Bergman
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Posts posted by Bergman
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It took me a couple of years in the ANG to fully appreciate this, but it is a difference in perspective people on AD will never know.. I've now chosen my final base because it's a place I WANT to be, not a trudge induced by the faceless AFPC machine. Shit, there's an outside chance I might enjoy doing the job that I CHOSE in the location I CHOSE.
I fell into that trap as well. The AD thrives off squeezing every ounce out of its people with the promise of future gains, at the expense of your family, friends, hobbies, and own well being. Is it worth it? In today's environment of no transparency or loyalty on the part of leadership, helllll no!However, I'm absolutely done making decisions in the constant fear of deceleration. Active Duty over the years has shown me that leadership wants me to think that I'm always on the cusp of being the next big thing, always about to be a big deal. The shit sickens me looking back, because my dumb ass totally bought it for a number of years.
At least with the airlines, they are contractually obligated to advance you in seniority order. There is no thinly veiled promise of being the next big thing. Just show up, do your job well, and go home. You'll get advancement in due time.Jumping into the airlines for fear that my yet to be determined line number will never be high enough falls into that category for me.
Sounds like a good plan. After guard bumming for years, I can tell you that there's something to be said for slowing down to smell the roses. Especially after having your balls dragged through the dirt for years on AD.I will not make decisions today because I might miss out on some unseen promotion, or some uncalculated amount of future earnings. That doesn't mean that I'll live in squalor with my morals intact. It means I might actually be able to slow down, be happy, have a family life and see what develops vice forcing every new situation like it's the only possible scenario where I will be rich, famous, and happy. I speak only for myself of course. The last couple years on AD have harshly taught me some difficult truths.
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Hindsight,
Thanks for the breakdown. The details are about as clear as mud, but the overall logic and the breakdown of your thoughts is appreciated.
So in the scenario I'm considering, I'd be starting an ART job with the ability to buy back 16 years and 3 mos of federal service. Although I'd need less than 5 years to get to 20 good years, I'd have to serve as an ART for the 5-year federal minimum after buying my time back, then proceed to airlines and continue as TR until age 57.
My basic fork in the road is this: work the ART job for the 5 year min to qual for the GS retirement, then proceed to airlines while working TR; or just stay TR and get into the airlines 5 years earlier. Good problems for me to have, I'm not complaining. Seems like both can be great in their own way.
The overall financial analysis clearly states that going to the airlines early is always more profitable. But I'm leaving active duty to stop chasing the dollar sign. I will not stay on AD simply to slug out a shitty QOL to get to that LtC retirement. I can't buy happiness. I can only make decisions that put me in a position that makes sense; hence, leaving AD as soon as possible. I figure if I continue to make decisions purely based on making the most money, that just puts me in the mercenary category.
I know there are different 'right' decisions for each guy, his family, and his respective situation. I don't think there is a one size fits all great answer to the dream job or the dream life. Thanks for sharing your take on the whole thing. This Reserve/Guard/Fed Service maze is a difficult one to navigate. Maybe I should have searched for a thread to start this conversation... there are definitely some nuggets that need to get pinned at the top of the forum. I'm not the first and certainly won't be the last guy to ask these questions.
FWIW, I've seen projections that seniority at Delta will go up over 3000 numbers in 7 years. So by waiting, you'd be roughly 20% lower on the pilot list. Delta is just one example; I believe American and United will actually build seniority even faster.
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Like a clown on fire...Funny, but also kinda sad.
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were you asking because of this:
http://www.10news.com/news/man-says-helicopters-flew-close-to-his-ocean-beach-home-08192014
This is the type of douchebag that is only too happy to be rescued by the same helicopters when their sailboat sinks halfway to Catalina Island (or wherever).
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It's not Wing Attack Plan R
Well played. I only hope the new generation gets the reference....
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I still hope to command because I do believe that command is the pinnacle of officership. I have no career aspirations beyond Sq/CC. As such I think I'll have fun because I'd run my Sq without regard for what might happen to my "career" afterwards.
zb
I agree with you. When me and a lot of my buddies came in, the goal was always O-5 and flying Sq/CC. That was, and still is in my book, the pinnacle. Anything beyond that is gravy. Imagine the good you could do for people and the USAF if you didn't give a shit about going beyond that!
Somewhere along the way we have become infested with back stabbing dipshits who all think they are GO material (Rhat, Bence, et al).
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Lufthansa FA's to wear dirndls for Oktoberfest:
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The best way to deal with this type of thing is obviously face to face. If you aren't getting a reasonable solution or the attention you feel you deserve, my technique is to calmly and politely say something to the effect of "Hey, thanks a lot for your effort. I really appreciate it. Since I'm still having an issue, is there any way I can speak with your NCOIC?" And when that person is out for the week or can't resolve the issue, "May I please speak with your OIC?"
