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Unfortunately, such an outlook doesn't seem to be shared by a good number of GO-level leadership. Perhaps your perspective can be shared with them, in an effort to help them lose their reactionary, knee jerk reactions to sensational stories that are later proved to be incorrect or false once the actual facts come out. Unfortunately, there are also other aspects to this that figure in to someone accepting an Art 15 vs going to a CM, not the least of which is that many times for officers they are charged with wonderful murky things like "dereliction" or "conduct unbecoming" which have very different standards of proof than the very specific charges made in a civilian criminal court. Also remember that the risk of losing in a CM is a federal conviction that someone will carry with them long after they leave the military, whereas an Art 15 does not. It is NOT a clear case that someone actually did what they were charged with when they choose to accept an Art 15 rather than take it to a CM. There is a much larger risk management decision to make. Every Wing Commander who has let their SARC or SJA use his mug shot and story at every sexual assault training for the last year without having them also give a follow-up comment that he was not found guilty of any of the charges initially laid against him.

Yeah, all of that stuff critical to mission accomplishment. I loved the guys who were self-professed experienced military pilots, and could quote 11-217 chapter and verse, yet had never even laid eyes on the JFIRE or 3-09.3 or had any idea what a 3-1 was or why it might be important to their mission in the MC-12.

Ran into a guy I knew from a previous assignment at an airline job fair. I told him I got out and I'm in AFRC enjoying life. He stayed in, made O-5 and got sent back to the base we had both been at 7-8 years ago. He's got about 12-18 months left till retirement, wasn't on the command list, so he's just waiting for his 20. Others we knew are also back at that base, but on the Fast Track. He told me he did a 6 month deployment to the Deid...one of those "why am I here" jobs with no point...but he was an available body, so he got tagged. He got home, and six months later (just a week or so before the job fair) he's informed that they are deploying him to that SAME JOB again, for another 6 months. He pleads with the O-6 to find someone else...he just did that deployment, and he's about to separate and is afraid deploying so close to his retirement will hurt his ability to find post-AF work. O-6 says sorry, but the other O-5s are fast burners and he can't spare them...to do so might inconvenience their rapid upward mobility. Never mind that some of them haven't deployed at all in 6-7 years. I feel bad for him, but that's one reason why I got out. After doing a 365 in Iraq, I asked to go to the AETC squadron to have some time with family. Less than 18 months later, I was deploying on a 182-day tasking, even though there were several others who could deploy, and had not deployed in several years...but again, they were Golden Boys that the leadership didn't want to inconvenience with a deployment, so let's send the career flyer to the desert again even though he just got back from a 365. When I protested that, I was told that since I volunteered for the 365, I "did it to myself". That was straight from the O-6. My counterpart hadn't deployed in 4 years but they refused to send him because he was an alternate for the Phoenix Mobility program. So while I was deployed, I applied for Palace Chase and GTFO of the RegAF. Been happy ever since. Oh, and despite being the chief of flight safety with an excellent record (did great on the UCI, built several programs from the ground up, etc), the O-6 downgraded my separation medal from a MSM to a AFCM. My boss fought it until she PCS'd (I had already separated) but as soon as she was gone, they downgraded it and finalized it. I'm the only O-4 who PCS'd/separated from my wing without a MSM. I know pretty much for a fact it was downgraded out of spite because I punched from the AF. I wasn't "blue" enough, apparently. Treating people this way is another reason why the AF will be pressed to retain people once the job market gets going again.

