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Found this entertaining Because screw that bitch and her "it's my turn" mentality. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As many of y'all know, I'm involved in the airshow industry. This photo is the hangar of the Texas Flying Legends, which has a great collection of flying aircraft: Mustang, Spitfire, Warhawk, Mitchell, Zero, and more. The collection's owner, Bruce is a great American, and the pilots and mechanics are just top-shelf folks. Their customized hangar is also one of the coolest places on any flightline. If you've been cross-country to Ellington (KEFD), maybe you've seen it. It seems a lot of the NFL teams, staff, bigwigs, and others will be using KEFD for the Super Bowl, and Texas Flying Legends wanted to make sure those players, owners, and NFL employees knew where TFL "stands" on the issue of Kaepernick and others.

Hello everyone, I recently got back from my trip to Wright-Patterson and I could not be happier with my experience there. Not everything was smooth sailing for me, as far as my pre-existing eye condition was concerned, but the folks there went incredibly far out of their way to ensure I had every opportunity to pass their tests. For that, I am extremely grateful for their care in what they do and ultimately, allowing me to pursue my dream. A little bit about my experience: I had an eye muscle disorder that I discovered a few years ago after preemptively visiting an optometrist to make sure everything with my eyes were kosher. Upon finding out what I had, I was crushed. Over the course of the next year, I found a specialist, explained to him what my intentions were as far as pursuing this career and ended up having surgery to correct the problem. The surgery went very well, but that still did little to unease the unsettling feeling I had about my chances. I read numerous stories about others who had similar conditions; I read the AFI's, waiverability guide and medical publications; I even messaged a few professionals on these very forums to gain as much insight as possible. From all of these sources, my confidence on passing was extremely low. Nevertheless, I continued to interview all over the country in pursuit of my passion, even with that overwhelming sense of uncertainty. The last few years have been the most trying test of my endurance, mentally. I spent thousands of dollars travelling for interviews, faced numerous rejections, put off career advancement in my fall back career, all for just the chance at a shot for my dream job. I knew, at least for me, that if I had not done this, it would plague me for the rest of my life knowing I had given up. I had engulfed myself with everything there was to know about my condition and how it would be measured/tested. I ascertained that my biggest hurdle was going to be depth perception, as is for most people, even with the best of eyes. I am prior enlisted and have had a history of failing the depth perception years back at MEPS. I spent months researching techniques people use to train their eyes to pass the test to include purchasing the Magic Eye book, as many of you have recommended. Even so, I was still not confident come judgement day that I was indeed going to pass. Once arriving on day one, you are not given an exact itinerary on what order you will be accomplishing all the tests, so I sat there stewing in the inevitable encounter with my kryptonite. It ended up coming relatively soon on the first day and it was not pleasant. I had measured 20/20 uncorrected, but come time to do the depth perception, I could not seem to make it work for me. This revelation that my hopes and dreams just came to an end began to sink in. Nevertheless, they had me do a full workup with the optometrist there to figure out what my underlying problem was. We went over many more eye tests and had very long, comprehensive talks about what they were seeing, what my chances/options were, what their role is as far as having a standardized approach in measuring/testing applicants. All of these things really did a great job at putting me at ease. It was the kind and length of talks from a doctor that no civilian doctor, at least in my experience, has taken out of their day to explain exactly what is going on. They made it abundantly clear that they will do everything in their power to ensure you have every opportunity to demonstrate that if you CAN pass, they will pass you. They ended up prescribing me glasses to retake the exam about mid-way through day two to see if it was simply an acuity problem not being able to see depth perception. I wore the glasses for a few minutes, retook the test, and failed again. This, again, made my stomach turn upside down. I was then given the advice to wear the glasses for a little while longer to have my eyes adjust some more. Day 3: Nearly everyone I was there with had already been given the all clear, having a great time touring the museum there (which is a must). I knew it was my make or break day. I wore the glasses the entire night before and also woke up early in the morning on day three to walk around outside to get my eyes readjusted. I had found out that walking around outside, particularly looking about 3 feet in front of me when walking, seemed to have the most of an effect on my eyes. First thing in the morning, we began to do some more evaluations with some easier to see depth perception tests that they had there. These tests were rated at much higher arcs than the standard needed to pass, but were instrumental in helping me with the technique that best worked for me to bring them out. Personally, I found out that opening my eyes up wide, as opposed to squinting (which I was doing before), and vaguely starring at the entire block of circles was working for me. Miraculously enough, I eventually got to the point to where I could legitimately see all the way through line D. (This was quite the emotional roller-coaster for me at this point). I was incredibly excited at this point that the future that I thought I had lost was slowly coming back to me. However, I was not quite out of the woods. Even though I had gotten through line D, it was a struggle, to say the least. The doctors had long talks with me about their standards and liability they assume by making such decisions and it was in mine, and their best interest, to ensure that this was not a one-time thing. They needed to be certain when you leave there, that you are going to be able to pass it every year after that. They had me do a few more depth perception tests (and passed) and more workups with multiple doctors and they came to the agreement that I met their standards. I cannot describe to you what the feeling of years of doubt being immediately lifted off of my shoulders felt like. I am so extremely grateful for the doctors and techs there at Wright-Patterson for taking so much time to work with me through all of this! Thank you so much!! To those out there still in the hunt or awaiting your turn at MFS/FC1, never give up! Be as prepared as possible. Make appointments on your own so there are no surprises. If you find a surprise, get a second opinion. Research every option. Above all, remain calm and be as polite as possible. I know the former is easier said than done, but it can truly help. Good luck to everyone!

