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The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ray E. Wilson, Jr. (821221), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 14 March 1945. When heavy and accurate machine-gun and sniper fire held up the advance of his company and inflicted severe casualties in his platoon, Private First Class Wilson volunteered to act as guide for the tanks after his Company Commander requested tank support. Exposing himself to hostile fire near the tanks to use telephone communication with the Tank Commander, he crept and crawled over fire-swept open terrain for fifty yards to reconnoiter and to guide the first tank into an advantageous firing position. After firing tracers at the enemy machine gun nests to indicate their positions, Private First Class Wilson returned three times and led the remaining tanks to previously reconnoitered positions, on each occasion, in full view of the Japanese and under the continuing hostile fire. After maneuvering the four tanks into position for more than one hour, he moved forward with the company and continued to guide and direct the tanks although he was seriously wounded in action. His initiative, unselfish courage, and indomitable fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Story basically went that a week before graduation they asked all the candidates "do you have any VIPs coming to graduation." Now VIP is typically E9/O6 and above and somebody always has somebody. Well my uncle didn't think about it since neither of the Marines he was expecting made E9, though granddad was close. Morning of the graduation he says one of the Sgt Instructors just exploded at how he didn't tell them who was coming. And he was like wtf are you talking about. And out on the parade field there sits uncle Ray under the nice shaded area with all these high level O-grades in dress while he's just sitting in a suit and they are shaking his hand and even some of the Sgt instructors and staff are going over to pay respect to the man. Paul had no idea Uncle Ray had received a Navy cross, but apparently there was this one full bird who was kicked off the dais to sit in the sun with the normal people who was just over himself to be apologetic about not wanting to give up his seat when asked.

The best people I've worked with Cyber side are out or heavily considering it. If they don't get out entirely, they palace chase. Which is great for them. Meanwhile, I'm sitting less than 5 years from retirement and I'm just... tired. I'm tired, and I've been unable to deploy. So I haven't even felt the suck of the 6/12's most cyber officers have been feeling. I don't have the people to support the missions we're asked to do. The next large AEF-band is coming and it's going to be the super-suck for the base for another 6-months. Where a single Airman takes leave, and I've got <30% work center output. Looking at the already low manning levels and no-shit deploying 30% (as of now) of available Amn. WHAT? Last time it came down to "do we spend all day patching" or "do we spend all day working high priority tickets?" I could not do both. I refuse to hold my Airmen at work for extended periods of time when the AF can't figure out it's manning. I'll burn, but I'm not going to force my Amn to. I can't quit anything like the CSAF wants, because I don't have the authority to quit and the bosses don't want to ask. Plus, what am I going to quit.. equipment accountability? Patching? Issuing new equipment? Making iPhones work? Making VPN work? That awesome IA test? Sure... it might save a little time now, just wait until the next inspection or audit. Especially since we get inspected by non-AF entities who don't care what some Gen said.

Huggy, I'm disregarding your last sentence as a youthful display of defiance. U-2 pressure suit for the win!

Mostly anecdotal. VSP for one. Since then, the people I know who are not taking the bonus or opting out of their next assignment have been the ones with strats and school slots. The guys and gals I know these days who are positive about taking the bonus and making it to retirement no matter what are (not all, but mostly) worker bees, at best. Five years ago when I would tell someone the bonus was a raw deal, most would look at me like I was nuts. Now it's rare to talk to someone who is sure about taking it, while passers abound. This is supported by data, at least.

I wore cowboy boots with my blues and service dress for years. Was nice to wear with flight suit until we changed to suede boots.

The only time I will even consider squeezing into the old uniform (it's been almost a decade since I retired) would be a military event in which I have a role. For example, I commissioned my nephew last year when he graduated from college. It was an extremely proud moment for me, and I made sure I could fit into my service dress for it. However, for anything else, I will wear the appropriate civilian attire. Plus, that way I don't have to shave! Cheers! M2

Too bad we can't go back to these. Speed lacing and the possibility of cowboy boots on non-flying days would be nice.

Lesson of the day: when your people are constantly exercising or deployed as well as overworked due to undermanning...don't be a duche about something inconsequential.

McDew - I heard a story from my old SQ/CC that he visited some base got off the plane and be lined for this lieutenant who had a morale patch. "You just made your whole wing look like $#it"

KEND 16-02 38s: F-22 F-15C F-16 A-10 B-52 T-6 FAIP