I think you have quite a bit in common with your fellow senior officers, just as I do with CGO's/FGO's who are actually into hacking the mission, mentoring young officers and enlisted, and willing to do what is necessary for legitimate reasons. You want me to go deploy tomorrow to hack the mission?...let me know, and I'll be packed up and ready to go, no BS there. I'm personally tired of the hypocrisy in the Air Force...maybe that's just my personality, but it's something that was instilled in me a long time ago--to not just 'go along to get along'. I have seen the hypocrisy from my first years as a qualified dude in the squadron, to right now at my current staff job. I have also seem some great leaders...mostly when I've been deployed, but at home as well. I have seen a commander go out to dinner with a couple of his 'favorite' young Captains who him and his wife were friends with (literally caught them by randomly showing up with a date to the same restaurant)...funny, those couple Captains were always the ones getting picked for upgrade first, highest strats (I was the Exec, so I saw this with my own eyes), getting pushed harder for the assignments they wanted, etc. Their leadership and flying skills were average to above average, but again, they were the ones typically picked for awards, etc. Yeah, I'm sure an IG complaint would have done wonders...that commander would have had an excuse for every one of his actions. Again, unless it's blatant, then it's a 'he said vs she said'...oh, and this commander has friends out there who could be my next commander, so... I have seen guys get called out for doing something 'wrong' when flying, only to bring the AFI's to the DO/CC to show them that they in fact didn't do anything in wrong...and then subsequently had that the DO/CC say 'well...maybe it was legal, but...'. I personally did this on two occasions, and fortunately I was correct both times. I have seen commanders utterly surprised when not one of the evaluators (both pilots and the E's) recommend their shining star for the next upgrade to evaluator. Think they might have just been a little 'out of touch'? Funny, the commander still pushed that person for the upgrade, the next job outside the squadron to get pushed, etc. I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. You can only pee on my leg and tell me it's raining so often before I smell the piss and realize what's really going on. When a sharp dude gets the highest strat, gets picked up for school on his O-4 board, etc then I'm not at all jealous, actually, I'm happy that the 'system' is at least somewhat working the way it should be. And for the record, I could give 2 shits about saying 'so to speak' (that's a stupid fighter thing anyway), saying 69 all the time, etc. But I do hate the witch hunt and the hypocrisy...you know, that same hypocrisy you show when saying Wilkerson assaulted someone. The same hypocrisy of saying that a picture of a dude's wife in a vacation bikini pic is unprofessional/sexual, etc but then don't have a problem with the AF PA on af.mil sites showing girls in body building pics wearing bikini's. I've said it before and I'll say it again--this is the way the system is and I get it. It's hard to prove that a commander or O-6 did what he did (ie lower strats, not picked for an upgrade, etc) because you challenged them a policy--why?...because this business is subjective as hell. If you're not one of the 20% chosen ones (you know, the guys you love who will agree with anything you say) then you're better off to just doing your best and not rocking the boat. You may call that cowardice...but I call that reality. I'll fall on my sword when I just can't take it anymore or when I'm near the end and I don't feel they can fck with me much anymore. But I refuse to drink the koolaid and be a cheerleader for the nonsense. I have had young Lt's ask me about certain rules, policies that I though was utter nonsense and I tell them is to make sure they understand such rule and policy and that this is what we're to do and follow. I won't though start cheering about how great of a policy or rule I think it is and how it's making us a better force, blah blah blah. BL: I'll keep on doing what I know is right and taking care of my own guys as much as I can--I'm not 'chasing' rank. Sorry for the TLDR type post. Rant Off.

Liquid, your remarks are truly representative of the AF at-large. I say that because I find myself casually nodding in agreement at some of the things you say, only to read some of your true gems and find myself wanting to smash my screen because of your absolute disconnection with reality... much like a number of policies/talking points I see coming from upper management. The only thing that will keep me from punching is more good bosses like the one I have now. That's it. Other than that, this organization has become just like any other "job" out there--the fun has largely been sucked out of it. I'm not even buying the "working with good dudes" part anymore. I'll make other buddies elsewhere. You characterize it that way yourself by repeatedly calling it "work". It used to be called a "squadron". Now its a "workplace". I would actually take a pay cut if that means I have the ability to control my own future. And no, I'm not necessarily one of the "disgruntled employees" that you and your peers would write off. I've actually done/am doing pretty well so far, but hearing the Big Blue spin of guys are getting out because they are "bored" boggles my mind. How about "our organization has trampled these guys for 12+ years with ops tempo and stupid ass rules... Hard work has been rewarded with more hard (and mindless, queepy) work. ...now they are seeing the light." Yeah, much more realistic. Your all-volunteer force has been getting worked over and getting kicked in the junk in the name of service to God and country for too long now. People just aren't buying it anymore. Good luck trying to make it more attractive to new accessions in the future and trying to sway those guys on the fence as those ADSCs run out.

