VMFA187
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Posts posted by VMFA187
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1 minute ago, Sua Sponte said:
I’m a PM for a bunch of engineers. Why am I the PM? Because I don’t have weaponized autism and I have a social science undergrad and STEM grad degree. Do you want to live in a world with all STEM majors? I sure as shit don’t. I also don’t want to live in a world full of philosophy majors. The worst pilots I ever flew with were STEM majors. Why? They’re too analytical and a lot of the time that doesn’t translate over to flying skill. Best pilots I flew with? Business/History majors.
Concur. I'd take the high school quarterback with a 3.0 in international relations over the above for a fighter pilot.
If you want a degree that pays for the cost of itself and then makes money, maybe get a degree that has some value in the commercial sector.
We are a tiny minority of people who buck the trend of degrees and wages.
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3 minutes ago, Sua Sponte said:
You ever stop and think that a lot of Millennials can't afford to start a family early and own property? Probably not. Curious what qualifies as a non-useless degree?
You're right, maybe doing it early isn't the right answer now. Maybe get established, make your life stable and then start a family. People live longer now...?
Non-useless - Math, actual sciences (not the social science degree I got because I knew I wanted to fly and only had to run fast, do lots of pullups, and have a degree for the Marine Corps), engineering...
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6 minutes ago, Prozac said:
I’ll go one better and say their parents likely played a large role in the entitlement attitude. I agree with you that there are some major disconnects between the younger and older generations when it comes to ambition, work ethic, and intestinal fortitude. The stereotypes are definitely grounded in reality. At the same time, there are some very real obstacles that have been placed in their way and most of us would rather bicker over pronouns, windmills, and purple teletubbies than address issues that will have huge and lasting effects on the future of this country. I don’t have all the solutions but here’s one to start with: Want your college loans forgiven? Done, but the catch is two years of national service. Sort of a neo-GI Bill to jumpstart the new generation.
I don't know that it was the boomers that played a large role in millennials' attitudes, but rather millennials doing that to their children. If you have a chance pick up The Coddling of the American Mind. Phenomenal read that explains so many of our current societies' ills. Or just look listen to Rogan's interview with Greg Lukianoff.
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22 hours ago, Prozac said:
This guy articulates many of the issues better than I can:
BL: Every generation is gonna act in its own best interest. The boomers are an outsized generation and have had an outsized effect that is causing challenges for later generations.
Zeihan has some interesting takes as well:
I saw the first video several days ago one morning. I typically watch YouTube from 0445-0515 while I drink coffee before I workout prior to showing up to work at 0645-0700. It was educational and entertaining. Unfortunately millennials think they are owed something which is probably perpetuated by the media and social media - You aren't owed shit. Work hard, be dedicated, and generally things work out. Spend your money on vacations, double venti coffees, and it doesn't.
20 hours ago, dream big said:His teacher won’t call him by his preferred pronoun of “Zee”.
Nice.
14 hours ago, pawnman said:Inability to buy a home.
Wages that have not kept pace with inflation.
Working in an economy radically changed by technology, but led by senior leadership that doesn't understand that technology.
Boomers refusing to retire and relinquish power...most of our elected leadership are boomers.
An era where college costs have spiraled, but the value of that college education is declining.
Most people I know "could" buy a home, they are just unwilling to relocate. I live in San Diego where the median home price is over $1m. The same people who complain about home prices, I drink with fairly often, and our individual tabs are greater than $200.
Valid regarding wages and inflation - I just got a 3.5% raise when inflation is 8.6%. Sucks when for every $100k you make you are losing $4k just due to inflation.
It is the responsibility of the individual to understand the technology if they want to benefit from it, not the government's responsibility to help people understand how it impacts them. We have forgotten the concept of "personal responsibility." Its unfortunate.
Would you retire if you are crushing it? Human beings are inherently selfish. People now for some reason don't believe that and want to think that people are inherently "good" when they aren't.
Sure, college costs have risen at a ridiculous rate. But many of those burdened by insane college loans pursued useless degrees AND used those loans to finance their living expenses for those four plus years.
