disgruntledemployee

On 9/11, it was the standard reaction and bustle. But I flew to Andrews on 9/12 at 0600. It was very eerie. We tookoff and was handed from departure to center before the aftertake checklist was complete. We were the only plane on freq and the center controllers were all very somber that morning. We flew into the sunrise, of which I snapped a few pictures. That photo is my reminder of 9/11. During the descent, we could see the smoke coming from the Pentagon. We were intercepted by an F-16 then given clearance to land at Andrews. Out

Here's the perceived arguement: why should DOD invest in a dedicated AF CSAR platform when in current operations, the AF has not been the service with the highest rate of isolated personnel? That is what I think the top leadership thinks. They are probably thinking, "why can't the AF use what it already has, or why can't SF do the job? So when you say the future looks good, I doubt it. While that report provides justification, its being done by those that are proponents of personnel recovery and thus, may be viewed as biased. That like me justifying the AMP, J, or C-27J. Out

Good discussion here, I love it. The demise of AMP, in my opinion, is from a basic arguement that AMP is lipstick; its make-up on the same bent-up frame and high-life wings. So, continuing that arguement, the big wigs probabply think its a better investment for more Js versus a geeked out legacy Herc, especially since J's have deployed and basically shown they can hack the mish. Yes AMP has its shady history, but the extremely long acquisition process doomed it. When I heard it was going to take about 3 years for Boeing to DEVELOP the AMP kit (after winning the contract), I thought that the bidding/acquisition process failed right there. The contract award should have resulted in an immediate install and 6-9 month test phase. But since it took forever to build and a few protests, AMP was shitcanned out of the gate. Now on to the fun. I have two views with respect to AMP/technology/Navs. 1. I would love upgraded avionics, a full-blown FMS with more than 200 waypoints, a color radar with WX, and big fat displays to view the stuff. 2. I hate it when everyone is heads down with their faces in the box. Here is where some of you people may come up with the "anti-technology" excuse. 3. I love the Nav and Eng. Its two more thinking brains helping to make the mission happen. That said, I've seen how technology has replaced them. Hell, airlines got rid of flight engineers by creating better systems and ennunciator panels. So, do I hate AMP? No. Do I hate the J? No. Would I fly the J? Yes, but I know its a very different CRM game then. Out.

Wow, the website just made the Yahoo News Headlines. Yahoo Its world-wide now.

PACMAN meet ATARI. ATARI started the video game revolution that has occupied so much of my time, I'm sure I can measure it in months. From Pacman to Call of Duty, man what a journey.

What ever happened to the concept of Citizen Soldier? You want it your way, hire mercs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlZru4nEfI0 Out

I did it in about 20 minutes, most of the time was spent reading and understanding what I was about to do. As Boris stated, take the eligibility date out to 26 years old for the kids. And I made the start date 1 Sep 09, even though my kids are still in grade school. And, if a kid decides to go hippie join the Peace Corps, you can change the months of benefit to kid #2/3/4 (I read it, and I hope I can do so in the future). Quote: A child’s subsequent marriage will not affect his or her eligibility to receive the educational benefit; however, after an individual has designated a child as a transferee under this section, the individual retains the right to revoke or modify the transfer at any time. Link And get this, if someone were to divorce, they can revoke the benefit from the spouse. Thats mean, and funny, but mean... maybe. Out

No slam here, good buddy. I'm all for the Big 10...just ask fellow Badger Spoo. When I read your thread, I assumed that you will be there TDY and hence only have lodging cable service, thus no cable or satellite tv options. That leaves the sports bar. Now that wasn't too hard, and I didn't even slam OSU in the process. Out

I'm sure you can find a sports bar. There, that was easy.

How hard is it throw the cover on while going through the gate? To me, it just reinforces the Navy class system and the utter indifference many officers show towards their enlisted. "You gate guard, salute me because I'm an officer. I, the superior one, will not return your salute, because you need to be reminded of your place."

I've seen all different ways. Civ guards saluting and not saluting; Arny, Navy, and AF bases. But I was raised to return the favor, so even the civilian guard has his salute returned. Now get this, I've seen way too many Navy people not return the military gate guard salute (its a duty day and they're in uniform).

