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I love how this is code for "fuck you" around here.

No, He's not. I'm mostly in Karl's camp but the bonus does keep a few people in: fence-sitters and path of least resistance types that might have had an ok opportunity on the outside. More importantly it keeps them (and the ones that would have stayed past initial commitment regardless) predictable for a period of time. Many would 7-day opt a shit deal without a bonus; the bonus eliminates that option by tagging them with an ADSC. I get it; it's cool to talk about how if everything were great in the AF no one would care about the bonus, but that's hyperbole. Our pay/rank system is antiquated. I'm worth more to the AF as an 11F than a similar-aged SkyCop, LRS officer or personellist. So are doctors, lawyers and other career fields that are incentivized. Once the wide-eyed 20-something ideals of slaughtering ISIS and fighting for your country grow old and you've got a family to love and provide for, financial stability and QOL start to trump kicking ass for most. Sure, some (a few) would be overcome with pride to work for our organization if it were really top-notch and they'd do it for pennies on the dollar. Most would not.

Totally agree RAM. I want to be part of a winning organization and if the USAF was one, we would not have a retention problem. But I also understand we've been tasked with "unwinnable" missions. How to reconcile these seemingly incompatible factors? First, a winning organization means one built, soup to nuts, with winning wars as a clear and obvious function. That means rewarding people who are good at the mission, not assuming we're all equal and using non mission factors (party planning, masters, etc.) as delineators. In an ops squadron, my entire day should be focused on refining my lethality, and base agencies should be rated on their ability to support us. For example.... If a short notice deployment pops up and I need a guy to get CATM, CATM should jump through their ass to make it happen and be happy they found a way to enable our mission. That's what a winning organization looks like. One that is focused on successful prosecution of combat, not all the distractions we talk about. Second, if we're given impossible tasks whose pursuit hurt our readiness, I expect LEADERSHIP from the senior ranks to say so. Don't say morale is pretty darn good, say morale is terrible because our political masters have sent us on fools errands without an end state. Have some balls. Risk your career to speak the truth. If the ROE won't let us win, say that too. That is what a winning organization looks like. It's structurally built to incentivize combat success, and it's led by people who care about maintaining that organizational focus. I don't need a bonus, and I'd give up the one I have to work in a winning organization.

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.

Would have been good SAR training if he dumped it in the Potamac and parachuted into S.E. DC or Anacostia. P.J.s going into hostile enviroment especially if they are Republicans. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530AZ using Baseops Network Forums mobile app

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.

Lawfare is a really excellent source for issues like surveillance and unmasking, Rice, Nunes et al and most of the Russia investigation. Highly recommend them. Harvard law professors, Brookings and Hoover think tank folks, very highly informed commentary. In particular, this story about unmasking and what some of the issues might be as well as this related story about the implications of accusing the IC of politically motivated spying. Fair warning: not for millennials who love Snapchat or old farts who are addicted to cable news. Requires actual reading comprehension and a longer attention span.

You're missing the point

I try to take in a variety of news an opinions but has become so bifurcated into ideological sides. The news is supposed to be the 4th estate, the check and balance, the challenge to the government...but it has become a cheerleader to one side or the other. My humble opinion but for all to many years we had only one liberal option with the mainstream media. FoxNews with all their warts and other issues changed the dynamic by offering a conservative slant..then it was Fights on! For many years I kept CNN in my cross check but they have moved farther and farther off the deep end with folks like Don Lemmon. Look no further than the latest issues with Susan Rice, two weeks ago she denied knowing anything about anything related to the leaked intel and the unmasking of Americans. She changed her tune yesterday now that multiple sources reported they have her logs. We do NOT know what happened, but Don Lemon has come out and said he will not report on the Susan Rice situation, while he continues to theorize on Trump "violations". Some of this is caused by the digital news cycle, always trying to be first and over-hype so you can grab headlines. I am far from technology averse, but in the day of the newspaper there was time to dig into a story and at least attempt to get the facts. I am SHOCKED we don't have a Woodward and Bernstein looking into the surveillance claims, if any of this is remotely true, we could have a story to revile Watergate.

