brabus

Exactly Techsan is a genius! I am not against customs and courtesies at all, but the only SNAP is the d-bag 1Lt who thinks he so fvcking deserving of a salute from a 2Lt. I don't even feel deserving of a salute from NCOs, but I understand the reasoning behind it all. I'm not against the whole thing at all, but it's just common practice for Lts not to salute other Lts, that's how I learned it and that's how I practice it...minus the FAIP thing, but that's just another one of those "only at UPT" things.

So far I haven't ran into a single 1Lt who gave me shit or even seemed pissed when I didn't salute them...except for the FAIPs, I'll salute them until they tell me otherwise. But another stud or the finance Lt, there's no rank among LTs, thieves, etc. I know it happens, but are you guys seeing this a ton, or just isolated cases? B/c regardless of what some base email says, I still feel like it's common knowledge that there's no saluting 1LTs (except if they have wings). Just my observation.

I'm pretty sure they don't go until after their done and going on to the next thing.

Man, I think OSU's story's got the gold for now. I've never seen anything that bad, but I do remember first getting to ASBC last June...so you know every single one of us on that day had been on AD for about 3 days. I see these two fags no shit walking in their BDUs wearing their sky cop hats (2LTs there for ASBC) at the BX! You could tell they thought they were hot shit. I mean, I wore my uniform as little as possible in that sweltering hell hole, and these guys were wearing their uniforms a good day before there was any kind of required event to be at in uniform (in-processing bullshit the next day). Come to find out I was right and these two assclowns were brand new 2LTs and of course hadn't even gone to tech school, but were still wearing their berets and the SF badge on their BDUs. That'd be like casual LTs wearing wings on their chest b/c they are "going to get them anyways." Unbelievable the amount of idiocy some people possess. Also on the same day one of my buds said he went up to the gate to get a vehicle pass and there was an SF 1LT there doing some crap...he said first off the guy was being a total jackass to the civilian gate guards...obviously being an asshole just to be one. So my friend waits for him to finish his tirade; as the dude is leaning over to write something on a desk, my friend tells him he needs a vehicle pass, the dude just picks up his beret off the table, holds it in my friend's face and just points at the 1LT bar, then sets it back down and goes back to whatever BS he was doing w/o saying a single world. Talk about total douche bag.

Guys do it a lot. I've heard of dudes PC after only 1.5-2 yrs service after wings. They still have to serve out their commitment in the Guard, but that's sure not a bad deal. I can only tell you what I've heard about this (I have not done it...just clarifying), but it seems the consensus is to make sure you have a good "guarantee" from the guard unit that they'll take you before you slap the PC paperwork on your bosses desk. If the deal falls through, you've probably burned some bridges on AD and your career may suffer due to that. So, probably want to keep it on the DL that your considering this (at least just don't let it be widespread knowledge) until you've got a "for-sure" deal set up. That's the info I've heard...I'm sure someone who's actually done this/knows more about this will chime in. Good luck with it.

To the OP, yes you can and should take the alloted time they give you. Sure you could just power through and drive it in 2-3 days, but might as well take it a bit slower, stop and see some places/people you want to and collect money while you're at it. That way you're not driving 12-15 hrs a day which sucks major ass, and you can see some friends, the Grand Canyon, whatever. Just my opinion. Decider: If you're going to Altus and you're family is staying wherever, you should get BAH wherever they are...or at least that's what I've been told. Either way, when you move out of family housing on base, they've got to pay you BAH from somewhere, so at the very least it would just stay at the UPT base, but I've been told you can get BAH for wherever your in-law's house is. Don't know the validity behind that.

Don't know why it took Jimmy's post to figure it out, but I got it. I super smart!

I was polite as well, I was asking a serious question about the % who played sports. I never said I could have played varsity (sorry, my school didn't have varsity baseball, only a "competitive" club team). Rainman, I respect you for you experience and help here, but hell, I wasn't trying to jump your shit or anything w/ my last post. I think it was just a huge misunderstanding, so just disregard and lets move on. And just curious...I got as far as the "SADA" part, what's that?

Rainman, you're correct. I haven't played a Div I/II sport nor am I a fighter pilot. But, as an honest question, what % of pilots played a Div I/II sport in college? I don't know, but I would guess it's a very small percentage. Many have played intramural, club, etc, but how many have played a no shit college sport. That's the point I was trying to get across. I bet I love sports and am a supporter of playing sports just as much as you are. All I was saying is that doing a college sport b/c it'll improve your chances at flying is probably not the best reason to do so. You should play b/c it's fun, you get to knock the shit out of people and win. Of course there are positive correlations b/w sports and flying, but considering how many pilots played a college sport, it's obviously not a requirement, nor a huge boost. I know you have much more experience in this than I do, but what worked for you is probably not the norm, nor a requirement to get to the same place. To the orig poster: I would recommend giving it a shot. If you can run track, do ROTC and do well in school...do it! But, if you find ROTC and grades suffering b/c of how much time track requires, you'll have to evaluate your priorities. I'm not saying that will happen, but it might. Go kick ass at track, but make sure you kick enough ass in grades/ROTC to get the pilot slot. Good luck man.

I'm jealous CE...wish I was hunting in Alaska this next season!

"Sir, here's what I got on my form 70." (IP spends 6.9 sec putting in crap on DUATS) "Nope...come on fvcker, we don't have all day!" Stud mumbling to himself - "fvcking gay whiz wheel" On a slightly more serious note. On my XC a while ago the briefers were taking up to 30 min to get a hold of, so I just said fvck it and logged on to my DUATs account and filed all our flight plans in 2 min. My IP didn't even know you could do that and thought it was pretty sweet. It may not technically be approved, but all the IPs that weekend didn't give a shit if we used it (after the initial "show me you can do this old way").

