July 21, 20187 yr Agree with Hoss - we switched to standard for the last 3 years of my AD time...kicking myself for not doing it earlier. Prime is bullshit. Unfortunately for my situation now, there's not a whole lot of places where I live who take Tricare, so our options are limited, but not necessarily bad.
July 21, 20187 yr I was told, "Sir, I'm sorry your referral took so long, but we are understaffed." At that point, I could totally understand. Most career fields are having staffing problems. “Sir, I’m sorry your bombs/gas/cargo/recce took so long, but we are understaffed.” What a lame excuse. We’re still in the military and still subject to an unlimited liability clause.
July 21, 20187 yr 5 hours ago, HossHarris said: Tricare standard. Go where you want. When you want. No permission. No referrals. Just like champus for those of us that grew up with it. You pay 20%. $3k max out of pocket for the year for the family. A similar plan at delta is $700/month with $13k family max. Thats almost half a trip per month I dont Have to work for healthcare. Yes. 20 years is worth it. Live near reasonable good military healthcare but switched from Prime to Standard in April. May 15th wife got sick and we hit the cap in one week. One thing I've learned is managing the $3,000 cap is up to you...the hospitals and specialists have billed us well over $5,000 and it takes MANY phone calls to work through the chaff.
July 30, 20187 yr Air Force, AMC pursue initiatives to better retain pilots https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2018/07/29/air-force-amc-pursue-initiatives-to-better-retain-pilots/ Most people could probably telework from the states and still get the AFCENT queep accomplished.
July 31, 20187 yr 19 hours ago, HarleyQuinn said: Air Force, AMC pursue initiatives to better retain pilots https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2018/07/29/air-force-amc-pursue-initiatives-to-better-retain-pilots/ Most people could probably telework from the states and still get the AFCENT queep accomplished. He forgot to mention the QOL, retention focused, requal ADSC change from current other thread. Weird.
July 31, 20187 yr On 7/30/2018 at 7:46 AM, HarleyQuinn said: Air Force, AMC pursue initiatives to better retain pilots https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2018/07/29/air-force-amc-pursue-initiatives-to-better-retain-pilots/ Most people could probably telework from the states and still get the AFCENT queep accomplished. I've noticed almost every active officer talking to the Air Force Times in an official capacity doesn't express personal opinion nor do they acknowledge real problems as real. They have to perform as USAF PA meat puppets that reinforce the official party lines. Not this guy's fault he had to talk to the press. Non-event. Edited July 31, 20187 yr by FourFans130
July 31, 20187 yr So CC's will be allowed to perform in house physical fitness testing again. This was removed from the squadron level because people were hooking each other up and we needed to kick more people out. Oh, and the old requirement forces you to purchase a PT uniform so you have to wear it once a year for your annual test. I'm tired of this back and forth buffoonery. PT uniforms serve no purpose. Give the contract to Nike or Under Armour so the uniforms make you want to use them when not working out at the base. Kind of like college football teams and their wide array of player uniform options to help recruit. Then I might actually buy the gear. Otherwise, I will stick to my Nike dri fit gear. The AF doesn't give a damn about physical fitness. Stop pretending. In 2013/2014, they were going to start enforcing the reg on shoe colors. I called out our shirt. I'm like you don't know shit about fitness. I used to run at night and early in the morning and you always want running shoes that are highly reflective. I'm not talking clown colored shoes either (millennials style). The AF thought we should all run in certain colored shoes. Meaning, I should train everyday in my normal running shoes that are meant for my flat feet. Then I would have to swap out my running shoes for my annual fitness test for a pair of shoes within reg just to meet the AF color requirements. Every runner knows that's just asinine and could cause an injury. Companies make certain types of running shoes for the way your feet are shaped and how you run. They are limited in color options. Nike and Brooks don't give one shit about AF shoe color requirements. Lets pander to the AF because they matter to our billion dollar industry nobody has ever said. Edited July 31, 20187 yr by HarleyQuinn
July 31, 20187 yr 21 minutes ago, Champ Kind said: Source? Fitness & Lethality https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/31/air-force-revamps-squadrons-as-it-prepares-for-the-next-big-fight/ Edited July 31, 20187 yr by HarleyQuinn
July 31, 20187 yr 28 minutes ago, HarleyQuinn said: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/31/air-force-revamps-squadrons-as-it-prepares-for-the-next-big-fight/ Oh, I like this gem: Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base has also been ordered to develop a Squadron Commander Foundational Course to prepare officers, as well as civilians in similar roles, for squadron command. Wing commanders will identify field grade officers with high potential for command to attend this course, which will teach them “foundational tools and skills required to thrive in command.” So choose your CCs as ROTC cadets, then groom them via Sq Exec as Lt > SOS DG > Wing Exec > SCFC > ACSC res > CC. Done.
