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What's wrong with the Air Force?


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I doubt it will happen. The shortage is absorbed by shorting staff positions. The porch is very blunt about it and it is the right way to handle the problem. Ultimately we will be cutting deep on staff positions and we will end up with 11Ms filling positions where we really want CAF expertise, but mother Air Force will still pay lip service to the fact that it's business as usual.

Who knows though, the cracks are already starting to show. The fact that there have been substantial changes to the bonus twice now in a matter of a few years shows that management is starting to sniff a problem.

As an 11M who just left ACC staff, trust me... they are not putting us in positions where CAF expertise is necessary. Those billets are saved for your typical superstars (gotta have your boxes checked). I think those guys actually appreciated us outsiders, who populated the "Land of Misfit Toys".

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Bill Whittle comments on the toxic military environment. Are you intentionally being driven out to make room for the next generation of PC conformist yes-men, er...yes-people?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DS2wXSKF5k

What Whittle completely ignores is that the most significant amount of the destruction of the warrior culture took place under the W Bush administration (it is really post-9/11 that the changes he mentions in his video began). All of that change, by the way, was a natural evolution of the changes put into motion under the Clinton Administration during the mid-late 90s.

All of the Clinton shenanigans, for reference, were part of the fallout from the witch-hunt following the scandal at Tailhook '91...which, for those of you historians out there, took place during the administration of the 41st President.

So, I find his whole "Obama the Socialist's plan to destroy the tool of American Imperialism" schtick completely shatters his message because it represents a colossal misunderstanding of what has led up to the situation we have today. It gives way too much credit to one Administration -- it is really not possible that it is the "fault" of any one of these Administrations as part of some dastardly strategic plan, but rather it is part of an overall cultural shift in the US.

Edited by Hacker
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What Whittle completely ignores is that the most significant amount of the destruction of the warrior culture took place under the W Bush administration (it is really post-9/11 that the changes he mentions in his video began). All of that change, by the way, was a natural evolution of the changes put into motion under the Clinton Administration during the mid-late 90s.

All of the Clinton shenanigans, for reference, were part of the fallout from the witch-hunt following the scandal at Tailhook '91...which, for those of you historians out there, took place during the administration of the 41st President.

So, I find his whole "Obama the Socialist's plan to destroy the tool of American Imperialism" schtick completely shatters his message because it represents a colossal misunderstanding of what has led up to the situation we have today. It gives way too much credit to one Administration -- it is really not possible that it is the "fault" of any one of these Administrations as part of some dastardly strategic plan, but rather it is part of an overall cultural shift in the US.

Very much enjoyed your comments Hacker. I get in discussions with people who're loudly right-wing all the time and blame the current Pres for everything. Like this shift happened in just a few years. I've got family that think the net neutrality thing is already a failure because there could be fees/charges/taxes, all gov't regulation is bad, and the companies will find a way to get us all internet "through competition."

All of these things take much longer to resolve, and are influenced by more than the dude in the Oval Office.

Christ.. it's why they're always talking about legacy.

Edited by 17D_guy
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...perhaps it's time for you to go if you don't 100% tow the line. As we wring our hands over what a mess the Air Force is becoming and wondering why leadership doesn't "get it", we may be overlooking the fact that they do, in fact, "get it" and outspoken critics and the disillusioned punching out isn't nearly as concerning to them as it may be to us.

100% accurate assessment.

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A great rebuttal to LT Granville's poorly written letter.

http://www.askskipper.com/

She lost me when she brought her "white, christian, male privilege" BS into an otherwise decent commentary. We don't need diversity of gender or skin color, we need diversity of thought. I've had great commanders from that demographic and bad ones, I've also seen good and bad commanders from other demographics. If those are the only people who stay in long enough to make those ranks then that's the way it goes. The army has been trying for years to recruit more minorities into the combat arms branches but continues to fail miserably because the demographics they seek have no interest in those areas.

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I think the Duffel Blog did a better job of the LTs letter than she did.

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/04/resigning-commission/

Personally I though her letter kind of sucked and the rebuttal was awesome. Not that I'm against these resignation manifestos or ignoring the problems in the military - hers just struck me as lame.

zb


And the Joint Chiefs' response is the best of all:

http://www.duffelblog.com/2015/04/jcs-dont-care-youre-resigning/

zb

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Very interesting rebuttal... I like what they did with it...if not in the military, where else should one be disabused of their sense of entitlement and self importance. As it is, we (the DoD) went way overboard with the touchy-feely shit!

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This seems like something we've complained about here. If the numbers don't look good, redefine "good"

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/16/army-survey-morale/24897455/

Twelve months of data through early 2015 show that 403,564 soldiers, or 52%, scored badly in the area of optimism, agreeing with statements such as "I rarely count on good things happening to me." Forty-eight percent have little satisfaction in or commitment to their jobs.