Playing sports is just good all around. Sure it'll help foster that "winning attitude," but it'll also help you w/ hand-eye coordination (some sports more than others), maybe you need to learn to work on a team better, whatever. But college sports is a different animal. I played intramural stuff and just pick up games for fun, but didn't play actual NCAA sports or something. It's very hard to do school, ROTC and play a Div I/II sport. If you can do it, more power to you, but very few are able to. Back when I started college, I may have been able to play baseball had I stuck w/ it, but it was going to be way too much to play baseball, get a degree, do ROTC and still have time to do the outdoor stuff I loved to do. While I like baseball, the time commitment just wasn't worth it to me...I went to college/did ROTC so I could get a commission and fly, that was my main goal, so I did what I thought was best to help that goal along. BL: If you're thinking playing a college sport is somehow going to drastically help you become a fighter pilot, it's not. Skills and mindsets that make a good player and a fighter pilot down the line (referring to the dudes in your book) were most likely developed before playing a college sport. When it comes to flying, you either have the drive or you don't, you either have the hands or you don't...whether you played football in college has little if nothing to do w/ UPT or flying in general (w/ the small exception if you had no drive and football gave it to you or something...but that's a little out there).

What a cruel joke that room is. Maybe some day.

Who's worse though, the cops that put it on or the REMFs who actually participate? I'd say this is par for the cops, but for anyone who would actually do this (and you know HD is right that they're going home talking about being in the shit), they've got to be the biggest tool bags....ever.

OMFG. All of me wishes you were joking, unfortunately all of me knows you're not. Wow.

There's always the chance at a waiver; it is an option. Maybe it's a far-fetched one; I don't know, but it is still out there. You won't be able to start UPT in Dec most likely, but that doesn't mean you can't get a waiver to start some time after your 30th bday. Screw whoever told you "not possible" and find someone who is willing to help. Hopefully some other guys on here will have better info on the age waiver thing...I know there's a few of them on here who have done it.

Just wondering, what's a T-ODP?

If they're not mandatory, then a lot of people need to learn some decision-making skills.

Getting married before UPT would be easier than getting married during UPT. I don't recommend the later, though it can be done. Being married while in UPT is a huge help...I really don't think I could have done so well w/o my wife's help. The days are long and sometimes there will be a strain, but that's just something you guys have to work through. She has to understand that in some ways you will have to put her on hold for studying, etc. That's just the way it is. But, being married and living together is still a lot easier than doing the long distance thing. I would suggest having the wedding prior to UPT or after UPT...during is just far too much headache, especially at a time you cannot afford to have any additional stress.

Deke nailed it (sts). I'm not going to tell you ERAU is a bad school or a bad ROTC program...neither are true. But what you said about face time w/ cadre is very true. At a very large Det, less face time means less "impress the Col" time, which can very well hurt you come pilot slot time. A smaller Det will give you much more face time, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on the person. Pilot slots are competed for NATIONALLY...where you go to school has absolutely nothing to do w/ getting a pilot slot. ROTC Det doesn't matter...some might say, "well ____ Det will prepare you for FT better." Who gives a shit, if you can't pass FT then you suck ass and shouldn't be commissioned, especially in a "rated" job. BL: Pick the school based on where you want to go (what's around there to do, you've always wanted to got California, whatever) and what major you like (maybe ____ school has a good basket weaving program or something). You'll be much happier and will inherently perform better, thus increasing your shot at a pilot slot. Anyone w/ 1/2 a brain will give you this advice. If ERAU fits the bill for you (Det aside), then go for it. If another school fits you better, do that...the ROTC crap will fall into place no matter where you go.

Got it S&C...at least you realized that. I have a ton of respect for what those guys do, but I joined the AF to fly b/c that's how I wanted to help fight. If I couldn't fly, I'd be out of the AF in a second and on the ground. In a way I do envy my classmates who are in the Marines/Navy...at least they're in a military service that acts like it's the military. I love the small part of the flying world I've been introduced to, but it's unfortunate that so much of the rest of the AF, and all the PC/BS rules and regs that go along w/ it, make me wish I had just wanted to fly for the Marines/Navy in the beginning. We all have our own reasons for joining one service or the other, but as you said, it's all one team in the end.

Brew...you got the point and learned, good job...seriously. I understand you not wanting to take a huge detour around a large MOA...what about altitude change...was the MOA to the dirt? It really pisses me off when some GA guy blows right through the MOA when he could just easily fly at 6500 or lower and avoid it. If it's so big you can't go around and it's too low to go below (and no way you're going over the top in a 172), then greasy made a very good point about talking w/ the controllers and helping them out as much as possible. If a GA guy does everything he can to stay out of your way, but just can't get around the MOA, then at least he's doing what he can...but just blowing through thinking just b/c you're a 172 it's not a big deal is not the right answer. I don't know what that B-1 dudes situation was, but I don't really blame him for getting pissed off, especially if he really got fvcked over on some quals or whatever. Just try to avoid MOAs all together, if you can't, realize yes you are "legal," but you really are causing a hell of a lot more trouble to the dudes in the MOA than you think, so get thru as fast as possible and help the controller out.

I would think along w/ the test you'd have to do at least one ride w/ a DE. Just b/c a guy flies _____ in the military doesn't mean he's a safe pilot in a 172 (i.e. exceeding it's limits b/c he's used to his plane's limits....reference those XL studs in the 172 a few years ago).

Exactly my thoughts. Someone needs to lock this crap. BL: He's a pvssy and anyone w/ that attitude in UPT does not deserve wings, does not deserve to be there and needs to get the fvck out and join the REMFs ASAFP. Point's been made...lock.

Troll. And if you're not by the off chance, holy shit, you gotta be the biggest pvssy ever. Go work in finance and demand the respect you "deserve."