Bergman

I have no idea how you got that impression from my post. That isn't what I think at all. In my experience, very few people are in the USAF strictly for the money. Sure, no one would do it for free but financial compensation is not the driving factor. Throwing money at that type of person is ridiculous. As has been said before, the only people who will take the bonus are people who would have stayed anyway. Indeed. "A rhetorical question is a figure of speech in the form of a question that is asked in order to make a point.The question is used as a rhetorical device, posed for the sake of encouraging its listener to consider a message or viewpoint...A rhetorical question does not usually require an immediate answer, but is meant to draw attention to and start a meaningful discussion on the matter." You're right, it is my personal perspective. I could go on a lengthy diatribe, citing dozens of examples of cronyism, people being sold out/used by their commanders, using bad assignments as tools to threaten people, and the list goes on and on. No one wants to hear yet another rant, which is why I stated my opinion which has been formed from watching this behavior over several years. I actually wasn't referring to my own career; I've had a pretty good run. I'm basing this comment much more on the AD people I run across year in and year out. Watching from a somewhat detached point of view, listening to their stories, and some of my own experience serving under these guys has led me to approach nearly every commander warily. Once in a while I am surprised, but not very often. I will. Like everyone else, I crave good leadership. I WANT to follow someone who has their shit together, looks out for their people, and gets the job done. The problem is those people apparently don't exist any more. You're damn right it is. The problem is that it's not an easy fix. We have been promoting the wrong people for years, if not decades. Rewarding the wrong traits and behavior. And now we are stuck with exactly what we deserve after years of eyewash OPRs, promoting ass kissers, and misprioritization of talents (i.e. valuing someones exec ability over flying ability, or ability to write OPRs over ability to inspire confidence/leadership among their crew, etc). Like I said, not an easy fix to get some people in place who can actually lead from the front. So in lieu of that, let's throw more money at people and hope we can dupe them into sticking around despite the poor leadership, shitty assignments, and lack of loyalty from the USAF. I have read all of his posts. And your comment is exactly why I prefaced my original post with, "I've been generally opposed to the verbal beating you have taken on here," because I think he has some great points and good information. But clinging to the bonus as a truly effective leadership tool damages his credibility.

An incredible opportunity if you love money above all else. I've been generally opposed to the verbal beating you have taken on here, but even I can't stand it any more. Are you really that out of touch? The Air Force doesn't give two shits about their people! The current crop of O-5/6 clowns running the show at the squadron/group/wing would sell their troops to gypsies if they thought it would help their career. I can't remember the last time I've even HEARD about a commander "doing the right thing" or looking out for their people. What squadrons have you been in? What deployed locations? I've been around a time or two and I'm just not seeing this "leadership" and "insight" you keep talking about. Edit to add: The irony, given sequestration and a very austere budget environment, is that the solution to retention is FREE. People WANT to follow good leaders. You wouldn't have to pay them extra to do it. But since we are running low on talent, let's just throw some money at the problem for a quick, easy fix. Kinda like putting wet napkins in the cargo door to stop an air leak...it'll work for a while but not a good long term fix.

Met him several times growing up. Always a class act and a great inspiration. Sucks to lose him and Bud Day within a month.

Very sad to hear this. There aren't many like him any more. A true class act and hero. Godspeed, sir.

So WTF is the deal? Between no information coming out at all after nearly 3 months, the report being posted then taken off the site, and having the official release date pushed back several times makes me wonder what is going on. Is someone "cooking the books" on another safety report, a la the F-22 Alaska crash?

Well, shit. Removed my buffoonery.

Who has punched? I can only think of one! ...surprising no one!

WTF?! Fucking navs.

The runway is definitely not new! They keep it repaired enough to be used but just barely. The Russians will probably still take over after we leave.

Yeah! Once in a row!

https://www.fool.com/...s-to-india.aspx

Trade for pics of your sister?

Pictures or it didn't happen.

I agree with you completely. With these couple of guys, I'm just waiting to see how they work out. Sometimes it takes a while for the AD to wash off.

Correct. Then assuming you make it, you will have to wait to pin on. Since you are already over the TIG limit I believe it would be on Oct 1 following the promotion board. Your best bet would be to find the ANG officer prommotions reg...it's all spelled out there. Correct. We had two guys in this situation, got the waiver and went to the board with the stipulation that if the board didn't promote them they were done. Both made it. Perhaps unfortunately for us.

Gross...but worthy of a lawsuit? The guy was convicted criminally. https://patdollard.com/2013/05/teen-sues-united-for-failing-to-stop-masturbator/

I would spend some time on www.e-publishing.af.mil reading AFI 36-2205. It talks about eligibility for flying training. It may not be a home run, but a good place to start at least. Regardless of what the reg says, IMHO it would be better to attrite rather than DOR. At least you have a good explanation for it and can say, "I busted my ass as long as they let me, but ultimately boat flying wasn't in the cards" rather than, "I wasn't good at it so I quit" It is not uncommon to find IFF/fighter FTU washouts in the AF heavy world. If you already have wings your chances with a heavy unit would be decent.

Jeebus! And I thought the old bastard who gave me my ATP check was insane.

That's actually Rule #1. Rule #2: life isn't fair Rule #3: there is no justice

My money is on "NO".

But...but...but...I thought only the best pilots got C-17s on assignment night? How could this happen? Again. IMHO if it's not already happening (foul if it's not) the C-17 community should probably drop the "we're better than everyone else" cavalier attitude and get back to the basics. You know, land at the correct airport, on the correct runway, with the gear down. Glad no one was hurt. Hope someone can use the jet again.

Rest in peace, brothers. https://www.khq.com/story/22165013/fairchild-airmen-killed-in-kc-135-crash-identified Edited to add full list of names.

Perhaps there has been more than one T-1 incident. I know the IP from the Laughlin jet that it happened to, and he was with a fairly new female student. They heard a loud "clunk" on initial takeoff and he subsequently put it in 60 degrees of bank for several minutes to keep the nose down while he figured out what to do. Pretty funny (now) to imagine a 500' closed pattern in a T-1 over base housing.

Damn, that is heartbreaking. Hang in there. Perhaps we will toast to them this evening. I'm buying.

Changed the topic title to ease any KC-10 sphincters. ("tanker" vs "KC-135") Desperately trying to find info on the incident, as we have several crews there right now. I hate this part of aviation.