Just remember we are talking about the same Air Force that was still dropping C-130Hs to UPT studs months after the squadrons they were heading to were already announced to be shutting down within the next 1-2 years. Those guys went through C-130H PIQ arrived at their squadron and got assignments to other airframes within a couple months.

One of the most intelligent military minds to have ever lived.

Is it worth noting that a political advisor is sitting on the NSC? Absolutely. Look, I am no fan of Bannon and I think having him there is a mistake...but your statement that I quoted above shows your naïveté of politics and national security decisions. Go back and look at the Johnson Whitehouse and his Tuesday lunches which marginalized the NSC, for one example, along with just about any other decision. National security decisions are NOT made in a vacuum and they are not shrouded in some cover of "it's the right thing to do". Every decision is political. Wring your hands about Bannon, if you want. I will buy you a scotch and we can discuss it at length but don't try to make this sound like more than it is. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

It's worth noting that for the first time in history, a political strategist will have a permanent role on the principals committee of the NSC. You can be as cynical as you want to be, and say that all decisions are political, but the facts of the matter are that no other NSC regularly included a political strategist. And in those cases where one was invited to meetings (I.e. Axelrod) there was significant consternation. Politics has no role in national security decisions, and past presidencies have borne that out in the constitution of their NSCs. This is a new, and concerning, twist. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Quals: - American citizen - seen a few Administrations - able to read/write/draw my own conclusions about politics, the political establishment, and recognize hypocrisy of whatever political bent. - sadly, the only pilot quals are all too seldom used FAA-issued PPL from some decades ago. Never much of a Heath Ledger/dark Batman genre. And I'd go with this for me over characterization. Since 'facts' are important to you, perhaps you can stick with those in your arguments versus personal attacks. I can play that and am not too shabby at it, but then we become liberals if we stay on that path. I do have standards after all. edited to remove superfluous personal achievement stuff.

It's curious how the past Administration received, largely, a pass here at Baseops due mainly to the auto-racisim charge that was leveled at dissent. Now that there's a white boy with a bad combover in the seat, it's game on. I am absolutely digging the amount of consternation and gnashing of teeth that this administration is causing on both sides of the political aisle. There have been comments in this thread about how even the GOP greybeards are aghast at Trump & Co. and their nascent methods of governing. The first, obvious question is "How well did those greybeards work out and improve our position at home and abroad?" Oxen are being gored and I am pleased.

