Agree homestar, but then again, what is the promotion rate to Maj without a masters? On the surface, this actually sounds like a "good deal" (still super retarded to have to do it, but sometimes you gotta play) in the fact you can knock out both masters and PME at the same time instead of getting a full masters as a Capt, and then having to do the full ACSC as a Maj. Am I missing anything?

I received my captain rank with my multicam uniform but the its brown, like you would expect for a 2Lt or Major. Does anyone know if this is correct or should it be black? I searched but could not find an AF uniform policy for multicams anywhere.

I saw a dude the other day wearing that uniform and his capt rank was brown. So, guessing that is correct...based off my sample size of two anyways.

Anyone else see a contradiction here...?

No, I specifically referenced the "BMW dude" if you will. I also clearly stated I know that doesn't apply to everyone. Call me an asshole, but I am not a supporter of handouts, and my opinion doesn't change just because you're in the military. My argument was you already get extra money for having dependents, so why do SOME people expect even more? Again, for those who have a difficult time reading, I fully understand there are plenty of good people in the military who need some help and are not like d-bag, generic "BMW guy."

It seems like 99% of the problems in the SNCO corps are non-maintainers.

Damn straight, fucking nonners (that's for the CC working his ass off on the line).

I've already completed form 8 events on a form 8 check evaluated by an FE and last I checked an EP does not void a checkride. Shouldn't I just have to get the patterns

It's completely their choice. Yes, you could just go fly the two patterns, land and call it good. There is not a requirement to re-fly already graded items, but items that will be flown anyways (takeoff, departure, etc) are all fair game...you just don't have to do another ILS for example if you already knocked that out prior to the EP. You also could go fly a completely different mission and just add the patterns at the end, but once again, the entire ride is fair game technically, but that doesn't mean the EP must grade you on already graded items, it just means he has the option (so just because you flew a great departure last time doesn't mean you won't get a downgrade for a heinous departure flown this time).

Having a kid in order to get more money is like getting married to get more pussy...ain't gonna happen.

Well said!

I guess I just had my shit together before we decided to have kids

And that's what it's all about. Doesn't matter if you're an A1C or a Capt...you can get your shit together and make it work within your personal financial means.

Do you have kids, man?

Don't get me wrong, I'm doing fine, and I was doing fine before we expanded our family, but it ain't that much more money.... And childcare ain't cheap. Just saying.

Yep...I'm aware of the costs. I definitely am a supporter of the "with dependents" additions because we do need that extra money. I guess I came off more callous than I intended...I just don't like seeing my money (or anyone elses for that matter) taken to pay for someone else who can't afford child care, but drives a BMW (seen it). I know that's not representative of everyone out there needing CDC stuff, but regardless of rank, members should be able to make it work with smart financial decisions...and that does include not having 5 kids when you're only an A1C. Like everything I suppose it depends and there are truly good people out there who need some help, I just wish there was a good way to sort between them and BMW dude.

No, I was saying financing their childcare period is crap. They get extra money for having children through things like COLA, BAH/OHA, BAS, etc. That extra money should be used wisely to pay for dependent related costs...that's the whole point of "with dependents" additions.

One wonders if we could meet the childcare requirement more cheaply by just adding a "basic allowance for children" to the paycheck and closing the CDC

We already give higher BAH, COLA, etc. for "with dependents." People can choose to use that extra money wisely or they can get a bigger house they don't need. Either way, there's enough of that already and we don't need any more extras. People just need to be responsible.

My point is if you CHOOSE to have kids

It's not always a choice dude. Not saying there's not some merit to what you said based on SOME people, but your statement does not apply to everyone with kids.

Spent way too much time in AETC, absolutely zero SA and mission awareness. No real world experiance.

Secondary problem: He's a comm guy, aka a member of the second most worthless and under-performing career field I've ever seen (right behind Finance). Always a battle...thanks Comm.

I'm not saying come off the schedule to do this.

Listening to both sets of comm and listening to the real time Two Bears pairings and shot eval at zero kts and 1G will give you SA you will never get flying in a vul or sitting through the debrief shot eval. It will improve your ability to build a mind's eye picture on your next sortie 10x.

Agreed. I went and watched during my first RF and it was a great learning experience. Definitely wouldn't get off the schedule to do it, but nobody flies every single day...there's going to be at least one day you can watch the vul over the RTO's shoulder. Definitely recommend it.

I've had better luck just going to off base liquor stores. Hell, even the selection in Japan off base is pretty decent, and far better than the class 6. I bet you can find the scotch your looking for off base.

Sounds good Dupe, let me know when you're ready to ship one out and I'll get you money/my address.

