raimius

Who can't see the AF getting an ADSC for "flight only track" then dropping them as an O-4 right before they become protected for retirement? Sounds EXACTLY like what the bean counters would do.

It is a screwed up bureaucracy, but we still get to do some good work. Sounds like you aren't really happy where you are. Would you stay there by choice? Is the AF the best alternative for you? ...grass is always greener, but ANG does look green...

Sims and training devices are great for procedural training and aspects that take diagnosis of known symptoms (EPs, etc). They can't quite replicate all the other airmanship issues that pop up, and are rarely good for "hands" skills (STS). So, yes, they can cut flight time to attain a certain level of performance, but cannot replace it completely. We've known this for years, but the question is what is the proper balance.

Many pilots peg pay in the "acceptable" range. While it is not going to beat United, it is enough to live comfortably. Where the AF is screwing up is the other BS and the poor messaging. The implicit message from multiple angles is "we could make this better for you, but we don't care."

Bro network, rumor Mills, and even JQP. You don't even need to fire a bunch...just enough to get people thinking again. I'd bet after 5-6 wing kings and a couple GOs go, the rest would get the message.

...because screw helicopter pilots...? ...standard

ND sells plenty of high proof stuff, so it's probably not that.

The lawsuits have begun. https://abc13.com/family-who-lost-8-in-church-shooting-suing-air-force/2709949/ Usually, I'm opposed to the after-tragedy lawsuits, but this one probably has some merit. ...and losing a very public lawsuit might actually make the AF do the right thing.

I walked into a local liquor store and found "Jeremiah Weed" at 35%ABV. Anyone know what's up with that? Did they stop making 100 proof?

Yes, it is a Zenith. The can is a GM-45 with a thread adapter. The Z5P has 1/2-28 threads in front of the 3-lug setup (and threads seem to be more reliable over time). I'd like to get an Omega 9K or similar for it, but I already had the GM-45. Still undecided on SBRing it or not.

I think we can get behind a man teaching his daughter how to shoot, especially with a well engineered firearm. Personally, the MP5K clone was just too iconic to pass up. Suppressed Z5P with the B&T style brace is the new range toy. :)

They actually did it? It was "two weeks out" eight months ago. I thought it died off.

Well, the USMC uses MV-22s for TRAP...go ask the JPRC how that is going.

It seems like this is one of those never-ending debates. There are pros and cons to each side, so CSAR keeps getting flipped between MAJCOMs. One the one hand, it seems like AFSOC wants the mission, but on the other hand, there is a suspicion that it really just wants more aircraft to use for whatever it wants. ACC seems to want the capability, but doesn't always seem to know how to make it work/care enough to make it work.

Standard

Yeah, if you've got the budget, Massif is about as close to magic as I've seen in clothing. Shell jacket that keeps you comfy from 55-15F...or -20 if you wear their base layers as well.

...and mandatory brown t-shirts and Coyote boots. More stuff to buy for people. Those text job patches all got canned except for first responders, battlefield airmen...and one exception. (I wonder who wrote that...). Not that I care a ton, but wouldn't having people's jobs on their sleeves make things easier? Why are we restricting that?

So, those looking at leaving get a 0.5% pay raise? Yeah, that'll make the difference. I won't say "no" to $50 more a month, but the AF is kidding themselves if they think that would sway people's decision.

Mil flying has met my needs, so far. That said, if I don't get to fly on duty for a while, I definitely start to miss it. Sadly, helicopters are stupid expensive... I'm definitely thinking about saving up for an RV-7/8 in the future, though. The .gov won't pay me to fly forever.

Multiple stories of that happening in Vietnam.

Was that to add to the point, or did you miss the pegged-out sarcasm meter?

Well, there wasn't a lot of "wow" to it, IMO. They didn't even correct for inflation from the last time the bonus changed.

We won't be operating in uncontested skies. The war in Iraq is over. Afghanistan is winding down. There are very few failed states anymore. Also glad we won that darn war on drugs a couple decades ago!

Dunkirk is good. Character development and dialogue are pretty lacking, but the tension is amazingly well done. Definitely worth watching on a big screen.