sputnik

It always comes down to what you like, and personally, for whatever reason I always hated the glock trigger. The XD doesn't have the dual thing does it? And M2, do you have the 40 or 45? I can possibly sucker my wife into one more gun, but only because we live in bear country. The more I dwell on it the more I know I just have no desire to get a 44 mag, or anything bigger. Just won't enjoy shooting it, and once I leave AK I'll have no reason to. I'm pretty sure that anything smaller than a 44 will just make a bear eat me faster, but I'm trying to convince myself that if I put 13 rounds out of an XD45 maybe I'll have a chance? Guys, help me out? Look I realize a 45-70 guide gun or a short shotgun with slugs is the only real thing for a bear, but I've hauled long guns in many places and know, when it comes down to it, when I really need it it'll probably be leaning against a tree. I realize guys get the 44 (or 454, 500...) because you can strap it on but... fvck, help me out here, I want an XD not a mag.

Wow, you need to be prof advanced to Chief of Staff man, you've figured it out. I'll hit a few high points: - With modern sims, it's beyond possible that B-2/F-117/U-2 pilots can get all the proficiency they need in a sim. Take a long look at the handling characteristics and speeds of a T-38 and compare them to that of a U-2 and decide just how much one relates to the other. I'll leave the rest to Huggy if he feels like it, but I'll just sum up by saying that yes, the fact that those fellas get to fly the 38 is in fact, a really good deal. A well deserved good deal. - Guys in ALO billets, staffs, school and 365s don't accumulate gate months in those positions. Which means that eventually, they'll get back to flying because they just spent x amount of months/years not flying. Guys in UAVs for some reason do accumulate gate months (unless I'm smoking crack, always possible) and therefore have nothing--other than the apparently worthless promises of the AF--that they'll get back in a cockpit someday. - If/as you move along in your career you'll find buds get sent to play staff...at AFPC. You'll find they're not all d&^chbags, perhaps even you'll get your chance. They have to fill the jobs, and they will. Someday the evil guy at AFPC just might be a friend of yours - It's kind of you to open up with a statement of how good the AF has been to you then call everyone who complains about a bad deal a ###### and compare them to grunts. In fact, every grunt (and I was one) joins to be a grunt. Just like most pilots joined, go figure, to be a pilot as opposed to say a UAV operator. I've known quite a few dudes get exiled to the UAV. All did a solid very professional job. Some actually enjoyed it but most quite sincerely hated it. And while doing a very professional job of it they often did a more than adequate job of bitching about it. You may be, perhaps, pollyanna about every kick in the nuts, but the rest of the AF doesn't always live up to your standards. When the AF kicks me in the nuts, I take it, but usually take a moment to verbalize my lack of enjoyment of said kick. - The point you're skipping, I'd guess than 99% of the people bitching most on this forum, if they got those dreaded orders, would go off and do a kick ass job of flying the UAV. And if you joined them, and expressed the views you just did above, they'd probably alleviate some stress by giving you a blanket party. Bitching doesn't make you less professional, it makes you human. So let's say I disagree. I think an ACE type program makes infinite sense. It will take some time if for no other reason than the fact the community is too undermanned to take time off to fly. But at some point they'll be there, even if it means flying on their one day off. In addition to easing a bitter pill, it'll also give those pilots some no kidding stick and rudder skills so that the day they finally get back to a real jet they'll have something better than the skills transfered from staring at video screen moving along at 75 kts.

I went with AAFMAA and found them quite easy to deal with and pretty cheap with no exclusions. I pay $25/mo for $600k. My question for everyone, know anyone who had it and died? Did it pay out okay? Couldn't find anything bad about them but you never know. USAA was a serious pain the ass, had to get a physical, etc, and they appeared to be substantially more expensive. So I went with AAFMAA. That said, I've always been very happy with USAA and am quite confident they'd pay out with zero hassle. So now you have me thinking. When I retire and look to replace SGLI (from what I can tell VSGLI is too spendy--thoughts retired dudes?) I may try USAA again.

I spent 4.5 years in Del Rio, went xcountry quite a few times through Clovis. And it always made me feel better because "at least I'm not at Cannon." Yeah vipers survived it, but they had a lot more than the one other PCS option facing AFSOC. Here's one more vote for Clovis sucks. In my travels of the US it is clear and away the worst place I've ever been. Yes it's an opinion, and it's mine. I vol'ed Laughlin, I vol'ed Altus (thank God I didn't have to go there), I'd 7 day opt before Clovis. My family didn't sign up for that. And what kind of evil asshole would put UAVs there? Not enough to kick you in the nuts with a non flying assignment, better kick you again with Clovis.

You know, the last thing I need right now is a new handgun. Well, seeing as I now live in AK a 44 mag wouldn't be a bad idea. But somehow you've gotten me really wanting an XD. Great, more hot water with the wife. I also have no idea who in AF is packing a 1911. Or a Glock. I'm too lazy to write the website that advertised the claim, anyone else?