So, 52% weren't optimistic and 48% had little satisfaction/commitment. Isn't 52% + 48% = 100%? Does that mean the entire Army is depressed?

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We also just like to complain a lot in the Army. Democrats, Republicans, makes no difference to me. If they didn’t start off corrupt, they will quickly end up that way. Point in case, why do they all need pollsters and demographers working on their campaign? So they know what to say in order to get the most votes. They only thing they believe in is self advancement through overt narcissism.

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As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.

I’m a Master Sergeant.

My job is not to be part of the fucking Top 3, or preen and lick my coat so that Colonels and CMSgts like me, or to carefully consider how to earn a “5”.

My job is to take care of my airman, and motivate + inspire my Staff and Tech Sergeants to do the same.

They aren’t as wise as me yet, because they haven’t seen as much, but if I do myjob I will expose them to situations where they will begin to acquire that wisdom.

My job is to protect my people and let them truly understand what ‘taking owningship in an organization means’ while at the same time holding them accountable to the high standards I set, exemplify, and enforce.

I shouldn’t have a perfect career history or life, because that gives me no clue how to talk to a junior enlisted who is having troubles. If I’ve never gotten in trouble, what the hell am I supposed to say to Airman Smith who is getting an Article 15 or a Letter of Reprimand?

“Sorry man. You should have been more like me.”

No. Fuck that.

“Sorry man. I’ve been there. I did something stupid too. But I didn’t let it stop me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off.”

That is the real danger of the one-mistake Air Force. We are robbing our organization of the most powerful force in human history: the ability to learn from our mistakes. Instead we staff it with a bunch of crumb lapping lap-dogs whose only concern is some stupid stratification or some worthless certification they are supposed to have because “someone told me I’m supposed to have it”.

What about people? If you spend so much time buried up your own ass, you forget why you are here in the first place. Your purpose is not as an ego-masturbatory exercise, but as a leader of men and women and a manager of teams who’s goal is to foster an organization that doesn’t trudge along to a broken and sick drum, but hums along with a precision and fury that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts.

These days we don’t even know how to create such an organization. We sometimes marvel at one when we see it, but more often than not it came about through dumb luck because we have forgotten how to be leaders. Inevitably, the next egotistical maniac will take the helm of such an organization and run. it. into. the. ground.

Why do I know this?

Because I have seen it. I have lived it. I have made my mistakes and learned from them, even when they weren’t my mistakes. I have reflected on years of a career spent trying to do the right thing, even when it cost me personally and professionally.

You know why? Because I’m not just a fucking E-7.

I’m a Senior NCO.

And my job is bigger than just me now. People don’t work for me any longer. That’s not how this works.

I work for them. They aren’t there to stroke my ego or provide me with career and EPR fodder. They aren’t there as punching bags to absorb my own shame, guilt, and frustrations. They aren’t there to do the one thousand menial tasks I invent because I am an uncreative prick.

I am there for them, to shepard them towards better careers, to encourage them to pursue personal improvement, to inspire them to do outstanding jobs (even at great personal cost), and to slowly shape them into the SNCOs that I know they will one day be.

Because that’s a family.
That’s an organization.
That’s taking care of each other.

And that’s what the US Air Force was supposed to be, and is about. And if you’re not onboard, and you care more about your own EPR than the SrA who’s wife is leaving him, get the fuck out. If you care more about the next Top 3 Meeting than your SSgt who’s work productivity suddenly plummetted for no discernable reason, get the fuck out. If you care more about impressing the wing commander than what your Staff Sergeants and airmen are saying amongst themselves, get the fuck out.

We don’t need you.

We need SNCOs.

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As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.

I’m a Master Sergeant.

My job is not to be part of the fucking Top 3, or preen and lick my coat so that Colonels and CMSgts like me, or to carefully consider how to earn a “5”.

My job is to take care of my airman, and motivate + inspire my Staff and Tech Sergeants to do the same.

They aren’t as wise as me yet, because they haven’t seen as much, but if I do myjob I will expose them to situations where they will begin to acquire that wisdom.

My job is to protect my people and let them truly understand what ‘taking owningship in an organization means’ while at the same time holding them accountable to the high standards I set, exemplify, and enforce.

I shouldn’t have a perfect career history or life, because that gives me no clue how to talk to a junior enlisted who is having troubles. If I’ve never gotten in trouble, what the hell am I supposed to say to Airman Smith who is getting an Article 15 or a Letter of Reprimand?

“Sorry man. You should have been more like me.”

No. Fuck that.

“Sorry man. I’ve been there. I did something stupid too. But I didn’t let it stop me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off.”

That is the real danger of the one-mistake Air Force. We are robbing our organization of the most powerful force in human history: the ability to learn from our mistakes. Instead we staff it with a bunch of crumb lapping lap-dogs whose only concern is some stupid stratification or some worthless certification they are supposed to have because “someone told me I’m supposed to have it”.

