XL0901

Logbook pro looks pretty good http://www.logbookpro.com/?gclid=COnur6zny5kCFQZlswodvCNOuw

Don't hold me to the 9 month thing...just my non-FWQ observation from some of the guys I knew. At XL, the FWQ guys still went through most of the academics the normal studs did, as well as most (if not all) of the T-6 program. It wasn't until phase 3 (T-1s in this case) that they started to do their own thing. The FWQ guys started T-1s like everyone else but eventually their syllabus strayed from the standard one. About halfway through they flew more with designated FWQ instructors that better knew their training and experiences. I would say they finished their program 1.5 to 2 months before the traditional studs in their T-1 class. The only thing I don't know for sure is if they did complete a shortened T-6 program or not. Also can't speak to the FWQ guys who went the fighter track...didn't know of any, think it is pretty rare. All of the above is based on guard/reserve type folks. One could assume if you were looking to do the AD thing you would compete for aircraft like everyone else and therefore do the full program...but that is purely speculation. Edit: Disclaimer before someone pee pee shwacks me My info is all just observations I made in UPT...by no means the concrete info you are looking for but it should give you a rough idea of what to expect.

Fixed Wing Qual at UPT is running about 9 months or so (Approx). You would still go through all phases but will graduate earlier than your class. All the guys I have seen come through were going guard or reserve. I'm not sure about the process for AD.

Disclaimer: May have changed since I went through I don't think you find out til you get there. But I seem to remember finding out about a week prior by asking the Cadre. May be situation dependant.

Ok last question I hope...My wife is a nurse and desperately searching for a job in the Travis area. She has found a few postings but looking for info on the hospitals in general. (i.e. what the public thinks of them) She is most interested in (Other than DGMC) Northbay in Fairfield, Vaca Valley in VV, and Sutter Solano in Vallejo Vs. Kaiser in Vallejo. Again not looking for different hospitals in the area just public opinion about these particular hospitals. (Good, Bad, Ugly) I realize most mil folks probably don't have a lot of experience with the off base services but any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I was casual at KC-135 unit and had the pleasure of tagging along to the Luke Days Airshow in 06. I was wearing a bag so needless to say I was confused with someone who actually knew something about the plane. (The lack of wings on my nametag was too subtle I guess...but understandable) Anyway I became a quick "expert" and was forced to field rediculous questions all day. The best... Lady: So what is this plane used for? Me: This is a refueling aircraft. Lady: So, you fly to different places and refuel other aircraft? Me: Yep (to keep it simple) Lady: Don't you have trucks for that? Also notable is the arguement I had with a different lady explaining to her why she couldn't smoke underneath an aircraft loaded with 120K of jet fuel.

Anyone have any new info...for the stateside folks?

Generally student loans are considered "Good Debt" and I have never heard of anyone getting grief for having them. That is assuming you have paid them on time. Ask your recruiter for specifics.

Ask MPF (or whoever is cutting your order) to draw up a MFR in lieu of orders for you. People move/go TDY all the time without orders and as long as they have this in hand it makes no difference. It should work for your landlord to. If not go to Jag followed by the housing office. I'm not saying to threaten your landlord but if push comes to shove maybe inform them that if you have to go to JAG and housing it could be bad for them and could be "Blackballed" by the base. Hope that made sense/helps. Bottom line, DO NOT let the landlord win and pay another month. Those clauses are there for this very reason.

Thanks (again) for the inputs. I'm familiar with what USAA has to offer and so far it sounds pretty good for me (The young first time home buyer). Not against other options though. Any thoughts on Suisun City? Looks kinda like a middle ground between Fairfield and Vacaville. I know about the part of FF south of Air Base pkwy and just wondering if SS fits that mold as well. Most of what I have seen online looks pretty descent so I'm a little unsure.

Anyone have any new info on the housing market out there. After talking to a bunch of folks I was set on renting but the more research I did it seems like I could buy for the same price I would be renting for. Not to mention the tax breaks and equity. I will be moving out there end of april and probably won't get serious until I there. Maybe rent month to month while I find something. Any input would be appreciated. I've been looking almost exclusively at Vacaville but I'm open to anything in a descent neighborhood.

Altus was doing that and decided it took too much time/money to keep handing out updated disks. So in their wisdom what do they do?...Hand out thumb drives, that we can't use on the computers. Brilliant!

When I was casual at a -135 unit (yeah I know...but hear me out) I was a SELO and was apart of an AFSO21 project that delt directly with Epubs. The outcome was that every sortie would carry a PFPS computer (Toughbook) with Epubs loaded on it. Other than the issues people have with epubs it seemed to work pretty well other than the specifics of finding an AC power source on the 135. There were still paper requirements but it ended up reducing a 73 pound pelican case of pubs down to a helmet bag weighing 22 pounds. The final step was recommending to the AMC/A3 the procurement of Ebook type systems to display epubs and incoperating them in to a knee board type product. May be a while but I think we will be using such tools eventually.

