Majestik Møøse

I'm 6 years in as a mil pilot (making ~100k btw) and would do it all over again. Most of the bullshit we complain about really isn't all bad. We just get mad when smart people in leadership roles can't seem to fix the easy problems. I spent a long time as a civilian before I commissioned, so my perspective is a little different than guys who've only worked for the AF. From what I've seen, at most levels, USAF leaders will care more about you than a civilian boss will. Even if your mil boss sucks, you'll get a new on in 2 yrs. Civilian life was boring as hell to me. Even as a pilot, I'd imagine. I just did a CONUS airline-style mission yesterday and it was the most mundane damn thing I've done in years. The only reason I'd punch to the airlines is the 200k+ potential. At this point, I just got a sweet new assignment and I'm happy to stay in. I also haven't seen the inside of a GCS yet. YMMV.

Ha, is this an actual example?

Unfortunately, the most easily understood principle, "mass", hasn't made it into enough papers to be in the acquisitions checklist.

What's the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse link again?

What gravedigger said. Starting in October, SOS won't even let you register for correspondence unless you're 2 years prior to your major board. According to them, locking it out is the only way they can keep local CCs from using it as a differentiator.

Whatever it is, I hope it's manned.

I wonder if OSI stamps little birds on the side of their building every time they get a colonel fired.

That sure is a funny lookin Mig-23. Got that extra engine and tailcone mod done.

I think we've found a great way to save some real money around here! We will simply not take military action anymore. Think of all the extra time we'll have for awards packages as well.

These totem poles are not the same height. And being a MSgt isn't really near the top anyway.

For those who haven't tried it yet, I recommend making a citrus Rip-It float with vanilla ice cream while you're still able. Use the orangey-yellow can, full sugar. Tastes like a cream soda float.

Rip Its have contributed more to operational safety in MAF aircraft than reflective belts, gloves, nomex and iPads combined. I keep two in the deep pocket of my backpack, like go-pills. Sometimes you just can't sleep, even with ambien, and you need some caffeine 8 hours into a flight. Is it the healthiest way to live in the desert? Nope, but sometimes it's too late to live healthy. That said, it'll be the maintainers who will be pushed over the edge.

I don't know. Those sitting on the fence, trying to decide if they want to stick it out and continue doing all they can to fix their piece of the sinking ship, now will apply a ~$90-125K hit to the "continue to serve" option. What once was not entirely about money now is, and the airline copilot pay gap is comparatively smaller. I bet AFPC feels like they just used the nuke option. What they don't see is that they used it on themselves.

She honestly looks slightly bewildered as to why she's getting a Combat Airlifter award from the Wing Commander and Chief. I'd love to see the writeup turned in on her behalf for this award. "Spearhead'd tng pgm for 16 civs; enabled sustenance for 6900 LRAFB warriors...direct spt for 69-pallet cbt airdrop ISO ISAF troops"

This is the crux of our manning problems. There are plenty of creative solutions that could be tested immediately, but none of the guys who would actually be able to implement this are able/willing to do so. Start some experiments and see how they go. Start tomorrow.

Uh dude that's like #23 on our priorities list.

OK, how about this: let me try my hand at being a Strike Eagle pilot, and if I get washed out the Air Force can boot me to the curb!

Damn it. The last time I did Mustache March, I said "never again". Then I grew a stache on my very first deployment; afterwards I said "never again". Then I grew a stache on my second deployment; afterwards I said "never again". I made it four more deployments, stache free. This time, March rolls around and everyone's all about it. I said "never again", and I meant it. But after reading these stories of Wing policy letters and upset generals, well damn it. I've got to do it. I've got to let that beautiful stache blow freely in the wind for all to see. The wife will be pissed and the kids will laugh at me, but this time it's too important to pass up. I'm in. Better late than never.

Awesome. I can recommend almost everything that Vice films. Lots of varied, interesting stuff, especially their guides to travel.

What's Wrong With Army would be a lot longer thread. What a bunch of fucks.

Well, he's been taking money from Northrop Grumman and staying quiet. The U-2 isn't competing with the inferior-in-every-way Global Hawk; Lockheed is competing with Northrop. Luckily, Lockheed still likes the U-2 program and the millions of dollars of sensors they build for it. Hopefully they are pulling the right strings. And this is why I think the U-2 stands a better chance of survival than the A-10 and KC-10, two jets whose replacements are being sold by the same company that owns them. Boeing wants the KC-10 gone (try searching for the KC-10 factsheet on Boeings website) just like Lockheed wants the A-10 gone (Lockheed's A-10 page just mentions avionics upgrades and the brochure link is broken). The only thing keeping A-10s and KC-10s around is their mission effectiveness.

Well said, Tonka, especially this part: Too often we forget this and focus on the negative.

Being a missileer is important. Would you to do that?

Uhhh, no. Where did you hear that one? We only burn about 7K/hour more than you, on average, and we can carry 140K more. The advantage of the -135 is boom or drouge-cycle time; it's faster to refuel a 4-ship using 2x -135s vs 1x -10. Do you work at the CAOC, by any chance?

Just pay them more money. We pay pilots more money after ten years because it's hard to keep them around. It's also hard to keep missileers around. This shit is easy.