You realize this is the business model of every channel on cable right? The popular channels pay for the less popular ones when they're packaged together. No one pays $169 a month for The CW, but it still gets a slice of our subscription by being bundled with the channels peiolw actually do watch. ESPN is in fact by far the #1 cost in any cable bundle, so for those who don't care about sports they're paying quite a bit for that one channel. https://www.cnbc.com/2015/05/06/how-much-would-it-cost-to-get-your-favorite-channels-a-la-carte.html I'm a cable cutter and fully support a la carte channels like HBO that let you pay just for that channel and you can cancel anytime, but your critique could be said of every single cable channel. CNN is hardly unique. FWIW I also never watch cable news and don't have any particular love for CNN. Everyone would be smarter if we read more journalism and watched less "news."

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

That will happen a lot, get used to it. There is no direct line from the recruiting office and a pilots phone, the recruiter will probably just try to enlist you. This board is a great way to start, watch the job announcements come out and when you start your senior year (just my WAG) start calling the numbers on the announcements of places you want to live, even if the announcement is old, they will be able to tell you when the next board is. Get good grades, don't be a douche, pull good wool and it will all work out.

I mean, I hear ya, but honestly you're kidding yourself if you think CNN has some kind of monopoly on bullshit or slanted takes on news events. Your exact same critique could be said of Fox News or MSNBC or a handful of other networks depending on your political views. As another example, probably no one on TV makes me madder than Stephen A. Smith, but I'm not gonna throw the baby out with the bath water. Re: a choice, don't watch cable news at all. Don't watch CNN in particular. Don't pay for a cable bundle. Call your cable company and tell them you want unbundled, a la carte channels, I'm right there with ya on all these points.

Taking away the bonus for pilots wouldn't change a thing. The only people who take the bonus in its current form are those who were going to stay in anyway.

I think you missed the point bro. If the AF worked, there wouldn't be a need for a bonus. It doesn't, so there is. Your hypothetical "we've won so let's return the money" scenario is not what I intended by that comment.

We live in the Misinformation Age, and yes 95% of this nation is stupid. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Someone mentioned over on the navy version of baseops that their T-6 fleet is facing a similar issue, just not to this scale yet. It got to a point that some IP's were at first thinking students were faking hypoxic symptoms to avoid hooking flights that were going bad, but quickly squashed that line of thinking when studs were going to medical after flights and being diagnosed accordingly. I thought UPT T-6's would have the same system but haven't heard anything about it on our side.

The post with the "Ivan" lookin dude is fake, but that was a clear joke post by Homestar...go two posts above his to M2's post for the original picture. The edited Ivan pic is a reference to the movie "Behind Enemy Lines". Edit: As for if the pic of the guy on his radio is legit, I notice he has a pen strap on his left wrist...so inclined to believe the dude was either just flying or likes wearing one like a bracelet at all times for god knows why.

Whatevs, keep rolling back Obamas stupid shit and things will get better, at least in everyone's pocketbook.

Gulf War I is a pretty good starting point.

I don't understand your actual issue besides "finance screwed me" Finance doesn't "pay out combat tax free." The Federal government doesn't withhold taxes for the months you're eligible for combat zone tax exclusion. If the corrected W2 shows how much tax the Feds actually withheld then it is in fact a 1 for 1 substitution (or will be as soon as you file your 2016 tax return) which is due in 10 days. You do know that it's called a tax refund for a reason? You get back any taxes you overpaid the previous year. In 2016 you overpaid-blame finance, I understand-but you get it back. It didn't disappear Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

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.

Huggy is on to something.

May I ask why you want to join the military as a pilot?

And she/he/it is relatively correct. MSNBC (with it's own cast of tax scofflaws - I'm looking at you Al Sharpton, to name just one) can publish nearly whatever they want. But somebody leaked the partial return which wound up in the bearded never gets laid reporter who gave them to Madcow. That person or persons committed a felon. Which is my point - if next time it's yours or mine, will the rest of you be fine with that? To have the IRS continue to work for one ideology and/or party as part of it did in the Lois Lerner fiasco? This is out in the street ugly not just, in my mind, the usual political shenanigans.