Ah, okay...so now it's MY fault for not running to the IG every time I hear of this type of thing happening. I'll try to do better. Have you ever seen what happens to people who make IG complaints? I'm sure you'll tell me great tales of justice being served, "having the commmanders ass" (so to speak), or getting a different job. In my experience what happens is as soon as the Sq or Gp/CC gets word of the complaint, you will find yourself instantly on every shit list...crappy flying schedule, endless SOF duty, deployed over Christmas (again), first in line for a 365, last in line for upgrade or PCS. If you make an IG complaint, you had better have your shit together because if the IG doesn't see things in your favor, your life is going to suck for a very long time. You are right, I have sat by and watched these heavy-handed "leaders" make rank. I sincerely welcome advice on how I can handle in the future. My opinion has always been, "Surely the Group/CC or Wing/CC sees what an asshole this guy is, right?"..."It'll all work out the right way when they go to get promoted." After all, I used to have a lot of faith in our senior leaders. But then I watch, year after year, as these jerks not only get promoted but get school slots and further command. I have run into two of them in the past 6 months...guys who were the very definition (in my opinion) of "worst leader ever" and come back three years later as O-6 group and/or wing leadership. Please tell me how a part-time ANG guy can fix the problems with AD leadership. I spend an inordinate amount of my time while deployed mentoring the AD kids over three beers or coffee, make a point of giving the Sq/CC a "my opinion only" out-brief before I leave, and generally try to be positive and lead by good example. What more should I be doing? Honestly.

That's my plan if, God forbid, I am ever in this type of shitty situation and get royally screwed by the institution.

Are you that surprised that AF IG's would protect the system and their boss at all costs? If you really want to make some impacts, get a civilian lawyer and go to the New York Times or 60 Minutes. If there's anything that terrifies management the most, it's negative publicity.

I'll bite. Why, other than your perceived notion that 90% of the AF doesn't know about us, should we get rid of all helos? How long do you think the Army will maintain a dedicated CSAR/PR airframe? After five minutes they'll say, "oh yeah, we'll do that if we have time, or we aren't doing other things already," but they'll always have other things to do. Or, are you of the ilk that we don't need a dedicated CSAR force because of ten years in OEF? I see you're a forward thinker. Other than that, I don't care about all helos going to the Army. I just happen to believe CSAR/PR necessitates a dedicated force. Oh yeah, QOL sucks, so that would be a downside... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

The USAF, on the other hand, has a ratings system in which everyone, in every rating period, single-handedly won the GWOT.

And cue the obligatory Gen Mattis video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTXzcILPPp8

True or not, my favorite response so far...

You're right. He should have compared himself to a KC-10 pilot.

Why are A-10 pilots issued oranges prior to oceanic deployment flights? To prevent scurvy.

Except for that year they tried it with KC-135s and the C-17s didn't make it to Australia because they had to divert for gas.

The problem wasn't with the messaging, the problem is with the piece of crap, over-reaching legislation that was passed 100% on a party line vote. The Dems barely got it through, and that was with having to lie about what it would do...if they had told the truth then it very well might have not gotten through the way it did, or even at all. And if you think Obamacare is just going to negatively affect 4-5% of people then you're just as wrong as you were 4 years ago when you bought into all the other lies. Rates are going to continue to rise because of what the law has deemed plans must cover...and when the employee mandate kicks in next year, you'll see the next wave of shit hitting the fan. I can't understand why people believed that this bill was going to reduce costs for most people--it covers more in the new mandated plans and gives subsidies to people who don't make enough money. So either other people's premiums must go up, employers must pay more, and/or taxes must go up. The Dems didn't reduce any costs, they just shifted who pays for these costs. The insurance companies will make more money because it's more business for them, but at an increased cost in premiums and higher deductibles for the people. Part of me thinks this will blow up so bad that the Dems will pay severely for it...but the other part of me thinks that they will spin it in such a way to blame the GOP, the insurance companies, etc and will take very little of a hit (if at all) because the American public is too stupid enough to see what is going on here. It's just another several nails into the coffin of the Republic.

Did you read the quotes by the ret Generals? “People I’ve spoken to would like to see..." "I talk to a lot of folks who don’t support where Obama is taking the military..." "I hear from many off the record who are upset with the current military leadership..." A lot of "I hear" and "I talk to" yet no "I witnessed" "I can show proof" or "I can verify". Sounds like gossip to me.

I may appear as if I almost always support Obama because I look at things with a neutral eye first, whereas 99.69% of the members here come in with a predetrmined mindset on the president. And Obama was elected when?

What's the worst thing about eating bald pu$$y? Putting the diaper back on...