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The military retention problem will end as soon as our entire defense establishment shows senior CGOs and junior FGOs that it cares about ONE THING ONLY: WINNING. I'm talking everything from MWS selection, development, fielding, and utilization. All the personnel woes. Training for combat in a way that matters, and recognizing those who do well. Executing our mission in ways which is meaningful, in conflicts chosen smartly / fought smartly / with an end state actually in mind (and attainable). MAKE US WIN AGAIN AND WE WILL WORK FOR FREE. I WANT TO PLAY FOR A WINNING TEAM, but more importantly, I WANT TO PLAY FOR A TEAM THAT CARES ABOUT WINNING. Seriously, it's that simple.

PG county is no joke. These pix went out on twitter and I'm pretty sure they're not our guy. He spent very little time "isolated". Edit to add: local news is running with the pictures, so at least they think they're legit.

Every military pilot wannabe on every JQP post/Baseops thread who is trying to get into the AF doesn't realize that the AF has NO problems getting people in. For years, Big Blue has had the pick of the litter for the best UPT applicants through OTS, ROTC and USAFA. All the OTS guys and gals going through my UPT base have all had a ton of flying experience, impressive school and extracurricular records and many had experience in the defense industry. Had one chick who was literally a rocket scientist. It isn't a recruiting issue. It's easy to find a 22 year old with a college degree who wants to get paid to see the world and fly fast in the most advanced aircraft the world has. The AF just can't keep them after they see the price tag and the other crap they will have to put up with for the other 98% of their career. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Can confirm pilot is safe

Hey guys, Great news! I was selected to go to UPT! thanks for all the help!

I would second what Duck said with a small addition...your class can make a horrible place awesome. You'll be spending a lot of time around these folks for 1-2 years, even more so if you all get along and hang out outside of training. Even the worst sh!tholes can produce a good time with a good group. Obviously you can't chose your classmates, but just something to keep in mind if/when you get a less than desirable UPT base Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Laughlin: Pros: 1 on 1 personal relationships with instructors (too soon?) Cons: can't go to Mexico and there is literally nothing there Columbus: Pros: SEC football everywhere you turn (Starkville, T-Town) Cons: none Vance: Pros: OKC in driving distance Cons: it's in Oklahoma Sheppard: Pros: all Studs fly 38s Wichita Falls is probably the "best" town of the UPT bases (not saying much) 2 hours from Dallas, drivable to Austin Cons: all Studs fly 38s Assignments are feast/famine at times (shock absorber for AFPC) In ROTC I remember getting a dream sheet and even a space for reasoning why I wanted to go where. Sheppard/ENJJPT is a separate selection board that you volunteer for. Bottom line it really doesn't matter where you go to UPT unless you FAIP. We also have guys who are moving bases halfway through as part of the influx plan to maximize the SPs through the pipeline. So there is always the slim chance you influx to Sheppard at some point, but unlikely with the T-6s being maxed out soon. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

You must sit in a different queue than I do. Main gate from 1530-1730 is gridlocked. I don't even try to leave during this time window as it takes me 45-60 minutes, without fail, and I'm east of the bridge. I will say that the morning traffic is almost non-existent now (precluding accidents) most days regardless of time. The evening traffic is atrocious. To put it into perspective, it takes me 15 minutes door-to-door during the wee hours in the morning or if I flew the midnight land time sortie. Here's to hoping that the OR survey will yield improved traffic flow.

Absolute lie. Prior to the overpass it could take 30 minutes just to get off the base, now traffic flows off base, the issue is the merge onto highway 98 and the fact that the lights are not synchronized on highway 98. That being said the state is wrapping up a multi-million dollar study and effort to synchronize the lights on highway 98 which will have a big impact. Regardless, from Hurlburt to the far west side of Holley by the Sea is 30 minutes, 40 on a bad day. Other things to consider: 1. Schools - FWB school are ungood. Some of the elementary schools are good but overall FWB schools get a 6 out of 10 rating. Navarre and Niceville are ranked much higher, both have incredible sports programs which act as a pipeline to some great schools (UNC, Auburn, Miami, Harvard to name a few recent scholarships). Niceville has a better AP program and there is a really good charter school in Okalossa County. I won't post all the details but we have been exceptionally happy with the Navarre schools. 2. Housing - As discussed the FWB homes are much older (1970's), so for the price you won't get the modern conveniences many folks want (big closets, granite counters, three car garages), unless it is a remodel. There is a LOT of new construction in Navarre so you are far more likely to find or built something to suit your tastes. 3. Crime - All three areas have seen a spike in petty crime and drug usage, FWB is having some gang issues. 4. Water Sport - Standby pointed out that he likes to go deep sea fishing, that is a tougher prospect in Navarre because you have to go to Destin (nightmare traffic in the summer with all the tourists). There used to be a pass through the barrier islands to the Gulf of Mexico but it was filled in by a hurricane many years ago. Newly elected Congressman Matt Gaetz just sponsored legislation to reopen the pass. If it is approved it will certainly change the dynamic of Navarre and already increasing home values will go much higher...something to consider as you invest in a home.

