brabus

As AFwife said, you should be able to find a no interest for a year type deal. I got the ring at Zales w/ a 1 yr no interest, then you just pay off the ring w/ 12 monthly payments, zero interest. Any major place like Zales or Kays WILL have something like this w/in the time frame you want to buy. If they don't, ask them when they will. If they say it'll be a while, tell them you've got a while. They want to make a G or two, so they'll be willing (although probably not up front) to give you a zero interest thing. You'll probably need to get a Zales card, but that's not a big deal, since you obviously won't use it for other purchases.

I have a pretty good feeling that the second you get into the air and fly the T-6 for the first time, you're going to regret not trying for pilot. It'll probably be one of the coolest things you've done in your life, to realize you're getting paid to do it, and then 6 rides later it's taken from you. I don't see how that couldn't affect you. I agree that being a WSO in a strike eagle is an awesome job and much better than any other non-rated job, but like others have said here before, regardless of what you fly, you'll love it (majority speaking)...and in most of our opinions, flying anything is better than being in the backseat of anything, regardless if it's a strike eagle. You say you want to command, well go for pilot, become an aircraft commander...sounds like it's right up your alley. As Hoser said, you fail 100% at the things you don't try.

Ha, nice list wombat. That about sums it up. Man that last one must have been pretty damn awkward. The area thing seems to be IP-dependent. I've heard of a couple studs getting away w/ a slight area bust, but I've heard from most IPs that there's no tolerance for that, so guess it's just the couple "easy" IPs that decide not to hook you for that.

What sweet days those were...damn the market.

That's the easy solution right there. You can get 6 GB USB thumb drives for 30 bucks, should be enough space to hold raw HUD videos.

What kind of video out do the tape players have? It's gotta plug into a TV, so I would assume RCA/S-video cable? If that's the case, you could just plug it in to a DVD/VHS recorder. But, that all depends on the output.

Tell your cadre what happened and that you were in YOUR room and your roommate, not you, was drinking a beer...he got caught and you got a citation or whatever. It shouldn't be a big deal. They should know that though you "shouldn't" be going to parties w/ alcohol and what not, it's not like you can just stay away from your own "home." That's two different things IMO. What do they expect you to do, go sleep out on the lawn? But, if you choose not to tell them and somehow this gets out several months down the road, you could be really screwed, b/c then they'll wonder what you're hiding, if you really were drinking, etc. If you tell them now rather then them finding out later down the road, it will look much better on you and they'll be much more understanding of your position. That's just my opinion though...there's probably a descent possibility they'd never find out, but your taking a chance that they do.

True words Rainman...maybe I was just too tired when I wrote that, or just one of those nights where I wasn't thinking. Shit, he could've been a recruiter for all I know and that's why he was wearing his uniform. Either way, I stand corrected...next time I'll just ask the guy and have a drink.

Alright, so what I said came off a little wrong. You and Stiffler are correct...he deserves a lot of respect for what he does/has done. I'm not arguing against that. I'm not saying I'm better than him...he's most likely done far more than I have (I only assumed he had been to Iraq b/c he had more ribbons and shit then I would expect a guy out of basic to have). I'm sure he's a good guy and obviously a great American. However, none of that makes me change my mind that putting on your "most dressed up" uniform solely to go out to a club at 130-300 is a "cool idea." I just think a bar/club in THIS situation is not the right place to be putting on your dress uniform. Stopping for beer after work, no problem. Going to something formal and you want to wear your dress uniform instead of a suit/tux, that's totally fine. Throwing on your dress uniform to go to a college bar/club...gay. It doesn't change the fact that he's probably done a lot of good things for this country, but that doesn't mean he's superman and doesn't do something retarded on occasion. Everyone's entitled to low SA situations...the post was more of just wondering how much others have seen this type of thing.

He was a 2 stripe...whatever that is in the marines. So yeah younger, but he had enough ribbons and shit that I'm pretty sure he was further than just out of basic. He just didn't have that "new guy" look. Seemed like maybe he's been in 1.5 yrs, went and did 6 months in Iraq and now is billy badass. At least that's my guess. Either way, what a tool.

Verizon was actually a huge PITA for me...they fought tooth and nail for about 6-9 calls before finally giving in. And even then still sent me a 300 bucks cancellation statement in the mail, leading to another 2 calls to get it fixed. But yes, cellphone companies HAVE TO let you out of your service contract if you can't get service in your new area...and that's a general law, applicable to everyone, not just military. It's also a law that they have to release your phone number...i.e. if you switch services and want to keep your verizon number but on a Tmobile account. It's called "porting," so bring that up if/when this situation comes up.

I saw a marine in his dress choker black uniform (think they call them blues) at a bar/club last night in Texas. Obviously he thought it was a cool idea to go out to a bar in his dress uniform...b/c the chick he was with was just wearing jeans, so it's not like they came from something formal. And he obviously didn't just get off work or something. This was also at 130 am. WTFO on that one.