The point is Obama is no longer president. The election is over and Hillary is back to giving speeches, probably at exorbitant rates. Yet Republicans continue to lash out against them. For fucks sake, the POTUS thinks the only way he could've possibly lost the popular vote is because the largest voter fraud conspiracy in the history of the U.S. has taken place. It seems the only coherent conservative strategy these days is to be against whatever liberals are for. That is pathetic. This used to be a party run by statesmen with real, achievable policy goals, and the intention of constructively governing. Now it's put a president in power who'd rather listen to Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly than his daily intelligence brief. Just step back and think about that for a minute. The man would rather be consumed by outlandish conspiracy theories than deal with the real day to day crises that regularly come up. And the most outlandish conspiracy theorist of them all now sits at the head of the NSC. Quit whining about Obama. His term is up. Forget Hillary. She lost. Trump won and we should all be watching him like hawks. It may not be end times, but if you are not at least slightly disturbed by a man with Trump's disposition and character in the White House then you are looking in the wrong direction.

I've gotten two issue jackets. The first one (coming up on 3 decades old) was ok but seemed more like plastic. After a few brews at the Falcon Bar (when the falcon was still alive) and feeling like a rich Lt I decided to fork over the $70 so I'd have two jackets. My 1991 Pops original is by far the best. Not sure what they cost now, but I'm sure it's worth it. The second issued jacket (maybe 10 years old) is a little better and had the mods previously only available at Pops but still no comparison.

Regarding the vision tests, this is the best advice anyone can offer. If you want to be a pilot, your eye exam at Wright-Patt is the most important eye exam of your life. Prepare for it. Get examined by a civilian or military doc and figure out if there is ANYTHING wrong with your eyes. If so, fix it if at all possible. I can assure you that if BEEPBEEP had not be so proactive, he would not be heading to UPT today. His work ethic and attitude was the difference in passing and failing. Obviously, some things are not within one's control, but give yourself the best chance possible.

Shithole of an island. Everything worth seeing in Guam can be hit in 3 weeks. After that, it's groundhog day. Be sure to hit up McKrauts for some good German beer! For morning coffee, grab a redeye from Island Girl Coffee n' Quenchers...good scenery there.

My Pops jacket looks exactly like it did 10 yrs ago when I bought it. Had to replace zipper when some of the teeth were ripped out a few years back. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Conversely, having random people not actually qualified in the jet fly with you is a pain in the ass, so no one would bat an eye if you weren't calling to get on the schedule. They're your gate months, do as you wish.

If that's all you're doing, a signed SR Memo would carry more weight and get that info included in the PRF to start with.

LOL. Shack.

David Frum, the author of the Atlantic article is a well known and respected conservative thinker. He was no friend to the Obama administration and has been highly critical of Hillary Clinton. Neither of those two individuals is president right now though. I find it curious how those who defend the Trump administration are so quick to point out that Trumps actions are simply an extension of the precedent set by the previous administration. Obama was highly criticised for what his critics described as an overreach of executive power. A lot of that criticism had merit. So why are Republicans suddenly ok with their guy doing the same thing? Is this the new Republican party? Abandon your principals to put a man who is a Republican only in name into office and hopefully advance your congressional agenda on his coattails? That seems to me to be a potentially treacherous strategy. Isn't it more consistent to be equally critical of the Trump administration for committing the same transgressions as his predecessors, regardless of party affiliation? Democrats could be equally chided for their (unsurprising) adoption of an obstructionist strategy after bashing Republicans for doing the same thing for the past eight years.

Yep, just like David Brooks, Jennifer Rubin, Nicole Wallace, Steve Schmidt, et al. "Highly respected" and "conservative" are not adjectives I would ascribe to Frum or the rest. They, collectively, remind of this guy: as they seek to curry favor with the MSM machine. As to your point of "carrying on Obama's policies," it appears you miss the point. When Barry did it, it never raised the slightest hackle for eight loooooong years. If Trump does it and only after three weeks, it is the End Times. Firing a disobedient acting AG? A dictator. Firing a four-star general who was quoted from off the record conversations and it's ensuring civilian control of the military. Must be nice...

U-2 crossflows come with around 1000 hours from another MWS. T-38 directs go to PIT and act as IPs. A T-1 direct wouldn't be able to go to PIT and wouldn't get the "IP" experience. At least that's the reasoning I was told.