Millennials also have vastly different values than the baby boomers who wanted to start a family early and own property. Many millennials want freedom and to work as little as required in order to satisfy their expenses.
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7 hours ago, Prozac said:
Agree 100% but let’s not forget that, for the most part, the boomers have been equally ignorant and obtuse. The ultimate “me” generation’s attitude of “I got mine” has laid landmines for successive generations throughout their time in power. Is it any wonder that the millennials and younger gens feel disillusioned and shafted? Why should they care if they’ve been more or less shut out of participating in the economy and politics anyway? If we want them to look up from their phones and off of mom’s couch, we need to listen to their issues and take them seriously. Instead, they watch us fight over petty cultural issues and shake their heads as their future slides further and further out of reach.
So the boomer generation is the root cause problem that this country faces? Is that what you're saying?
"The ultimate 'me' generation..." Wow.
What are the millennials' issues? I'm one so I'd like to hear your thoughts.
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7 hours ago, nsplayr said:
I know it's uncomfortable to admit, but some of y'all can just come out and say (sic), "I don't like gay people and don't want to see/hear/think about gay stuff." It's not a popular POV at this point in history, but you can just come out and say it. It's ok...this is a "safe space" 😆
I'll be fair to you vs just snarky and say point taken that perhaps some of our "celebration" months go a bit overboard on identity itself vs accomplishments of people of that identity. I agree. I don't care if you're gay and in the military, but if you're gay and did something worth celebrating while in uniform I'd love to hear about it and share that story.
But overall, if people wanna fly flags and be proud of who they are or celebrate their heritage then by all means go for it! I do all of those things for my identities as an American, an Italian, an Irishman, and an active service member.
Feel free to grill a hamburger, eat a spicy meatball, down a pint of Guinness and blow some shit up in July to celebrate with me! 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 🇮🇪🎖️
If you have an American flag, an Italian flag, an Irish flag, and a USAF symbol bumper sticker on your car/truck... You're a tool. And so are these people who have to advertise their "identities."
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On 6/6/2022 at 9:36 PM, Magnum said:
Why stop there. Why not just contract Embry Riddle to instruct all UPT? Or Draken and Top Aces to man our Fighter Squadrons. This has to be a joke, right?
DRG is currently trying to work a contract where they have civilians instructing in the F/A-18A-D at Miramar for FY23. Pay is suppose to be around $300k/yr. Similar to what they do with the F-15SA and QA, only you get to stay in the states but also lose out on the $450k/yr those dudes in the Middle East make.
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On 6/6/2022 at 5:58 AM, ClearedHot said:
Heard from a Marine fighter pilot - "A no-go pill, a few beers, and a couple of smokes and you're in a whole other world."
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23 hours ago, Clark Griswold said:
What @Lawman said.
I suggest the Superbug or a hypothetical Super-Duper Bug as it is in production with advanced variants with additional capes already flying, if Boeing had built and already flown a Silent Eagle that would be another viable COA but alas it has not been done so probably based on cost, risk and time I think that is out of the mix.
Just as there is a value to just having X booms in the air for the air refueling mission, there is a value to X number of TAC platforms in the air. More sensors, weapons and nodes in the link just make it bigger and stronger sts
Choosing to invest in a more affordable platform to get more quantity will bring quality to riff on Marshall Stalin's words
The F-15EX is still a possibility for an Attack focused platform but my druthers is that it should be a 4+ gen in production today or one readily developed from an in production 4+ gen, a crewed aircraft to handle the likely growth in cognitive demands as unmanned platforms come into the fleet and we will likely want tactical management of them versus reach back link in the conventional fights and we will want magazine depth on this platform to aid the 5th gens with their limited internal stores.
I guess another reason I suggest the Superbug is as it is carrier based aircraft, methinks it would be a good candidate for expeditionary ops. Considering further the dispersed ops concepts for future fights, one platform already adapted for extreme launch/recovery options might be handy.
