skibum

I hope the other services are diligent in screening their aviation candidates. You might consider serving in another capacity.

Ok mods, how about cutting off the chatter here and creating another thread where people can continue the unrelated discussion. I thought this thread was for stuff like kitten juggling and chicks with three boobs. To get us back on track I provide the following: http://italychronicles.com/cats-milk-mozzarella/

I went from full time to part time military not too long ago and transitioned to full time (non-airlines) work. I decided no airlines (various reasons), and did not want to be a contractor. The idea of wandering around in a polo shirt, khakis and cheap shoes with my badge around my neck, talking to people who don't really give a fvck and having some toolbox O-6 boss me around did not seem fun. I decided to just go for the big jobs and was surprised by how many offers I got. What I found was industry and other agencies were looking for leadership, and they were willing to bid for someone with a military track record. They cared little for technical background. I didn't choose the highest offer (money was important but not the most important) but instead went for location and the the type of industry I had also been interested in. In the end, I might make more money than an airline bubba some day but probably not. I'm home most nights. I travel if/when I want. I got a hefty pay raise. Just like flying, I have a job where most people actually pay to go do it and others are surprised I get paid. Since staring, I've hired a few guys retiring off active duty, so it's not like I fell into a one-off opportunity. My advice - do what you want, don't aim low on the positions, and go for your dream job. Make someone pay you (a lot) to do what you would do for fun.

I've seen/participated in several FEBs from the viewpoint of drunken spectator up to convening authority. While some FEBs had issues, I've not seen one where the person in question wasn't a problem. I have, however, seen MANY who should have been FEBed but leadership was too pussified to to take action. You got your day at the board. Call me a skeptic, but I ain't buying the sob story. I'm with Gearpig on this one.

USAFA grads gotta be so proud

Last 4th of July I tried to shoot some helium balloons out of the neighbor's yard with my pellet gun. That shit ain't easy! On the other hand, I brought down my father-in-law's drone just by spilling beer on him.

I don't think the plywood shack I made and lived in for months in Afghanistan met fire code either, but big blue didn't seem to have a problem with it.

I think the mods should move this to the WTF thread. At least everyone at Boeing has the option to quit, and Rhat can't fire them without cause.

I cried a little bit at the 21 minute mark. Sad to see that many Hercs under attack/destroyed. Oh the humanity...

What we're about to see is the pussification of the Marine Corps. There's already talk of changing the tone of Marine recruiting from sharp-edged, combat focused to moral citizenship. Marine commercials used to make me secretly ashamed of the AF (now I'm publicly ashamed) because they focused on fighting while we focused on social studies. Now, I'm afraid our last bastion of real warfighter mentality is about to get castrated.

All that to say she was a shoe.

For today's Air Force I'd recommend this...

I love how all us capitalists suddenly become socialists when we talk about our industry.

I've gotten two issue jackets. The first one (coming up on 3 decades old) was ok but seemed more like plastic. After a few brews at the Falcon Bar (when the falcon was still alive) and feeling like a rich Lt I decided to fork over the $70 so I'd have two jackets. My 1991 Pops original is by far the best. Not sure what they cost now, but I'm sure it's worth it. The second issued jacket (maybe 10 years old) is a little better and had the mods previously only available at Pops but still no comparison.

Sounds a lot like what happened at USAFA last decade. They stopped releasing rated bubbas to for academy assignments and pretty soon everyone wanted to be a shoe.

The Air Force has an Assistant Vice Chief of Staff? When they start looking to eliminate GO positions I'd start with that one.

The crew dogs turned away from the chow hall for pockets on their shorts are the leaders of today. While it may have been a painful/rediculous experience for some it may also have served a purpose. Everyone has a part to play, even if it is showing others what not to do. So I say thanks Deid leadership of last decade for showing us how not to lead.

I've seen Tony talk/present and would recommend him. He's a polished and professional speaker, good presence and can hold an audience. He is an authority in his field. He does not come across as arrogant. I assume you are already aware of his specialty, and it's a good fit for your event.

I was recently on a trip and had cause to be concerned about a potential stow away. In anticipation I examined the wheel wells. The main gear well is tight and it's unlikely anyone (skinny or not) would survive the gear coming up. However, you could safely fit family of fat people in the nose gear compartment with the gear up. I had the crew chief and LM keep an eye.

One thing I don't see mentioned but you should consider is the AGR term. It used to be automatic that an ANG AGR job would continue, to include promotion to Lt Col, allowing you to retire. That's not necessarily the case anymore. Depending on the job (doesn't sound like a unit position) you may find yourself with just under 18 years of service at a major and no continuation to retirement. If it were a unit position the wing would likely find a way to take care of you. If it's a state HQ or T10 you could get screwed by future position availability. Be careful.

Thanks for the building. Remember there's a job waiting for you in the airlines and my unit when you get weary.

Did someone say beaver? Anyway, the article says, "The Air Force anticipates that it will save approximately $200,000 in appropriated funds..." Really? So none of these 35 tools (plus don't forget all the support staff) get paid salaries funded by tax payers? Or am I to understand each makes a little less than $6K per year and don't get paid per diem?

I heard from a credible source the 200th might be going bye-bye. Anyone else got info?

Wrong. SIB is not out (still in MOFE), but the board president made some verbal recommendations against SME advice that are not related to findings but meet AMC 4 star desire to appear to be safer now. This resulted in a memorandum. There is no FCIF because the memorandum is so dicked up (specifically states incomplete/false information about altitude data, checklist changes not associated with an 847 that can't be done because they don't match the current checklist or aircraft systems, etc.) AMC/OGV will not release it as FCIF. Memo mandates changes to tactics that user (US forest Service) has not been informed of and require more passes over a fire to accomplish the same thing (way more risky than changing nothing). This is what happens when a C-5 pilot investigates and he is shocked that one would dare to do tactical flying in a non-fighter type aircraft. Half the memorandum is bullet statements that tell crews and leaders to do their jobs. Gee thanks for the insight - so much safer now.

Knee-jerk reaction from AMC, NGB & AFRC puts new restrictions on mission that make it ineffective and have nothing to do with the accident. Way to go leadership. What a sad example of a risk averse set of blues-happy HQ tools. You pushed your ignorant pencils so far up up our asses we can even get the mission done.