Well as a heavy pilot I'm not sure I'm one of the "elite," but I've only seen and carried an M9. I've seen some Army guys with completely unauthorized/illegal handguns with calibers starting with "4," more power to them (no glocks though), and we all know T Mike packs a .357. Who knows with AFSOC though. M2 seems to be a gun fanatic, thoughts?

I know of at least one person who smoked grass before joining the military, disclosed it, and had zero problems getting on PRP. Oddly, what gave them the most pause, I took this citizens police academy course because I was in Del Rio, bored, and wanted to ride along with the fuzz and you had to take this 8 week course to do so (couple nights a week as I recall). Anyway, one of the instructors was a trained hypnotist and demoed techniques on/to the class. Supposed to help witnesses relax and remember what they saw. As supreme court says you can't use such testimony I have no idea why he was doing this. Back to the story. Along with the majority of the class I took this as a chance to go to my happy place and zonk out, no dancing on chairs while clucking like a chicken, or being programmed to kill Frank Sinatra. Anyway, on the PRP questionaire, along with have you ever used drugs in the last two thousand years, is have you ever been hypnotized. So I said yes. Holy f&ck, they skipped right over the drug use and homed in on that one. Personally I found PRP to be a non event but I wasn't in ACC, our unit was small, not pea-brained, and took a big boy approach to it. Great story I know. Back to the thread, the first I'd heard of PRP and had anything to do with it was when I actually had to go on it. Never heard of this as a commissioning requirement. Not to knock the thread starter--I hope he got past this hiccup--but how 'bout some personal reponsibility, you get 8 tickets in 2 years and it's the AF's fault? Yes it's stupid they give a crap about it, but so is not wearing your seatbelt, and getting caught, multiple times.

I was FAIPed as a 1LT, the other two FAIPs from my class were both Capt's. Granted, I was the only one to finish PIT but that's something else. FAIPing a Capt is a dumb idea, but it has happened. If they don't do it right now, doesn't mean they haven't in the past or won't again in the future. Pencilpusher had some excellent points. It was nice to come into my MWS with a rapid upgrade, but there's a lot to be said for being a copilot. While it's true that the days of copilots not having jobs have passed, 'growing up' in an MWS would be nice. On the other hand, even now I have more IP time than primary, and relatively little of the dreaded "other." I think most heavy drivers have few hours issues, but if you do the FAIP thing you do get a lot of quality hours.

As with anything, requirements only mean so much. People always get jobs they're not "qualified" for. However, in answer to your question it is a written policy. From the FAQs on AFPC's website: http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/main_conte...mp;p_faqid=5138 "Hey, how can I become a PIT instructor at Randolph AFB? See the AETC pre-requisites listed on this website. In addition to the standard requirements to be an instructor pilot in AETC (aircraft commander, minimal red marks in your FEF as described above, recommendation from your OG/CC), PIT instructors are required to have a previous USAF UPT instructor tour. It does not, however, need to be a “match” – for example, a pilot who was a T-37 instructor pilot previously can come to PIT and be a T-1 instructor" There are hard requirements listed on the etca website, but I'm at home and can't access.

You should start a new thread, or just write on this one, I'd be interested. I am curious about the statement that the attache embassy jobs were going to RAS, I was told exactly the opposite. My guy could have been wrong, I'm just curious as to where you heard it.

You forgot step 1/2. Find a stewardess less than 60 (age and/or dress size) On that line, what are the large breast shaped things on the pedestal?

Nothing is forever, it means right now you can't leave. Even if they did say you'll never be released, that also means nothing because stuff changes on a daily basis. I can vividly remember being briefed complete with charts on the pilot shortage that couldn't be fixed until 2012 at the earliest. Ask the TAMI 21 guys how that worked out. Ditto on Sparky, if Sq/CC can't/won't fight for you you ain't going no where.

Here's another C12 gig I'd never heard of until today, Egypt. There's a few (4 I think) out there, it's not a DAO thing and no language training, falls under CENTCOM. Some sort of liaising with Egyption military. Talked to a guy today who did it, two year accompanied remote. Don't really feel like living in Egypt, but it's something different and Lord knows there's worse places.

Totally depends. Was it a checkride or something that happened on a standard flight? Doors closing--depends what it was for and how bad it was. Like any other Q3, the more successful checkrides you put to the right of the bust the less it matters. Future assignments, unless he's up for something competitive where they look at your FEF (i.e. 89th) shouldn't matter. Even if the losing unit thinks he's an idiot, it may help him get a different job just so the losing unit can get rid of him. Again though, as time goes on and the win column goes up, it'll matter less. In C17s I think it's pretty rare outside the schoolhouse. Not that Altus necessarily busts a lot of guys, but it doesn't happen much in units I've been in. Actually come to think of it, most Q3s I've seen weren't from checkrides, they were from something that happened on a local or mission. The few buds I know of that have gotten hit did just fine. At any rate, I don't think it'll hurt him much. Just like UPT, learn, put it behind you and move on.