What was up with that memo (rumor?) about no longer being able to opt out of a deployment due to retirement or separation once you have already been tagged with it even if it extends past your eligibility window for retirement or separation? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Alpha, There is some great advice and pros/ cons posted for you here in this thread. I'm just going to pile-on to share my take and opinion since I wasted 20 minuted trying to remember my login password. These are very important decisions that you will need to make and you really should give it very serious consideration. Like others have said, if she is The One, you probably need to put a ring on it. The difference between GF and wife in the military is huge. If she is The One, she deserves to be treated as such especially as you guys enter the military and UPT training. Don't leave her out of this incredible part of your life together. If she is The One, she needs to be prepared to move or drop her school and accompany you. This will become the norm and be one of many sacrifices that she will make. If she is The One, then both of you will be better served by being married and supporting each other though the challenge of UPT and beyond. If she is The One, UPT will be just Chapter One. You can't read a great book and skip the first chapter. Determining whether she truly is The One is obviously the difficult decision that you need to make. If she is The One, then UPT, FTU, your first assignment, your many TDYs/ deployments, you last assignment, the missed Xmas'- birthdays- anniversary's- births- etc, your follow on career, your retirement, and happily ever after's will all be separate chapters in this book of life together. Embrace it...together. While an aspiring young fighter jock can only focus on the near rocks...some of the crusty old dudes here will give you valuable perspective on the far rocks. The comaraderie, experiences, and stories that you will gain from the USAF as a pilot are invaluable. Likewise, the USAF will F¥CK you over repeatedly due to its own bureaucratic ineptitude and failed policies. You will embrace your military service for the rest of your life. Your stories will be a source of pride. Your experiences will be your treasures that you will share repeatedly and joyfully. But, the USAF will very likely be a shorter part of your life than you can imagine now at your young life of about 22 years. I promise that your family is undoubtedly far more valuable than the USAF could ever hope to be. u Chang. This forum has centuries of experience amongst its users. If it wasn't for Hacker and his early internet blog (Road to Wings- pre Bops) I might not be here. You'll get all sorts of perspectives and stories and they each bring such value. There is no right or wrong answer for your situation; the right answer is the one that you decide and act upon, after thorough careful considerations. Here's my story in a shell- My wife and I met when we were too young to drive. After high school, our sporadic younger flings became serious and we took our relationship to a commited level. I felt that she could be The One and acted on it. Together, we spent the next 8 years beginning a life together starting with absolutely nothing but each other. I worked on cars putting myself through college and flight school. My wife and I were a team and she stood by my side, while everyone else mocked my dreams. With toddler age children, I finished college and flight school while working full time and supporting my young family. I poured everything that I had into my OCS (OTS to be correct) package and prayed that I did well enough to be accepted. Thankfully, I knew that if I was not accepted, I had my family and passion to succeed in life however that deck was dealt. I was accepted and obviously my family continued to support me through OTS/ UPT. I absolutely couldn't imagine not having them by my side through training. The hardest challenge that I faced was being away from my family for OTS. UPT was not a problem especially with the support structure that my family provided me. Having young kids allowed me to occasionally disconnect from UPT and training to enjoy life a little bit. That mental break is crucially important. With their support and understanding of my studies, I did very well and finished at the top of my class. I went on to fly fighters and did well. Sadly, I spent many fighter TDYs partying like a young single fighter pilot and I regret that to this day. Why? Because the fighter jet came and went. Guess what stuck with me through thick and thin? Yep. I also saw many fly-by-night marriages that lasted a year or two at best. The military isn't going to take you to great locales...your hometown with your hometown HS sweetheart may be better than some would lead to believe. Fast forward a decade and some... The USAF is lost and spatially D'd. After hundreds of days deployed over non-stop bursts and being sick of the politically correct, social experiment that has become the US military, I punched out of AD. While I cherish my experiences, friendships, and stories, this was such a wise move for both my career and family. Remember the book of life that I spoke of? I'm barely into Chapter 7 now. I left AD and worked for a crazy outfit building crazy airplanes for a while while prioritizing my family. After realizing that my book might end abruptly, I decided that an airline career was a wise choice. 15 years ago I was the most determined wannabe fighter jock in the world. Now I'm a much wiser airline pilot and my family couldn't be happier. I couldn't be happier. I love my wife and she loves me. My kids love me and I would do anything in the world for them. I just took one to college and couldn't be prouder of the young man that my wife, errr.... we raised. I now spend so much time with each and every one of them. So much time. I look forward to every day not because I want to fly to Hawaii or DC, but because of the time that I can spend with those that really matter to me. Aside from a few disturbed weekends here and there, the USAF is nothing but great stories and memories about a time gone by. So...embrace your future. It's amazing and you should be thrilled. You should be proud. If this GF is serious, and you are too, don't exclude her because of cold feet or indecision. If you want to be a fighter pilot then learn now how to be decisive. My story is just one of many. Use the info that you have. And now I'm that I'm out of beer...