Leaderboard

1. Wow, you must be omniscient or something. You really knew these programs were coming? You must be a real insider. Stop it. Everyone knew this shit was coming. You get no credit. 2. You are also illiterate. Read what you quoted. The issue wasn't with the surprise that these programs were coming, it was with the Friday afternoon before Christmas-week release of conflicting, useless information about a potential career and life altering program that left these guys stressing with more questions than answers. And all you can say is "when our usefulness expires, so do our careers? Fuck you. Until you A1 clowns can get a grip on the fact that there are real humans involved in each of your little projects, you'll continue to buffoon them by treating everyone as a number merely serving "at the pleasure of our senior leaders". Just like you have every single time something like this has come out. Own it. Own the fact that the A1 world has fucked it up over and over again before. Then maybe you'll stop being so clueless and arrogant when you institute new programs like this. And maybe you won't leave us digging out from the mess you made for years like you have every time before. 3. Why do you not correct these guys when they talk like you are a "senior leader"? You and I both know that you are not, yet you say nothing. There's nothing wrong with not being one, but there is something wrong with letting that misperception go unchecked. Grow a pair. Or does it feed your troll ego to let guys think you are more of a big shot than you really are?

"The Budget also requests authorization for another Base Realignment and Closure round in 2015 to close or realign excess infrastructure and avoid wasting limited resources maintaining unneeded facilities. The actual closing of any bases would involve a multiyear process that would not start until 2016, after the economy is projected to have more fully recovered." It is too much to ask to put out a coherent message and information at this point; they honestly believe they are doing everyone a favor by releasing this matrix prior to the holidays. The "funny" part is that everyone involved is working way too hard to get this done, while we have known for a long time it was going to happen. It's quite standard really, but I don't need to say that...do I? The intent of the law is interpreted by the Air Force as an attempt to trim the force voluntarily first, they can target whom they please and deny whom they please. After that is "complete", they will non-voluntarily target the force...again, targeting whomever they please and removing whom they please. He was asking for your opinion as the only "senior leader" he has any direct line too. If you don't want to be "called out", you should probably just go back to lurking. While I do not believe for a second that anyone should be looking for clarification from you (no one has any idea who you are or what you are qualified to answer), this is the situation you have developed. If you have the capacity to add value, you (and you alone) have added that obligation to yourself. This, if you recall, is an all voluntary force. What you have just written is not true; we serve at our pleasure...for the values that we hold. This "usefulness" you speak of is purely political jargon for "I have no control over it". While I believe this viewpoint may have merit for O-6's and above, I am surprised you took the time to log in to write that. I suppose he did say, "Any comments?"...perhaps he should be more specific next time...or go ask someone that cares more. That said, I hope you have a good Christmas...but, I hope everyone at A1 isn't taking Christmas off. I'm not (again, while I serve at other's pleasure). Personally, I think you should try again...Perhaps with a little more value or empathy...your choice. Bendy

Just got this today from my dad, passed along from friends of his. They flew during the Vietnam era. I put it in this thread because I think it captures what many of us were hoping to be a part of. What's wrong with the Air Force? People are less and less likely to say the following or even be able to relate after a career. --------------- Don't know who wrote this, but the sentiments are real and apply to more than just fighter pilots. A lot of the WSO's I know were more "fighter pilot" than anything else, because after all, being a Fighter Pilot is a state of mind. Mugs As we get older and we experience the loss of old friends, we begin to realize that maybe we bullet proof Fighter Pilots won't live forever, not so bullet proof anymore. We ponder -- if I was gone tomorrow did I say what I wanted to my Brothers. The answer was no! Hence, the following few random thoughts. When people ask me if I miss flying, I always say something like -- "Yes! I miss the flying because when you are flying, you are totally focused on the task at hand. It's like nothing else you will ever do (almost). But then I always say "However, I miss the Squadron and the guys even more than I miss the flying." Why you might ask?" They were a bunch of aggressive, wise ass, cocky, insulting, sarcastic bastards in smelly flight suits who thought a funny thing to do was to fart and see if they could clear a room. They drank too much, they chased women, they flew when they shouldn't, they laughed too loud and thought they owned the sky, the Bar, and generally thought they could do everything better then the next guy. Nothing was funnier than trying to screw with a buddy and see how pissed off they would get. They flew planes and helos that leaked, that smoked, that broke, that couldn't turn, that burned fuel too fast, that never had auto pilots or radars, and with systems that were archaic next to today's new generation aircraft. All true! But a little closer look might show that every guy in the room was sneaky smart and damn competent and brutally handsome! They hated to lose or fail to accomplish the mission and seldom did. They were the laziest guys on the planet until challenged and then they would do anything to win. They would fly with wing tips overlapped at night through the worst weather with only a little red light to hold on to, knowing that their Flight Lead would get them on the ground safely. They would fight in the air knowing the greatest risk and fear was that another fighter would arrive at the same six o'clock at the same time they did. They would fly in harm's way and act nonchalant as if to challenge the grim reaper. When we went to another base we were the best Squadron on the base as soon as we landed. Often we were not welcomed back. When we went into an O club we owned the Bar. We were lucky to have the Best of the Best in the military. We knew it and so did others. We found jobs, lost jobs, got married, got divorced, moved, went broke, got rich, broke something and the only thing you could really count on was if you really needed help, a fellow Pilot would have your back. I miss the call signs, nick names, and the stories behind them. I miss the getting lit up in an Oclub full of my buddies and watching the incredible, unbelievable things that were happening. I miss the Crew Chiefs saluting as you taxied out the flight line. I miss the lighting of the Afterburners, if you had them, especially at night. I miss the going straight up and straight down. I miss the cross countries. I miss the dice games at the bar for drinks. I miss listening to bull shit stories while drinking and laughing till my eyes watered. I miss three man lifts. I miss naps in the Squadron with a room full of pilots working up new tricks to torment the sleeper. I miss flying upside down in the Grand Canyon and hearing about flying so low boats were blown over. I miss coming into the break Hot and looking over and seeing three wingmen tucked in tight ready to make the troops on the ground proud. I miss belches that could be heard in neighboring states. I miss putting on ad hoc Air Shows that might be over someone's home or farm in faraway towns. Finally I miss hearing DEAD BUG being called out at the bar and seeing and hearing a room of men hit the deck with drinks spilling and chairs being knocked over as they rolled in the beer and kicked their legs in the air, followed closely by a Not Politically Correct Tap Dancing and Singing spectacle that couldn't help but make you grin and order another round! I am a lucky guy and have lived a great life! One thing I know is that I was part of a special, really talented bunch of guys doing something dangerous and doing it better than most. Flying the most beautiful, ugly, noisy, solid aircraft ever built. Supported by ground troops committed to making sure we came home again! Being prepared to fly and fight and die for America. Having a clear mission. Having fun. We box out the bad memories from various operations most of the time but never the hallowed memories of our fallen comrades. We are often amazed at how good war stories never let the truth interfere and they get better with age. We are lucky bastards to be able to walk into a Squadron or a Bar and have men we respect and love shout out our names, our call signs, and know that this is truly where we belong. We are Fighter Pilots. We are Few and we are Proud. Anonymous