Some units will let you apply as an undergraduate, so long as you're able to fulfill the degree requirement before UPT. Each unit has different requirements, but I have seen a few that will accept packages from applicants with as little as 90 credit hours. Check unit websites and go through their application package requirements, usually there is a section that will detail that bit of information for you. I'm in a similar age situation, and not expecting to graduate until I'm nearly 29, but I will be sending applications out as early as next semester.

Can't confirm 100% but pretty sure this ones legit Also, do Viper guys not usually carry cell phones? Bone guys usually do and have used them in similar situations. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Embarrassed to this day the Navy ever participated in the making of that movie. Here comes Sasha. Glad he was able to step out of the jet and take his exit. ATIS

Thanks all. This thread's turned into a goldmine of info and addressed questions I didn't even know I had. It's good to have the diverse expertise of the BODN community to lean on. I think we've narrowed our search on Navarre, Niceville, and possibly Gulf Breeze. Thx again!

Homeowners insurance rates are very high in Florida, particularly if you live in a hurricane storm surge/flood zone. Property elevation/location/type construction is critical in reducing insurance costs. Note; A Cat 3 hurricanes will flood portions of HWY 98 (expect large sections of HWY 98 and other costal roads to be washed out), all of Okaloosa Island and Navarre Beach will be underwater, expect some of the bridges to be taken out and even areas way back in the bayous will get about 15 feet of tidal surge. https://www.floridadisaster.org/publicmapping/ A wind mitigation Inspection will save you big bucks on insurance. Look for these construction features (Hip roof and roof covering are the biggest money savers). Note; Two story houses will suffer significantly more wind damage on the second floor (more exposure to the wind) then a single story house, particularly if the second story house is surrounded by single story homes. Trees; you don't want any large trees within striking distance on the east side of your home. https://www.floridacentralhomeinspections.com/content/how-can-wind-mitigation-inspection-save-you-insurance Roof Covering: inspectors want to know when the roof was installed and does if it meets building codes. In Florida, the code standard was updated in 2001. Roof Deck Attachment: inspectors will determine what type of roof decking is used and how it’s attached to the underlying structure, like if it’s nailed or stapled down. If nails are used, nail length and spacing between each will also be noted. Roof to Wall Attachment: the roof attachments become the focus here: are trusses attached with nails or hurricane clips? Are the wraps single or double? The more secure your roof, the better impact on your wallet! Roof Geometry: is your roof hip or not? Nope, the inspector won’t care how cool it is, just how it’s shaped - a hip roof resembles that of a pyramid, and is a definite qualifier for a discount. Gable End Bracing: if the roof is a gable style, an inspector will review if the gable ends are braced to Florida Building Code standards. Gable ends measuring more than 48 inches tall should be braced for reinforcement, and inspectors will be checking for this qualification for discount. Wall Construction Type: Inspectors will review the construction materials used on your home for framing, reinforcement, and outer fascia, and at what percentages. Steel reinforced concrete block homes may yield a better discount than one with a plywood-only frame and plastic siding. Secondary Water Barrier: This is a newer item for roofs. If your roof was installed or upgraded before 2008, it’s fairly unlikely you’ll have this sort of barrier. As with most newer features, photo documentation, at a minimum, will be required for a discount in this area. Opening Protection: Here, inspectors are looking for shutters and installed-protection devices from wind-born debris for doors and windows. They will also be checking the rating of the devices, if you have them (as in- are they hurricane-rated?). 100% of all openings need to be covered with Hurricane rated protection to qualify for this discount.

Did you just like your own post?

Hell, even pre-overpass I never had huge issues with traffic on the aircrew schedule. Coming in at 0430 for a first-go, no traffic. Flew a third-go last night and coming in closer to 0930, no traffic. No matter what shift I flew I'd try to never leave between 1545 and 1715, which was easily achievable, and would also result in no traffic.* *no traffic = minimal/reasonable, no more than a normal populated area Post overpass I don't drive it every day but I visit frequently and I say it's helped noticeably in terms of both getting on base in the morning and well as getting off base in the afternoon. I thought Navarre was great for family life for all the reasons others have said: more house for the money, new construction available if desired, better schools, closer to Pensacola, Navarre beach was always more enjoyable and less crowded than Destin or Okaloosa Island. It's truly a Hatfields vs McCoy's on west-of-base vs east-of-base. Pros and cons to both for sure. My best advice for HRT inbounds is to live directly on the water if you can afford it. A friend of mine has a great setup where you can launch SUPs, kayaks and jet skis directly from his dock and you're smiling 30 seconds later. I've been on the water more in the handful of times I've visited him than the 4+ years I lived in NWFL simply do to zero barriers to entry for water activities. I lived about 1 mile from amazing white sand beaches but went far less often than you'd think.

