tk1313
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Posts posted by tk1313
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1 hour ago, pbar said:
Hasn't been my experience. My wife has wanted to start a bar/restaurant forever and so we decided to go ahead and do it concurrent with my retirement. In preparation, I read a couple "how-to" start a business books and attended a Boots 2 Business course on base.
Now I understand why many entrepreneurs say you have to fail a couple of times before you become successful. Running this business has been the steepest learning curve I've every experienced.
I've also been floored about the amount of red tape and expense involved in getting business licenses, meeting code, etc. from the local government. For example, we rented a place that already kitchen equipment installed and when we went through the initial health inspection we were told the code had changed the previous year and we ended up spending an un-budgeted $20K on getting it up to code. I mean, FFS, the science in restaurant health and safety is so immature that such big code changes are necessary year to year!?! We also had delays getting licenses due to the slow pace of the city in processing them.
I've also seen some unexpected things like the cops showing up repeatedly saying there was a report of a fight at our establishment. Probably our competitors trying to scare customers away....
Also, everything for business costs twice or three times what it would if you bought it for yourself. For example, deposit for electrical service for a business was $2000 and the monthly bill is $500 (1500 sq ft restaurant) and water is $450/month.
It's also disheartening when you run into all of the rent seeking and rigging that goes on. We had to spend $500 for an alcohol survey to a surveying company to prove the restaurant/bar isn't within 500' of a school or a church. It probably took that surveying company all of five minutes to figure that out using a geographic information system (my undergrad degree incidentally) and I'm 90% sure they used GIS data from the city or county. Sweet deal for them... Also, only being allowed to serve alcohol bought through select alcohol wholesalers (was a real pain to get any of them to call us back to set up an account) doesn't help the bottomline either.
Granted my wife picked the riskiest kind of business to start, but it's been 95% stress and 5% reward and we aren't even remotely close to breaking even after 9 months either. From my experience, if I was to do it again, I'd buy an existing business or I'd go into a business that catered only to other businesses as that seems like where the real money is.
You had me at "bar"... Are you still at Eglin or nearby? If so, PM the restaurant name/loc and I'll gladly give you my money. If you serve raw oysters on the half shell from Apilachicola I'll probably stop there exclusively when I'm in town.
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I waited two months between swearing in and FC1... And at that point the people working at Wright-Patt were talking about how dates were really getting stretched out due to the increase in applicants/selectees. I have my own personal theory that, since I'm >5 years away from turning 30, my NGB approval might take longer than someone else who needs to get to UPT faster. Just do what you can on your end to make it easier on those pushing your paperwork through.
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6 hours ago, Judgesmails said:
It sounds to me like your trying to turn me away from the navy. Also, navy has been my first choice from the start, nobody has pushed me into it.
No, not at all. I've just been fortunate enough to work with and meet pilots that have flown a vast array of aircraft (some of whom have flown for multiple services), and I'm just trying to pay forward any information that has helped me.
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8 hours ago, HossHarris said:
It still bobbles my mind that the republicans, many of whom have been in office for quite a while, didn't have a polished, well thought out, well researched, and ready to go "Obama care repeal" oplan on the shelf.
I guess I'll continue to vote anti-encumbent ....
I also find it disturbing that the instant Trump threatened to put Congress on the same healthcare as the rest of America, all talk about healthcare went silent and the next thing I heard was "Congress pivots to tax reform"...
Edit to add: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/344847-gop-lawmaker-trump-should-cancel-health-insurance-subsidies-for-congress
My point was merely to say that the mere mention of being on the same healthcare as their constituents made them uncomfortable enough to change the subject.-
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8 hours ago, Judgesmails said:
I like what the navy does. I like the culture. I like the aircraft. I like the missions.
Could you elaborate? The first squadron I hung out with was a Navy squadron, and they did a very good job of convincing me that getting catapulted off a carrier to go bomb ISIS with them was about the most fun you could ever have in a cockpit. And yes, for the most part the bases are awesome if you want to be by the water. I don't know what mission(s) you're interested in, but if you're leaning Navy, I'm assuming some navy guys have been chewing your ear. Nothing wrong with that, but I would recommend visiting ANG/reserve units to get a glimpse of their culture before you make your decision. You may even get lucky and find a couple prior Navy/USMC aviators turned USAF pilot that can give you a way better analysis of the positives/negatives of both.
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Russia Russia Russia Russia Awan Brothers Russia Russia Russia Russia
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Honest question: Why are you leaning Navy? I've been told the flying is different, but not necessarily less time spent in the air.
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Looks like little Debbie and Hillary use the same dumpster.
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8 hours ago, 1111 said:
The military has always been a social laboratory! See Truman 1948, order 9981, who told a bunch of folks, the African Americans are coming and they will be part of this organization.
^this probably pissed off a bunch of European Americans! Just like this latest group is going to piss lots of us off.
