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So glad we found a solution to the fighter pilot shortage. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I recently refinanced a construction loan to a VA Jumbo with Trident. I've dealt with NFCU, Wells Fargo, Ditech (awful experience!!!), Flagstar, CitiMortgage, and many others. Marty and his team are the most responsive and competent group I've ever dealt with. I couldn't be more pleased! We dealt with multiple issues (low appraisal, fireplace letters, well letters, septic certifications, messed up credit, builder warranties, etc.) throughout the process. Whenever there was an issue, my loan officer was able to work through it with me quickly. She was replying to my emails at all hours of the night. Anytime I needed to ask a question, she would reply quickly. She was always available via phone or email. This was the best experience I've ever had in my 20+ years of buying and refinancing houses!

Hey folks, don't confuse my sarcastic and pessimistic posts for the voice of a dude who's going to give up and watch the house burn down around him. (Although it's probably easy to think that way...which is why I'm writing again.) Take my posts and combine them with the knowledge that I took the bonus and plan to stay until 20+ to try my best to keep my little corner of the USAF as lethal and relevant as I can. I still think that we're the best airpower organization the world has ever seen, and I still think we can beat any challenger. I'm just concerned about the margins, which I see as shrinking by the second. We are a volunteer service. That means that, while you're still wearing that uniform, you have no choice but to go out and do your 100% to keep the organization successful and ensure YOUR personal corner of the USAF is lethal and relevant. You are bound by that duty, and it's the expectation of ALL of our citizens (crazy SJWs, red-hat wearing Trump fanatics, and everyone in between) that you're out there every day EARNING the right to hear "thank you for your service." The CAF is in for a hard decade...and I think it's already started. I won't question the decision of anyone who decides to stay or anyone who decides to leave...it's their choice. But those of you who decide to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and the rest of us CAF bros: We're going to have to work. Hard. 1. Every single training sortie needs to be maximized. 2. No slack for those who don't show their commitment in their daily effort. 3. Every teachable moment has to be caught, and those lessons need to be TALKED ABOUT in the squadron. 4. Guys with leaves and eagles on their shoulders need to screen the BS from those with bars. Young LTs and Capts need time in the vault/sim/jet as much as possible. Take the resources we are given, find a way forward, and work hard to produce the very best you can with those resources. That's our job. We need to keep voicing our complaints to "the Bobs" around the USAF so they know not everything is rainbows, unicorns, and sprinkles...but that's secondary to our #1 concern: KILL AND SURVIVE. Bitching on the internet, like all other forms of sport-bitching, is not only fun, it's your God-given right as servicemember. Throwing your hands in the air and yelling that the sky is falling -- if you're not giving 100%+ and working your ass off to be lethal -- is the biggest SNAP-bullshit act you could possibly commit. Those newly joining, about to join, or aspiring to join the CAF: Get ready to work. You're not the reason for this problem, but we don't have time for any bullshit. Be prepared.

If you 100% without a doubt see yourself flying fighters and nothing else, here is the order in which I would attempt to become a fighter pilot: 1. Be a freaking "hard science" major if you still have the opportunity, 2. Apply to ANG/reserve fighter units, and finally... 3. If the age limit is closing in on you, go AD AF or USN/USMC and work your ever-loving tail off to track fighters... If you fail to get a fighter, but still pass UPT, thank the man above for letting you be a military pilot... the next 8-10 years of your life are probably going to be awesome.