brabus

I believe your only recourse for full reimbursement is writing a request to SAF (the "secretariat process" as the JTR calls it). In the memo, explain the untimely PCS wrt the baby, the financial burden (airfare after first car if you do it twice, airline tickets, etc.) I can only speculate on the probability of approval, but it's worth a shot. I thought about doing this, but honestly didn't have a very good argument since the car I have shipped on multiple PCS is a hobby car/not a primary driver. If this fails, you do still get mileage for the second car (and more per diem for your family if they travel separately via air while you drive one of the cars). That money can at least offset the shipping charges if you choose to do so for QOL. Also research shippers, do not go with some random guy and a flatbed trailer (there's a lot), it's worth it to spend a little more and get your car undamaged and on time.

Know several guys who have the platinum, seems to be the best amex out there. I convinced them to waive my delta reserve card fee as a technician, so don't want to push my luck with a new high-fee card, but I will once I'm on a longer set of orders at some point.

Upgrading current 5th Gen fighters to "5.5 gen" is a different proposal than developing a new 5th gen fighter. I think we should do upgrading as well as continue forward with 6th gen. The reason you can't stop at 5.5 and forgoe 6th gen is because future technology we know we'll be able to make happen in 10-20 yrs isn't stuff we can bet the farm on that it can be simply "bolted onto" an F-35 or F-22. The most likely situation is those technologies will either be completely infeasible to put on a current 5th gen jet, or there will be a reduction in overall capability if put in a 5th gen jet vs. a new 6th gen jet specifically designed for/around those technologies.

I would enjoy seeing Lockmart get kicked in the junk, but starting another 5th gen asset to counter Lockmart's product would still be an incredible waste of resources at this point. Their competitors are better off focusing on how to win the 6th gen contract. Shack.

Already done...6th gen; it would be ridiculous at this point to create another 5th gen fighter. Now finding a way to re-open the Raptor line and produce more of those, abso-fucking-lutely! We need more, and if Japan will pay, then go ahead and let them have some Raptors.

Tbirds put together a solid memorial and roll call yesterday for Cajun. The turn out was impressive, but certainly not surprising. Here's to you brother, well see you on the other side

Are you really sure this is the place you'll want to go post-AD? I considered buying a place in CO about 2.5 years before I left AD, there was "0% chance" we would go anywhere other than back to CO when I punched. I now live 2000 miles away and am incredibly glad I didn't buy the CO place. A lot can change in a couple years - I personally would not buy unless you are OK with the chance of not going there and either having to sell the house or keeping it as an investment property.

Not required unless you want to seek VA disability rating.

As long as you swear into your ARC unit the day after your DOS (i.e. No break in service) you will get TAMP. The code on your sep orders is irrelevant. Your gaining ARC unit will take care of the TAMP stuff; recruiter and TAPs guy has nothing to do with it (and also is clueless).

Great American, fighter pilot and friend. He'll be greatly missed.

And more things the CAF has to teach...why am I having to teach a kid how to fly an ILS, do a normal landing and fly basic formation in the CAF? The AF is a leading expert on kicking the can down the road and refusing to acknowledge quality short comings. I hope FTU washout rates significantly increase - they certainly need to.

Valid, BUT note the "through the secretariat process" comment. What that means is you must write a memo to SAF requesting you receive full "normal" PCS entitlements and explain your reasoning (i.e. why this is better for the AF, because SAF doesn't give a shit about your personal problems); this memo will have to be SSS'd (most likely unless your wing really doesn't give a shit, but it's AD, so....) from your SQ/CC all the way through the wickets. I've been down this road (for a different reason) before; it ultimately worked out in my favor, but it was a massive PITA and something I never wanted to do again. So, keep in mind whether the asspain is really worth it. In my final PCS case it was not because all I really missed out on was DLA, and DLA was not worth the headache. I've heard changing HOR is much easier than going down the SAF path, but haven't done it myself.

Partially - if you have proof of full time employment (an intent-to-hire letter from your future CC suffices), you can skip day 2-5. You still have to suffer through the first day and you still have to have a meeting with a separations counselor, which should only take about 20 min if you have all your paperwork in order. That meeting is something that is signed off on your outprocessing checklist - can't scoff it.