The point is Obama is no longer president. The election is over and Hillary is back to giving speeches, probably at exorbitant rates. Yet Republicans Democrats continue to lash out at everyone who is against them. For fvcks sake, the POTUS Democrats think the only way he they could've possibly lost the popular electoral college vote is because the largest voter fraud influence conspiracy in the history of the U.S. has taken place. It seems the only coherent conservative liberal strategy these days is to be against whatever liberals conservatives are for. That is pathetic. This used to be a party run by statesmen with real, achievable policy goals, and the intention of constructively governing. Now it's put suffering the backlash of a departing president in power who'd rather listen to Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly give Iran ransom money, free terrorists, and offer would-be ISIS fighters jobs than listen to his daily intelligence brief. Just step back and think about that for a minute. The man would rather be consumed by outlandish conspiracy theories giving our enemies billions of dollars, freedom, and jobs than deal with the real day to day crises that regularly come up fact that bad guys aren't going to stop burning people alive if we let them serve us lattes. And the most outlandish conspiracy theorist political failures of them all now sit at the head of the NSC on the sidelines ready to curse the Russians everytime Trump makes a move. Quit whining, about Obama. His Your term is up. Forget Hillary. She lost. Trump won and we should all be watching him like hawks. It may not be is not the end of times, but if you are not at least slightly disturbed by willing to give a man with Trump's disposition and character a chance in the White House, then you are looking in the wrong direction just asking to be miserable for the next 4-8 years, regardless of whether it turns out to be the best 4/8 years in the history of the US, or the worst. Neither one of these paragraphs is accurate. You're too polarized if you think Republicans are the only ones to blame for Trump winning. Yeah, yeah.. Republicans are evil fascists and Democrats are the epitome of good will and love. I should check my straight white male privilege and all that other good stuff..

What does a FAIP have to do with a T-1 direct? Non T-38 UPT guys go to B-2 after their first tour.

Whoops, sorry, I was thinking of KC-135's for some reason because I would likely be going to Altus twice with a short gap in between depending on when the KC-46's arrive. What I meant to say was that likely the person would be going to PIQ twice with an unspecified amount of time in between. I thought the Air Force would try to save costs by streamlining current folks heading to the KC-46 in the near future but I was told that is not the case, mainly because the delivery schedule is an unknown.

Ben Rhodes was the Deputy National Security Advisor.

This story highlights exactly why you don't want high level political figures (like Bannon) involved in national security decisions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/02/04/the-white-house-cabinet-battle-over-trumps-immigration-ban/?postshare=7731486222921115&tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.b20f15d565f1 Good on Sec. Kelly for refusing Bannon's "orders" and using the chain of command (i.e. POTUS). Kelly, Mattis, Tillerson, CJCS, are in the chain of command for their various agencies and departments and all report to the President - Bannon or anyone like him is distinctly not in that chain. Re: Rhodes...call him unqualified if you want, but his portfolio was NATSEC issues based on his role as Deputy National Security Advisor. President Trunp has several of those in his admin and they are all appropriate attendees to NSC meetings and that decision-making process. Not as principals (that would be Flynn), but I'm sure they're in the room and they should be. Unless the President wants to dual-hat Bannon as the National Security Advisor, he has no place on the PC. Unless he's also a deputy NSA or NSC staffer of some kind on top of his role as chief strategist, he shouldn't even be in the room, let alone trying to tell the DHS Secretary what to do. In my opinion, W did this right based on accounts of the process he ran. He had his political folks and his NATSEC folks and they had a bright, clear line between those two portfolios. He, as the President, sat in the middle and over everything and alone or with the VP made the appropriate decisions on if and when politics played a role in national security decision making and vice versa. Now, I think Bush made lots of foreign policy mistakes, but FFS they at least ran the interagency process in a logical, deliberate manner and respected and upheld the institutions that exist solely to help the President succeed.

What? Cite your source. It was quiet on here until I pointed out the silence, then everyone got back on track with the political discussions on the Internet. Prior Admin got lambasted on here on the regular. For example - inept international diplomacy, to firing CC's for their staff's leaks, to overuse of drones, "gun control" was always a big one. Too much zipper-suited-sun-god up in here to go with the "racism" charge and not get demolished with facts and "go for quals." The lack of self-critical political evaluation you're advocating for because you allege the other admin didn't get it is stupendous. But then, ceding 70 years of American leadership abroad doesn't seem like a big deal to you, so I'm not surprised. We'll all see how it goes. I found your latest portrait: