brabus

Current 4th gen already compliment the 5th gen; as long as funding is appropriately provided to continued development of vipers and both eagle variants (not hogs, because that'd be treason), well be OK with 4th gen mass supplementing smaller numbers of 5th gen. The big question is if the CFGs will allocate the funding required to keep our 4th gen fleet advancing at the required rate.

Don't need to provide a receipt for less than $70. Claim as taxi on voucher. Problem circumvented (albeit not solved long term as you pointed out). Why did you guys lose variations authorized?

Same. I've seen many LTs the past few years who are well below average, on a secret LOX post-MQT, would never in a million years got 38s let alone a fighter 5 years ago, etc. The current AETC average product is shit. The naturally talented do great, the average guys are below average in the CAF, and the "old days" slightly below average guy is a .1 away from killing himself and/or someone else every day. This is what we have right now with guys who have hundreds of hours and have been through far more training. What are we going to get when the bottom 1/3 types are pushed through a gutted program? I acknowledge tech increase will narrow the gap and likely out perform status quo UPT teaching methods to an extent, but it will not close the gap with the wreckless amount of slashed training time. I sincerely hope this experiment breeds some awesome increase in instructional/learning capability to be implemented in UPT/IFF, but not seen as a full replacement.

They had to have flown more than 30 hrs in 6 months, that'd be about 3 sorties per month if true. Please tell me that's a typo. Going from barely being able to find your own ass in a T-6 straight to a $90M jet with 40K thrust where a brand new wingman is expected to have the SA/decision making ability of a 4th gen flight lead...yep this is going to work well.

Agree with Hoss - we switched to standard for the last 3 years of my AD time...kicking myself for not doing it earlier. Prime is bullshit. Unfortunately for my situation now, there's not a whole lot of places where I live who take Tricare, so our options are limited, but not necessarily bad.

I know, I was also being sarcastic and making joke.

Contrary to popular belief, stupid questions do exist.

Set a DOS immediately and hope it is registered in the AFPC system prior to you receiving an email. Had a friend in a similar situation - he didn’t have a cranium’s up like you, just so happened he set his DOS a few days prior to receiving the deployment notification. They initially said he had to go, but he immediately got out of it when he pointed out there was a DOS in the system that was prior to the date he would return from the deployment.

I'd say once is "enough," but of course more is always better. Considering the app is due in Aug (so I assume boards within a few months of that), once is probably fine on your current timeline for that unit. If there are other units you're highly interested in, but their boards aren't for another year or so, it's probably worth going twice. Bottom line, try to make a trip within ~4 months preceding the board so your visit is "fresh" in dudes' minds. Technique only.

How anyone goes past their initial commitment in that branch is beyond me.

Eglin is one of the worst offenders - reserved spots everywhere and labeled by number (i.e. 32-69). Always loved parking right in front and getting a look from some random GS-X that knew there was no way it was my spot. That base needs to immediately lose about 2000 reserved parking spots and every person attached to those spots.

You can transfer to the AD AF if the “green to blue” program is still a thing. If that works, you can then apply for the AD UPT board. Or, serve your three years in the Army and go for an ANG UPT hiring board slot. The latter is the best option in my opinion - you’ll have about 4 years before you’re too old (assuming your ~22-23 right now). But, the downside is you need to have a plan for what you’ll do for work post-Army, prior to ANG employment. The easiest plan may be to transfer directly into an ANG unit that flies what you want to fly. Go initially into whatever career field is available/most similar to your MOS, then try to get a UPT slot through them on their next board.

That mostly sums it up. To add, it was not uncommon to have someone passed out in there who required some help back to their room, so not unusual to think that had happened, knock a few times, then go in to get the poor SOB (and remind him how much he owes you later). It just so happened to be Roscoe that walked in, could have been me or any other of the dudes who went in.

I was there, it was not even remotely what the prosecutor made it out to be. The accuser was also well known to have lied in court previously and was a veteran of making shit up to get back at other dudes in the past. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn't, but the fact remains you had a questionable accuser and it was merely his word vs. hers. Frankly, it's bullshit to send someone to prison based on that weak of a case, and that's why Gen Franklin did what he did.

