God I hope the other MAJCOMs follow suit.

I see your point Sir, but that's the way it goes sometimes I guess

I submit the way its going is not where you want to go. I can appreciate your desire to do what you can to secure your dream, but you are in fact, doing it wrong and subsequently will probably not achieve your dream. Relax and stop sacrificing some good things in life because you think it will get you ahead, foot in the door, etc (it won't). I think it was Buddy Spike who said 69% of getting yourself that dream job is just being a good dude (and that also means being yourself, not pretending to be someone you think they want), showing a bit of aptitude and knowing when to STFU. All of that does not even remotely require you to burn through your bank account (buying a glider for example), give up on "the fun job," dump the girlfriend, etc.

You seem like the guy who will role into an interview trying to be someone you think the dudes want to see, talking about aerobatic glider flying and how you gave up all this great shit because flying means more than your own mother. If you just shitcan that approach, be 100% yourself and most of all, be humble, you'll have a FAR better chance of getting hired. You're not going to impress anyone with the approach you seem to be taking. You will impress people by being a genuine, good dude who's actions and words speak to that.

Lastly, flying anything can help you in UPT, albeit usually only slightly. Fly because you want to have fun, learn something new, etc. Don't get wrapped around the axle about instrument vs. aerobatics vs. tailwheel rating, etc. None are going to give you a magical advantage over the others when it comes to prepping for UPT. If you really want to drop 15K on a glider, go for it, but DO NOT do it because of some idea it will help you get a guard job or help you get DG at UPT - do it because you really have a passion for it (side note: probably want to figure out if you actually have a passion before buying your own aircraft...technique only).

That's my candid, no bullshit response to what I've read here. Take it as you may, but realize while there are some sarcastic responses on here, there are several legitimate responses from experienced flyers. I suggest you take that into account before continuing down the "LOL, fuck it, this is the way it goes" road.

Someone willing to hold a grudge for 17 years would certainly be willing to rifle through a few desk drawers and/or the squadron bar.

You're probably right. I wish I could say I hope big AF sees through this bullshit and deals with the big stuff and doesn't crush all the little stuff, but I can't say that...because I don't have that hope. Like Rainman said, who would have thought it'd be some 1CO that brought it all down.

I wonder that myself. In the few squadrons I've been in, the only possible way a 1CO could find something is if they went looking through desk drawers or went into the dude's shitter. Either is wrong, so it should at the minimum cancel out. I find it very hard to believe someone just left a songbook sitting on the ops desk. This "superstar" went looking for anything to discredit others and build her case.

Just feel out (sts) your new squadron and see what the general consensus is. I think most squadrons are CMR with few minor deviations. Definitely go with Pops or Mr. Lims if you happen to be in Korea.

Yep, I'm sure there's no half-truths or embellishments in that thing.

Just read the official complaint...unbelievable. I have a bad feeling this is going to negatively impact squadrons in a HUGE manner. Hell, even the full lyrics to S&M Man were in the complaint. My one question is, how in the hell did she get her hands on songbooks, "wingmen guides," etc. Suggest everyone cleans out their space at work and puts stuff in a truly safe place, not under a sheet of paper in your desk drawer. And don't assume the 1CO's, AFE, etc. are "cool" because they haven't complained, I think that is a big part of what bit the community in the ass. Shit's about to hit the fan.

Edit: Here's the link to the complaint if anyone wants to read/scan it: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fprotectourdefenders.com%2Fdownloads%2FFINAL_SMITH_ADMIN_COMPLAINT.pdf&ei=9gWpULzELIii8gSq64DYDQ&usg=AFQjCNGUSns0zCM7djg9wt3-Gzz7PWP4Kw&cad=rja

ROFL

2. I don't know why, but that shit is hilarious...maybe because I've had a few glasses of scotch.

Why would you want to cater to a bunch of dudes with secure jobs, a love of technical things, and disposable income?

Good point...probably the worst demographic to target. At least I'm convinced that's Breitling's viewpoint.

Breitling is taking over a year for delivery; sounds like the luxury watch industry as a whole is not too concerned with timely fulfillment of LE/custom orders.

“They can’t deal with women in fighter squadrons,” Sergeant Smith said.

What a joke. We have 3 chick fighter pilots and another inbound and nobody could give a rat's ass. The only thing that matters is if they can perform in the jet and are good "bros." I don't know what her personal story truly entails, but sweeping generalizations like this are way out of line.

There's no documentation of you not being a complete retard. If you weren't dumber than shit, there would clearly be open source confirmation of that fact. Please provide proof with source.

The sniper has some awesome A/A capes, hence C-model interest.

You DO know there are such things as airplanes capable of operating in conditions other than day VMC without declaring an emergency, right?

Seriously, what's with all these broken sarcasm detectors lately!

Haven't we had this talk before?

Check your sarcasm detector. Figured that one was a softball, guess not.

Caveat: Not a fucking NAV...

I would do absolutely nothing to prepare...it's easy.

I know you guys had to have Notes, Warnings, and Cautions and EP's down verbatim and recite them in front of classmates. You won't have to do that in UPT

I remember doing exactly that in UPT...only for the first month or so in Phase II, but still. Did they do away with that?

Caveat: Even if they still do this, I don't recommend even looking at that shit prior...memorizing words with little real understanding/meaning behind them has little utility.

I no bullshit saw flights doing formation runs (with guidon) on their own time, but no, they don't have any "official" drill stuff.

You can't be serious...

Thanks for all the info dudes. I hadn't thought of Columbus, but I'm assuming the AF has found a way to make the process painful...not true? Sounds like AL is pretty loose on painful hunting regulations...can't wait.

Found out I'll be at Maxwell through deer season. Does anyone have any good info for non-resident white tail and possibly hog hunting in AL? I'm down for driving anywhere in the state on the weekends. I'm not much for outfitters (don't desire to pay $1400 for a white tail hunt), but if that's the only realistic way to hunt I am not against it, assuming I can find something reasonably affordable. I appreciate the help any of you can lend.

Also, if anyone else here is going to be in AL for the first month of the early gun season, let me know if you want to put a trip or two together.

Don't know what the syllabus looks like now, but several years ago there were definitely some small differences...neither good or bad. Like I said, no real difference in the product.

AD vs. Guard. There's really no difference in the product. Always heard good things about Kelly and Tucson is a cool city/area, so I'm sure it would not suck to go there. Doesn't seem there's anyway you can go wrong, not that you have a choice.

It's too much airplane, too much inertia, too much risk to squeeze in maneuvers or events you didn't plan and pre-think ahead of time

Sooo, if something changes and requires you to update your gameplan, "maneuvers," etc. in the air, you just don't do it since it wasn't "pre-thought"? Are you sure you're not part of an Asian Air Force?

Larry Miller, now that's a badass Indian name.

Maybe things have changed, but I know a lot of Whiting dudes who are easily a year behind their peers, even when including 6 month casual stints for their non-Whiting bros. Not saying Whiting is a bad deal by any means, but it is not unreasonable to consider the timeline effects.