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/510155664333471745
To be clear I am saying that the transgendered community are facing acceptance hurdles, hurdles the groups like AA, women and gays had to endure. Those hurdles will be different for each one of those communities depending on the level of pushback from society.
Reason #6969 why Trump won: Equating transgender struggles with those of African Americans.
Independent of your personal beliefs on whether or not trannys should be allowed to serve, the comparison is a stretch. African Americans are born African American. Despite some very rare genetic disorders, transgender people are born a certain sex... XY or XX. A male can want to be a female, and vice versa, without ever making that information public or doing "gender-reassignment" surgery and therapy/meds--and no one will know. But there is no way for an African American to just forego being AA in favor of being white, or vice versa, despite Dolezal's best efforts to prove otherwise.
And yes, I'm guessing the trans ban will focus on classifying being transgender as a mental health issue (i.e. gender dysphoria as RTB stated) negatively affecting one's ability to serve.-
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Politics aside, why couldn't he wait until this evening to make that statement? At least then I could pour myself a glass of single-malt scotch, and flip between MSNBC and CNN in an attempt to synchronize the screeching. Now I have to imagine Rachel Maddow is somewhere having a meltdown of election night proportions. I feel deprived of quality entertainment.
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1 hour ago, scott2375 said:
When it comes to NGB do they approve/deny whenever they get paperwork or are there certain times of the year where they process all packages that have come to them? Mine has been sent up but I'm just curious if I'm going to be waiting a few weeks or a few months until I hear back.
I believe they get to it when they can. I don't think there are specific boards like AD and Reserves. If you look at this page and the page before, it looks like anywhere from 1-4 months from submission to approval at NGB. Your recruiter is the one who would know.
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14 minutes ago, UPTapplicant2017 said:
If you get a slot off the streets do you skip MEPs and go strait to FC1 physical at Brooks?
Nope, you go to MEPS first. Then you usually enlist in the unit so they can send you to FC1 at Wright-Patt (no longer Brooks) and forward your package to NGB to get training dates.
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Seems like the irony is lost only on the CNN journalist:
http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/04/extremely-unethical-cnn-draws-backlash-after-threatening-to-id-reddit-user-behind-trumps-wwe-video/
Also, intimidation begets intimidation:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/journalist-exposed-redditor-behind-trump-meme-threats-article-1.3300380-
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52 minutes ago, TTP said:
I can't seem to find the USAA Limitless Card on their website. I read on another website that the USAA Limitless Card was released in Fall 2016 to a small sample group on a trial basis. Seems like a good deal that I'd like to take advantage of. For those that have it, how did you get it?
I upvoted nsplayr's post on April 3, so I'm guessing that's when I either ordered or received mine. So far I've redeemed a little over $200.00... Well worth it.
http://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/earning-cashback/usaa-limitless-cashback-rewards-visa-signature-card-2-5-cashback-coming-soon
It does look like you have to call USAA and give member services your member number to find out whether or not the offer was extended to you. I feel like a member of an exclusive USAA club now.-
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The people are Wright-Patt are honestly there for you. Every time I overheard a conversation about someone who had failed a test, the docs/techs were trying to figure out the best way to proceed that would most help the candidate. It was never negative. The only reason you will fail there or need a waiver is if you legitimately have an issue that is proved with multiple tests. Like DillonStewart said:
The first day was EKG, hearing, teeth X-rays, medical history, the first half of the eye tests (depth perception like at MEPS, eye pressure, some field of vision test with a red light and a filter that will show it as one red and one white light), and computer based testing (don't be like me, drink some coffee before the computer testing even though it "doesn't count").
The second day was an hour at the lab (for urinalysis, blood work, and chest X-rays), then back to the main building for height/weight, seated height(s), second half of the eye tests (color vision, detailed eye pictures/scans, near and far vision, then finally a ophthalmologist visually examines your eyes), eyes dilation (if you pass all the other eye testing), and finally a couple extra quick vision tests with dilated eyes before you go see the flight doctor to be cleared (again, assuming you passed everything else).
Some advice:
1. Don't take your phone into the hearing test booth... You will hear loud static during the beeps which makes it nearly impossible to hear the beeps and/or the beeps will be replaced by a cricket-like noise. I somehow passed even though my phone was constantly going off, but an ROTC kid also brought his phone into the booth, and the test tech had to stop the test because he was doing so bad. They both figured out it was his phone, and he left it outside the next time.
2. Take your time! It's been said before, and it's worth re-stating. I think the only test that is timed is the color vision. For some reason I felt the depth perception was just slightly harder at Wright-Patt than it was at MEPS (still passed "F"). I basically took my head out of the fixture and focused on various points near and far to me if I was even a little unsure. I was re-assured that I was doing great, and I pressed on.
3. Google "USAFSAM", and maps should point you to exactly the building. I didn't have an issue finding it, but a lot of people do.
