schokie

You can do that, but you need gaining CC approval. I've done that before as well. No paperwork required, the leave gets taken when you file your voucher. But I did have to get approval from my new SQ/CC before I showed up late. When you signed your RIP you should have put down if you were taking leave en-route. If you change your mind later, see if your local MPF can change it for you. But do NOT just show up after your RNLTD unless your new SQ says it's ok.

My squadron wasn't going to pay for a rental car, so I drove my own POV there. A 12 hour one-way trip turned into $850 in my pocket. I spent much less than that in gas, plus I had my car there. However, I didn't use it much during SOS. Almost everyone else in my flight had a rental/POV, so there was no shortage of transportation for lunch/dinner/booze pushes. I found out several months in advance of my SOS sentence as well. I guess that's the advantage of being a CGO in an AETC squadron. There wasn't much competition, so SQ leadership was able to plan out the SOS slots well in advance.

I'm sure it's worthwhile to folks who are often TDY to multiple locations in one trip. However, since I'm almost always simply TDY to one location and back, defensetravel.dod.mil provides all the gouge I need, and for the right price! I'm just not your target audience, sorry. It does look promising though. I appreciate folks that are turning out apps specific for the military crowd.

App store shows $2.99. I didn't download it. Sounds like a good idea, but I don't have crazy AMC style TDY's that require a spreadsheet. For 3 bucks I can just calc it myself.

Just a quick reminder that the TMO lady doesn't work for Finance and isn't the one that approves your Voucher payment. So who cares what she says. I've had similar issues with folks at SATO during an overseas PCS. They can say whatever they want, but all that matters is what's on your orders and what Finance agrees to pay you.

Keep in mind that's just a list of AFSCs that a particular unit is authorized. Even if it's listed as not filled it doesn't mean that AFPC is looking to fill it during the next or really any VML.

To the WFFFFR him, him

Head? Who said head? I'll take some of that, and I did, and it was good, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land. And then we f*cked, for hours and hours, uprooting trees, bushes, and flowers, like vikings, with horns on our heads. Head? Who said head? I'll take some of that, and I did, and it was good, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land. And then we f*cked, for hours and hours, uprooting trees, bushes, and flowers, like vikings, with horns on our heads. Head? Who said head? I'll take some of that, and I did, and it was good...

Here's a link to a good discussion on +P in the XD45: XDTalk - .45 ACP +P in the XD

Congrats on the XD. I'm still experimenting with the holster. The one that comes with the gun is ok for the range, but not for everyday. I still haven't found one I like. If you're looking for CC it's tough to find one that works for the full size service XD. I load mine up with Speer Gold Dot 200gr HP +P. The XD loves the +P loads. I'd prefer the 230gr, but Speer doesn't offer that in a +P. Honestly though, any recent offering of premium self defense ammo will work just fine. The particular flavor is just technique.

You don't own a gun?!? What's your excuse? And you call yourself an American...

The 10% rule always applies. If it didn't this thread would be boring.

Better quality ammo is what got me interested. I learned reloading from my dad who's been doing it for 20+ years. I started for myself when this ammo craze first kicked off. I don't really save money reloading. I have more ammo for less money, so I shoot so much more that my savings are a wash. The real advantage I've found is that I can enjoy this hobby even when I'm not at the range. Reloading has forced an appreciated increase in my knowledge of firearms. I have almost as much fun tinkering with guns and ammo in my garage as I do shooting at the range. Components are sometimes hard to find, primers in particular. But I keep my eye out for them and stock up when I can. So far I've had plenty to keep up with my demand. M2, I know I live on the other side of town from you, but you're welcome to my reloading setup if you can acquire .455 dies. I've already got the .45 ACP dies along with a load that works great in my XD-45.

I didn't know it was in town! I was actually at Lackland this morning, but wasn't near the flightline, so I didn't notice. Now I'm bummed I didn't check it out. I suppose that's what I get for not paying attention.

Interesting article Fox News just put out: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/...number-claimed/

I tried Skype from my B-hut at Bagram in '07 with limited sucess. I could make a connection, but the quality was horrible, bordering on unusable. The problem was the internet connection the locals offer blows. The bandwidth is extremely limited. However, other people a few B-huts over were able to use Skype with no problems. I don't know if the internet connection is any better now, but it's worth a try. I would have a backup plan though. The Rosan cell network's not bad. I used a GSM phone to text at about $1/text. That got a bit pricey, but sometimes that was better than waiting for an hour at the MWR tent to use a morale phone for 15 mins. I didn't look into int'l plans though, not sure if Rosan has any agreements with other networks.

