Leaderboard

I'd be interested to see some sort of pension benefit implemented for 10 years. That way at least those of us that decide to punch after our initial ADSC have something to show for it. I also realize it's probably never going to happen.

On a commander's list of 69 million priorities, Shoe Clerks are guaranteed to sodomize the bottom four

Flame me if you will: if they start messing with pay, I'm out at the first opportunity. I am proud to serve my country, I love the flying, and I like most of the people. However, the pay and benefits to me serve as a balance for all of the " do more with less" bullshit we have to put up with. Once that changes, I will be much more willing to explore my options in the civilian world, even if it means a pay cut, as it would be apparent that the "stability" that we are supposed to have in the military would no longer exist.

The $400 billion cut is over 10 years, so by 2023 since the budget request for 2012 is already submitted and includes the original $400 billion Gates has already identified. Story. Most of the time pay "cuts" are really either freezes or measures that slow their growth (like smaller cost of living increases, etc.). Honestly, if we're serious about cutting deficits all of a sudden, why is this not on the table? Everything should be on the table so the American people can really see what the options are, no sacred cows on either side if we're being serious. The voters will see that the sentiments to "make cuts" are not nearly as easily met when the things that are eating the vast majority of our budget are quite popular (i.e. not foreign aid, the department of education, etc.). WRT DoD, it's either make cuts to personnel costs (either less troops or same number and pay them less) or cut R&D, procurement, or operations. A lot of reductions are projected from drawing down operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and obviously some major procurement items have been cut recently as well. I don't want a reduction in pay or benefits for active military members but if cuts are gonna come you realistically have to expect that they will hit that aspect of defense spending. Some of the proposals have even been very reasonable (Tricare fees) but have met a firewall of categorical opposition that defies logic. Attached good report on DOD personnel costs with a sh*t-load of graphics and numbers on the issue. Forgot to attach and lost the file...

Piss off.

Why didn't he just say that then, instead of spewing that "but ye of narrow mind" bullshit?

I was going to say, about the only thing that could have possibly made this story a little more badass was if he had cut one of those hadji motherfucker's head off with a kukri. Either way, I would not want to be on a Ghurka's bad side. That's a good way to get your nuts handed to you on a platter.

No, but I hope if ever I do that I'm on the same side! One of my favorite Gurkas storys below; it's almost certainly apocryphal--I can't find it on Snopes et al, but Google turns up several different versions. Oh, and many of the versions turn up on "joke" sites, so.... https://www.netfunny.com/rhf/jokes/88q3/11267.11.html

Not knowing your date of rank for the 2Lt-1Lt changeover is absolutely idiotic. Seriously...it's generally very near the day you commissioned, except 2 years later, shouldn't be that goddamned hard to remember. vMPF is your friend if you're iceberg is too full for that particular penguin. Big "2" on the making the dudes buy drinks. I too laugh at the completely unnecessary pomp and circumstance of the 2Lt finance officer promotion party (and I've seen pics from my friends recently), but that's their tradition. In a flying squadron you buy you bros drinks and get sh*tfaced, embrace that tradition and be glad it's a hell of a lot more fun than putting on service dress and standing on a stage with your SQ/CC. LTs not saluting each other in appropriately low-threat situations, smart & very bro-like. LTs not having enough SA on when they themselves pin on new rank and then quibbling that they were "too busy," give me a f*cking break.

For all the whining that happens on this forum about reflective belts and shoeclerkery other non-mission focused nonsense (and how the shoeclerks grab on to that nonsense and blow it out of proportion) there sure is a lot of high-horse lecturing going on about the importance of lieutenants saluting lieutenants and other ridiculous shit. "it's easy to salute"...yeah well it's easy to wear a reflective belt inside too. Let it go.

Bzzt. Not correct in this case. But good try! First Officer. What the rest of the world calls a "copilot."

You can find many examples in the -1 of certain aircraft. But ye of narrow mind and quick anger probably would have a cranial explosion if you were to actually read it in print.

How about Gates stfu and he plus everyone else involved in the jsf going through 25 million a day go to jail for starters to cut cost. I have no appetite to hear leadership talk about pay cuts while they continue to buy the wrong sht for the wrong reasons. Also glad that gates is all for pay cuts while continuing to blow billions so the afghans can have paved roads.

If Congress does reduce the overall benefit package for military service personnel, this is the perfect time. With the draw down of forces in the Middle East and the state of the American economy, Congress knows the economy will not have a strong recovery for at least 5-6 years. Retention is at an all time high. I doubt if there will be a mass exodus of personnel. And even if there is, you can always create bonus incentives which will not effect retirement cost. More than likely there will be a grandfather clause for those serving. Anyway, the New hires have no choice. This is done in industry all the time. The major airlines created the regional system that we have today in keeping ticket prices down in being more competitive. The regionals fly approx 52% of the flying public. And guess what, REGIONAL PILOTS fly for PEANUTS. The regionals never have a problem of hiring pilots just in retainability. But as long as the regional planes do not continually fall out of the sky, their PILOTS will continue on being financially UNDER compensated in THEIR EYES. Not in the company's EYES of course. In fact, you can look at the AF Res & ANG as a way of keeping defense cost down. For all the pilots that think they're irreplacable, review Air Force OTS.com and see how many wantabe pilots are standing in line to replace you in a heartbeat. In fact, they will help you pack your bags and assist you in filling out your paper work. Experience levels will suffer but that is why you wear safety belts. President Ike warned of the industrial defense complex and it's breaking the piggy bank. In fact, there's no money in the piggy bank, it's all borrowed. It doesn't help when an EXPERIENCED pilot crashes a C-17 in Alaska costing over $200M. My wife's step-father retired in 1960 and is still collecting retirement for the last 51 years. As a WWII vet, I say he deserves it, but the gov't is saying when is this old man going to die. If you think the new PT standards are the pits, wait until they dig into your pocket book and it is coming. You just never knew how good you had it. Just ask Congress.