A stretched version with two bays might be better but on the wings have smaller versions of the existing lo weapons pods along with its own internal bays and some good engineering to get one or two more weapons in there.
Is that a missile going into the right tailpipe?
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On 4/20/2022 at 7:05 AM, StoleIt said:
All speculation on my part but I think having a non-stealthy fighter option in our inventory can have it's advantages.
Additionally, according to the "4+1" plan if we want to match the WEZ of other countries A2A missiles (AA-37, etc) having a missile truck of a jet also has it's perks: "the F-15E/EX as a supplement to carry big weapons as a third." My thoughts, being constrained to the internal dimensions of an airplane designed 20-30 years ago before anyone would have thought/planned on needing 100+ mile WEZ's is a huge limiting factor. I'm sure there is a lot of political and industrial chess moves being called in also to keep the F-15 line open and continue to provide the FMS a heavy jet option.
Concur with this. Go look up some of the threat missiles, CH-AA-10 specifically, and you'll see why having a missile truck with standoff is incredibly advantageous.
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30 minutes ago, Lord Ratner said:
Because it was at least 99% Boeing's fault. That said, at least at American Airlines it is highly unlikely that emergency would have led to a crash. Our pilots are much more proficient at hand flying and do so for somewhere between 5000 to 25,000 ft each leg, mostly on climb out.
But the system was designed in a phenomenally poor manner, with what appears to be no thought for what happens if something in that system were to break. That's what happens when you prioritize marketing over engineering, a problem within the American executive class that is not limited to Boeing.
Was the 1% attributed to the co-pilot who was praying to Allah during the mishap instead of trying to address the issue?
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On 4/6/2022 at 2:32 PM, Pooter said:
It'll be interesting if this is tied back to Boeing. That 737max documentary was pretty damning in regards to their trends in corporate culture, quality control, and transparency.
That documentary didn't mention the incredible lack of experience or requirements for foreign pilots, did it? I watched it and remember them doing nothing but blame Boeing.
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8 hours ago, FLEA said:
Any fighter guys that moved to a crew aircraft?
Im curious what the take is on if it is easier/harder to evaluate someone when you are not sharing the same cockpit space with them?
You are in the other fighter's cockpit... Via the hours-long tape debriefs that record everything. You're just there after the flight.
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What are these downgrades and Q1, 2, and 3?
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2 hours ago, HeloDude said:
Here’s how the Senate hearings on Biden’s SCOTUS nominee is going…
This is amazing.
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20 hours ago, Sua Sponte said:
I posted a job with my company on here awhile back. Some O-5 type, who most likely has been in the Air Force in some capacity since he was 18, stated that the salary looked a little low (Colorado state law states you have to provide a salary range on all job postings).
I laughed because I was curious what he would know what was a competitive salary compared to the position since he’s been in the military a majority of his life?
I agree about moving straight into leadership/management roles. Maybe with 20+ years of experience and an Ivy League school on their resume, maybe.
What was the salary and the required qualifications?
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1 hour ago, LumberjackAxe said:
That's kind of impressive they didn't send you to an MEB, but also not surprising. I highly recommend you create an account at www.pebforum.com, that's where I've gotten most of my information. I also hired the site's owner as a lawyer to help me navigate this whole process. It turns out I didn't need him as much as I anticipated, but still worth the money.
Thanks.
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On 3/17/2022 at 10:25 AM, LumberjackAxe said:
I'm nearing the end of my MEB process and will be medically retired in the next few months. Unfortunately, I probably will never fly again (my MEB condition is Bipolar, and after the Germanwings incident in 2015, I don't think the FAA will grant a waiver). I applied for grad school this fall, doing a total career change in my thirties, and although my retirement paycheck is nice, it isn't enough to live on. So far I've gotten the following advice from a variety of folks:
- Use the VR&E program to pay for school since it has an expiration date and save the GI Bill for later
- Get the following three documents while still AD: Memo rating (done), civil service preference letter, VA Loan waiver letter
- I already have my VA ratings so I don't really have to do much there, although they whiffed a few of the ratings, so I'll be appealing those
- I'm using SkillBridge to get my foot in the door in my desired follow on industry
- I have digital copies of my flight records (MilKeep) and OPRs/TRs
- I currently don't have a job lined up, but if I get accepted to grad school, the BAH + pension will be enough to get by
- I don't plan on working in the military industry anymore, but I am up for reinvestigation for my TS/SCI clearance, so I'll at least have that for another 5 years.
