Leaderboard

I've started a conversation with BMAQ (owners of JQP blog), in hopes of leading to flyingsquadron.com having a sub-forum that auto builds a thread with each pre-existing and new JQP blog. This would be a great way for each post to have it's own discussions within BO.net. I literally just submitted an RFI today, so who knows what the lead turn will be.

So it wasn't about hacking the mission as a rated operator vs a support Amn. It was about appearances.

The problem is that the COCOMs are smart. They know an 11X is they type who gets shit done. In general, an 11X gives a shit about hacking the mish more so than punching a clock, hanging out at the bra or gathering enough BS bronze stars to look like a Panamanian dictator. The same cannot be said about a lot of other support types. Flame away at me if you want, but that's why they want to keep operators in jobs they perceive as important - even if said job has little to do with actual operations.

I'm not sure if it's gotten worse or if increased connectivity through a very vocal blogger, chat boards, and social media has allowed more of these to be known to a wider circle. 10 years ago, I wouldn't have known about the firing of a C-130 SQ/CC as it's pretty far from my lane. Today, I know about that.

I did one RPA tour and am now at the FTU to be an instructor. Ops as a line RPA flyer was the worst experience of my life. That already miserable existence is going to get much worse in 2016 and 2017 for those flying the line. As we nearly double instructor manning at the FTU, ops squadrons are going to pay the bill. So already undermanned and overworked units are going to be undermanned even further. The squadron I came from has a bill for 18 IPs and there weren't 18 IPs in the entire squadron when I left. You can see where that is going. If (and this is a gigantic if) we can double production at the FTU while maintaining quality, things should improve in Ops squadrons around early 2018. That assumes the USAF can identify a previously undiscovered pool of talented folks who want to do this job. That is a very questionable assumption IMHO. If you are going to volunteer for this to improve your quality of life then you are making an uninformed decision. If your number 1 priority is avoiding TDYs and deployments, you're making a good decision. Understand that if you come to RPAs you are probably never leaving. I will add that my worst day flying was better than my best day in RPAs. TLDR: timing is everything, things are going to get significantly worse before they might get better, flying RPAs is miserable. Overall, I do not recommend this job.

Those are the only flaws you found in their appeal?