I want to say my PCSM score before adding my flight hours was 95. Then I went back and added my hours (168) and it only raised it 3 points. There must be more to it than just a linear scale for flight hours. I remember hearing your example too but didn't add up in my case. Best to ask the recruiter/rotc staff you are dealing with for specifics. Either way its a strange program and I would get 1 on 1 answers before you retake tests or throw down the dough on hours. Edit: not directed toward anyone...just info

Everyone would. They do that in case they need to repeat tests or depending on your situation do more tests. Since they don't know who that will be they have that rule for everyone.

First...Nothing, NOTHING is ever guaranteed. Helo slots are hard to come by and growing in popularity (No UAVs...yet) In T-6s everyone competes for their follow on training (-38s, Toners, T-44s and Helos) You can walk in day one and tell everyone you want Helos but at track select (If you make it that far, again not guaranteed) you had better done better than everyone else who put it higher than 3rd choice. Then maybe then you could say it is quasi-guaranteed. As far as getting hours...it could probably help some, but don't break the bank doing it. I know plenty of guys that showed up to UPT with only IFS experience and finished top of their class. Also seen some with lots of time that don't have wings today. Again... I showed up with hours and ratings. It helped and I got my dream assignment but in the end the only thing different between me and most of my bros is a lot more debt. Hope that helps...Good Luck

We had the option to "Stage" our first salute at the ceremony or save it for our first duty location. I was say it was about 50/50. The people who "Staged" usually had someone important (family, close friend) they wanted to share it with. I worked (part time in college) with an active duty TSgt (Former recruiter) and decided he would appreciate it more that random Airman at the gate. Some chose one of the Det NCOs for the same reason. I'm sure if you told your det you wanted to save for your first base they would let you. As stated earlier, definately get the real deal...spend the money, it's not that much. Also if you save it for your base and the opportunity presents itself take the time to pull the recipient aside and tell them about it. You never know when you might make a big impression on a possibly otherwise unaware Airman or NCO.

Well in that case we should all march in to the CC's office with a 2096 and demand a secondary AFSC of 33S...since we all do that work now anyway. (And encourage him/her to do the same!) http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0105/38_CareerField.pdf

So my wife says if it going to be Mustache March for me than it will be Celibacy March for her(us). To which I say "Well we all have to make sacrifices". Anyone else (Beside my buddies whose wives talk to my wife) in a similar situation??

I happen to know a lot of people who are going/went to Dover/McGuire. They are thrilled. No airdrop...true, but happy non the less Finally some one with their head on straight

I was in the SAT airport and had the pleasure of talking to some CCT guys. 19, 20 years old. I saw their jump wings and asked (knowing the answer) "Have you been to benning yet?" They answerd “well we have been in training mostly, hope to be CCT very soon” These guys were no more than 20 years old. Swapping stories about their instructors that kicked their ass in the pool and stuff like that. It was then (being a flyer) that I realized they were the real heroes. They knew what they were getting in to and couldn't be anything but proud. God bless all of them.

Slim...only guy I have heard about was a reservist that talked his unit in to paying him for 7 more weeks after MQT was over.

I was in a similar situation. The whole "Well Sir TDYs are unaccompanied so the AF isn't concerned with where your spose/pets live". Not exactly true but it is more difficult. You said you were TDY Enroute. So once he outprocesses from the base you no longer have your house at Vance. Like you said if you need to stay there you can get an apartment off base. When your husband is at Altus he will be reimbursed for his room on base ($27 a day) and will still draw BAH for Enid (The benefit of TDY enroute). Theoretically he could be at Altus and you in an apartment in Enid and not have to pay out of pocket (assuming you find an apt less than your BAH). Keep in mind you will most likely need a furnished apt since the movers will already have picked up you HHGs. Other option...have his orders changed to a TDY out and back. Not sure how easy it is but when I asked the same questions about my TDY enroute orders the folks at MPF said it could be done. Advantage...you don't outprocess from Vance until after Altus and therefore, keep your house on base with all of your HHGs. Disadvantage...you delay moving/packing 3-5 months (depending on what course he is doing) and continue to forfeit your BAH to the folks at Vance. (I have heard Enid is much better than Laughlin so maybe it is not as big of a deal to you.) Sounds like this may be your best bet. Have your husband talk to the folks cutting his orders to find out what needs to be done. If they give you the run around talk to someone else who can help you... barring any unforeseen timeline issues at AFPC, i know it can be done. Hope that helps. Let me know if you need any more info. FYI...I brought my wife and 2 Labs here with me and we live in a furnished apt off-base. It is still less than $27 a day so we will be reinbursed for all of it. (And we get BAH on top of it) Even if you do stay in Enid your husband could do the same thing so when you come to visit you could bring the dogs and have bigger place to stay with a full kitchen...a lot more room than any of the VOQs on base.

First...I recommend you stop being such a ..., seriously though. The real first...If you don't like paying state income tax, then don't dump your TX residency. Not sure if SC or NJ and "Good Deal" states but I think not, besides in the military you can be a resident of a state you don't currently reside in. Second...In my experience, when it comes to insurance, they don't care where your vehicle is registered, only where you park it. If you have Wyoming plates but park in a dark lot in South Central LA...they are going to want to know so they can jack up your rates for the increased liability. (Ok not really but different states have different requirements) Third...You can buy a car in one state and register it in another. Not sure how or if there are fees but it can be done...ask DG. Hope it helps. Def talk to Jag though

My bad...NGP it is