Is this relatively new? I have a shitload of Hilton and SPG stays over the past 4 years with this never having come up. TDYs have slowed down over the last year (thanks guard!), but I still have 3 Hilton and 2 SPG stays in the last year. One of them was only 1.5 months ago at an SPG. Maybe it's manager/hotel dependent?

Good points Kenny. For the OP, to clarify my "don't talk too much about yourself" statement - I really meant don't go over the top telling a bunch of "so there I was" CFI stories, etc. I've seen a couple guys like that - really I think they just didn't have good self awareness in social settings as a general point, or maybe they were simply very nervous and talking non-stop is how they "coped." Be yourself is the best thing you can do - don't try to be someone you think we want, because we'll see right through that play.

Had a couple guys drop by the squadron a few weeks ago - we don't have a board for another year. It's completely normal and the visits are remembered - mostly positively as the fact you took time/money to come visit in person means you're not just a "tire kicker" and care a little more than the average guy who doesn't make pre-board visits. When you get a hold of the squadron, ask to speak to the pilot who's in charge of recruiting/UPT boards - if they're not available, then talk to any available pilot. Tell them succinctly you're interested in the unit, you will be applying to X board, but you would also like to drop by the squadron for a visit to check out the squadron and introduce yourself. Even the non-recruiting guy can probably give you a good idea of when is best to come visit based on squadron schedules (TDY, drill weekends, etc.) In the end, make sure the recruiting guy preferably knows you're coming/what date - it's always best to show up with at least one pilot knowing you're coming...helps break the ice a bit. Bring a bottle of booze with something written on it (simple = "Thanks for the visit! - New Guy"); that way we remember you two months later when we're drinking the whisky/scotch you brought. Have some SA on if guys are busy (i.e. at ops desk dealing with the day's flying ops) and don't be annoying with questions; if guys are just hanging out in the bar/bullshiting somewhere (guarantee that's happening about 100% of the time in a guard unit), walk up and introduce yourself - have normal conversations and get to know people/help us get to know you. Be yourself - don't talk a ton about yourself, just ask questions and get to know the squadron/dudes in it. Dudes will ask you about yourself, answer those questions and conversation should naturally flow from there if you have reasonable interpersonal communication skills.

Thinking about building an AR-15 pistol - want to do it relatively affordable (goal is < $600 pre-optics, better arm brace than the tube, etc.) The gun is for backyard fun/home defense, not for competition. Looking at places like PSA, Ghost Firearms, etc. Any recommendations, things to watch out for, etc?

Killing ISIS while your friend shouts at you on the radio and getting a big hug from him when he got back in one piece. Best/most rewarding days of my life. Outside of combat, SEAD and FAC(A) are great because they're both very dynamic...I like the challenge of flying into the fight with a decent plan, but knowing it will change 69 times in the next hour and I'll have to make those 1 sec decisions that will determine win or loss. Flying fighters is like playing a very competitive team sport...it never gets old (but the queep and AF bs sure does!)

No, I was talking about heavy dudes teaching phase 3 in 38s.

It's been a thing at CAFB for over a year at least, maybe more.

Make it say "doesn't want to leave, won't quit" and that describes 69% of the GS workforce. The AF gets a shit product for way too much money with these useless individuals. Theyll get the same shit product for way to much money with an indentured pilot force who stops giving zero fucks at year 10 of 20.

Behind on FHP and green dot, more time required for UCI prep - there will be no weekends for the next month to support the wings priorities. Oh and remember guys, we care about families! Also, you're deploying for 6 months in 34 days, sorry not sorry we didnt factor that in...

Don't think that applies to every T-1 guy, but I still remember a sizeable difference between most of my 38 IPs (all fighter/bomber, couple FAIPs) and my phase 2 IPs (all non-CAF). Certainly not in bromanship, but yes in flying ability and in several cases, instructional ability. The two tracks/mentality are not significantly similar that one can excel at teaching either. My 38 IPs probably would have been shitty T-1 IPs. Secondly, yes I think most guys could pass PIT and teach basic 38 stuff. But the mentality difference, lack of CAF experience, etc. is not growing that student to be ready for IFF and the CAF squadron that lies beyond.

Yep, that's who I'm talking about - wasn't aware of the requirement to already be in the AZ guard to apply.