[Cannon AFB]

Trying this again, maybe I'll have better luck posting during the week...

I'm very likely headed to Cannon in the Oct-Jan timeframe to be an AC-130H Nav. Looking for updates on the standard info--training, deployments, housing, nightlife (haha), etc. I'm single, late 20s, will be a junior Capt when I PCS. Not very interested in buying a house currently, would rather rent, and from what I've seen and heard the rental market around Clovis isn't the greatest. I'd at least like to find a place in a decent neighborhood and close to some of the folks I'll be working with.

Also wondering what the local area/leave policy is and how people go about getting anywhere farther away than Albuquerque. Does everyone just drive to Lubbock or Amarillo and hop on a flight there? I know one guy on here has a couple of his own planes, have any others gone that route?

Thanks in advance,

Rman

[O-8 loses command for using clout to help son]

Just wow. I was in the son's original OTS class. His poor performance in UPT doesn't shock me, but I am curious as to the process of him (temporarily) failing out of OTS. Smalls0912 or anyone else there, did he just fail the Ad Brief and thus exceed his limit of busts (I don't remember how the OI read exactly), or were there other issues that led to his attempted removal? He seemed like a really decent guy and I don't enjoy seeing his name dragged through the mud, but apparently he wasn't above reproach in this matter either.

[Return of the USB/thumb/flash drive?]

You laugh, but we use floppies to transfer CFPS routes from our flight planning computers to the TASM computers at work...I had almost forgot those existed...

Yep, floppies (of the 3.5-in variety) still play a big role in mission planning and operations in my community as well, though those days MAY be coming to an end soon. I'll believe that we're entering the 21st century when I see it.

[Leadership at the 'Deid]

I don't know, I grew tired of the constant parenting. Got to let the kindergardeners at least complain about coloring in the lines on the playground. Don't need the teacher out there explaining why it's important.

For what it's worth, I actually think REMF made good contributions in terms of explaining the leadership position, even if some are guaranteed to reject whatever reasons he offers. I agree with the above posters, however, in that he certainly hasn't "killed" this forum. Not having to deal with the Dumbness at the 'Deid myself, I anticipate reading the next story of superb shoe-manship with guilty pleasure.

[Davis Monthan/Tucson info]

Dude, wait until you get here then Craiglist a house full of chicks with an open room. I'm not joking, I wish I had done that. There are tons. You'll most likely be near the University, plus you'll be making bank with BAH.

That plan does have some appeal. On the other hand, as a friend who's at D-M has pointed out, living with/near a bunch of college students may not result in great restful nights before your early morning flights...

As ZB was kind of alluding to in his post, there are people out there who commute to D-M from downtown, right? It doesn't look like it's a bad drive (mostly a straight shot down Aviation Pkwy, against the normal rush hour flow). The Condos at Williams Centre looks decent; anyone have other apts/areas to suggest?

[Davis Monthan/Tucson info]

I'm headed to D-M very soon (perhaps in just over a week). I've been looking at apartments there, haven't made any final decisions yet, but am strongly considering La Entrada downtown. Anyone on here live there or know someone who does? I'm mid-20s, single, making 2Lt pay and BAH (1Lt in a few months). I'm less concerned about being a stone's throw from base than about living in a non-crappy place in a neighborhood with some young people and some things to do nearby. La Entrada isn't right smack in the middle of anything in terms of culture or nightlife, but it is a few blocks from 4th street. The property has a lot more grass than the area in general, which is good because I've lived in green places all my life and the desert aspect of Tucson is not appealing. I'm also an amateur musician (keyboardist, rock/pop/oldies/country), so it'd be cool to hear about places where I could try to get gigs.

Anyway, I know that was kind of dense. I'd just appreciate any thoughts on D-M and Tucson (especially from a CGO perspective), as well as on the EC-130 specifically. I've searched for 'EC-130' and 'Compass Call' and turned up little useful info.

Thanks,

"R-man" (!?)

