zach braff

I often hear about "breadth" playing a big role, but don't see it mentioned here. How much does it matter to have worked in different MAJCOMS, levels (Wg, NAF, agency...)? I guess for most pilots you'd primarily be in the MAJCOM your aircraft supports, but is it a factor? As an LT I had a great boss up for Maj. Mind you, a support Capt, but PRF was DP - lined with #1 strats down the entire line, Wg/CC's "my #1 DP" line and top PME push, masters, SOS, exec, and all that jazz. She was promoted but not picked for PME. Later on an FGO relayed that it was likely because she hadn't been in the right MAJCOMS or right "levels" (1 yr in ACC, the rest at USAFA, AFSPACE, and AFMC at Wg or agency level). Would that really have played that much of a role that it would negate all the other stuff? Just curious. zb

Absolutely the 8 yrs prior is a difference - no arguments here. I'm just saying that an A1C at 2 years who's ready to pull the trigger on a ROTC or OTS slot shouldn't wait another 2 years just for O-1E pay. To each his own, but the difference between regular O-1 pay and E-3 pay over those two years is over $20,000. So one could argue that kid would lose out on 20 Gs just to earn the extra 10Gs over his first 4 years as an O. All this math makes my head hurt. zb

2 Holding off on your goal just to get that 4 yrs and day is bad advice IMHO. Yes, you miss out on a little extra cash, but not that much. I had 2 yrs 9 mo E-time prior to going SOAR. With the scholarship covering school, GI BIll + Kicker was PLENTY to cover rent, beer, beer, and beer. College life was great. I hit 3 years shortly after commissioning, which is the same base pay as O-1E. I missed out only on an extra hundred or so BAH. A little bit yes, but not enough to really be concerned with. zb

It's on the early bird today. Also, on the entirely new pipeline for the ANG...I know it's not that simple,, but couldn't we just train through the navy/marines schoolhouses? zb

I attended an O-Call with him at BIAP when he was 332 AEW/CC... Of the 87698761243786 I've been to, that one still stands as the best. He had a no-shit focus on the mission at hand, praised & genuinely cared for the hard workers getting things done, and made it very clear he had no time or tolerance for slackers & excuses (used several examples). Congrats LTG(S) Gorenc! zb

Wait, are these lessons about when leadership fails (ie. B-52 crash, Iraq Helo shootdown, etc) or about great leadership we should take the example from? If it's the latter I fear for those taking course 20. Glad I knocked out 28 just in time... zb

Currently reading Gen Richard Myers' book "Eyes on the Horizon..." Writing about his time as a Wild Weasel in Vietnam, he references the unit patch that they all wore (below). Apparently YGBSM was once perfectly fine. Wish I could serve in that Air Force. cheers. zb

Yup. That's the one. Caused quite a stir back then as I can see from the responses in the thread continues to stir people up. An absolute classic email chain in AF history.

Nice. Somebody could have sent that to Lt Mosiah Smalley and the whole "Ft Collins Brewery Tour" fiasco might have been avoided... zb

This is awesome, however if the Deid ever came under attack I'm sure an E-9 would pull this guy immediately out of the fight for being out of regs... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090522/lf_nm_...stan_gates_pink WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops. In fact, Gates said he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan. "Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in remarks prepared for a speech in New York. "I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said. Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions. A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY." When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Barack Obama saw him out of uniform. "I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech. The U.S. defense chief was scheduled to deliver the speech at New York's annual Salute to Freedom dinner in Manhattan.

2 24 minutes door to door from my spot in downtown Macon to my job on the south side of Robins. Actually lived in Warner Robins my first 2 yrs and had a 22 minute commute since the ENTIRE CITY commutes to Robins. Had a straight shot down 247 from Macon and rarely hit more than one stoplight. I put more miles on the car but the commute time was pretty much the same. I loved living in Macon... lots of culture, history, awesome neighborhood and good dive bar scene... Mind you I speak only from my downtown perspective. Not too many military lived downtown but there were a few of us. A few military live in North Macon as well. If kids are a factor stay away from the Mac unless you're going with private schools - the public ones are terrible. On Robins - The base itself kinda sucked but my unit made it worth it. They do have two great gyms, and though I'm not a golfer those who are seem to enjoy the course there. Also keep in tune with whatever big chain restaurant/store is getting ready to open on Watson or Russel, it tends to always be a big topic of conversation around there. zb