July 31, 20187 yr 12 minutes ago, nunya said: Oh, I like this gem: Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base has also been ordered to develop a Squadron Commander Foundational Course to prepare officers, as well as civilians in similar roles, for squadron command. Wing commanders will identify field grade officers with high potential for command to attend this course, which will teach them “foundational tools and skills required to thrive in command.” So choose your CCs as ROTC cadets, then groom them via Sq Exec as Lt > SOS DG > Wing Exec > SCFC > ACSC res > CC. Done. Maybe, but I think we'll benefit from commanders having a little more training than the one-week course at their MAJCOM after they get selected for command.
July 31, 20187 yr I thought you guys had read a similar article already. Sorry for not posting it earlier.
July 31, 20187 yr 5 hours ago, HarleyQuinn said: So CC's will be allowed to perform in house physical fitness testing again. This was removed from the squadron level because people were hooking each other up and we needed to kick more people out. Oh, and the old requirement forces you to purchase a PT uniform so you have to wear it once a year for your annual test. I'm tired of this back and forth buffoonery. PT uniforms serve no purpose. Give the contract to Nike or Under Armour so the uniforms make you want to use them when not working out at the base. Kind of like college football teams and their wide array of player uniform options to help recruit. Then I might actually buy the gear. Otherwise, I will stick to my Nike dri fit gear. The AF doesn't give a damn about physical fitness. Stop pretending. In 2013/2014, they were going to start enforcing the reg on shoe colors. I called out our shirt. I'm like you don't know shit about fitness. I used to run at night and early in the morning and you always want running shoes that are highly reflective. I'm not talking clown colored shoes either (millennials style). The AF thought we should all run in certain colored shoes. Meaning, I should train everyday in my normal running shoes that are meant for my flat feet. Then I would have to swap out my running shoes for my annual fitness test for a pair of shoes within reg just to meet the AF color requirements. Every runner knows that's just asinine and could cause an injury. Companies make certain types of running shoes for the way your feet are shaped and how you run. They are limited in color options. Nike and Brooks don't give one shit about AF shoe color requirements. Lets pander to the AF because they matter to our billion dollar industry nobody has ever said. I hope this is true! Nothing yells buffoonery like allowing in house flight evaluations to see if you’re safe to fly a multi million dollar airplane, but have a “fitness cell” at each base to administer PT tests because they don’t trust commanders.
July 31, 20187 yr Fitness & Lethality https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/31/air-force-revamps-squadrons-as-it-prepares-for-the-next-big-fight/ Thanks for posting the link. Anyone hearing when this will start and if this also means back to a one year test cycle regardless of (passing) score?
July 31, 20187 yr 6 hours ago, Champ Kind said: Thanks for posting the link. Anyone hearing when this will start and if this also means back to a one year test cycle regardless of (passing) score? Testing once a year for everyone in the AF was tossed around a few months back I believe per my CC. So has retiring as a SSgt after 20 years of service: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/07/31/air-force-may-let-staff-sergeants-serve-20-years-top-enlisted-says.html Edited August 1, 20187 yr by HarleyQuinn
August 1, 20187 yr 1 hour ago, Champ Kind said: Thanks for posting the link. Anyone hearing when this will start and if this also means back to a one year test cycle regardless of (passing) score? Davis Monthan squadrons have been testing our own for a few months now.
August 1, 20187 yr "How many fired commanders were “distinguished graduates” or fellows in prestigious programs? Nearly all." https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2018/07/31/commentary-the-air-force-is-not-designed-to-produce-good-leaders/ Col. 'Ned Stark' - You sir are my hero! 👏 Edited August 1, 20187 yr by HarleyQuinn
August 1, 20187 yr 48 minutes ago, HarleyQuinn said: Talking about low threat and everyone feeling relaxed. I'm probably missing the gist of what you're trying to say... But barring an injury, if Airmen show up to the PT test and find it high threat and stressful, then they are the problem. The AF standards are about as minimal as it gets. Watching 20-somethings weezing on lap 4 of the 1.5 mile run is pathetic. Edited August 1, 20187 yr by HuggyU2
August 1, 20187 yr 6 hours ago, HuggyU2 said: I'm probably missing the gist of what you're trying to say... But barring an injury, if Airmen show up to the PT test and find it high threat and stressful, then they are the problem. The AF standards are about as minimal as it gets. Watching 20-somethings weezing on lap 4 of the 1.5 mile run is pathetic. I consistently score around 90 and have never failed a PT test. I get nervous before every single one. There is no other measure that has so much ability to impact someone's career. I know people who have failed a PT test ten years ago who were then prevented from going to WIC. Meanwhile, I know people who had run-ins with the law who were still allowed to apply. Even if it's something you can do in your sleep, the stress of knowing every test could end your career is still present and significant.
