BigE

"...but SECDEF found out and made us take it back so we changed the policy after the fact and will now be punitive towards the member." Possible, if not probable. Though I don't know if it's punitive - bullshit, a raw deal, etc - absofinglutely. Anyone know if any of the folks being separated were over 20 and had normal retirement approved? These folks (if between 15-18 years of service) likely didn't transition to BRS either when the window was open. Did I read they were still being offered 2x the normal separation pay? I'd assume honorable discharge? Still eligible for VA benefits?

What’s the moon cycle looking like over the next 2 weeks?

Concur. But don’t think D-SEAD (didn’t we use to just call that DEAD) nor EA has been the game changer. If I had to guess, there is some serious non-kinetics/cyber employed that have allowed Israel to so quickly degrade Iranian IADS. Whatever it is - good on em’!

Totally waiverable…by the nomination authority §152. Chairman: appointment; grade and rank (a) Appointment; Term of Office.—(1) There is a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from the officers of the regular components of the armed forces. The Chairman serves at the pleasure of the President for a term of four years, beginning on October 1 of an odd-numbered year. The limitation does not apply in time of war. (2) In the event of the death, retirement, resignation, or reassignment of the officer serving as Chairman before the end of the term for which the officer was appointed, an officer appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve as Chairman only for the remainder of the original term, but may be reappointed as provided in paragraph (1). (3) The President may extend to eight years the combined period of service of an officer as Chairman and Vice Chairman if the President determines that such action is in the national interest. The limitation in this paragraph does not apply in time of war. (b) Requirement for Appointment.—(1) The President may appoint an officer as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff only if the officer has served as— (A) the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; (B) the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, or the Chief of Space Operations; or (C) the commander of a unified or specified combatant command. (2) The President may waive paragraph (1) in the case of an officer if the President determines such action is necessary in the national interest.

Don’t know about first, nor how ANG status works at the GO level (he’s served multiple GO positions normally held by AD folks), but Razin is definitely a guard bro. And without question a warfighter. He’s also recently retired. So don’t know if it’s a “on terminal… psych!” or a true recall to active duty. That might be a first to be CJCS.

Looks like next SECAF and USECAF nominations are happening today https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/01/trump-taps-nro-official-be-air-force-secretary/402242/

Raptor doesn’t have an active production line. But you know what does? F-15EX…. My guess - NGAD as a “manned platform” dies, we are told to buy a lot of F-15EX and the F35, B-21, and EX get CCA to replicate “NGAD” capes. And oh yea - a stealth tanker is a pipe dream.

Its 1900 hrs on Friday. If there isn't a newly named CMR bro with Clown Penis as their proud CS - I'll be seriously disappointed in any squadron holding a naming on this first Friday! e

Hidemyass Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Total Wine in Vegas has The Green Spot Irish whiskey for just over $50 a 750ml bottle - I picked up one tonight based on the couple comments here - looking forward to giving it a try tomorrow night. They also had a couple different High West offerings - the Double Rye might be my next purchase -- anyone here previously had any? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Concur on Glenfarclas - in fact their 10 is outstanding and proves age isn't everything when talking good wiskey Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yet another home buyer that benefited from the info in this thread. Just closed on a home in Vegas in 30 days from offer to close while we were in Germany the whole time. Went with NBoKC because of their reputation here and they have the best deal going. Did plenty of research on a lender, to include USAA and local Vegas deals. NBoKC was by far the best. Despite the seller really wanting us to use a local guy we stuck with Tim Lander and NBoKC and I'm glad we did. They got the job done! A huge part of what made things work in buying a home from across the pond was our agent in Vegas - Ben Correa (PM me for contact info if needed). He was recommended from friends and was/is awesome. Ben is totally professional while being a guy you would drink a beer with - someone I enjoyed doing business with. The guy rocked in every aspect of our transaction and does business like a bro. Between what Tim/NBoKC and Ben/his title company put together we closed on a VA 30 yr loan with $2000 out of pocket closing costs (plus 5% down). I consider that a great deal. All in 30 days from 6000+ miles away, an out of state lender, 9 hour time difference and sellers that were split ops themselves moving out of state. Good people that I definitely recommend. e Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

