viper154

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.

Need to take your TBAS and AFOQT to get a PCSM score. Also, go guard.

I have a buddy that's a manned pilot flying RPAs for the guard, I'm a manned guy flying RPAs for AD, feel free to message, I'll try to answer what I can and relay the rest to him.

100% agree. Carrying a gun is huge responsibility. Much like chairflying/talking about those odd "what if" situations in the jet you need to ask yourself when are you going to draw the line in the sand and when you are going to keep it holstered in all different types of scenarios. If you wait until something actually happens your going to be to late and be dead or "jump the gun" (pun intended) and end up in prison. On a a lighter note, just bought my first NFA item, AAC M4 2000 for my ARs, put it on a trust, curious how y'all with NFA items have handled being in the military and potentially moving to a liberal anti 2nd amendment state?

Cannon has had concealed carry (in your vehicle) on base for a few months as well. Ideally I still would like to carry in my building but I'll take what I can get. This place is a shithole and it's nice not having to worry about being legal going through the gate with my Glock. It made some people get their panties in a twist out here, because if your military all you have to do for a conceal permit is mail in your orders and get finger printed. I took advantage of this soon as a I moved here but I am a fan of having a required safety class to get a carry permit. A couple times a month I hear people talk about how they want to get a gun even though they know nothing about shooting and immediately start conceal carrying and it drives me nuts.

Agreed on all points. I probably should have taken the opertunity to STFU, it's been a long week and after a couple drinks a took my anger/frustration on this post. Also, keep making loud airplane noises. 'Merica

Ahh yes, they took a huge risk putting senior enlisted in a "plane" that takes off and lands its self, is on autopilot 99.9% of the time, and is flying above controlled airspace. Not to hate on any Global Chicken guys, but it's true. That being said, these guys deserve a pat on back, there are very few enlisted ACs in USAF history This was nothing more more than a conservative publicity stunt so generals could save their ass by saying "hey look we are fixing the problem". NM is a shithole with shady politics, how else would they have 3 AF bases and a Army base in this wasteland. The AF has several large caliber bullet rounds right now and only a couple band aids, they are going to keep moving these band aids around to make it look like it's getting better when it's only getting worse. Last year it was RPAs, this year its fighters, next year will be the heavies, missiles were mixed in there somewhere. Not until we see wholesale failure as a force (with probably a lot of flag draped caskets) will it get better. Rant off.

There are AFOQT study books much like the SAT study books, helpful and about $20, your Det will likely have some you can borrow. Buy a Jeppison PPL book. You can get it used on amazon for $5. It will help with the pilot section and much later down the road the IFS academics are almost word for word from the book. (Several years ago at least). You can take the AFOQT twice, but you have to wait 6 months for the retake, just like your TBAS. Make sure you leave yourself enough time before your rated package is due. (Again, dated info but use to be put in over winter break of your junior year) Unrelated, but fyi, their are a shit ton of hot hipster girls in art history, and you will study significantly less (and drink much more) than your tech friends