1. Sign up for TAPS immediately (via AF&RC) - you can get it done at any point within a year of DOS and I promise you there's no way you can get out of it (I tried). Those classes fill up quick and I know several dudes who got hosed out of significant amounts of terminal leave because they could only get into a TAPS class that was a few weeks out from their DOS. This situation can also jack up your moving plans. Just ride the pain train now and be done with it. 2. Take as much leave during terminal as you can - I took 60, sold the rest back...wish I had taken the rest and not sold it back. Two months off over summer with the wife and kids was the best two months I've had since joining the AF. I was fresh and ready to go when I started working in the guard instead of jumping right into it. 3. You get 180 days of TAMP starting on your separation date, so no need to look into healthcare right now. When you're about 2-3 weeks out from TAMP ending, seek healthcare (unless you're going AGR, then nothing changes regarding Tricare). Cost depends on how much your employer subsidizes, but I pay ~$400/mo for my family right now. 4. You'll only get reimbursed for your move at cost of the government moving you from current base to HOR. For me it was N/A since the distance was almost equal, but it could really suck if you're moving 1500 miles, but your HOR is only 250 miles from your current base. It is possible to change your HOR - keep this in mind and act now if required. 5. Finances (mostly assumes you're not going AGR): - Plus up the savings account if you haven't already - moving, buying a house, potentially making less than you do now for a period of time, etc. are all expensive. If you plan now and save, you'll have way less financial stress. - Do whatever you can to have no debt when you transition - ideally the only debt you have is a mortgage. The importance of these first two are variable depending on what type of position you're going into (AGR vs. temp technician vs. full time technician w/ higher step+bonus vs. DSG+1st year airline pay, etc.) - Take some time to do a realistic budget. It is quite a shock to see how much you get taken in taxes when you don't have non-taxable income, BAH, etc. It's not terrible if you've planned accordingly, but you could be in for some serious financial stress if you don't plan ahead. The finances will normalize after a few months generally and you'll get past the initial stumbles of figuring financial life out without AD paychecks 1st and 15th. 6. Medical - You need to get copies of your medical record (both flight med and the regular records people). Standard shit of "that'll take 69 weeks"...so get on it now. Can't remember what you need to initiate it, but start it as soon as you can. I almost got delayed because I apparently hadn't done my 100th "do you feel like killing yourself" meetings after the last deployment - make sure you don't have any surprises like that coming up. 7. VA Claims - If you are not going to make a VA disability claim, then you do NOT have to go see the VA person. My last base made it seem like it was mandatory regardless and I got the standard "I have an appointment in 3 months"...fuck off, I'm not taking an appointment that's 1.5 weeks prior to my DOS. I didn't do a VA assessment for disability, so saved myself there. Plus, you can always go to a VA clinic at a later point post-separation and do the same thing. 8. Standard out processing shit...get the list done ASAP. I've blown off many lists throughout several PCS; what are they going to do, stop me from going to my next base? Well, that works fine when you're staying on AD, not so much when you want to GTFO and put AD behind you. This is the one time to not fuck with it - get it done so there are zero problems with your outprocessing appointment - walking out of that office into the parking lot was one of the best days of my life.

I think the most you're going to get is: not needed for most part; some very few cases it would be...from your CC"s perspective, those very few cases probably do not warrant getting you a TS prior to CSO school.

Need a herc guy to weigh in, but I do have several friends in Hercs and all of them initially had TS that was allowed to lapse. Don't need it to fly Hercs directly; potentially could need it for future opportunities/non-flying work (i.e. working with other services where you need to be in a SCIF for mission planning, etc.) Overall, I don't think your CC is necessarily off base regarding your lack of requirement for a TS (to specifically fly Hercs), but at the same time if there's any way to get it you should, to provide flexibility for yourself and your squadron when the need arises to send a Herc guy to fill X role and a TS is required.

I only had to show a mil ID to the guy at the store when I bought the 43 through the blue label program - I think it was around $350. The prices are not set by Glock, so they may vary between stores, but generally ~$100 off normal prices.

Your need for a TS will be dependent on what airframe you go to after Nav school. I assume nav training is like pilot training - probably barely any secret discussed, let alone TS. I imagine the most correct answer is you do not need TS for school, but you may need it post-school. Are you staying in the ARC/know what airframe you're going to?

Or if you are interested in the assignment, you could threaten 7 day opt or say you'll accept the assignment with 0 ADSC. Seen it done, but make sure you get the 0 ADSC part in writing from AFPC.

Have carried a 43 for the last 1.5 yrs...I like it. My wife also carries it in her purse when she's not with me (e.g. I'm carrying). I put the +2 mag extensions on not only for capacity, but for a better grip. They do not make a big difference in terms of printing/comfort while wearing; I use an IWB holster from crossbread.

HARM office had me fill out 781s to match the time written in my personal logbook that was not reflected in my flying records. They had no issues with it being the only source.

To my knowledge, Osan still receives short tour credit as long as you don't bring your family command sponsored. That's probably not a bad way to check this container - you can always bring your family over on your own dime (and you still get OHA).

According to the guys here, all funds are properly loaded, but AROWS is messed up, so we have to wait until it's fixed. Classic cross-finger pointing. Anyone had success with the updated AROWS?

You can absolutely turn down the offer, but clearly you risk going to UPT at all (if you don't subsequently get hired by another unit). Do it before swearing in, and nobody should care that much (as you said, alternates), do it after and you might piss people off. It's your life, don't let a few people possibly being pissed drive your decidion, but also know if fighters don't work out and you're back applying for heavy units, I have to imagine you may face an uphill battle (the new prospective units will find out, whether you tell them or not). Hard call, good luck.

Thanks...guess another trip to finance is warranted.