In anticipation of St Patty's I picked up a bottle of Bushmills 16 at the ETAR Brit Store today (38 Euro). Single malt aged in bourbon, sherry and port casks. Wow! On the scale of damn good to f-ing excellent I give it a f-ing really damn great. Price point/value to quality is outstanding. Nose is awesome. Smooth and enjoyable. The tri-wood casking is working for me. I've been liking Irish whiskeys lately and this works in spades. Definitely worth adding to any collection. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Holly cow - there are so many choices for great whiskey under 100 it's ridiculous. Current fav is actually Irish -- Redbreast 12 (or 15). In my current rotation (all under 100) that I would definitely recommend (in no particular order): Bunnahabhain Darach Ur, Tomintoul 16, Glenfarcas 105 Cask Strength (f-ing fantastic), Bushmills Black Bush (great Irish daily grinder), Blanton's Single Barrel Special Reserve (exceptionally good for Manhattons). If you find the Glenfarcas 105 get it - at 120 proof you wouldn't know it till the second dram - my go-to this winter on a cold evening - chewy, thick, and fantastic. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Porterhouse Devil's Half Acre -- a Dark IPA, 13.5 ABV, aged 6 months in Irish Wiskey casks. If you are ever in Dublin I highly recommend it.

To them... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Go read the actual IG report. The General was an ass at epic levels. And of all places on a TDY to Russia. His behavior was so f-ing wrong it's comical. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Without Remorse is probably my favorite of the series... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

Yes, Augustiner Brewery - same beer/brewery (wiki for quick dope: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustiner_Braeu). They have multiple beer halls in Munich in which you can enjoy their tasty brews. Haven't been able to find any of their Helles in-n-around the local Ramstein Getraenkemarkts - which sucks since I used to have a place in Hamburg close to home that was always stocked when I was running bingo (oh the irony of drinking Helles in Nord Duetschland!). Locally for Ramstein I drink Bischoff Premium Pils as my go to beverage of choice. If you prefer a more bitter German brew one of my favorites is Flensburg Pils (an exceptional example to show the difference between Northern and Southern German beers). But really I don't discriminate when it comes to German beer. Ahhh German Bier.... oh I have missed thee over the last 169+ days, we'll be reunited soon...

Next time you are in Munich instead of the HB go to the Augustiner Bräu - 100 times better beer (their Helles is probably my favorite German brew). Food is better as well. Prost!

A toast...

Shack

I'll agree with Liquid here - the above is, lacking a better word, stupid. Sexism does not equal or factor into a warrior ethos. The problem, which you are (I think) trying to actaully and rightly get at, is the knee jerk over re-action of trying to remove aspects of our culture that are under fire but not actually part of the problem (as Noonin has already discussed).

The 'bro' you mention above isn't. Your frau's squadron also sounds like it is trying to be something that it isn't and is lacking in any actual leadership. From your location I'll make some guesses and say what has been commonly attributed to the 'fighter pilot' culture is a long f-ing way from what is happening in your wife's squadron and how CAF squadron's that kill people and break things for a living actually conduct business. I do believe her community probably has too many young punks with not enough silverbacks to f-ing squash said behavior when and how appropriate. That's unfortunate. And if Offut is where you are still at I would say that yes, the experience(s) you describe do not reflect the rest of the CAF. I hope things change for the better in that regard. e

Liquid appears to be legit and the insight is interesting (for a number of reasons) and discussion worth while. GC appears to be nothing more than a staff officer, no more senior than you and I, and is sharing insight no different than what any O-4 on a staff would have - you're giving GC way too much credit - but it is entertaining to watch him or her continue to interact. That being said, concur with the calls for some small level anominity -- legit advice and insight is actaully easy to spot without giving name and rank. Its fun to watch some speak out their ass.