Stunna

As someone who spent 4 years under AFMC, I can tell you this: along with all the extra acquisitions stuff the leaders there do, they also have to coordinate with their civilian counterparts (Directors), and the local union for the various bases they may preside over. It's pretty tough for them to actually get things done, and they tend to not have as much real 'power' as leaders in other commands. I actually had one of my Colonels come to me right before he changed assignments, to see how my retraining was progressing, and he admitted he didn't like the position he was in, wished he could have done more for us while he was there, and was sure he'd never get a star because he'd ruffled too many civilian feathers. AFMC is a whole other world, with 'a freakin million civilians'... My only real question in all this is, what's the big freaking deal? Why is the headline that a woman is being promoted, and that she'll be the highest ranking woman? So what?

Whoa there! This needs to NOT be mentioned, ever again, or somebody is going to think it's a fantastic idea and get it instituted in the next uniform board...

Read: Lifting weights, no salute. Running outdoors, render a salute. Ugh... I can just see it now...

*sigh* I hate to give away this little gem, but: The CMP. My old man's bought like four or five carbines from them in the last year. Several through mail order and several at one of their two 'retail' stores. They have their own M1 forum on there and the folks are pretty knowledgeable. Just don't get your hopes up about receiving a WW II serial number, unless you can make it to Ohio or Alabama and spend hours hand selecting something from their racks. Planning on ordering an M1 or two for myself so it's waiting when I get back from this 3 year tour.

When that video started I thought he was running for office... Blue angels and carrier takeoffs, eh?

Ugh, I dunno about anybody else, but I think I would actually enjoy doing about 50 touch and go's and/or assaults onto that 'weapons system' that following Monday. I mean, seriously, thanks for the repave and repaint, here's some new rubber on you're shiny new 'weapons system'... We really need to change some of our vocabulary.

Depends on what kind of Volkswagen it is. If you're driving a Jetta or Passat or Golf that's at least Mark III then the local Vee-dub dealer ought to have competent mechanics. Even a Mark III they may not know all the ins and outs anymore. If you're driving anything else VW related you're probably better going to a German/VW specialty shop. They tend to know more about the car and can give you better work for a better price, not to mention they can find the OEM parts that the dealer doesn't keep in stock. I had a daily driver 1992 Fox for about 6 years and have a '78 Type 2 sitting in a garage needing restoration. Dealership mechanics didn't know how to find parts for the Fox in 2000, and it was only 8 years old then. Unfortunately, I don't know of any VW shops in that area, good luck gettin her takin care of!

We supposedly are fielding an ABU combat shirt that is identical to the Army one, except it's got those blue tiger stripe sleeves. Supposedly only authorized in the AOR, while on convoy ops, while wearing armor... If i recall right, it looks like they took the sleeves ABUs should have had, and attached them to each other with some mesh... We really need to stop all of this "we're a different service and need to look different from you" crap. All it got us was a bunch of money spent on on BDU's with a few extra pockets added, in a ridiculous looking pattern that seriously only blends into cubicles... And now we'll drop more money and waste more time researching a new and improved utility uniform that might be available before 2020.

Thanks to Jughead and Jarhead for clearing up my statement, and all of the great info in general. And come to think of it, he did describe some of what you were talking about as far as drags across the pond. Makes a lot of sense.

According to my FE buddy who just left the -10, it's not so much that they need the gas, but that they take on the extra fuel from a previous orbiter. Been a while since he tried to explain all that to me though, someone else here I'm sure could explain it better. It is still sort of ironic though.

As for the TCN thing - I remember a large majority of the TCNs I 'watched' were quite proud of the fact that they were Christians and not Muslims. A lot of them wore hats and shirts and things with "I love Jesus" type slogans on them. "Jesus. Christian. Same-same." *point at me, point at self* As for the letter - it's an advisory memorandum, so it in and of itself has little bearing, but most Commanders now, especially at NAF/MAJCOM/Wing levels seem to take all advisories/recommendations as 'gospel' (sts) so I could see it being implemented. It appears that about half of the letter from the Chaplain was directly copy-pasted into the current Deid policy letter. I'm not saying I like it, but I didn't like listening to civilian coworkers telling me I was going to hell, and I didn't like listening to folks on the television saying I was involved in some sort of illegal, unjust, oil seeking war. I'm of the opinion my profession doesn't really allow me to have an opinion on those sorts of things, but it in some way is continuing the right for those people to say those things. YMMV. My 2 cheap cents.

My 2/10th's of a cent... These guys showed up while I was pulling a force protection detail at Salem a few years ago. Couple of em came in to the chow hall and sat down a seat over from my buddy and me (at least they gave us man space). Asked em who they were because of their funny ass uniforms, and they were very standoffish and holier than thou about the whole thing. "We're TIB, we travel the world entertaining the troops. It's a hard job and a huge responsibility, blah blah blah..." Wasn't too keen on them in the first place, that just killed any little bit of respect I might have had for them. This is just one more thing to add to the list for the reorganization and prioritization of our service.

I don't know that...

Lurker, new poster... From the article: "The base's five private organizations -- Company Grade Officers Council, Desert Chiefs, Desert Diamonds, Top IV and Desert V..." WTF? I agree with the idea but the location is just all wrong, then again, since I've done escort duty, I know what caliber of Airmen is sent to run that pony show...