viper154

The JTR, If your leadership there has not declared marshal law and forced people to live on base via a memo then you are good to go. I know several people that have completed IQT in both the 130s and whirly birds in the last 6 months there and they all lived off base. Even if there was a memo, you could still live off base and get paid, you could just get paperwork from leadership.

Ive had moderate success using the threat, never actually had to get the IG involved.

Our entire RPA program/pipeline relies very heavily on contract instructors that do everything (sims, local flights, inerts) only thing they can't do is fly combat lines. I am sure they have no problem keeping guys at Randolph (UPT guy so I didn't go through the school there) but having been through schools at Holloman, Creech, and Cannon, the location/pay ratio have to work. All these places have enough guys to keep them going but usually people get out of mil and transfer as a civilian instructor because of temporary personal reasons or getting their foot in the door at a much better paying place. (and the handful of old crusty dudes just waiting to die). As said above, how do you plan retaining these guys in places like DLF when they can rack up a few thousand hours in 2-3 years and make bank in a desirable location. Its cheaper for the AF to force Lts to be FAIPs for $33,000 a year +BAH/benefits than to shell out 6 figures to a civilian dude.

I don't know anymore than you about the Iran RQ-170 incident, but I can say that RPAs have a very accurate INS system with minimal drift. Easy fix if GPS hacking is what your getting at. You can't control a aircraft from a GPS signal/hack, only make it think somewhere its not. ATC would notice the aircraft is off assigned clearance, or the autopilot would realize the error between the GPS and INS, a GCS would be alerted, and a pilot would take over. I don't like the idea of RPA airliners anymore than the next guy, but I don't thinking hacking really is worth while argument to make.

If your trolling then touche, you got me. If your serious, then no. We do it every day with 70 RPA caps. Encrypted datalinks.

Got picked up with a 2.7 in ROTC, that was about 5 years ago when the first knee jerk oh shit we need pilots thing happened. Guard/Reserve is your best bet for AF, things can be explained in a interview, especially if you have great scores on PCSM and are a bro. AF AD, I could see that getting you a RPA slot, and I would advise against that, but still don't hurt to try. Bust your ass and try, better to try and fail than to give up and wonder what if. Best of luck.

I have to agree. The crap product the AF/DOD bought for RPAs can do some sweet stuff, but there are a lot of glitches and problems that need a human in the loop. Obviously the commercial sector would have a much better product than what we (mil) are currently using, but what happens when that automated jet hits a flock of birds/has autopilot failure/whatever and someone has to take the plane on a satcom link that has been monitoring 10 other planes and bring it to a safe landing. Anyone in current RPA ops knows the SA of a safety observer running into a GCS as you receive a 9 line and are setting strike posture. They usually have no idea whats going on, are a SA drain on the crew, and can barely make sure you laser and missile are on the right code. 99.9% of the time drone airline flight would be fine, but I just don't think a crew with minimal SA on the ground monitoring multiple jets would be able to step into a no shit Sully situation and save the day. Just my opinion. Also, we would need to figure out the satcom delay problem for a ground crew not co located at the airport to be able to land in a emergency. I have only done it in the sim, but trying to land a plane on a 1.5 second delay in just about impossible.

For what its worth there is memo out there from the Holloman RPA schoolhouse that allowed married folks to stay off base. They had a similar policy requiring all students to stay in base lodging except the married guys, could try to use it as a president. Just my opinion, If your unit (not the FTU) is paying I would try contacting your unit and tell them the current set up is detrimental to your training, and document it. A call between CCs might go further than trying to lawyer the set up. You start hooking events you have documentation as to why, and might be able to leverage things. (not advocating intentionally hooking rides, but if things don't go well you have ammo for the board/CC meeting)

Its all about what your unit is willing to pay for and what slots are open. i wouldn't get your hopes up with the doom and gloom of the fighter shortage. I have seen crazier things though, like a guard RPA guy going through UPT T-38s.

