deaddebate

We are currently about 313K AD and 172K RC (105K ANG and 67K Res). That's around 64/36 right now. That's a 9% disparity, or about 46K on each side, to reach 55/45. If we get a BRAC approved in FY2017 or so, that'll be easy to reach by about 2024.

I did. My post. That's all I'm going to give.

C-130 inventory changes Development and Acquisitions for AFSOC source:https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/defbudget/fy2016/fy2016_Budget_Request_Overview_Book.pdf

Other highlights: Still waiting on this supposed announcement.

Bracing for impact.

The tapatalk search was broke--BO app is fine. I prefer tapatalk's darker visual theme, so I use it much more than the BO app or the mobile version. Too much white and light colors is harsh for any significant reading.

To reinforce my faith in America through those tough months, I would only pick true stories of heroes striving for freedom and justice. Broken Arrow Battlefield Earth Iron Eagle

Just upgraded to tapatalk 4.9.5. Needed a manual install and note I have two versions on my phone. Weird--I'll have to uninstall the other. Functionality, appearance, and options seem markedly better than the BaseOps app, but it's the difference between paid and free. Image sharing is streamlined. Biggest improvement is that search actually works. Anybody have any thoughts?

https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2657 Press release from new VA Secretary, Robert McDonald: Various news agencies pieces (if you feel you need some extra spin and bullshit in your life):https://www.stripes.com/news/va-moves-to-overhaul-customer-service-1.313457 https://thehill.com/policy/defense/223547-veterans-affairs-unveils-new-structure https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/investigations/2014/11/10/va-overhaul-announced-secretary-offers-few-details/18807203 https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/10/politics/va-reforms-and-restructuring https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-mcdonald-announces-plans-to-reorganize-the-va

I didn't see a thread dedicated to the recent VA scandal so I'm putting this here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-mcdonald-cleaning-up-the-veterans-affairs-hospitals Yesterday, 60 Minutes interviewed the new VA Secretary, Robert McDonald. Some highlights:

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/due-to-cuts-navy-bands-change-approach-1.313393 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/due-cuts-navy-bands-change-approach-26802654 To the Navy budget office, you've made the right choice. I have one simple question: "What is the mission of the Navy?" Their official website says "The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas." It is not to entertain baseball fans or parade attendees, and it isn't to recruit folks that are so easily swayed that they would swear allegiance because of a musical performance. Ceremonial events involving flag officers deserve a military band (if so desired); the college exhibition game in Podunkville, Kansas does not deserve a band of paid military servicemembers with funded TDY expenses.

https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/democrats-ads-mary-landrieu-112647.html | https://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/mary-landrieu-louisiana-runoff-2014-bill-cassidy-112668.html The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is cancelling it's TV ads and other election support for incumbent Sen M. Landrieu. Meanwhile, the Republicans are sending in additional manpower and money. So as long as say Bill Cassidy doesn't say something super-racist or reveal himself as a purple-skinned alien from Neptune, he'll win a 53rd senate seat for the Republicans.

https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/07/us-mideast-crisis-usa-iraq-idUSKBN0IR22I20141107 - Obama authorizes 1,500 additional U.S. troops for deployment to Iraq https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/obama-authorizes-1500-troops-iraq-26765796 - Obama Authorizes 1,500 More Troops for Iraq https://www.stripes.com/news/us/obama-doubling-us-troop-levels-in-iraq-1.312905 - Obama doubling US troop levels in Iraq

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/05/remarks-president-press-conference

It's a resounding victory for the GOP, with potentially more Republican gains while waiting on Alaska's results and later on Louisiana's runoff next month.

FiveThirtyEight and the New York Times both predict a 75% or better chance that the Republicans take the Senate majority. Best guess is 52 or 53.

https://www.stripes.com/news/report-court-rules-wearing-unearned-medals-a-crime-1.311205 Lying about medals earned is OK. Lying about medals with intent to defraud or for financial gain is criminal. Wearing unearned medals is criminal. So you can be an internet tough guy as long as you don't try to be an IRL tough guy. I would know because my Bronze Star proves I have integrity.

https://www.defense.gov/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=5525 https://www.stripes.com/news/us/kerry-says-no-apology-to-n-korea-to-free-americans-1.310113 https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/dry-spell-korea-farms-good-harvest-26417991

Q: "Why isn't my re-enlistment paperwork finished?" A: "Oh, the guy that processes them is singing on TV." https://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/526278/airman-makes-a-name-for-himself-on-x-factor-uk.aspx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVniRoSvXyA

This thread is like Survivor, Big Brother, The Bachelor, The Kardashians, The Apprentice, Naked & Afraid, The Real Housewives of ###, and Project Runway all rolled into one. It's all shit I would never watch, but in this forum, it's just too good. It's like watching a bunch of retards trying to fuck a doorknob.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/n-korea-experts-us-must-apologize-to-free-detainees-1.309807 Seems to be the going rate.

Sen Coburn publishes his "wastebook" every year. Highly partisan but worth a read if for no other reason than to educate yourself on his opinions as a Congressman and member of several Senate committees. His most recent is available at: https://www.coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases The news links for individual cases below are only the easiest to access/read without going through hundreds of pages of government reports. He cites other resources to support the claims. Some have already been discussed on this site. The two Air Force cases are: #81 - DOD Sends 16 Planes to the Scrap Heap for $32,000 - $468 million - https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-usa-afghanistan-idUSKCN0HY2M120141009 #98 - Earmark Spends Taxpayer Money to Send Coal to Germany - $638,910 - https://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2014/03/14/290238727/long-dead-congressmans-earmark-lives-on-in-europe Other DOD/VA cases: #28 - Exploding Claims of “Sleep Apnea” Threaten to Bankrupt VA Disability Program - $1.2 billion - https://militaryadvantage.military.com/2014/02/sleep-apnea-boom-splits-vet-community #46 - DOD Tries to Build Real-Life “Iron Man” Suit - $80 million - https://io9.com/the-military-has-hired-hollywood-to-help-build-an-actua-1601102216 -https://defensetech.org/2014/04/29/congress-wants-more-control-of-special-ops-iron-man-suit #48 - Missile Defense Misses the Target - $998 million - https://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/03/18/alaskan_folly #79 - DOD Pays 16 Times the Going Price for Helicopter Parts - $9 million - https://www.dodig.mil/pubs/report_summary.cfm?id=5890

It's a secret in that they are withholding information they are obligated to provide in the RCPHA, annual flight physical, or other exam, and in consideration of their mobility status.