Helluvaway to treat the men and women who have been doing the leadership's bidding in Iraq and Afg for the past 12 years. That's cool.

A pretty good perspective...

Tony Carr's latest blog on the subject...https://www.jqpublic-blog.com/?p=600

Wow....look at that Ass....

The thing that kills me about this is that a lot of us have been trying for the last few years to get out, but the AF keeps saying no. On the one hand, leadership can't wait to get rid of us, while on the other, we're too valuable to be let go. I don't know any Capt right now (pilot/rated type) that has any desire to serve past their commitment, and I know quite a few who are actively looking for ways to separate early. Just don't be too peeved if you get what you ask for...

Because it's great to know about the awesome shit that happens out there! ------------------------------------- A-10 Pilots Honored For Ground Fight Rescues In Stormy Weather: https://www.airforcetimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013312220008

It is sad, but he lived a full life and his legacy will live on! Godspeed, General Kalashnikov!

Going to the AOR..... For fuck sake just give them beer on Xmas. It'll be cheaper and it will make them less likely to suck start an M9 than watching 15 bad singers grind out a shittier version of Lady GaGa songs.

Not sure where everyone got the idea that this clown was a "senior leader". Liquid is. This guy is not.

Sigh, I'm sorry that you feel that way and I know that your feelings are not rare. I don't really agree with your opinion here in full, but I am not without some connection. The "leaders" you are speaking of are not my leaders. They may be my bosses, and they may be my managers...but they are not my leaders. If you want a good chuckle, go read the leadership article M2 just posted and look for the connection with an "O-7 telling us how each and every airman personally means the world to them". Bendy

And we all heard you, however, it seems like too much to ask for you to put out a coherent message and information. Instead now we have 14 pages here on BODN and endless hours of speculation and rumors in the squadron and the bar; not to mention you just slap up a matrix at 1630 on a Friday before Christmas with the most vague details possible and pull chocks till the new year.

General Chang So with 10 percent of the Active Force reduction. Are we going to see a greater reduction on the Civilian side? We already proven with the furlough that we cut 20 percent and still have operations continue.

I'm far from an AK fan, but that looks damn good.

Anyone have that number for the truck driving school?

EXERCISE ex-er-size Eggs-are-sides For BACON

1) Are you a chick? 2) If yes, see #3 3) I'm a doctor, see #4 4) I need pictures to assess

Read AFI 41-210, para. 2.52. Sent from my HTC One X+ using Tapatalk

Old and digitally challenged, but here are some thumbnails of my two prints.

I think the best SEFEs are those that look at themselves primarily still as instructors but can complete Form 8s, too.

Ok, honest question...are you a chick or something? Jebus, man up and act somewhat like the warriors of days gone by. If you have 17% bf and a great PT score but are still unhappy with yourself either apply a little more elbow grease and discipline or learn how to be happy with yourself. Plastic surgery not related to fixing horrific injuries or birth defects is incredibly dumb. If you want that minor gut gone to impress the ladies or whatever stop eating sugar 6 days a week and invest in a trainer or even a little mild internet research on fitness. Merry Christmas, hopefully Santa brings you some common sense.