You get BAH from departing base. Source: I once did a PCS with a TDY en route once. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Main gate sucks if you try to head to Navarre at 1630. 1730? Hardly any traffic. The overpass helped traffic flow off base a little but it helped FWB through traffic a lot. That being said Navarre isn't exciting, but pcola has quite a bit to offer and the Navarre Beach is never packed. You can get more home for your money and the town is trying to bring in more businesses. To each their own however. 98 sucks either way you go. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

PCS w/TDY en route and gov't quarters are directed at TDY location (less than 20 week course).. do I still draw BAH from the PDS I left? JTR Table 10E-12 Rule 1 says I do but footnote 1 says "The member is not authorized BAH/OHA if assigned Gov’t Qtrs adequate for the member (and dependent(s) if applicable). Start BAH/OHA effective the date of Qtrs termination, if applicable.".

I used to leave the HQ building and it would take 6-7 iterations of the light just to turn left onto Cody from Independence, then another 5-6 minutes to get off base. Now you can get onto independence in 1/3 the time. The current issue is the merge mainly because of the light at Whispering Pines. After that light I can usually do 65-70MPH until just before Walmart where again the traffic lights are not synced. Last week was different because it was Springbreak, but I left the 19th SOS at 1630 and pulled into my driveway at 1654. As you pointed out, the overpass almost completely cured the morning commute.

If it's the dream, absolutely go all in - AD / AFRES / ANG. Since you're currently USAF, you understand some of the pain associated with life on AD, and these boards are full of legitimate (and sport bitching) gripes from AD flyers. By all accounts, the best QoL with least amount of queep or pain would be a stand alone ANG or Reserve unit that isn't integrated with AD. But you can't just send an application in to them and expect to be hired. You need to visit the unit during drill weekends. Find out who their hiring POC is and figure out how and when to visit. Get to know them, let them see you're not a douche (don't act like a douche). Do this for multiple units. Find out when they're hiring and who to contact about it by visiting some of the websites that specialize in tracking that stuff...you can find the info on them here on Baseops. I think there's a new one that recently launched that has all the upcoming hiring board info (Bogidope?) But also put applications in to AD for a slot. Cast the net wide as I've said before. You'll undoubtedly find people who will tell you no or you're too old or whatever to discourage you. Screw them. Find someone else and keep at it until you find the right path. And the right path is most likely whichever path leads to a pilot training slot soonest. And since age is becoming an issue for you, try to transfer to complete the degree sooner. As for USN and USMC, that's a whole different rodeo. Significantly different lifestyle than AF. Read up on what some Marine guys on here have to say about flying there. Good luck!

Gentleman, I apologize for derailing the thread. All I meant was that one cannot control what happens to something once it leaves your possession and direct control, it is unfortunate and wrong that these women were taken advantage of and exploited, hopefully they will be more careful in the future. I definitely don't view women this way, it was a poorly constructed post meant to demonstrate personal accountability, however I did not take into consideration my audience and how words, thoughts or ideals will translate over the internet on a forum, especially when using less than professional vocabulary. It was not meant to be literal or a reflection of my character or person, more about what folks will do, that you can't control. I sincerely apologize for any alarm this caused. Please forgive me for making a mistake that I certainly will not repeat in the future, hope you all have a great day. Redshift, is hooking south for green vector.

The greatest movie of all time. Harrumph!

Yup, just e-mail the hiring board a picture of your package and go from there!

she probably doesn't like the way it makes you look in her skirts.

Written by a retired Navy female O-5... Newsflash - Growing a friggin' mustache is not disrespectful of women. Here's an idea for the ladies: Start your own harmless, one-month-out-of-the-year tradition that is exclusionary toward men. Make it your unspoken-but-visible "FUCK YOU!" to the leadership/management, just like the original intent of Mustache March. Stop acting like the powerless, spoiled children you claim you're not, and start acting like the strong professional adults you claim to be. EDIT: add quote