Standby - I only have experience with the ones that connect to a mask, but I would guess the "ear part" is the same. I like them a lot and think the clarity and volume is much better than using foamies, but I don't know how it compares to a nice Bose headset, etc. Mine are pretty comfortable, but some guys hate theirs based on comfort...however, it seems to be a bad poor is to blame. I know many guys who had molds re-poored and haven't had any problems with the 2nd set.

Hmmm, must have gone down in price. Either way, personally I'm unwilling to pay even $150 for headphones used outside the jet. But, if I can get a simple converter for way less, then hell yes I'd love to use my acces for working out, etc.

Dupe, I'd love to get some kind of patch cord for acces. Any idea on price/timeline? Either way, sign me up. I'll make sure to show it around/let bros borrow it at work to get the word out.

If your unit has already tx'd, you're not out of luck. Westone keeps all molds for 5 years; call them up--it's prob way cheaper to get a set of headphones with a ready mold

According to my last flt doc, it costs approx $400 for them to make the acces 3.5 mm version. So completely not worth it IMO and a simple 3.5 mm converter for the "normal" acces cable would definitely be the way to go (as in what Dupe is talking about).

A bird for the squadron? WTF. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to make the "dumbest move" dude have to wear something, keep something embarrassing with them while in the squadron through the duration of the "award", fly with a specific callsign, etc. But seriously, a bird is just retarded and pretty sure everyone would shoot that idea down in a second. No way in hell some damn bird is coming into my house.

You won't remember what the big deal was two weeks into your first deployment. Two months into said deployment, you'll stay on the boom while using a piddle-pack.

2. I think the point where you realize you've finally got it is when you and the boomer are showing porn back and forth while bullshitting...wait that's unprofessional...yeah, that never happens...nevermind,nothing to see here.

Why the hell does AR need to be at UPT? It's been learned in B-Course "since the beginning of time" and produces the required result. And for all the new guys who suck at AR and fall off the boom 6-9 times, I can almost guarantee a couple hook ups (sts) during UPT is not going to change the overall result. IMO, it's a complete waste of time, money and other resources.

At least "back in the day" you still had to get a nomination, but it may possibly be from a "different pot" than the nominations for HS students. It definitely is more than just a DET/CC recommendation. But, I saw a couple dudes do that when I was in ROTC and it seemed a good year in ROTC set them up for the Academy (they both got in). You probably should contact your congressman and find out from that end how the nomination process works (or if it even is any different for you). Nothing wrong with wanting to go to the Academy, but you are just going to prolong the time to get on AD, get to the job you want to do, etc. and in the end, no one could give a rat's ass where you went to school. So, if it's some personal goal that you must do, then that's OK, just realize it's not going to get you anywhere more special and in the end you just took an extra year of school, bullshit reindeer games as a cadet, etc. But up to you...good luck.

Did it get a CCIP yet?

Why would it...useless. So is a gun or any kind of decent rearward visibility. This is the 21st century and the need for any of those will never come up again...ever.

Correct and a useless discussion to have on this site at this level. Look at the surface and I can see why some would question the need, look behind the curtains and it is blatantly obvious. Out.

Exactly...and I had no intention of going any further than my post.

As for LO, he said that the marines will treat the JSF just like a Hornet and it will be beat to shit in no time with lots of stuff hanging external.

There's A LOT more to to the JSF than just LO. That seems to be the only point people are focusing on. The abilities it brings in other areas is also extremely important and relevant to all parties involved.

Great, the fucking assclown shoes win another one. I hope leadership will just say fuck it and let us do what's been done forever, as well as has zero negative impact on the mission, "professional image" or any other BS excuses the shoes came up with to pass this bullshit. Here's to hoping anyways.

How about the epic fail of the 10,000nm screwdriver where there are a couple hundred seats and every single person is a 0kts and 1G at 69 degrees with a hot cuppa joe and a donut?

That's always a fun one.

I'll also add that I've yet to see a single seat aircraft as capable as a multiseat aircraft. There is simply too much going on for one person to keep track; I've witnessed so many epic fails of dudes with one seat and one sensor and 1-3 radios thinking he can manage more than he can, or, whats worse, thinking what he has access to is the only piece that matters and needs managing.

And I've witnessed many epic fails of aircraft with more than one seat. I've also witnessed single seat aircraft do a far better job. More than one dude in the jet does not always equal more SA or ability...I've seen quite the opposite. And yes I've seen 2+ seat aircraft do awesome work. Yes, I've seen single seat aircraft fuck it away. None of us have a perfect sortie and sometimes you have a really shitty one. So no, I'm not shitting on aircraft w/ more than 1 seat or the dudes who fly them, but your one-sided statement is pretty ridiculous.