I appreciate the advice. I do however, have a some obstacles to building my own. 1st is research - no time. 2nd, I live in base housing - no guns on base. 3rd, I PCS soon, thus buying a complete gun is quick/easy. 4th is funds - while the S&W is nice, keeping the buy on the cheap makes it easier for the wife to say "sure." The Marine Exchange here hasn't had any 5.56 in stock since the election. I walk in last week and they have 6-7 of them. I like supporting their shop. Besides, they price match and no sales tax. I liked the spreadsheet and my gun GK just went up. However, I don't see myself putting thousands of rounds down it. Hell, I've only put 400 rounds through my Taurus since last Aug. On a side note, I think it is our obligation as Americans that we help keep the gun shop inventory low. Happy Independence Day everyone.

I was at the MCX the other day, and they have 5.56 gunnery in stock. I think I'm going to get the Bushmaster M4A3 16" barrel for $1040. They had an Armalite M15 (didn't get the model #, but M4 style w/foldable front sight, removable carry handle) for about $1180, but I don't see the need to pay extra to fold down the front sight. That and I hear Bushmaster is better. Although tempting, I saw a S&W MP15 VTAC. Now, time to find some ammo.

You mean it was some "shoe on shoe" action? Oh, do share.

If true, I am not surprised, especially on the harassment charges. Now lets see how justice is served. Out.

My fellow bros already jumped on you, but I feel compelled to pile on. Unless of course you can say that you were part of the 2nd at that time. But then we may have to question your judgement. Needless to say (to some), the 2nd had good leadership years from Summer 03 up until Ward. But anyway, back to the real fun. Why does a Wing Commander get fired? 1. Breaking laws: DUI, fraternization, etc. 2. Can't follow orders 3. Can't execute the mish, fail an ORI 4. Incompetent, stupid 5. Pissed off the wrong dude (XVIII ABC/CC for example) 6. Can't lead them selves out of a paper sack If its not one of these, well, we may never know. Out

Are you sure it was him that pushed for such a flight, or that he merely jumped on the PR bandwagon to steal a little headline time? Out

Lets hope that this firing sends the right kind of message to any other like-minded "leader." Its also intersting to note that Skip Scott did the firing as he is a Pope alum (besides being his job too). I guess I can put Pope back on the list for my PCS options. I specifically said I would not go there due to the recently fired leadership. Out

Overheard around the AF. "I'm sorry, sir, but we can't take the VP on B-2 orientation flight; he'll end up divulging classified information." or "Tour a missile silo??! I don't think so, sir. How bout we give him a hot dog and a copy of Sports Illustrated." Man I go could go on and on. Out. Remember, its supposed to sound sarcastic.

We the unwilling, lead by the unqualified, have been doing the unbelievable for so long, with so little, that we attempt the impossible with nothing. Anonymous...but posted on the wall in a C-130 unit

Sorry, guess I should have provided a realistic, real-world number for the C-130. Since I was merely illustrating a concept, I used a number fried into my brain when I flew a jet, that being...4000. But yes, you are correct, 4K is conservative for Herc. The reason we like a one-size-fits-all performance factor is for the rare situation when we may not have time to think much. You may think that its lazy, or a lack of SA, but those nice numbers keep thing safe. For example, I know that I can pull a 60/2 at any weight at 180 kts. I'd love to continue the duel, but I've got to go. Out

Hey Bud, that is why it is wise to have a real good abort distance number for a T/G. An easy one is 4000. If you got it, and you don't like your situation, call it and stop. On every TO, I think abort abort abort until "go" and then I think go go go. I'm much less hesitant because of it. Out

It wouldn't matter. 1. Any SME on a staff wouldn't be asked. 2. They would be busy making the ice cream cone. 3. Nobody would listen anyway. They've made up their mind, now we get to figure it out. Out.

Just got to kick the man when he's down, don't you. What the hell, I'm game. Be sure to kick em with the shoe clerk footwear. Out

Lighten up, Fransis...it was a joke. Out