I would think there are enough guys (and renters) at Randolph to get a fund together to get a lawyer to sue the shit out the AF. I would gladly send away some $$ to see the AF get bent over in court. Its a direct violation of the JFTR and unlike most the shoe clerk regs its not ambiguous what so ever. Take every opportunity to shove it to the man, god knows they don't pass up a opportunity to shove up ours.

Come to AFSOC, even the RPA bros get OCPs, got to be tacticool in the box, and we can wear them grabbing a burger on the way home.

I was looking at the Pops, as a AFSOC guy rocking OCPs most the time I found a guy on eBay that is selling the Cockpit USA jackets they were issuing before these new red ish shit things they have now. Has all the gov tags and such. I think it was $200, been wearing it all winter on TDY, I have had no issues. The Pops jackets are much nicer but I didn't want to spend $400 for something I wear a couple times a year.

Not throwing a spear at you but anyone with the attitude above. Few things make me more angry than someone being a bitch on assignment night. Hell no I did not want my RPA, I stood up, shook my flight CCs hand, saluted, he gave me a bro hug and said sorry man, I drank my bottle of Jack, cheered for my bros that got killer assignments and moved on. UPT is a amazing experience and just graduating is a lifetime accomplishment. I will be more than happy to kick anyone in the nuts and give them a bitch slap for being bitter about being non vol to a fighter. We have way to many other problems in every community than to deal with people not liking there airframe straight out of UPT.

Just wait until you have to explain 15 billion times to everyone you meet not from NY what SUNY Cortland is. (SUNY Potsdam myself)

Verizon has a mil discount, works well at Cannon and worked good Columbus, not so hot in the ops buildings but no one really had coverage in them

Good point, it was earlier I didn't have my coffee yet

Only read about half. Agreeed on all points, with a note, I have been lower than 10k for very specific mission reasons. I explained to a friends family what flying a RPA was like over the holidays. First question they asked "Is like a video game?" The American public really has no clue, the media has been feeding them way to many bullshit stories over the years.

Could try a pit pad if your willing to commute from Randolph area.

Way to many variables. Majority of Air Force jets have several basing options in vastly different climates as well as overseas where that big ole 4 wheel drive ain't going to fit. (Assuming UPT works out) Your basically asking what clothes should I pack for that mystery vacation you haven't won yet. Also don't buy shit until your married.

As someone who lives 5 miles from west Texas I can promise you no cowboy hat wearing, truck driving, Texan voted for Hil dawg. Banner that's been hanging in the center of town since June and still proudly flying. Stereotypical truck included.

Our military acquisitions process needs a serious overhaul. The government is letting contractors stick in our ass without a common curtesy of a reach around. If we can get this asinine process we use un fcked maybe we get hardware that works, on time, and not 2-6x times the price we were quoted.

Retake the TBAS if you have time, and get some hours. My first TBAS got my pcsm to a 9. Second time I took it my PCSM went up to a 80.

Take some time off from whatever it is your doing. You would be amazed how much a couple days sitting on the couch, a 30 rack/bottle of your favorite alcoholic beverage, carry out and some "gettin jiggy with it" will do for the mind/body. Could also be a actual health problem. I would tread lightly, don't get yourself DQd before you even get to the show, at the same time you don't want to ignore a actual problem if it is one. I have minimal knowledge of the medical field, and know little about your situation, but you asked for a opinion, so take it for what it's worth. I'm assuming you probably have been working hard/stressing with college/work/family/OTS packages etc. Sometimes you just need to do what I said above. If being a drunken fat ass isn't your thing, go to your happy place wherever that may be and chill.

No ROTC unit is better than another for pilot slots. A package gets put in (grades, PT scores, PCSM, commander ranking) and it gets racked and stacked against everyone else in your year group applying.

It would better suit just about anyone. Much less bs, better qol, and you will have plenty of opportunities to travel especially if you go to heavy unit. I joined because I love to fly, travel and I wanted to serve my country. I now sit in a room and I sometimes "control" a computer screen that is 10,000 miles away. You will have much more control over your life. Consider it.