Great choice on the Slick/Peterson. In addition to losing the Macon Whoopee and Macon Music, Macon is also losing it's finest DJ to Davis-Monthan in two weeks. Combine that with a second home at Al Udeid (see "Leadership @ the Deid" thread) = great choice my friend. ZB

And how come every time I mention to anybody that I want to live near 4th Ave and some good nightlife everybody looks at me like I'm crazy then tells me to go live in the foothills? No offense but not for me. R-Man, I'm headed there in a few weeks too. I have yet to hear anything negative about DM or Tucson (other than a little crime, but what town doesn't have that). Wish I could offer more info but from all the research I've been doing La Entrada seems like a good place. I'm married though so wife and I are trying to rent (possibly buy) a house, but defininitely near the downtown/4th Ave area. I'm a DJ & beatmaker... Want to start an electro-synth-pop band? :) ZB

The AFPC COP is a huge source of info. We just had an assignments team rep out here who gave the unnofficial lowdown to a few of us. Bottom line if you take a 365 you're at the top of the list but its still needs of the Air Force first. Also keep in mind that job type will trump job location every time. Also, these cats are right, your CC's word means about 100 times more than yours with AFPC. AFPC also keeps a record of every interaction they have with you so your assignments team will see that you're the damn kid that keeps bugging them. Won't be much incentive for them to give you that dream spot. My experience/advice... I too got dartboarded out of ROTC with somewhere nothing close to my dreamsheet. 4 years later I can say I've had the most amazing opportunities that most of my comm peers haven't even come close too because of it. Nothing wrong with keeping your eye on that next assignment but don't burn any bridges at the one you're at being the guy that everyone knows doesn't want to be there. Kick some ass at the job you're at and your CC will be more inclined to push AFPC to hook you up. And BTW - My experience with the advice above: I'm now on my way to another kick-ass job out west to a top choice on my dreamsheet. Good luck and PM me if you've got any other questions. zb

No doubt. Thanks for the info, keep it coming! Ran the roommate idea by the wife but no go, I wonder why... I really don't mind a commute to work if I've got good stuff near the house. I'd like to buy but I'd rather take a small older place in a more metro area than a big new place way out in the burbs. We've got no kids so schools and that stuff isn't an issue. I'm most interested in being able to walk to a grocery or to grab a brew and see a band or DJ in the evening... Where I can be a part of the city, rather than an AF guy who's stationed in the city if you know what I mean. Sounds like the downtown or 4th street area might be best for that, no? Any reasonable housing in those areas (on a junior capt BAH)? Also does anyone from the base do their masters at UofA? What other schools are available out there? I'd like to grab an MBA soon and prefer to go to class - I get too distracted on the internet for the online thing. Thanks again guys - I got the first for y'all once I find my local pub out there... zb

Anyone got any post-2006 info on the Tucson area/life? Looks like I'm headed that way. ACC + NOT the backwoods south + reasonable distance to LA, Vegas, ABQ... I'm feeling good. Looking for places to live within walking distance of good drinking, shopping, etc. Any good spots (UofA area, downtown, etc.)? Any info is appreciated. Thanks! zb

UTFSTing here... Saw some good stuff on Omaha. Anyone have any good info on that other real big jet at offutt and the city? Its about the coolest job out there for a 33S like myself (only flying one...) and I may have an offer. The AF side of me is telling me I'm crazy if I don't take it, the dude side of me is saying "Omaha"??? I know any place is what you make of it but my wife and I have already made the best of a not exactly the best place for the last 4 yrs. Til this came up we were expecting a more metro-area or overseas trip... Looking for info on: 1) TDY tempo - I know they're gone like crazy... I'm all for TDYs but I think after all my time in combat comm the wife is expecting me home a little more, not less, at our next assignment. Has anyone done time with them? 2) Hip Hop - The only thing I know besides the AF is how to DJ (that's right, I'm a turntable master). Anyone know if there's a good scene out there? My wife's a hip hop nut too so this affects both of us. 3) Culture - Not knocking the midwest but my wife and I are city types and middle GA the last 4 yrs hasn't been exactly the metropolitan life. Thanks for any insight. I think I know what my answer is but I need some serious help selling it to the wifey. zb