There is no way this should have been submitted 10 times without a resolution.
You will always catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
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Not going bro, my ass belongs to the 168th already :D Good luck to all who attend, this is a great opportunity to fly the Globemaster III!
I may be going out on a limb here, but I don't think anyone actually calls it the Globemaster III. Especially the guys that fly them.
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Apparently the current crop of AAFES workers is nearing retirement age, so time to go stock up on fresh talent and get them trained up early.
I read "rotational presence" to mean "permanently TDY units", just like they've been doing with the bombers in Guam for many years. We can all hope!
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No open-toed shoes allowed in the DFAC though...they were authorized for a while, then banned not too long ago.
Well shit! People must have started putting their flip flops/toes up on the salad bar again.
It cracks me up that we can't wear sandals in the chow hall but the TCNs serving the food can have 69 flies sitting all over them. Which is more unsanitary?
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Didn't realize the Georgia ANG still had an F-15 squadron...
Indeed. The Eagles left in 1996.
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Well, alrighty then.
Doctors successfully implant lab-grown vaginas into 4 women -
Yep. Way more.
He could have delayed and said "Eject, Eject, Eject" allowing the plane to continue rolling out of control. This delay would have put them nose down, inverted, below 1000' when they exited the jet, or he could pull the handles at less than 90 degrees bank as soon as he realized the jet was out of control. They would be morts if he delayed any longer.
The WSO is extremely happy he was ejected from the jet when he was.
It is easy to second guess a newspaper article. The story is way better first hand.
Make sure it gets into your book of stories! (if/when you ever write it...which you should)
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That video is MONEY. You absolutely MUST make the OG/CCs watch it. Put them in cages and play it 24/7 for days on end (a la survival school) until they really get it (sts) rather than just pay lip service.
Because most of them don't get it. The idea of sacrificing yourself (i.e. your career, promotion, good assignment, etc) for someone else in order for them to feel "safe" (as he puts it) and be more effective in their job is nearly unheard of in my recent experience. How many posts have you read about OG/CCs and Sq/CCs selling out their people just to move their own career along? What is happening in todays AF is the exact opposite of what he is talking about in that video!
And it needs to stop.
Thanks for posting the link.
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So according to the AADC they said that technically I could get in trouble and so could she during the two days of the month I am on active status. She said all it would take is a pissed off ex and we both could be having issues....kinda a bummer. I figured with being on separate bases in different states there wouldn't be any issue....but she is active duty and you how FUBAR the active duty is......
Don't listen to those lunatics. This is a total non-issue. I could give an endless string of examples of Os and Es dating and getting married in the same unit, let alone different units! For example, a former wing commander who went on to 2 stars is married to the base's (then) command CMSgt.
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This. He's on point with all of it.
Specifically:
Thank you. This is the kind of thing I've been waiting years to hear a senior leader say. I am hopeful he will be able to make the changes necessary.Its about job performance, guys," he continued. "I want young officers doing their jobs, doing as good as they can, then going home and be young husbands, young wives, young mothers and fathers, young friends, young buddies. Have a life. We can do that and still have a very good Air Force.
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Should've been named the Phoenix to accurately capture its acquisition history...
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A true classic!
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Hey, what about that set of missions flown to FHAW by all those -135s to move all the POTUS stuff for the Mandela funeral.
Oh, those were all -10s with nary a -135 in sight? Interesting.
Yeah, we were busy backfilling the -10 OEF commitment so you guys could stock up on Kashi and soy milk in the tropics.
Standard.
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Just read a very interesting article that talks about this...Considering how the intel field is getting gutted, a good call I guess. Strats for those who need them not who have earned them.
"Top 10 ways to Ensure your Best People Will Quit"
http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/Top_10_ways_to_ensure_your_best_people_will_quit_47779.aspx
By my count, the USAF is guilty of at least 7 of these on a regular basis...
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This is great news! I will show this to the CC this week and get our shirts re-authorized.
Next challenge...black boots.
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Jesus Christ on a Crutch! They made him a wing commander?? this is one of the "leaders" I have referenced previously...terrible at the squadron and group levels...so move him up so he can shit on more people.
Rule #3: There is no justice.
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No shit? That is great news. And as you (later) said, long overdue.Still waiting for CSAF decision on a proposed policy that prohibits completion of SOS in-correspondence prior to attending in-residence. Correspondence would be required if attending in-residence is not possible, but double tapping or requiring correspondence as a pre-requisite would be prohibited. Hopefully it will be official soon, lots of traction.
Evolution, not revolution, fellas.
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Gen Welsh - USAF Chief of Staff
in General Discussion
Posted · Edited by Bergman
You can't help but like this guy. If he can get rid of the managers and find some leaders, I'll be all-in.