I'm a trougher in the Reserves, and NO, people aren't pulling down 50K 'easy'. The previous poster caveat was that his unit has an alert commitment. He also is still in training, so he's going by what his bubbas at the unit are selling him. A year makes a lot of difference between what they tell you is the case when you interview and what the overarching reality is when you work that first day after MQT nearly 2 years later. At any rate, alert commitments, full time support of AD MAJCOM contingencies et al, allow a healthy money pot to be accessible to the supporting RC units and their members. This is not the case for all tanker/fighter units though. Your financial success as a bum will be directly dependent upon the airframe you fly, the mission assigned within that airframe, the amount of other bums in your unit attempting to do what you're doing at the same time, the state of affairs among the airline crowd (the furloughed O-4/5s) and your willingness to be away from home to get paid. The best way to find that information out is to talk to the bums in your unit and getting the skinny. The money may be skosh and that sure as hell should be a consideration prior to getting into said unit. Bumming is not for the faint of heart. In general you'll make around 60-70% of what your regAF counterpart gets paid and you'll put more days a month than they do. Multiple weekends a month is not out of the ordinary. There's no sick leave or worker's comp. You get sick a week and can't fly/show up? You don't get paid period. It's freelance work at its rudest. 60% of senior Capt doesn't sound bad, 60% of 2LT and now you're grazing non-technical hourly wages at the local factory, and you're a freggin' mil pilot. I've known Viper pilots do the mexican house antic, 3 to a house 'cause one works for Eagle and makes jack, the other can't get Lowes to take him seriously when he puts -16 driver on his resume, and neither can get a cotton-pickin' manday at the unit. Now, all that said, none of us had to ask for a day off to go off to wherever for a week. Every day you're unemployed is a day you have off, so might as well look at it glass half-full. As a bum, you're getting paid in the ability to say NO to the AD BS. You know, relocations, deployments and disco-belt shenanigans. Now, with the advent of TFI even that apparent benefit seems to no longer hold true, but I'll leave that out of the scope of this thread. Historically, fighter guys have a tough time getting enough days out of the unit to bum successfully. Getting on full time orders for a year to go to asscrackistan doesn't count as bumming either. Bumming is how much money you can pull without having a civilian job and no continuous orders over 30 consecutive days (hence no paid tricare, no leave accrual, no BAH type I). MQT is also not bumming. Everybody gets UPT, FTU, MQT (to varying degrees). Bumming starts when your unit starts feeding you out of their RPA pot and not on the AD MAJCOM MPA money (i.e. the devil's money). I made 45K taxable income last year, which is probably closer to 50K when accounting for the fact that my mil pay include tax-free fractionals of BAH and BAS. That was working 2-3 weekends a month, 3-4 mandays a week (which is way above average to the Guard weekly allowance), averaging about 2-4 more days a month at work than my regAF buddies. For my rank that's about 65% of what they make. I wouldn't call this 'easy' money. Conversely, one of my squadron mates, higher rank by about 1.5 years, spends half his year playing warrior with PACAF and is on full time orders for the duration of that stint. Great, that kid probably pulled about 65-70K. But he was gone as much as his regAF counters were and they still outearned him by about 10%, and they got more leave and medical allowance than he did. So as you can see it's a scale and not a set number. I made 65% and got to carnally know my wife on my own time and when it damn well pleased me. He made 90% and was gone more than AD and missed Thanksgiving, Xmas, the anniversary and Easter, and I sure hope nobody got to carnally know his pretty thing of a wife in his absence; and this is as a "Reservist" mind you. That opportunity cost sucks in my book, but to each their own. So I do think it's possible to clear 45-50K as an LT bumming, but it's burning weekends, and may be outright impossible in units without a decent money pot or with too many bums fighting for the same money. At that point it becomes a choice of either accepting being gone to get paid, or not. Which is kinda AD in nature, and that's really not why I got into the Reserves for. YMMV. If I were you I would do myself a favor and do a long-term look and gut check as to why you would want to pursue bumming. My experience is that long term, bumming outright sucks as a financial plan and is a bad idea. The vast majority of us are doing this to get in line for a full-time position at the unit because we value homesteading and it's probably the only other way we're going to attain a six figure income after vesting our lives into a particular profession in some of the garden variety Guard/Reserve locales where these units are located at. Locations where outside of niche fields or medical, people ain't making jack for money. Alternatively, some people bum to offset an eroding airline industry, either following a furlough or anticipating one. Whatever the situation, all these men and women have probably agreed said status would be temporary. I know too many folks getting into the unit behind me come with expectations of 250K houses and $1000 between two car payments, snicker and pant heavily at the indignity of attempting to fulfill these "expectations" on the grace of whatever bumming they could get out of the unit. That's nothing but piss poor planning. So most do an honest assessment of how long they would be willing to bum for, and if financial landscapes do not change within the time their household could have a tolerance for bumming, they opt out or pursue civilian employment elsewhere and usually leave the unit for another unit closer to the civi employer where they could still min run and get their 48 UTA, 48 TPs and 14/15 AT. I suggest you do that math TODAY versus the day you start bumming at the squadron and your wife gets indignated 'cause your 'job' ain't bringing in half what y'all need to be set like she thought life after college "is supposed to be". That full time job may come in two years, or it could take upwards of five and now you're behind the eight ball financially compared to your age peer group, and your wife is pissed. Good luck to you.

I've received feedback that I need to talk more about who I am as a person rather than what I've done. How would you guys approach this?