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I have no beef with the RPA operators earning a medal. I don't think it should be of greater "value" than an Air Medal or a Bronze Star, but they should be recognized for the contributions they're making to the war effort. It's definitely more than many other platforms out there.

But General Allardice said that it didn't matter how low the morale got or if we chose to get out, that he would find other people to replace us! Douche.

I agree with this completely. As a (successful) student, you haven't got the free time to be worried that much about your off duty hours...you'll mostly be sleeping or studying, and they're all about the same anyway. I've been to all of them and each has its minor pros and cons. If you were going as an IP it might be slightly different, and if nearby family was a consideration, that might be a tiebreaker. Otherwise it won't really make much difference, so take what you get and be happy.

Yes, yes, yes. It's sad how few share your perspective. It's completely taboo to do anything that affects 'our beloved troops'...and the troops themselves are the worst offenders when it comes to complaints over the issue. It's always boggled my mind that a group of people who said they'd sacrifice their life, if necessary, in this endeavor called the military, won't make other relatively inconsequential sacrifices without bitching and moaning. How many times have you heard 'the entitlement generation' or some similar characterization used on this forum in a negative context? But then when the entitlement is yours, it's all of the sudden a problem. The fact is, sadly, that the military community is as a whole no different than the rest of the nation. In fact, I'd argue that it's worse in some circumstances. To call it the 'entitlement generation' isn't completely accurate. I don't believe that most people truely think they're *entitled* to a lot of the handouts that exist, they just enjoy free stuff and will gripe when it's taken away. Many military members, however, really do have a sense of entitlement, believing that their service somehow puts the U.S. in their debt. Shoveling millions of dollars towards for profit colleges that are specially designed to exploit the TA program while providing the lowest quality (and therefore least expensive) education possible SHOULD be done away with. Whether it's the most egregious waste of money or not. Whether it's a drop in the bucket or not. Whether it benefits our beloved troops or not. Revise the program to be available for enlisted bachelors degrees at not-for-profit institutions only. Officers can pony up their own cash if they want a masters, or use their GI bill. And for those that are inevitably going to complain about that leaving it impossible for them to pass the GI bill on to their kids (it's already been complained about in this thread): that that's the next ridiculous entitlement that should be cut (the ability to transfer your benefit, not the GI Bill in it's entirety). Unfortunately, there's already legislation in the works to restore TA because, god damnit, think of the troops!!! It's political suicide for anybody (republican or democrat alike) to make the difficult fiscal decisions that are necessary right now, and so far, nobody has had the fortitude to do it. Even when cuts are automatically made by faceless legislation they're immediately out in force trying to undo it. This country is ######ed.

Well, dude maybe you haven't been looking hard enough? Every base that I have been at has had a brick and mortar school within 15 min to 2 hours away. And guess what? I personally knew people at each location that were willing to make that drive to get their degree. I have known people that took leave to finish up classes, or who drove every Friday to their school to do weekend classes all weekend long. All of the people I am talking about are pilots too so I'm not talking about shoe clerks here. I'm a pointy nose type too so the people I am talking about did have a lot of other studying on their plate as well. Look, like I said before I am not advocating this. I think it is ridiculous how the masters thing is set up and I wish you and I could just focus on our primary job and become better at what we do rather than having to worry about getting a masters. The system is broken beyond repair right now. However, I also think many here are kidding themselves. The bitch of an AF that we are in is not going to let up on the education demands for one minute just because we have a good CSAF right now or because TA went away. Besides, for every step that we take toward making things better will be negated by two steps back in a few years. It will be history repeating itself all over again. So, like I said before the TA being taken away is not a good thing. The shoe clerks will continue to get their degrees while many here will throttle back while they are kidding themselves into thinking that it will all get better. This will all end with a big smack in the face when you don't make Major or Lt Col because you fooled yourself, while a higher percentage of shoes will get the "S" next to their name on the Major selection list. I personally have seen people in my squadron and friends of mine all over the AF throttling back due to this thinking and who have been dropping masters classes left and right because of this TA cut. This is going to hurt them. So, again, and lastly, you all can think what you want and fool yourselves into believing that we need to be willing to give up things like TA, but you are losing a battle for scarce resources that you were promised and that you have earned and deserve. You have less money now because you have to pay more out of pocket while our elected leaders have given up nothing and while more and more people who are doing nothing for themselves are continuing to get more and more welfare.

Phillip Oliver Holz

Adolf Oliver Pubes

When the CSAF masked masters before, the wing commander at my base gleefully informed us that he was still using it in HIS rack and stack and that we were strongly encouraged to get it regardless of CSAF's intent. The group and squadron commander's, of course, fell in line. No, merely masking won't do a whole lot. This kind of entrenched stupidity needs to be micro-managed away. I'd suggest removing masters from DVB/SURF/OPB/OSB and making it only visible to those who need to know (AFPC functionals?) and prohibiting (via AFI) its data collection or use during all processes leading up to a PRF.

This is dead on. Remember socialism is for the people and not the socialists. This is extremely typical of a progressive society. When the expansionary government does not get its way, it inflicts pain on the people to make the case for more government. While this action is grotesque at the macro level, I am also sick and tired of even so-called conservative military people wrapping themselves in a patriotic flag and saying "cut everyone else's program but don't touch mine because I've served"...Seriously, stop giving yourself so much credit..You are most likely not George Washington. Also, please stop posting snarky facebook posts about reinstating TA or having me sign some dumbass petition. The way I look at it, this is a grand opportunity for the Air Force to rethink its galactically moronic position on education. Furthermore, it will punish for profit "diploma hot dog stands" for using governmnt treasure to peddle their fraudulent product.

Cronk! (Inside Joke)

Our RAF exchange pilot from Scotland, Duncan McCockaner.

I know this is a Pepsi commercial, but with 10 million views in less than 72 hours, I'm sure the marketing folks at Chevrolet are pretty happy right now.

As for grad degrees, yes I do believe they are important and yes I do believe that for the most part they help make people better (read: smarter) leaders. Just because some folks don't take advantage of opportunity doesn't mean the program is a bad idea. Education in any form is an investment that always pays off. This cutting of TA is exactly what it appears, an attempt to inflict some pain and suffering within the workforce. We all know there are numerous other programs where monies could be cut with less effect, but the leadership needs something that's going to motivate people to complain. I think it's a poor tactic but that's how the game is being played currently. This forced budget situation is not going to solve any problems, nor are responses such as cutting TA; what is needed is a more and better thought-out plan on how to reduce spending over the long term. We all know it can be done without sacrificing necessary programs such as TA, but if someone actually worked within the intent and did reduce wasteful spending that didn't result in any impact on the mission then it would only lead to calls for more cuts...