The way I see it, the boots were free, but I paid $149 to never polish again. Well worth it. Plus they are incomparably more comfortable than the shoddy pieces of shit I was issued at UPT. Now that mine are broken in, they're so soft that every step feels like walking on angel tits.

1. Who the fuck ever polished beyond 2 min every 6 months?

2. Green boots are no different than my black boots except for the color/material...comfort is exactly the same.

3. They actually look way worse with all the oil, hydro, etc. stains all over them...I could just wipe that crap off my black boots.

Eh, at least they aren't worse in comfort...I'd be pissed if I couldn't walk on angel tits all day.

On another note, Stranahan's whiskey is delicious. Distillery is in Denver, free tours, and it's connected to a bar with great beer on tap and delicious food.

Agreed. One of my favorites...can't wait to pick up several bottles while on leave soon.

I'm very good at English,Writing, and History, yet average at best when it comes to math and science. I know that the Air Force looks highly upon technical degrees, but I'm not sure if I can pursue one.

Use the search function...all your questions have been answered. But, I'll highlight this specific one...do not be one of the tons of dudes who gets sucked into the false idea they must have a technical degree to be a pilot (unless you want test down the road). Your GPA plays a large role in getting a pilot slot, the type of major you choose matters zero. My advice is pick a major that you will enjoy (and thus inherently do well in), even if it means passing up a specific scholarship in EE, comp sci, etc. There are non-technical scholarships to be had, not to mention several other forms of financial assistance.

Because it's not like UPT where you just spend all your time going between the MOAs and terminal areas

I used out/back to MOA as an example, but grabbing the map out and doing some LATN, or even better a tactical sortie planned low, is far more than that. I remember 3-4 months ago when I came back low VFR from the MOA because I had the gas and why not? I was asked by the WG, "how'd you find that lake without a steerpoint?" Uhhh, I looked at the map and out the window.

Bottom line: there is a lot of VFR flying to be had that is far more than just flying VFR on the stereo back home. Dudes need to stop being so afraid of VFR flying and man up. Be a pilot...if you start sweating at the thought of having to fly/navigate without ATC holding your hand, get a new job.

What is with people being so attached to "max extent possible" means you must fly IFR 99% of the time? It also mentions unless required for the mission. My mission requires I get VFR flight training to maintain competency in a required skill. If I can fly VFR on the way back, out to the MOA, knock out some LATN, why would I not? Just don't understand a lot of people's aversion to VFR flying.

I would absolutely pass exact info to the security dude at your DET for every stage of this, i.e. from known contact to engaged to married. Leaving big changes like that for the next 5 yr investigation can completely fuck you over. Good luck.

Were they KC-10s or the mini-tanker?

Honestly don't know if I can say, but I'm sure the info about their part in the whole thing will be in the SIB report. Like Rainmain said, won't be talking about it here. Bottom line, they did well and played a critical roll in saving a bro's life.

I always wondered how those rescues would go during a Coronet.

Much better than I ever thought one would go...props to the tanker bros, they did a great job. Except you get one hit...asking for our tail numbers

What's the big concern with the night landings? Is it just an exercise thing? Or is this fairly common?

Very common...they avoid night landings due to fatigue, complacency, etc. after a 6-9 hr "uneventful" flight. It just adds one more element that could potentially cause mishaps. I believe its a MAJCOM/CC waiver required to land at night, but not 100% sure on that.

The pilot is OK and safe.

He's good...shittiest flight of my life and hopefully that never changes (knock on wood).

Certainly doesn't hurt to have a good degree, but would it really give you a huge boost over a "State U" degree 10 yrs down the road when you're out of the AF and looking for other avenues of work? It will certainly matter a bit, but I think most AF officers will have much more to show for themselves at an interview or job fair than just where a piece of paper came from. Does a degree that is crushing a Capt during his "best years" in the CAF, MAF, etc. really worth all that a decade down the road? I don't think so, because I think that same Capt could, based on many other factors, still land that job with a "lesser" MBA on file. Sure that doesn't apply to all possibilities, but I think it applies to the majority.

Rainman, what's your take on this being in the position you are now? Does a "pedigree" degree make a large difference vs. a "decent" degree when they're both 10 yrs old (or even 5 yrs old), or is there much more to hiring someone that the name on the paper is really only a smaller portion of a hiring decision?

If you want something marketable, get a "better" degree.

