Stitch

Many years ago when the Chief of our AMU (he was a great guy) retired as a gag gift he was given a broken clock with a picture of our less than stellar the OIC on it with the enscription "When time stood still". Unconfirmed rumors stated that said OIC was removed from office due to our stats being in the toilet and he was reassigned duties handing out rental cars to TDY units. Again, unconfirmed. After he was replaced all of our stats exceeded the charts in less than 60 days after the change over.

Saw a video clip on U-Tube this morning with him "promoting" it at a campagin stop in July 08, called it a "Civilian Security Force..." WTF is that supposed to do? Anyone have any info on this one? OBTW, the whole crowd was clapping, cheering, etc... Shades of Nuremberg perhaps?

While I hope this is total bullsh*t, here’s something to think about. Within the last two months or so there was a History Channel program on about several different groups who plotted to remove/overthrow/coup de tae (sp) Adolf Hitler from office (centering on the Project Valkrie guys). Anyhow, it mentioned early on in the show how Hitler made the German military (and lots of other folks for that matter) pledge an oath directly to him, not the state. There are others in this forum much smarter on history than me that can comment on that. But this is something to make you go Mmmmmm. INFO NOTE: Please understand I am in no way comparing Hitler to the current president. Additionally, remember 99.9% of this stuff has no basis in fact and since any nutball can put anything on line with no need for credibility there is no way to know what’s baloney and what’s a least semi true. I would hope that Fox News or other mainstream source would shed some light on this one way or the other.

While no where close to the Top 10 good places, this one will vie for spot on the Top 10 Scary Bars: The Batman Club outside the gate at Osan (is it even still there? Last time I was in Osan was 1995) Or suitable sub: The Nepa Hut (old guys, brief (STS) the newbees)

Exactly! Not to mention for the all important "Wing Goober of the Quarter/Month/Week" geek of the week competition. In shoe world "Awards=Professional" On top of that' its also double edged sword. Some guy works for a supervisor who is singlehandedly trying to "fix the system" by NOT giving out awards. Then down the road time for promotion boards for E-8/E-9 and you don't have a decoration. This can falsely give the impression that your a worthless bag of dirt because you didn't get in on the great decoration giveaway. This mess is going to take YEARS to correct.

Uncle (gradfather's brother-in-law): Army WWI and WWII started out as an E, retired as an O-6 Another Uncle (gradfather's brother): Again, started out as an Army E in WWI, retired as an O-6 after WWII. Cousin: Thud driver (F-105), Fighter Weapons School instructor, one of the original Wild Weasels Me: Retired E-7 (24 years), bomb loader. Didn't fly jets, but did wrench them, but I somehow fell under a luckly star and was blessed with three (3) incentive rides, 2x F-15, 1x F-16. (Even stationed at Nellis in the AMU that supported the F-15C division of the FWS. So I shared some of the same ramp with a family member. Granted, it was some 25 years difference, but the same ramp anyway) Working on PPL, initial solo complete, planning on becoming a CFI. My Kid: Entering junior year at one of the lesser known federal service academies, wants to go active or ANG, put in for UPT and fly anything they'll let em. Brother: Coastie, 4-years.

This website might be of some use. (For fun if nothing else). http://www.usafupt.com/id21.htm

While Lancasters are in short supply what about using the Avro Shackleton as a stand-in? The Shackleton was "born" from the Lancaster. Sure it has the counterrotating props, but talented GCI dudes can fix that along with any other other "fixes" to make it quasi-authentic. Slap on some WWII era paint and that's probally about as good as it's gonna get without the real deal. Then again the Shackleton's were retired in the early 90's so... nevermind, just a random thought.

Talking about traditions...for those of you that haven't been in but a few years...the AF is firmly against establishing traditions...thats why we change our uniform every 5 to 10 years!! In my 24 years of experience I can say this… The USAF has tradition… to quickly squash anything that even remotely looks like it may become a tradition. Now add in the PC factor and nothing will ever become tradition unless it’s approved. Imagine the shoe clerk reunion 25 years from now, no booze, only approved music, “health heart” menu and to top it off some old guy checking socks at the entrance to the buffet.

If you really want to do ERAU find one of the 130 extended campus locations (most, but not all, are on a military base) and go to school there. If you want to fly, find an FBO, get your training, and get credit for it just the same as if you did it at one of the residential campuses. Programs differ at the extended campus so check out what they offer. The biggest thing is if you really want the diploma with Embry-Riddle on it you can get it at a huge savings. Been there, done that. Stitch