You want to look for air attache assignements. FAO is something else entirely. Cool or not depending on your perspective, but nothing to do with flying. Don't know any in the AF but I have a bud who does it in the Army and it's a pretty sweet deal. Back to your question, look at the list of all the attache jobs, some of them are marked "flying" or something to that effect, that indicates it has a C12. I just looked at it a couple months ago so I know the list exists and you can figure out what countries have flying positions. It lists language requirements and the training you get, which means up to a year of DLI enroute. Pretty sweet deal all around. I'm at home and can't remember my AFPC log in, but try one of these links https://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/Restricted...ListCurrent.xls or http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/main_content.asp If neither works just do a search in AFPC for "air attache" and you'll find it. No idea how hard it actually is to get one of them, but I have a pipe dream of getting one myself. Best of luck.

THat's some ######ed up shit. Now I want to run into work to see what my average is. We should have a contest, see who can get the highest numbers.

Is this actually for real? The last time this rumor kicked up I checked the then posted scott website and it just showed fuel by MDS, saw no listing of AC names (I'm not quite curious enough to drive in to work to check it). Has someone seen with their own eyes this sort of list?

You mean 20 more than we're supposed to or 20 period? Hell I'm excited when I can get guys to land that low.

If you think that's bad you'll really love it when we make IP and log instructor time on each of those pond crossings.

Yeah I thought that was kind of odd too. I didnt' get into his site till after I posted, certainly did look kind of lame. If you read further into it he talks about getting kicked out. He got interviewed by playboy a few years back and went into more detail. He got kicked out prior to grad, fairly certain as a firstie but couldn't swear to it. Not sure how he punted the enlisted time but as I recall about that point the enlisted force was a little pissed that academy washouts got sent to them. Maybe he paid off the debt, definately made enough. And I did find this: http://www.dropzone.com/interviews/TroyHar...selessand.shtml Why the hell do I feel like I'm defending the guy, you're right his statment was a bit gay. Frankly, I think saying you got kicked out of the Academy for hitting a cow is pretty damn cool. Beats "washed out cause I couldn't figure out Calculus."

Let us not forget Troy Hartman. Kind of famous for a while there. He washed out of the Academy and never made it to UPT so doesn't really qualify for this topic but good story anyway. He was in trouble for many things, but what ultimately did him in was hitting a cow, no shit, with an Aero club Cessna. For a variety of non interesting reasons I didn't like the guy, but I always had utter respect for the way he went out. His was my favorite kicked out of Academy story, long before he turned into super stunt man. Found his website. Apparently he's the guy who did the flaming parachute photo that one out of every two people on APC use as an avatar. http://www.troyhartman.com/

I'll be good to Toro and revive this one. At least I'm not alone in my utter confusion with other time. Here's a (mis?)understanding I have. If you're the A code aren't you still the PIC regardless of whether you're in the seat or not? On the forms you may split as prim/sec/other but isn't it all PIC? I mean, in AF we don't log PIC time. Prim/Sec on 781 is not directly equivalent to PIC/SIC...is it? Same vein, if you're not the A code, despite the 781 can you ever legitimately claim PIC time? Despite how you handle the controls you didn't sign out the aircraft and you're not ultimately responsible. I don't think a regional copilot logs a .1 of PIC time until they have the left seat. Help?

I think getting a start on your masters while on casual is one of the smartest things you could do so I strongly encourage it. One thing you should consider, you only get tuition assistance for one master's degree. Or so I've always been told when I've attempted to pursue another. So if you get the 'easier' one now with the intent of a 'better' one later, just realize you might be paying for 100% of the 2nd. Ed office always told me that for me to get tuition assistance on another masters the AF would have to require me to get one. Which wouldn't really be tuition assistance in that case, it would be 100% coverage and an assignment to boot. They did tell me I could get it if I were to pursue the next higher degree, a PhD. I guess I could start a program and drop out with a masters but it seems a little silly and I suspect making the prereq's would be too much a pain in the ass. For those looking for engineering degrees, I know Georgia Tech used to have distance degrees. I'd recommend finding a school/program that interests you then asking what options they have that'll work for you. I know many people make fun of ERAU (for example, me) but it's an accredited school and the degrees are real. Is a degree from there going to stand up against Harvard, nowhere except your promotion boards. However it's still an advanced degree you can put on your resume and it sure the hell isn't going to hurt you. Skipping aside M2's example above, you'll search far and wide before you find a job that's willing to pay 75-100% of school for you and even make allowances to your work schedule. The promotion system has forced most officers to take advantage of it, but it kills me how many E's just ignore it. I harp on it whenever I can, sadly to little effect most of the time. A bachelors degree is worth far more to them than an masters to any O. Whatever you do with your own education I certainly hope you encourage your E's to take advantage of the incredible education deals available. Off soapbox. Anyone have experience with safety masters? Either with ridiculous or anything else?

What you say makes sense now that I think about it. TSP comes off pre tax income in general. I'll nose around try to figure out where I got that idea. For some reason I thought I read it.

Holy shit, you called it. I had to read that a couple times before I even got what you were saying. I must have wanted VSP more than I even knew