Regardless of where you get your degree, how "marketable" is it really when you completed it 10 yrs ago and never even used it in an applicable field during that 10 yrs (at least that applies to most of us)? Will a potential employer really care that much when it's been so long? I don't think it will matter nearly as much as some people think. You want a good, marketable degree, then get it once you get out of the AF...at least it will be current as you go on the job hunt. I think there's a lot of dudes putting a severe amount of unnecessary pain on themselves under the perceived notion it'll "be more marketable" when they get out of the AF YEARS from now. If you want a "legit" degree, then do it for the right reasons, but marketability in the far term is not a good enough reason in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I think that's going to be more difficult as a result of this shooting - at least at public places like this. People tend to pawn off their security on others even after failures like this.

Too true...something like this is perfect proof why law-abiding citizens should have CCW. But of course the left-wingers will just cry for more gun control because they're too stupid and blind to see gun control only hurts law-abiding citizens, not assholes like this who are going to commit these crimes regardless of how many laws are made.

Thoughts and prayers with those affected last night. I can't imagine how terrible it must be for the families involved.

Was it an african Globemaster or a european Globemaster?

I think what matters more is if the AC's favorite color is red...or is it blue?

Seriously though...how in the world do you mistake the 3600' runway at Peter O Knight for the 11,421' (plus God's Own Apron) at MacDill?

DURING THE DAY!?!?

IN VMC!?!

Even worse, there was more than one person sitting up front...how in the hell 1 out of 2+ people can't figure this out is beyond me.

About time, congrats! Just make sure you have a camera to film that barrel roll...then post it on Youtube to share with the rest of us.

Since I know nothing about airdrops: Is it standard if the first pass results in off DZ, you KIO and go home? I would just think you'd make corrections and still go for a 2nd pass. Not true?

I don't know if the pilot fucked up or not, but I do know jumping out of planes is hazardous and shit happens. I don't see how it's the pilot's fault the dude caught a gust of wind which resulted in his death. You don't want to risk dying while skydiving/static-lining, then don't do it. It's that simple...maybe not. Just seems really fucked up.

.take all the stuff you gather and old medical records with you to get the FCI and hand it over this will make it a lot faster process

That should definitely speed up the "there's the door" process. Solid advice.

No need to waste your precious time working, the government owes you. Make sure you get every penny you're entitled to. Should be no problem, brah.

The huge med process to become a pilot is filled with people looking for the slightest thing to DQ you. Something that seems benign/harmless in mentioning to you is exactly what is a "big deal" to them and will get your dreams crushed. I'm not saying lie about getting knocked out in a car accident a year ago or that you currently have severe asthma (just examples), but telling them you felt light headed a few times and sat down on the couch for 10 sec to "fix the issue" is dumb. Use discretion during this process...the med process IS NOT here to help you.

Disapproved. They were an hour late. My "fight tank fight" turned into a "fight and wonder where the hell the tanker is, then RTB min fuel." WTFO. Thanks for not letting ANYONE know you were going to be an hour late to the ARCT.

True, but I don't blame the lateness on the boomer...had to be those slack ass pilots making hot pockets. I mean the guy no shit read my tail number off the jet and actually followed EMCON 2. It was consecutive miracles! Ram on the bright side, at least you didn't brief FTF BFM only to find out MX has one A/A jet and one 2 bag/SUU/TGP jet. Thanks guys...

On 2nd thought, Bullet brings up a good point...must have been Chuck Norris. It's the only logical explanation.

Of course, they'll be supported by "black world" tankers.....I hear those guys only operate in cloud (for stealth) and the booms don't even ask for tail numbers.

I think I got some gas from a black tanker today...he didn't ask for my tail number, he told me my tail number. It's like he just knew...or read it right off the fucking jet, either way. That boomer deserves a bronze star, stat.

Godspeed dudes. My prayers for the unit and the fallen's family/friends.

It's amazing to me that they can keep them flying with the lack of logistical support from us in the last umpteen years.

Don't worry, their FMC rate is 0.69%.

As long as your wife is a meek mouse who will take care of everything that could interfere with your job, you will be fine. If on the other hand, your wife has a pulse and a spine, you could have some challenges along the way.[

Okay... Thanks?

My wife's very type A, career, etc. Far from a "meek mouse." However, she also is supportive and does a very good job at minimizing things that could interfere with my job. She takes care of a lot of stuff (including the kid) so I don't have to. I do everything I can to help when I'm home, but she's understanding of the time requirements my job demands. That's the bottom line: ensuring your wife understands the commitment required towards UPT and being a pilot in general...if she gets it, you'll do just fine, regardless of what her personality is.

Just don't forget to help as much as you can when able, give her a break on the weekends, do something she wants to do on Saturday, etc. Family will always be important, no matter how much time your job demands.

That's a white jet thing. C'mon man.

Yeah, you're right....still, classic dumbass who can't STFU on the radio.

Or a trap shoot.

Awesome...if only the world was so lucky.