Anyone do this sh-t with a Mac? I'm trying to get in but wack-ass ADLS is telling me my security settings are too high... I've already got it set to accept cookies from sites I navigate to. How the F is an Air Force system telling me to lower my settings. Imagine if MG Lord knew a DoD site was telling me to lower my security. Can I even do the course on a Mac? Also, the Air University website is the most pitiful site I've ever seen. I couldn't even find a freakin' link to the ADLS site that it tells me all about. Yes I know ADLS is what I use for my 98670867867876 hours of CBTs at work (oops, I mean "90 minutes per year") but I'm tryin' to knock out SOS at starbucks. Thanks in advance. zb

I'll second anyone who mentioned crossfit and intervals. I just upped my PT score from mid 80s to 100 in less than six months. Dropped from a 36 waist to a 31.5 and dropped my run from 11:15 to 9:33. While I've always been in decent shape even when I'd really hit the gym hard either on weights or running I never saw a ton of improvement in run time. I've been eating better, but by no means have I "dieted." Just laid off the late nite snacks and started eating breakfast religiously. I got into crossfit in Baghdad this winter. That combined with some interval training literally changed my world. I didn't even realize the improvement until I took a practice PT test a couple weeks ago after coming home. I thought "oh sh-t someone must have screwed up the timer." Nope. So I took an official one the week after and scored a perfect. If any gyms near you offer crossfit or if you can get a few buds together to do it you'll be set. Its tough to do alone because it sucks so much you'll want to give up, but you'll be unstoppable if you stick to it. Good luck. zb

On a slightly related note, just curious what happens to the stealth pilots now that the jet is retired. I got a T-38 ride from those guys as a cadet and they were all some great dudes. Are there opportunities to move into the F-22 since that's the new jet for their wing or will they get shuffled to instructor and staff jobs? Is there a set process for this? zb

Sather. There actually is wi-fi here but its expensive and the tin pods/trailers 50% of the troops live in just bounce the signal right off. If you call Magic Island "good" then we've got slightly different definitions of good wi-fi. Magic Island's elsewhere on VBC but not here, negotiations to bring them here haven't worked out the best. The new guys we're working with have got a solid rep, and the vendor agreement is currently in JAG abyss. It sure would be nice if T-Mike was dinner buds with these guys... We're also trying to not charge the airmen an arm and leg too, which has been tough. We did manage to get a SPAWAR cafe here recently so there's at least one good myspacing option... zb

Rock on. Can I use that one? BTW - I was merely telling it like it is, not defending whoever's managing the wi-fi program (or lack thereof) at the Deid. I do know we've been struggling to get wi-fi that doesn't suck here in Baghdad for a while and haven't had much luck. We've been through about three different companies since I was here last and none of them ever live up to their promises... zb

Commercial Wi-Fi in the AOR is handled by contractors. Government writes the contract, but generally has no say in how many people the contractor hires. If its still in the process of installation and he's not breaking any dates listed in the statement of work, the DoD has no say in it - he can go home as long as he wants. Hopefully they wrote his contract for 24/7 support once it is online though. zb

Here's some interesting observations I've noticed here in Iraq on the Airman BATTLE Uniform... Lets take a look at the missions being performed and the uniforms the Airmen performing those missions are wearing. Anybody going into, or with any chance of going into a "battle" is wearing something else. Outside the wire jobs: Aircrew: Flight Suits, obviously... EOD: Army Combat Uniform ILO Security Forces: Flight Suits or ACUs OSI: Civies Inside the wire: Everyone else: ABUs Pretty cool how wearing the Airman BATTLE Uniform pretty much labels you as someone who's not going anywhere close to an actual BATTLE! Note: I do like the no ironing part of the uniform though... zb

One of my NCOs got coined by LTG North last week, two days after the change went live. The coin still said CENTAF. He mentioned that he considered handing it back to the 3 star and asking for an AFCENT one... Might have been amusing if he had, though I'm sure my CC is perfectly happy he did not do that. May I recommend that BaseOps now be called OpsBase? zb