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ATIS

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Posts posted by ATIS

    Report Slams Military's Recent Camouflage Uniforms

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    "The report did not address the Navy's blue working uniform, which is referred to by troops as "aquaflage."

    Why the hell not? I can just hear the conversation: "Every other service has a new uniform, we need one!!"... what a waste.

    Just passed my 20 year threshold of Active/Reserve time and one of my primary goals is to never buy that POS uniform before I jump ship.

    ATIS

    A Toast in Remembrance of the Fallen...

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    I raise my glass to Neil Armstrong for his accomplishments as an astronaut and a steward for the United States during and since the Apollo endeavor.

    I raise my glass a bit higher to honor Neil Armstrong, for his 78 combat missions as a F9F Panther pilot flying off of Korea.

    Collin

    Washington DC

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Rosslyn/Crystal City

    I have plenty of contacts that live in these areas and they aren't running for the hills. Don't discount anything...throw out your net and see what you drag in.

    Capitol Hill isn't bad. In fact the two houses that bookcase me are full of single ladies. Mostly political staffers or work for non-profits, right out of school/going to grad school...I know they are poor. Check out the classified ads and Craigslist.

    Cheers

    Collin

    Washington DC

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    Metro system in DC is not that bad, so stick near a major hub on the Blue or Orange/Yellow line...and your need for a car goes way down. I live on the Hill and unless you work the Hill or car commute against traffic (ex: DC to Quantico or DC to points South/West)...don't recommend. As mentioned, Anacostia, no man's land down there...stay away. I see a lot of the younger DoD crowd in Reston and Crystal City (easy to spot), easy walk or metro to Georgetown and Old Town from there. Rt 95 is a parking lot coming into the area in the morning....and reverse that cattle train in the evening. Rt 50 and 66, same deal.

    Note...parking in this town is a PITA. Metro is your best bet, $230 is a great deal for the footprint of travel it gives you. DC is a great town, so I recommend exploring via Metro when you arrive. Parking fees and tickets, well you may think $230 is cheap after that. You might also want to look at getting a Bike Share pass http://www.capitalbi...re.com/stations. That is a recent up and coming ("STS" appropriate?) way to commute these days. Can't swing a dead cat in this town without avoiding someone on those red bikes. Kidding aside, a lot of my co-workers Metro in from VA/MD, and bike the rest of the way into work. It's even a better way to move around the city. My wife has been a resident a lot longer than I have. So if you have specific questions...PM me and I will bounce them off of her.

    Cheers

    Collin

    Help with a Divorce

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    CB:

    Lawyer up and don't loose your SA, easy to have your buttons pushed and spiral. Was in your shoes 12 years ago, mine was more emotional from the sound of your original email. Best advice I got was from a fellow NFO that had a real rough "Big D"... there is a business side and an emotional side to a divorce. Don't let the two cross. Making business decisions when your emotions are spooling is a recipe for trouble. It could be a tough road (roller coaster is a better term), but you have to realize when the two are starting to mix. Best to stop, reset and try again with a clear head. Take the high road, CYA, and set the example for your kids. I took the offensive and drove the situation best I could (got the lawyer first, suggested amicable terms...things like that), which helped me in my situation. Watch your POA if you have one... one of my buds was burnt by that (we were stuck on the boat and limited comms...lot of damage was done before it was finished and fixed).

    One thing I distinctly remember from my "Big D", a lot of those around me had gone through it and I had no idea. When the word got out, damn if there weren't a bunch of guys circling the wagons to help me out. They made themselves available for comments and questions (or bitching) I had.

    All the best with your situation.

    Collin

    Edited because the font looked larger after a sip or two of Vincent Van Gough Double Espresso Coffee Flavored Vodka (highy recommended).

    • Upvote 1

    Combat Systems Officer (CSO) info; Nav, EWO, WSO

    in Combat Systems Officer (CSO)

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    Homeland Security/alphabet suit jobs are available and suited to the SOF background, but it all depends on when you get out and what they're going to hire you to do. The retired O-5 isn't going to join the FBI's training pipeline, so at some point that becomes a missed opportunity (usually around the mid O-3 point unless you want to take a 40-50% pay cut). The CIA doesn't advertise what they offer to transitioning military, you just have to apply and see what they will offer.

    Stressing this point... most "organizations" take you in on the ground floor and train you up in some capacity, no matter what your experience. Don't expect to leave the service as a 0-4/0-5 (GS-13/14 level) and lateral into that same pay scale/grade. I have been though this process and in the end decided against it because of the downgrade in pay and benefits that would result (currently a civilian high step GS-14 and a 0-5 Reserve Commander in the Navy). If I were an 0-3 again, just getting out after my original commitment, different story.

    Your resume (with your experience) will get you in the door for an interview, but don't have any illusions. Some of my former mates have made a go in the civi ISR market. Pay is OK, but expect to be on the road to make that level of pay.

    Cheers

    ATIS

    Edited for spelling.

    Hornet Crash @ Virginia Beach - Populated Area

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    This is going to turn into a political shit storm given the vocal nature of local opponents to the base.

    Concur. Stashed with VFC-12/NAS Oceana in 1992 and wondered about the fact that the build up around the base was starting to increase. 1994, in a T-2 Buckeye on downwind, puts me right over Lynnhaven Mall with a huge flock of birds co-alt and closing with nowhere to go = bad place. My trips back to Oceana to work the pattern in the late 90's and into the early 2000's really opened my eyes, no more farmland to put a jet...it's all developments now. Pax River on the West and North side is starting build up and look like encroachment...but luckily it's all water to the South and East. This is going to be a shit sandwich for the Oceana supporters/base to eat, would be worse if there were fatalities. Kudos to the student/instructor for dealing with the sitation, and the response by the local FD.

    ATIS

    • Upvote 2

    Separations & Job Searching

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    Go here: http://www.dau.mil/default.aspx

    Sign up and take the level I online courses (for sure Acquistion 101, T&E 101-102) and whatever other online courses you can take and get them on your resume. After those level I courses the DAU syllabus normally turns into 1/2 online-1/2 classroom based courses, then (level III) are normally all classroom based and a little longer. If you are near a local DAU campus, you may be able to squeeze out a Level II course.

    Either way, taking DAU courses shows anyone (Govt or contractor) you can at least speak some of the lingo and know the acquistion process if you decide to go in that direction (be it program management, test, engineering).

    None of this free work will hurt you, and may open up some other options.

    An active clearance also helps open doors, for sure a TS/SCI.

    Cheers

    ATIS

    Help me fight the man

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    Holy Crap...I buster through there all the time. Come on over to Capitol Hill...I'll give you a beer just for the heads up/SA builder.

    My wife gets these on occasion. Cost of business in DC. Having sat jury duty in DC... GrndPndr's "stupid" comment rings true.

    Cheers

    ATIS

    WTF? (**NSFW**)

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by ATIS

    I've been lurking around these boards for a bit now...but this Hero RJ Nav vid just did it for me, brought me out of the shadows. How can this guy walk around and look anyone in the face after this diatribe? Please God let this be the first and last tripwire that makes me post.

    Cheers

    ATIS

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