[Classic Thread - Security Forces (SFS) Tales]

The one I can't stand is a guy in the squadron who is allegedly transferring out of his nav slot for the cop shop. They put him on casual in charge of all the casuals. These folks come in for an hour or so a day and then go home or do their IFS stuff. never formal anything. We show up to the squadron run a couple weeks ago, and he's got the casuals (about 40-50) lined up for a formation run. Full drill mode. We laughed as they ran 3.6mi in formation. This morning, we hear him from across the building doing an open ranks inspection. WTF.

Otherwise, I've had pretty good luck with the skycops here at RND too. They'll occasionally wander into the nav dorms for a friday night get-together thats a bit too loud. No one has anything better to do the next day but we're still being too loud. Ok, they're bored. One night a SSgt came out and we all hushed up and he said "don't worry about the noise guys, I just wanted to have a smoke." He proceeded to tell us that at the Upper class/lower class parties we have, the upper class (who is about to graduate) will call the cop shop and have some meatheads come over to harass the lower class (keep that filed away for a few months). They even gave us rides all night during the random drug tests. We were responsible and walked back from the bar and through the gate, while the random tests were going on and they gave us a lift to the test site, and a lift back home. Seem to be good folks here.

Back to the original. GO RATED!!!!

YES!!! When I started reading this thread about SF dumbness, I really hoped this guy would come up somewhere. Oh, he was also one of those aforementioned dweebs who got the SF beret and started showing it off long before he actually went through the training (he was still at Randolph, busy putting the casual Navs-to-be through full drill formation runs and open ranks inspections).

[Judaism In The Air Force]

Sorry about the delay in response- I had a password issue.

You're allowed to speak to women, but only as necessary. The problem with flying with a women A/C is that it's a private location, and that's forbidden because of the inherent possibilities. (Laugh if you'd like, but you know full well what I'm talking about.) It's already been stated, and I fully agree, that being a pilot would be impossible, and that's why I don't want a pilot slot.

We're also not allowed to come into physical contact with an unrelated female. This includes even non-affectionate gestures, although some will allow you to shake hands if there's simply no other way to do it, although I've found (as you said) that most women will be respectful once they understand that you don't look down at them.

I'm talking about a non-flying, "regular desk job" (if there is such a thing), either in communications, intel, whatever, which will make it easier to deal with these issues (not as many weekends, those that there are can be dealt with, etc.)

So, getting back to my "bottom line" list,

1. Most requests can be accommodated most of the time.

2. But not all requests all the time, so be prepared.

3. People are wary of those who act/behave 'different,' so don't show anything off.

4. Depending on your CC/CO, it may be easy or difficult, especially in a deployment situation.

5. If you don't feel you can live with it, don't.

6. DON'T FLY!!!

I guess an important thing to know (and if this is another topic here, please direct me,) is what is the typical day in the Air Force?

I had been on the fence through most of this discussion, but the above information is sufficient for me to state: Don't join the AF. No physical contact and no situations which could even conceivably give rise to "forbidden...possibilities"? My experience in the service is limited, but I can tell you that sh...stuff ain't gonna fly.

[89th Airlift Wing (Air Force One)]

What about AF1 assignment as a Nav? I have heard that AF1 has at least one Nav, is this true? I'm sure one has to be a Maj/LtCol for that gig too, but was just curious to know.

I think I know where all the confusion is coming from. Apparently according to the article above it is called the Presidential Airlift Group now.. not a flight like is was years ago. That Commander of the PAG is the Presidential Pilot, that is why people think the OG/CC is the Pres Pilot... So it is the PAG/CC not the 89th OG/CC.

[New Active Duty studs sent to Guard squadrons?]

Anyone ever heard of this happening to a Nav?

Yes, it is happening to at least one guy graduating Nav school with me--he's going to fly C-130's out of Cheyenne. There's also a guy who got Slicks to Pope, and I read not to long ago about the "last [AD?] C-130 departing Pope", so I assume that unit is also under Guard control now?