Leaderboard

This whole thread is ridiculous...the fact that we have eroded into a culture where it is ok for some goober to call out a superior from across a f^cking chow hall and not be backhanded for it is a sad, sad fact. Those of you who are of the line of thinking that this ok because it is "the rules" and if you can't follow simple rules, how can you be trusted to follow rules in the air...you are just part of the problem. The current leadership has screwed the pooch by enabling this logic and empowering the "chief syndrome"...it's like a virus that ultimately undercuts our ability to do our job.

the Maj in question is a good friend of mine - he's not a douche but he also doesn't take bullshit from people that's not warranted. a TSgt yelling across the chow hall at an FGO is bullshit. the Major's argument with the Lt Col was not about sunglasses but rather the unprofessional "correction" by the TSgt. the situation escalated unnecessarily after that to the point where eventually SF was summoned and IDs were confiscated. the "punishment" was horseshit as well - the situation had absolutely nothing to do with flying or evaluator duties. the OG at the time was known for those kind of decisions unfortunately. the biggest problem is people don't mind their own f*cking business. if i have my sunglasses on my head, it's none of that TSgts god-damned business unless he works directly for me or is otherwise in my chain of command. this "correction" atmosphere needs to change. that being said, staying within regs is an easy way to avoid this crap and focus on the important stuff.

When you owe someone a couple of trillion dollars, they have a bigger problem than you do.

Sounds like your friend got out of line too, if someone called SF. Winning! Welcome to the military. We have standards and rules. If you are outside the rules, expect to be corrected. Grow up.

Holy shit, really? Are you people this dysfunctional? Because a major ignores a TSgt, that warrants the TSgt telling on him to his "chain of command"? Are you fucking kidding me? Is this kindergarden?

Ah, the 'hurt vagina syndrome'. When you have to resort to pulling rank for something so minor...or worse, call back to someone's squadron/base to tell on them, then you have failed in leadership. I'm sure there is more to the story like the Major being disrespectful (I'm just guessing) but if the Lt Col couldn't handle the problem right there on the spot....they fail in my opinion. They only called back because their vagina was hurt and they lacked the skill to handle the problem (the Major) on the spot. I've seen it where the senior officer witnesses an infraction and doesn't even address the junior member...they make a phone call and make someone else do it later. FAIL. SMH

A year ago this jet was never going to fly again. Never say die.

I definately agree that our future choices have to be different than our current ones... especially as America's demographics shift towards an aging population. At some point, there will be a higher risk premium on American debt. The thing is, that hasn't happened yet. Not even close. T-bill rates have been in a decline since 2007 (the chart in your link shows that). Now, rates are rock-bottom lows and have been flat since 2009. Even with the American credit downgrade...T-bill rates and hence the Fed Funds Rate didn't much move. Why? I think the answer is that investors believe we're still a low-risk investment. In fact, with the Euro crisis flamming and the low cost of the American dollar, I think the risk of investing in Amercian debt has actually decreased. T-bill returns have dropped accordingly. What I'm trying to argue is that ideas like the Bush-era tax cuts, medicare prescription drug benefits, TARP, the stimulus, funding two wars, and the automotive industry bail-outs all seem more reasonable if the debt you take on has a 0% real interest rate. I'll offer a heretical opinion: Right now, we're in a unique time. Inflation rates are at or above the interest rates on American debt. That means American debt has a zero to negative real interest rate. At the same time, the future road looks hard. America's population is aging and our infrastructure is crumbling. Global challengers (ok...really one challenger) to American military hegemony are growing. America's access to cheap energy sources is increasingly challenged. We should be using this opportunity to deficit spend while the real cost is essentially free to fund enabling projects/programs for the next few decades. When the real rate of our debt then starts to increase, we should shift to a more balanced fiscal policy. We're in agreement that change has to happen...we just don't agree when.

Sort of like a Strike Eagle.

The Pinks & Greens was probably one of the best uniforms worn by any US Armed Service.

Yep....a game changer for sure....nothing about aerial warfare will ever be the same....no need for a gun....we'll be fighting at warp speed with unmanned drones.

just another cadet...copy all.

Then it must be a great plane because if it sucked, I'm sure he would've let you know.