Concur with "When Thunder Rolled". I thought someone had uploaded that chapter in a thread a while back, but I can't seem to find it now. If you'd like I can scan it and email it to you. Or you could just buy the book and read it yourself. There's plenty of other good stories in it too.

I don't know of a book specifically about him, but Fast Movers by Sherwood (mentioned towards the beginning of this thread) has a significant portion of the book about him.

Of the entire 4 months of EWO school, manual ELINT comprises about 2 weeks. EWO school is much more than beeps and squeaks. You will know 3-1vol 2 inside and out from day 1 in your ops squadron. You will learn threat reactions, jamming, weaponeering, and HARM targeting. Will EWO school help you with ACM, 4-ship AOR targeting, or GBU-12 employment? No, it will not. Will it make you a more well-rounded aviator who knows their own systems better, other aircraft capes, and enemy capabilities and tactics? Yes, it will. Much of the bad gouge regarding EW in the Strike Eagle community is because few people know what goes on at EWO school or how to use an EWO properly. All the EWOs we've had we either crusty old EF-111 guys or brand new Lts with no operational experience who just so happened to have gone through Randolph. The recent influx of the Ops to EWO to Ops folks has shown some promise. They are starting to be put in shops and given opportunities for the community to take advantage of their knowledge. There are bad deals out there no matter what platform or AFSC. EWOs got a bad rap in the Strike Eagle for this because there were so few of them. If a bad deal came up, and you were the only EWO in the squadron, guess who got it? Now that most squadrons have more EWOs there is a strength in numbers. Also, remember one person's bad deal is another person's game changer. We can't all be Weapons School grads or Ops to Ops folks. Being an EWO gives you options. The AF will always need EWOs. I agree that the Prowler community is not best served by getting inexperienced AF bubbas. You joined the AF, so why do you want to fly with the Navy instead? I've learned a lot from working with guys who did the Prowler exchange, but they all already had operational experience first. The Prowler is an underpowered aircraft when it comes to engines and turn performance, but not when it comes to EW. However, it is going away soon and that exchange might not be available in a few years. FECOC is watered down EW. There is nothing to be learned there that you can't learn at EWO school. It's more for F-16 and F-15C guys who are going to be wing ECOs.

I used USAA's Mover's Advantage program when I PCSed a year ago. Like drewpy said, it's kind of hit or miss. The first realtor I was assigned was horrible. He never returned my calls and the only contact I had with him was a listing of his high end houses I received in the mail. I called USAA and asked for another one. The second realtor was great. After I closed on my house her agency cut me a check for a portion of the Mover's Advantage. You do not have to use USAA for your mortgage to take advantage of this. You just have to be a USAA member. I got a mortgage qualifying letter from USAA, but once I shopped around a bit I actually found better rates elsewhere. USAA's weren't bad, but they weren't the best. I've also heard that they're not competitive at all on homeowner's insurance rates.

$435 is a fair price, but it depends on how much you want the case and holster. I'm not a big fan of the holster, but I did get my XD45 brand new with case, 2 mags, holster, double mag pouch, and speedloader for $480 back in June at a local gunshow. My wife has small hands as well and does not like my XD45. The double stack mag make for an odd grip for her. But then again, she doesn't seem to like anything with a grip safety. However, she loves my Sig 229. She even refers to it as *her* gun. I think you're got a shot at being the first one to make M2 pause to recommend the XD. Deciding between it and a 1911 is tough.

I know of two guys from my last squadron that went there to be glider IPs. One was a junior Capt, 4FL type. He went there about 3 years ago. The other was a mid-level major IP who just left for this assignment. I'm not sure what sort of connections either one had to use to get the assignment. If you're interested I can ask them for more info.

You are correct. I should have said the last class to finish in FY10 will be at Randolph. All classes finishing in FY11 should be starting in Pcola. I really need to learn to think before I type. I agree with others here that the Col could be referring to IFS, but not UNT. Everyone else that has shown up with previous civilian hours has still had to complete the entire UNT syllabus, regardless of how many they had. I wouldn't place much stock in what your ROTC instructor says about the current state of Nav training. When I graduated 6 years ago my PAS seemed to be under the impression that that everyone going to Pcola got Strike Eagles. I guess he'd never heard of the B-1.

All Nav students starting training now until the end of FY10 will be going to Randolph. That is current as of now. If it changes at all I expect it to slide to the right. Last I heard we're still on track to have the first class of FY11 start at Pcola.

Agreed. I usually frequent Bracken range since it's quite close to my house, though it's always busy and doesn't allow rapid firing. The few times I've been to the Bullethole I had a whole bay to myself and could do whatever I wanted (double taps, shooting on the move, etc). I just don't feel like driving that far every time I want to shoot. Please PM if you go. I've been looking for an excuse to hit up the range.