[F-35 Lightning info]

Uh.....no.

Uh...elaborate...

[F-35 Lightning info]

All this talk about the F-35B providing CAS for the Marines... I fail to see how being able to drop a JDAM is CAS. That does not provide a complete CAS solution. What happens when you run into a TIC inside 95m? Is that when you slap on the gun pod? Good luck employing close to friendlies without a HUD.

AH-1Z and UH-1Y crews aren't having issues with out a HUD. Not sure why it would be a big deal for the F-35. I haven't heard any point articles on the use of a HMD with regards to the accuracy of a weapons system. Haven't the use of HMDs been used in the air to air arena with good effects? The weapon has nothing to do with CAS, it's about the target. If dropping a rock out of your aircraft and hitting the dude in the head satisfies the ground commanders intent for fire support with in the doctrine of CAS - Then it's CAS.

[WTF? (**NSFW**)]

Question; Does the USMC have a dedicated full time force that's primary mission is to provide airfield security and resource protection, similar to the USAF Security Forces?

In short, No. Typically falls on other composite units internal to the wing (typically LAAD) who compose the base defense force or another ground unit on the base itself. In this case, the Brits were responsible and had assigned another country to defend the base.

[Lt Col Wilkerson sexual assault case]

I just want to be sure, you're saying the AF and the Marines are the same in the areas of discipline? And that enlisted Marines are treated less harshly than officers?

Check the link I posted to the Gen. Fiscus affairs and see if that is similar to the Corps' manner of handling things.

----

Few months old, but came across this today, makes you wonder about current leadership.

http://www.psycholog...ults-in-scandal

I realize I contradicted myself there a little, but my feeling is that the Corps is tough on its officers rather than vice versa, and I probably should have worded those sentences differently.

If it was found that the Maj Gen last served honorably as a 0-6, then he rates an 0-6 retirement. Nothing less. Same goes for enlisted personnel who are reduced in rank from a history of previous charges. If you want to complain about his retirement pension, then complain about the differences in officer vs enlisted pay, otherwise we're barking up the wrong tree.

[Lt Col Wilkerson sexual assault case]

You can't retire as an E-5 anymore in the USAF. I believe the President is the only one who can demote an officer.

There you have it.

[Lt Col Wilkerson sexual assault case]

Just ask, what would the Air Force do to a TSgt who made the same mistake? I'm pretty sure it isn't a retirement (which, correct me if I'm wrong, is automatically an honorable discharge). I don't really care what civilian companies do. Most of them aren't purging the ranks of all fun because a few guys screwed around. As long as our senior leaders keep telling us how important it is to prevent and punish sexual assault, while avoiding most of the consequences when they do it themselves, it will be hard to take them seriously.

Rank has nothing to do with it.

The TSgt would have the same investigation and trial that the LtCol would, and his punishment would be according to what the convening authority dictates. Officers are dismissed. Not discharged. If dismissed, the results are pretty much the same. Enlisted personnel can be reduced in rank and retire, and still be allowed to collect retirement pay. You can retire as a E-5 believe it or not. You can not reduce an officer's rank (to my knowledge) but you sure as hell can end his career with a UCMJ article. Looking to pick up 0-4 around the 12-14 year mark? Sorry, looks like your going to have to execute your EAS. Of which, you get nothing for...of course now we're playing games of what type of crime and the severity of the offense. The most egregious cases usually end up having the the offender doing time in Leavenworth. I have yet to see large samples of senior officers committing sexual assaults and not getting the hammered for it.

Your comparison to officier/enlisted treatment wrt the UCMJ is naive and shortsighted. Sounds like the usual enlisted hate mongering towards officers.

T Does anyone honestly believe that the punishment for a LtCol would be the same as that for a TSgt?

In my service, Marine Officers would be raked over the coals twice as hard as any comparable enlisted personnel.

[Lt Col Wilkerson sexual assault case]

I do know that this is more the heart of the problem than any number of songbooks, pin-ups, or dirty jokes: senior leaders get caught with their hand in the cookie jar, and their "punishment" is the same retirement most people are working towards. The fact that senior leaders, when found out in these sorts of scandals, are "punished" by not having to work and continuing to make more on a monthly basis than the majority of the enlisted force just for breathing. It doesn't exactly send the message the Air Force is looking for.

Again, I don't know if this is the case for Wilkerson. I'm sure we'll find out. But just allowing senior officers to retire isn't exactly "holding them accountable".

So a dude makes one huge mistake and you completely discount his entire career of service? and including his retirement? By that logic, civilians should have their company's matching 401k benefits and interest stripped of them as well, and fired. Regardless of him getting a retirement, losing 0-5 pay and going to retired 0-5 pension isn't exactly what I would called easy to manage if it happened unexpectedly, nor would be getting a job after your employers find out about your sexual assault history.