Anything else I should try to do or obtain while I'm still active duty? Any other pointers or gouge for separating/retiring early?
How long did the process last? I am just now starting a MEB/PEB process for the Marine Corps, so there are obvious differences. With that said, I was diagnosed with epilepsy which is controlled by medication when I was an F-18 IP. Two waiver attempts were both denied and I left the Marine Corps as a Captain - No one advised me about a medical retirement. I was fortunate that I was picked up for a Reservist billet assisting transitioning Marines with their transition from Active Duty to civilian, and am now eligible for a Reserve Retirement Awaiting Pay at Age 60.
Any knowledge about the timeline or process that you can pass would be hugely helpful as no one I can find really knows anything about the process, including my command.
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37 minutes ago, ecugringo said:
Sad thing is there are great jobs in Oil and Gas. I have done better than I ever thought I could. All i needed was military experience since nobody wants to go into this industry. I work with a lot of engineers from very prestigious schools. A lot are Aero Engineers. They tell me Exxon pays over 2x what Lockheed, Boeing etc....pay.
As a former Boeing F-15C CIP, and now an LM F-35 CIP... Tell me more! Where are these jobs located and what is an average day?
I love fossil fuels, powered my time in the Hornet and my affinity for fast toys - Both two and four wheels!
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Just now, DirkDiggler said:
Pictures of long lines of Ukrainians volunteering to defend Kyiv; also reports of Ukrainian expats in Europe returning home to defend Ukraine. Anyone know if there’s any organizations forming from countries other than Ukraine to help them fight?
I'd man up a Flanker if I weren't scared of the potential blue on blue...
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14 minutes ago, Buddy Spike said:
Or, it goes to show how easy it is to create mythology in 2022 and people will really believe anything no matter how outlandish.
The reality is likely that most of the Ukrainian kills have been through SAMs/Manpads and most of their air force was destroyed on the ground with very few if any air to air kills.
Valid. These were my first thoughts when I saw that DCS video:
1) I want to believe this is real.
2) The deck is the deck!
3) Where was the IRCCM?!
4) A viscap can f*ck up anyone's day.
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3 hours ago, Best-22 said:
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed pre-dawn fires just in time for daylight offensives? It wasnt what i was expecting, does anyone know enough about russian doctrine to say why that is?
Are NVG/NODs less available to Russian units? Any other reason why they might be less comfortable than the US fighting at night?
Or am I just way off and they actually are doing the bulk of their advance under darkness?
OPSEC permitting in your replies of course
No one is comfortable fighting at night. We're just forced to train to it more, which is obviously beneficial.
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8 minutes ago, Prozac said:
There’s a difference between leftist and liberal. A lot of liberals aren’t down with leftists. Seattle, San Fran, & other coastal cities will always be liberal, but are tired of homeless encampments, rampant crime, and drug use. I expect the trend to continue.
That is why I used the term "Leftist" and not "Liberal."
Leftists are the vocal minority of the Democratic party who, unfortunately, have had far too much sway given their relatively small numbers.
*** EDIT ***
With that said, there are many people who call themselves "liberals" but are anything but and have no idea what an actual liberal is. I'd venture to say that most Democrats, or at least most younger Democrats, don't espouse these values anymore... Individual rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and press, a free market economy...
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Leftists have flown too close to the sun...
... I hope.
COVID-19 (Aka China Virus)
in General Discussion
Posted
Wrong. Some people love actually feeling like they are for once in their lives doing something for the "common good" by playing along and attempting to force others to do the same. While those people may "say" they don't like covid restrictions, they do.