Hardly ever. 99% of those guys are from another MWS who then transfered into the B-2. I think there's been 1 B-2 dropped in the last few years. It's kinda like the U-2...they don't drop them, you gotta get into the gig through application/whatever else.

Same goes for the 38s here at Vance...forgot to mention that.

According to a T-1 IP I know here at Vance, they do a team sortie in the sense that two studs do go by themselves, but they're part of a "train" of jets taking off where the first jet has 2 IPs, then the next 4 have studs, then the last one has 2 IPs...and they all go to the same place. So it would be cooler to just go some place completely by yourself, but at least they still have rides where there's no IP in the jet with you.

Herk has a really good point. You don't have to say shit about this to them. As long as you don't give them ammo, they don't have proof of it...and gossipy douche bags aren't proof. It's hard to say "I don't want to talk about my personal life outside of ROTC" or something like that to your CC, but you are completely within your rights to do so. It won't get to the reading your rights stage...no way, they don't have anything on you for busting any AFIs. And even if they did it anyways, it'd pretty much be harassment...and I doubt they want to ruin their career over who you are or aren't dating.

Man I love Hazed and Infused...too bad that's just another great beer on a list of thousands NOT sold in Oklahoma. The Mormons might as well take over this state.

That's an incredibly lame excuse at best. Cadets are FAR more civilians than they are military. Sure you contract and say you'll be going to basic if you fvck up for whatever reason, but are you getting any military benefits...i.e. health, BAH, BAS, etc? No. Are you getting E-2 (or whatever) pay? No. Sure you get a cool ID card and can get on base and use the Class Six, but that's it. IMO, that does not make you the same as an "actual" enlisted person, whether AD or guard. They are cadets, NOT A1Cs. There's a reason they're called cadets, put their "rank" on all the paperwork as "cadet", etc. That's bullshit and you should call them on it if it really progresses.

I personally hate those issued flight boots. The majority of studs wear them, but they feel like you're walking on cement...and I hate having to deal w/ inserts. So I bought some of the bellevilles (http://www.copshoes.com/p-BEL700.html). They're pretty darn comfortable and worth the money. Mine have held up great to all the abuse. But, if you don't want to spend the cash, just deal w/ the issued ones. You may not mind them.

There is no fvcking way they can just ship someone off to basic for doing something they didn't like that wasn't against the rules. I don't care how much your cadre disapproves of dating an officer or whatever, they cannot just ship you off to basic b/c of their disagreement. They can give you a shitty rating, but as long as you do nothing directly against the rules, they can't do shit else.

How retarded...but not surprising I guess. Can't people just keep this shit on the DL until comissioned? I knew a few people back in ROTC who most of us didn't even have a clue that they were dating until like 7 months down the road. Play that way and you'll pass Go.

Who cares...as far as ROTC cadets, they're still civilians. They're not under UCMJ. So there's absolutely no policy, reg, etc. that says even a Col can't marry a cadet. Bad form, yeah...but illegal/against regs, nope. Don't worry about LT to cadet marriage, there's nothing against it.

I think it really depends on your leadership. Some will let you take a bunch, others won't let you take any. My guess would be they'd probably let you take about 15 max. Even though you'll earn it back + some during UPT, they probably want to make sure you still have a little extra in case something comes up. I just wouldn't count on any more than that.

Get it all out of your system before UPT. Once started, the most I would do is go ride at a close lake (i.e. within 2-3 hrs max) on a Saturday when it's nice. Leaving Fri after work and coming back Sun night is going to screw you most likely. 99% of Sundays, you should be studying by early afternoon. 99% of weekends you will not be able to afford taking an entire weekend to go do something. If it was a 3 day weekend, then going Fri night-Sun night would be fine, you'd just do your studying on Mon. Aside from the time management portion, you have to think about injury. Skydiving is just slightly beneath flying in my book. I love to do it. Guess what, I haven't jumped since a month before starting UPT. No matter how much I love to do it, the risk of injury is NOT worth becoming a finance officer (as Boxhead said). Casual riding during UPT like I mentioned above is fine, but I can only assume competitive racing adds a danger level that is too high to risk your wings on. I know even racing is probably pretty safe...shit, I know skydiving is pretty darn safe. So I'm not being a safety first geek, but you just got prioritize. I fully plan on taking skydiving back up as much as possible after I get my wings and start finding the time (not for a while I'm sure), but until then, my flying career is much more important. Just my opinion.

My old boss (pilot) was hit by a car last year at some point and did not lose conciousness, but suffered a concusion and lost his sense of taste/smell (apparnetly it was coming back, just slowly). Either way, according to him, any head injury (and I assume ESPECIALLY one that required surgery) is an auto 5 yr DNIF. He said that after 2 yrs they would be willing to give him an exam at Brooks and then return to flying status if all that checked out good. So, basically it sounds like 2 yrs in the min the AF will let you off DNIF after a serious head injury. I know the docs here can give better info, but at least based on what happened to this dude, sounds like you're SOL for 2 yrs until you can get to Brooks for a check.