August 1, 20187 yr 6 hours ago, HuggyU2 said: The AF standards are about as minimal as it gets. Watching 20-somethings weezing on lap 4 of the 1.5 mile run is pathetic. What’s a good age to start the weezing on lap 4? Asking for a friend....
August 1, 20187 yr 13 hours ago, HuggyU2 said: I'm probably missing the gist of what you're trying to say... But barring an injury, if Airmen show up to the PT test and find it high threat and stressful, then they are the problem. The AF standards are about as minimal as it gets. Watching 20-somethings weezing on lap 4 of the 1.5 mile run is pathetic. I remember you saying that you passed your fitness test after having hip surgery. And you still beat airmen around the track I maxed out my fitness test with a herniated disc pressing against a leg nerve. I only had to do the push ups and sit ups. Then I limped my butt out of the gym after maxing those components at 38 years of age. The doctors later figured out what was wrong months later. Point is that I still maxed everything with an injury that required surgery. When a person fails, I have no sympathy for them.
August 1, 20187 yr 33 minutes ago, HarleyQuinn said: I remember you saying that you passed your fitness test after having hip surgery. And you still beat airmen around the track I maxed out my fitness test with a herniated disc pressing against a leg nerve. I only had to do the push ups and sit ups. Then I limped my butt out of the gym after maxing those components at 38 years of age. The doctors later figured out what was wrong months later. Point is that I still maxed everything with an injury that required surgery. When a person fails, I have no sympathy for them. You do you, boo. I've had 2 back surgeries, crushed disc at 19 and then a bone spur compressing the sciatic nerve at 35. I got addicted to narcotics to deal with the pain while the AF figured it out. PSA - Withdrawals suck. Now I've got bone spurs in both heels that look like eagle talons on the x-ray. I've never failed a PT test, but I've come close. I can't depend on my body to not fuck itself. I also carry all of my weight in the midsection, so the tape is a constant struggle. Every time I get to a place I consider acceptable for PT another part breaks. I do what I can, track food, diet...workout as directed by the medical hobby shop. The stress that hits me for PT testing is unlike anything else I've ever done (CDC or promotion testing enlisted, undergrad/grad classes, alone with SrA Hotness, etc.).
August 1, 20187 yr On 7/29/2018 at 11:46 PM, HarleyQuinn said: Air Force, AMC pursue initiatives to better retain pilots https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/commentary/2018/07/29/air-force-amc-pursue-initiatives-to-better-retain-pilots/ Most people could probably telework from the states and still get the AFCENT queep accomplished. Telework for "deployed" folks was actually something I worked on while at 24AF. By "worked on" I mean the AMC/A6 called my boss and asked, why setting up accounts on AFCENT for the deployers didn't "just work" to connect to AFNET...AMC/CC project...CSAF visibility...it worked at X location. Of course, light on details at X location. Some Comm Sq/CC over-promised & got some hack solution for their specific situation working, sold it as a fix for pilot retention and then fucked up my week. I don't think we ever got it working because I stopped tracking it when Win10 became the thing and didn't hear about it again. I hope it did, it's a good idea.
August 1, 20187 yr 1 hour ago, 17D_guy said: Telework for "deployed" folks was actually something I worked on while at 24AF. By "worked on" I mean the AMC/A6 called my boss and asked, why setting up accounts on AFCENT for the deployers didn't "just work" to connect to AFNET...AMC/CC project...CSAF visibility...it worked at X location. Of course, light on details at X location. Some Comm Sq/CC over-promised & got some hack solution for their specific situation working, sold it as a fix for pilot retention and then fucked up my week. I don't think we ever got it working because I stopped tracking it when Win10 became the thing and didn't hear about it again. I hope it did, it's a good idea. You worked on getting people to work at their home job while deployed, you sir, are the devil.
August 1, 20187 yr 3 hours ago, 17D_guy said: You do you, boo. I've had 2 back surgeries, crushed disc at 19 and then a bone spur compressing the sciatic nerve at 35. I got addicted to narcotics to deal with the pain while the AF figured it out. PSA - Withdrawals suck. I think back to my test. If my disc had shifted just a bit more doing my sit ups only to pinch my leg nerve even further, I probably wouldn't have any feeling in my leg right now. Could have really messed me up.
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