Day 3 group:
Most of the group was let out a little after 12 noon on the second day (Tuesday). I had to stay until Wednesday because of my cup/disk ratio. The ophthalmologist basically said, "You just picked out the lenses that didn't give any correction and read off of the 20/15 line quickly and perfectly, you don't have an issue." He then proceeded to tell me only 3 out of all the people who had come to Wright-Patt actually had an issue, and that they knew they had an issue way beforehand. You have to do a field of vision test that isn't fun, and take 3 eye pressure readings... It's an extra couple hours the next day, but you get to fly for the Air Force, so all-in-all it's not a big deal.
Side note: When they were confirming my medical history, something came up that I said I wasn't aware of. It basically boiled down to a request for a follow-up appointment that I didn't go to after being given pills for being sick (not anything major) because (1) I wasn't e-mailed and told that I needed to follow-up (the clinic had an e-mail system they used for anything and everything) and (2) Once I was given anti-biotics, I felt much better within about a week. The flight doc will iron everything out like he did with me, so no need to panic.
Good luck to everyone going to Wrigh-Patt for FCI. Enjoy Dayton, and talk/hang out with the other guys/gals there since you'll be close for the next couple of days and might possibly see some of them in later training.-
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1 hour ago, Vertigo said:
Great speech. Well sourced arguments. You are clearly a man with unlimited political potential.
In his defense... when's the last time you saw well-sourced articles consistently making headlines. Hard to start a twitter war between edgy teenagers when you use well thought out arguments.
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On 6/15/2017 at 1:31 PM, Ram said:
If you don't USE trim or you don't FIND trim, the end result is the same...heh.
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On 6/11/2017 at 6:30 AM, Toro said:
Do not see The Mummy. I wasn't terribly impressed by the trailer, but I followed the wife to it skeptically. The first 20 minutes is military-centric and is so ridiculously implausible that it ruined the rest of the movie. F- , zero points, I want my money back.
Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network ForumsThe Mummy without Brendan Fraser? WTF were they thinking?
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Don't fuck with Duck
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20 hours ago, stuckindayton said:
Good post. Do we make it that obvious how much we hate this policy? It is what it is. Hopefully it will get changed in the near future. The techs who run the visual fields will be happier than anyone. It sucks to take it, but imagine giving the test 5x times a day.
Like you said... It is what it is. I'll gladly spend an extra morning doing tests to prove my eyes are good. I have a family member that works for an eye doctor, so I asked if it had come up before. I was told that it was noted, but it's not an issue (just like you guys/gals said). My old man said he has it as well, and that his old ass can still shoot the nuts off of a gnat at 50 yards, can still tell the difference between a 9 and a 10 in a dimly lit bar... and some other stupid shit like that.
Nobody complained about the policy, they just reassured me that I had nothing to worry about--my vision is excellent, and the ratio by itself is an antiquated metric. Great folks with great attitudes at Wright-Patt. -
I was told it couldn't be more of a non-issue. You have to do the peripheral test (sucks) and you have to do 3 separate eye pressure readings. But basically FCI guys at Wright-Patt are trying to make it so that you don't ever have to do additional testing. If it's an actual issue, it would have shown itself well before the doc's visual eye examination (with the light bar and magnifying lense). They told me 20-25% of all people that come through have it... only 3 people who have ever been through Wright-Patt have actually had something wrong that needed a waiver or possibly got them DQ'd. Those 3 people definitely had an issue that showed itself during some of the other tests. I was basically told, "Nothing is wrong with you, but we're required to do the extra tests so just do them. Your vision is awesome." No waiver required.
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Navy guy trying to get the #2 wire no doubt
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A quick search on Amazon shows an AFOQT prep book with hornets on the cover (WTF)... but this list, in addition to Barron's and the online sources, should get you started (I like the first one a lot):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1941743420/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1496596918&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=afoqt&dpPl=1&dpID=51ox-J2Tg3L&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0768937809/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1496596918&sr=8-11&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=afoqt
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0768936055/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1496597339&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=master+the+military+flight+aptitude+tests&dpPl=1&dpID=516eRl4AsYL&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0768910293/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1496597413&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=master+the+military+flight+aptitude+tests&dpPl=1&dpID=516KAL0kYiL&ref=plSrch
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2 hours ago, hatedont said:
Minneapolis had a sushi bar in their airport.
I didn't join for the money either. Yet, I turned down the bonus hoping for a 1-2 year option. Asking me for 5 years is like offering me $100K for my dog. It ain't happening.
So you said "no2bonus"? Hmm...
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Retake the AFOQT? Help!!
in What Are My Chances?
Posted
1. How many hours does your PCSM break 80? How about 90?
2. What is your AFOQT pilot?
3. Are any of your other scores (Nav, AA, Verbal, Quant) so low that they would stand out to whoever will eventually be approving your UPT application package?