Duck

That's a great point. I actually know of a guy who signed up for the 10 year bonus and was twice passed over for O-5 so he was out around the 15-16 yearish point. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I had a buddy even try to Palace Chase his Bonus ADSC. I don't know the full details but since he is still on AD, I guess he was denied. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

The funny thing is besides some early Force management issues in my career and going through two potential RIFs, I personally haven't been mistreated, until my last two years. One of my personal struggles is that I internalize things way too much. I have seen way too many good guys get the shaft all in the name of the needs of the AF, when it was really out of convenience for the Commander and it affects me way more than it should. I've had a couple awesome Commanders. I have had some truly terrible WG/CCs. As I reflect I realize how negative I am most of the time. So here's a positive. Right after the first RIF board I was one of three Capt ACs in my Squadron. Our Sq got dropped a Pred for a Capt, AC. Out of the three Capts, I was the only one who didn't have an assignment yet. My Commander fought tooth and nail to get that assignment passed to our VERY weak swimmer Copilots who was about to pin on Capt. He then got me my first choice assignments out of there to protect me from any more AFPC "good ideas". Best damn Commander I ever had. Saw him fight day after day against OG and WG leadership to the point where he got sick of it and retired. Bright and shiny guy who would have been an awesome Wg/CC one day. He now flies for Southwest. Called me about 3 months into the job and told me that it was the best decision in his life and he should have done it 10 years earlier. Also told me to get out as fast as I could. Dammit, that was supposed to be a positive story about the AF. Oh well. I am actually a pretty positive person in real life. If any of you all ever run across me in the real world, first rounds on me. Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Sad. I've come to realize though that they truly believe it. They have been brainwashed into this backwards way of thinking that paperwork is how you "take care of people". Best Commander I ever had wasn't the best because I won awards from him, but because one day he sat me down in his office to get to know me and then asked me "what do you want?". Blew my mind that it took almost 5 years into my career for someone to ask me this. Keep the faith brother. Your people truly know who is "taking care of them". Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

He got his... he don't need you! When he retires he can make millions as a board member telling the AF how to unfvck what he fvcked up! Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Good question. Before I did any of this I had previously tried to Palace Chase back to my home ANG unit, you know back when we had too many pilots... I had already been hired with a Position Number way back then which they have kept open for me. Along the way I made it clear to them my intentions and they have been super cool with it all. Eventually I will need a waiver but right now they aren't having any problems with it. It also helps that my Guard unit is one of the few true Guard units left. The hatred for all things AD is still strong there, however they did just recently start wearing flight caps outside (all good things eventually come to an end). Still no saluting and all first name basis, including the Two-Star down at State HQ. All in all they have all been suooirtive with it (leadership included) and even said to expect my promotion to O-4 shortly after I arrive (whether true or not, I really don't care). In fact several in leadership there now were twice passed over Capts. Their main point is they want someone they don't mind hanging out/partying with for the next 10-20 years. Life is good man. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Unfortunately I'll just ride it out. Since the next board is in December, I expect to be separated and with the ANG by March. So about 8 more months of you guys putting up with my $hit. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Ha ha. Yeah, actually I am. I have a couple buddies who got passed over for O-5 and we talked about throwing a party once I got the news. Whats messed up is that they actually wanted to stay in, get promoted and continue to 20, but apparently the pilot shortage is over, because my wing had a 30% promotion rate to O-5. Now that it is done though, they are starting to see the light.

Bragging that I got passed over? I mean, yeah I feel like I won the lottery, but that post wasn't a "look at me" post. Talking to all my buddies who got promoted this cycle, they kept saying, "Dude the promotion rate is gonna be 94%, you don't have a chance to get passed over". They are all fed up with the AF as much as I am, yet they didn't want to try because they thought it wouldn't matter. I could have better prefaced the reason for posting my $hitty AF resume, which now means jack $hit since I am a passed over Capt, but honestly it is only to encourage other IPZers a way out of the suck. Maybe if more people tried it, the AF would listen, but probably not. All I know is that I am trying to make a better family life for my wife and the little ones. I have more failures than successes in the AF, and got lucky a couple times with a couple good bosses. I know of better guys and pilots who got passed over because they didn't "check the right boxes". Bottom line, I have one foot out the door and I couldn't be happier right now. If I knew ya in real life, drinks would be on me. Cheers.

That hurt my feelings brother. Why so angry? Did you get passed over but you wanted to stay? If so, I'm sorry man, best of luck in whatever you do in the future. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I think it had more to do with running out of people to fill the slot (sts). Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Letter to the IPZ board requesting to be passed over OPS CHECKS GOOD! Passed over with a requested P from my WG/CC. (Originally #3 push w/DP before meeting) Some of my strats to give hope that others can escape: 2 DGs #1 Sq CGO Strats (multiple) #2 and 3 Gp CGO Strats #1 Aircraft Commander Strat (Sq) #1 and 2 IP Strats (Sq) WIC/Phoenix Push on OPR CCE (Sq) ADO (Sq) Chief (Sq) Flt/CC I used to care about the game, but all the above is worthless to me so I truly hope it doesn't come across as bragging. Was a little worried that my record would push me into the top 93.5% but luckily I found myself in the bottom. Thanks to all the senior guys on here who passed advice along the way. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

True... haven't seen too many 6'4" 250lb hookers. One of my old students is going through some $hit with upper, high level management. We're talking FEB, strip your wings kinda stuff. As soon as it all settles I'll see if he minds me posting more. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

TC, I just sent you a PM. I have a former student who has quite the story to tell you. Might need some JQP light shined on it. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the US. I would never want to live in Texas long-term. Mississippi gets a bad rap but it's actually pretty decent place. Flowood Mississippi north east of Jackson is really nice. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Lord Ratner PM sent. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Why do you think I told my leadership I wanted to be passed over on my first board? Sure there were other reasons, but it was the best way I knew to tell everyone that I didn't want to be apart of it anymore. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

My advice is enroll as soon as they let you. That way you can say you started it. Had a buddy do that and it protected him from several bad deals since it made him look like a "team player". He never even finished the first module. Winning... Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Take heed of this guys. I'm serious. I've seen guys who have said "all I care about is flying, so I'm not gonna finish" surprisingly they ended up not flying for about 8-9 months on a deployment while the ACSC finishers stayed home and flew. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Wow. In the zone is up by almost a percent and Above is down by around 4%. Where did you get the stats from? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

The goal is to make it look like we are doing something... without actually doing something. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

At this point I am willing to pay the AF. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I'll try to act a little more excited next time. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I feel like I am winning the lottery brother. I can't wait to get out of here. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

When do you guys think that the Wing Commanders will get the promotion results? Today? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums