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Just ask the North Vietnamese how their Christmas time went in 1972

I hope I didn't come across as bashing the Buff. My best friend got his start out of there and I even named my own kid after him. I think most peoples problem with the Buff is the remaining bases, not the airframe or the mission itself. Minot seems to be a tough pill to swallow for the married and the single. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

You must think AFPC and big blue dole out assignments based on merit and effort put forth in the job. If that were the case maybe people wouldn't be climbing over each other for the door. That's a great way to look at it. No need to fix the issues that are driving the mass exodus when you can fill cockpits with any stud with a pulse because you can "lock them in" for longer than you can a FAIP.

The fact that things may have been worse at some point in the past should not be allowed to be used as an argument to justify idiotic policies in the present.

"Flight discipline" is one of those catch all phrases that when I see in an FEF I call the EP and ask what really happened. Its not the red flag you think it is. Could be a big deal, could be nothing. Importantly, a Q3 for flight discipline in AETC could easily be a Q1E for judgement in SOF...... so, get over yourself. And I say that in a polite way. I get that you think something unfair happened. It's common unfortunately, but it still sucks. Sorry. However, going after the other guy is extremely poor form.

Am I the only one who gives zero fvcks on which brand of faip you were? A faip is a faip and there are no virgins amongst the whores. A good attitude is where you make your money. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We're looking for a new pilot or two. All interested individuals are invited to send their resume and/or information to 122FSpilothiring@gmail.com . A full application includes, but is not limited to, a college degree or status of coursework/transcript, AFOQT scores, TBAS test and PCSM score, and summary of flying time, if any. All applications will be considered, but only a small number of applicants will be invited to interview in January. I highly recommend visiting during one of the upcoming drills (Oct 14-16, Nov 4-6, Dec 2-4). If you want to maximize your chances make sure all the tests are complete with competitive scores (most of our applicants that get interviews have scores in the 90s) and you are within a semester of college graduation. It also helps if you visit (and don't get hammered and make a fool of yourself - I mention it because it happens). Questions? Shoot an email to the address above. Good luck everyone, we're looking forward to finding our next round of Eagle drivers.

Interestingly...a lot of BUFF-BASHING going on from people who've never flown them. Unleashed, that aircraft can deliver devestation the likes of which haven't been seen since 2002. She may not be pretty, but she sure as hell is sexy where it counts.

There are a lot of really experienced folks here commenting with more authority on the subject than I can give. With that said, I'm currently in Phase 3 so figured I'd share my take so take it for what it's worth. Like others have mentioned, I don't think you miss anything by going to IFT. In fact, there is a lot of downside to include: 1) exposing yourself to needless elimination. This happened to a buddy of mine who I thought would have had no problem getting through T6s, really sharp guy with a good attitude and apparently decent flying ability who just ran into some bad luck on a few consecutive rides in Pueblo. Poof - pilot slot gone in an instant flying a composite-airframe lawnmower. 2) Having to endure what is effectively a giant fraternity haze (aka the "kick in the nuts" people talk about) for longer than you need to...you will get plenty of it in T6s (and T38s if you go that route). You would rather show up fresh to T6s ready to kick ass than risk getting all burnt out early. Like others have said attitude is so much of the game... 3) delaying your training by getting stuck in "waiting for orders" land. Some of these guys sit on casual waiting for months to go, when all you have to do is show up to UPT and start the grind with your PPL. Along those same lines, any sort of injury (for example having too much of a party with your pals in Pueblo and getting hurt) exposes you to even more delays in your training. It can happen in UPT as well, but why risk it with yet another opportunity in the pipeline to get set back. Really the only thing you might get from the IFT experience based on what I heard from my classmates who went is the procedural stuff (learning to recite bold face or do stand up in front of a crowd, getting up at 5AM to do formal brief, reporting to fly, MATL, etc...) But you will learn all of that in your first week in T6s anyways! That's what happened to me and I didn't feel behind because of not going to IFT. Don't get me wrong, I could still flop on the rocks as I finish up UPT but my guess is if I wash out now it will have nothing to do with not getting to go to IFT. If you are really concerned about being uncurrent, why not go do a BFR to freshen up? Or better yet, hop in a pitts special with a crusty old flier down at your local grass strip and spool up that inner ear fluid in preparation for T6s! In all honesty, IFT or not, unless you have prior HP or turbine time you will likely have the same learning curve as your buddies coming in from IFT. Anyway that's my completely unqualified 2 cts...feel free to PM if you have any questions about my experience. I'm a guard guy with a PPL, did no go to IFT, did not feel behind or unprivileged because of it. YMMV

So here's a good example of an assignment being what you make it. If this dude is really an "old school fighter pilot mentality", he will be pumped that he gets to fly a jet that is taking it to ISIL right now and has arguably the most badass history of any jet in the Air Force. Or he can hold onto the mindset that his jabroni commander screwed him over because he was too much of a badass faip for this guy to handle. My best friend from upt was a T-6 faip that got Buffs and he is a total bro. He is also just a space to fill on a spreadsheet, just like me.

Whatevs, you can kill your date in a river but still win if your name is Kennedy.