shirts or rolled-sleeves in the PTU: I’ve heard every excuse in the book…but have also seen some validated issues. If the shirt is tucked into the shorts PROPERLY (not “bloused” over the waist-band) and the shorts drawstring is cinched-up (not left baggy like MC-Hammer pants from the 90’s)…you can probably run like a scalded cheetah and it isn’t coming out. I’ve actually tested the theory on folks before…and they’d probably collapse from exhaustion before the shirt popped out. If it does, you are part of the 1% that has a longer torso than the shirts were made to support. If it comes out…tuck it back in immediately and you’ll be fine. There isn’t a 3-step or 30-second rule in effect. Do it as soon as you can. BOTTOM LINE HERE: I don’t care what you think about the standards…they are still the standard, so keep you out of it. If I had the option, I’d do a lot of things differently….but I don’t. Target 4. Rolled sleeves in the DFDU: Easy to spot since everyone else across the AOR can’t push their uniform sleeves up (and most folks know that requirement). DFDU “no-roll” sleeve guidance is documented in AFI 36-2903’s at the Air Force, CENTCOM, AFCENT and ASAB levels. Not sure why it’s reiterated in every single level of our uniform standards…but regardless of the “alleged” overkill, it still seems to be an issue. BOTTOM LINE HERE: In much the same way that Aviation checklist discipline is important…uniform standards discipline is also significant…it tells us how to maintain the Human Weapons System. Target 5. Tobacco use in unauthorized areas: Way too much evidence to support a lack of integrity in this area. Cigarette butts thrown near buildings (which probably means folks are smoking right outside the doors). Besides the wanton disregard for other people’s health, the wanton disregard for our shared community spaces also needs to be addressed. I cannot begin to tell you how diametrically opposed I am to having non-smokers clean-up after smokers. So smokers should expect further activity in this realm very soon if self-policing doesn’t work. If the rule-breakers can’t be reigned-in, we’ll possibly be looking at dropping the number of designated tobacco use areas in the B400 areas down to ONE. BOTTOM LINE: Want to get on a recurring cigarette-butt clean-up crew? Break the rules and you’ll probably be in the starting lineup. REQUIREMENT – Help fix these issues…and don’t let our cultural “norms” transform into anything less than full/mandatory compliance. Attack apathy early…and often if necessary. If you need help…elevate to someone who can. BOTTOM LINE: Leaders at all levels need to do two things. Meet the standards personally…and ensure compliance in those who don’t. The broken windows can’t all be fixed by just a select few since this isn’t a spectator sport. Start with you…and work your way out. If someone informs you of a shortfall…be thankful. That person is simply doing their DUTY…and actually cares enough about you to say something. ROCK BOTTOM LINE: Don’t get confused and think that all of the aforementioned things are “Chief Xxxxxxxx’s” requirements. Nope. Those are the result of 74 years of history/heritage. All of those requirements are purposefully stated in AFI’s signed-out by General Officers and by YOUR Wing Commander. They are also enforceable under Articles 92 and 134 of the UCMJ. Make no mistake about it…we simply execute policies, standards and directives…our Commanders create them...and the cycle will continue for the next 74 years - with, or without us. V/R CMSgt X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Wing Command Chief Master Sergeant

That's awesome. Hopefully other squadrons follow suit.

That's also standard at Little Rock. Infact they tried to push wrapping your vest around your backpack because the backpack wasn't reflective. They backed down when we pointed out we can't have any other color backpack in uniform. Booyah. I'd be half tempted to go get a bright pink reflective Hello Kitty pack and put some glitter on it.

Haha, heard about that. Something about a Dyess bird stacking 200' high the whole time and shenanigans with the high speed downwind? /derailment

Saw the actual footage the tower recorded of the mishap. That coupled with the audio track was almost too much. The silence in the room was quite palpable.

Unbelievable. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/09/07/long-island-man-arrested-for-defending-home-with-ak-47/

I believe they're currently on schedule. I just finished PIQ 5 days early. Minimal breaks and wx cancel, but not too bad. Other guys have had a rougher time but they should be done on time. Of course that'll probably change by the time I finish typing this.

C-27 methinks? Though I'd prefer two more engines.

Heard that flightline's getting H2s in the future and yet the sims are to be converted to H1s. Brilliant.

Did somebody say wine?? :D

Here's my contribution to the Herc schoolhouse doc. The updated "Tips" for studs. Enjoy! TIPS 1 Feb 10.pdf

Or, just read a little bit and don't click at all. Best protection is abstinence. Or a really good prophylactic.

All wrong questions, where's the pics????

Preemptive strike anyone? J/K. But seriously, Israel had the right idea IMHO.

I heard the same thing yesterday. A dude does his g-x whilst his knee keys the mike. Then some other dude calls up and says "nice g-x." It made my day.

Well, it's not exactly a joke. I happen to know a stud was stood up at the SOF desk and had to respond when asked why he was there: "Because I don't know how to say sir, sir." In a completely unrelated topic, I like how we (studs) say sir, and I can't count how many times I've been called "dude." That fosters the perfect environment.

Hmmm...interesting. I haven't heard that rumor. I'll have to ask the guys back at the 36th if that's true.

I actually have that exact patch from a friend who graduated in that class.