What about people? If you spend so much time buried up your own ass, you forget why you are here in the first place. Your purpose is not as an ego-masturbatory exercise, but as a leader of men and women and a manager of teams who’s goal is to foster an organization that doesn’t trudge along to a broken and sick drum, but hums along with a precision and fury that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts.

These days we don’t even know how to create such an organization. We sometimes marvel at one when we see it, but more often than not it came about through dumb luck because we have forgotten how to be leaders. Inevitably, the next egotistical maniac will take the helm of such an organization and run. it. into. the. ground.

Why do I know this?

Because I have seen it. I have lived it. I have made my mistakes and learned from them, even when they weren’t my mistakes. I have reflected on years of a career spent trying to do the right thing, even when it cost me personally and professionally.

You know why? Because I’m not just a fucking E-7.

I’m a Senior NCO.

And my job is bigger than just me now. People don’t work for me any longer. That’s not how this works.

I work for them. They aren’t there to stroke my ego or provide me with career and EPR fodder. They aren’t there as punching bags to absorb my own shame, guilt, and frustrations. They aren’t there to do the one thousand menial tasks I invent because I am an uncreative prick.

I am there for them, to shepard them towards better careers, to encourage them to pursue personal improvement, to inspire them to do outstanding jobs (even at great personal cost), and to slowly shape them into the SNCOs that I know they will one day be.

Because that’s a family.That’s an organization.That’s taking care of each other.

And that’s what the US Air Force was supposed to be, and is about. And if you’re not onboard, and you care more about your own EPR than the SrA who’s wife is leaving him, get the fuck out. If you care more about the next Top 3 Meeting than your SSgt who’s work productivity suddenly plummetted for no discernable reason, get the fuck out. If you care more about impressing the wing commander than what your Staff Sergeants and airmen are saying amongst themselves, get the fuck out.

We don’t need you.

We need SNCOs.

That is excellent! I think you could substitute FGO for SNCO, and it would still apply for the most part (in MX, CGO would also apply). The one thing I would add from the crusty old retired Major who did time on both sides of the house, is it is not your job as an officer to kowtow to the enlisted force. It is not necessary to do so in order to show respect. In fact you are doing both the officer and enlisted force a disservice as it dilutes the authority of the officer force, confuses the officer/enlisted relationship and lines of authority and its patronizing to the enlisted members.

My opinion, for what it's worth.

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So much this. I want to stab somebody everytime i hear a Lt Col say "Well, you'll have to convince the Chief ...".

In Mx I would prefer an 2Lt would defer to the crusty Pro Super when making Mx decisions when it came to the jet , experience beats youth. But that was in the USAF I was in since most guys like me spent our entire career on the flightline and were considered not well rounded. I hear that doesn't happen anymore.

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In Mx I would prefer an 2Lt would defer to the crusty Pro Super when making Mx decisions when it came to the jet , experience beats youth. But that was in the USAF I was in since most guys like me spent our entire career on the flightline and were considered not well rounded. I hear that doesn't happen anymore.

To be clear, when I was that young 2Lt, I did listen to the crusty old pro super/flight chief etc... That is why I did well as an MX O. LISTEN to your people, RESPECT your people, DO NOT PANDER to your people. THAT is my point.

Ugh. Makes me want to puke.

I guess this one of my soapboxes... When a LtCol does that, he is, in effect, abdicating his responsibility. Should he listen to his Chief? Absofuckinglutely!! But if it's HIS decision to make. He needs to be a fucking man, a fucking officer and a motherfucking leader and fucking OWN it! Then again, I did get passed over for O-5...

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Precisely. That fuckery is how we get E-9s who think they're in command, rather than the commissioned officer on G-series orders.

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As a retired MSgt who got out when I saw my Sq infested with E-8's and E-9's who never did their time in the desert this hits very close to home. Cut and Paste from a JQP blog. I always wondered about myself if I was part of the problem when I decided to bail out when I had my fill of these block fillers.....

...We need SNCOs.

Spot fucking on! Good find. Went to ONE wing Top-3 meeting when I got my line number for Master. All I could think of was WTF???? Should have walked out then and there in the first 5 minutes but waited till the end of the meeting and NEVER went back. What a bunch of goobers who wanted face time with leadership, fund raising (for what I don't know) and other crap.

All I ever wanted to do was make sure those grey noisy things on the other side of the red line launched and recovered safely and on schedule so if the call ever came we could rain hate down on the enemies of democracy and freedom. That was the squadron/Wing's mission; the Top 3 guys seemed to forget that. They seemed only to worry about how to stroke themselves (STS) to look good for plaques, awards, EPR bullets, promotions, etc... But I didn't notice NONE of those individuals were from the world of OPS or MX. I suppose in the M-F, 9 to 5, hour for lunch world of the shoe/nonner you can do things like that.

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