Leaderboard

If any 09 guys are looking for a push line for there PRF. #1 choice for Delta or SWA! Name is a proven cmbt pilot and exceptional ldr; DNP, offer CJO & make FO this board! Edit: UAL or AA or anyone else as you see fit to fill the white space. Sent from my iPad using Baseops Network Forums

TL;DR: We like to think that pilots have to run the Air Force, but they got us into this mess. What other conclusion is left to be drawn? With very few exceptions, the Air Force is helmed up and down the chain by pilots. Groups, wings, NAFs, MAJCOMs, staff positions, functionals, CAOC spots, deployed units, IGs... Lots and lots of pilots. Who is responsible for the failings of an organization if not for the leaders? How many excuses are we supposed to make for them? And let's not play the "good dude" game either. Being a successful organizational leader is not about how fun you were to drink with 10 years ago, or how sh*t-hot you were in the jet, or how much you "get it" when you're having a closed door town hall with a random unit in their bar heritage room. There is only one measure-- how is the organization doing. The examples are legion. I'll give a few that have, over the years, stood out as very distilled, specific instances of poor leadership. 1. DV visits. If I had a dollar for every DV that said they didn't want the base to stop doing it's mission to prepare for their arrival after they arrived, you'd think I was paying my way through medical school the old fashioned way. If you can't fathom the way your rank and position affect your subordinates in an organization you've been a part of for 30+ years, on what planet should you be leading it? Can we all just finally admit that yes, they do want it? They like it a lot. Even if not for themselves, then for what they believe the military should look like. But most likely because that type of treatment is addictive. Name one theory of leadership taught in any level of PME that promotes the type of behavior we see when senior leaders visit a base. Did they skip those classes? Because I have a f*cking masters degree in it from ACSC. 2. We have been at the Deid since what? 2002? I have no clue. A long time. And of those years, every. single. summer. has been excruciatingly hot. Yet somehow, despite there being an airport right down the road in the exact same climate with hundreds of flights per day, leadership at AUAB has not figured out how to get every plane suitable air conditioning for the preflight. Seriously? Some flight doc measured the internal surfaces of the aircraft at over 160F, and the air temp inside a boom pod at over 140. This isn't a war against the Axis in an austere location, it's normal ops. If you can't look at that as a leader (and one who has flown planes!) and deduce that there should be adequate cooling for the aircraft... RyanAir is the human equivalent of a Pakistani poultry trailer without the rights activists, yet they manage to keep the planes cool on the ground. Oh, and let's not forget about the black mold that no leader saw fit to address until Congress heard about it. 3. Of course, the pilot crisis. And not that it happened, not the years of neglect that led up to it, not the countless forums and round-tables, and hangar-flies that went ignored, while the CGO/Maj force screamed for attention. I actually understand how we got to where we are today. What I don't get is how now that the problem exists, announced, published, and even presented to congress, how can we still be bungling the response? This thread is proof. Changes to the promotion process? Secret. Timeline? Mystery. People who apply for the bonus early? Gotcha! I'm not saying pilots can't make great organizational leaders. I'm sure some are great. But we have two things to compare: A. That a war-fighting organization can be effectively led by selecting from a small percentage of the overall population (pilots) those who demonstrate over the first half of their career a talent for paperwork, physical fitness, administrative tasks, and personal presentation, but who generally have little to no experience leading people until squadron command. This, as of today, is an unproven theory. B. That a war-fighting organization led by a small percentage of the overall population (pilots) who demonstrated over the first half of their career a talent for paperwork, physical fitness, administrative tasks, and personal presentation, but who generally have little to no experience leading people until squadron command, will crumble under external pressures, e.g., Congressional inquiries, workforce competition, etc. This, as of today, is supported by the evidence. If pilots make such great organizational leaders, I'd love to see it. Check rides aren't graded on who had the best attitude. I'd rather choke that go through it, but I'm guessing WIC grads, the best of our pilots, didn't get their patch because they filled out the 781s better than anyone else. No one cares how your flight suit looks if you show up the the ARCP late. The flying world, last I checked, prides itself of results-based assessment, yet when it comes to leading the organization, we abandon the principal for proclamations of past dudeliness... At some point we have to assign responsibility. If you want to say that it's just because we are picking the wrong pilots for the job, fine, but guess what? Pilots are the ones doing the picking. Pilots are the ones who have signed off on our ludicrous promotions system. Pilots are the ones standing by silently while the legal system is twisted to suit the preferences of a vindictive wing commander. Pilots are the ones telling congress it's pretty darn good. Pilots are the ones telling young captains to quit if they don't like it, someone will gladly replace them. Please, tell me why I'm wrong.

At this point I am willing to pay the AF. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

An article on the AF portal has been updated with the O-4 board public release date: 18 July. The AFPC website has not been updated as of an hour ago. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

So I've been trying to figure out my pay during OTS, UPT, and as a traditional reservist. Forgive me if some of these questions sound dumb, coming from the civ word and still figuring out the mil pay structure. Wondering If any one still in UPT, or just finished could give me an idea to some of the questions below. My civ employer offer's differential pay for long term and short term deployments. They consider anything under 30 days short term and over 30 days extended. They only pay dif pay for 12 months of any extended deployment. Question: Will OTS and UPT be separate orders? Or will I be considered "deployed" from day 1 of OTS until I become a traditional reservist? To take advantage of this benefit I need to submit a LES, is that the mil version of a monthly pay statement? Also what is pay like throughout UPT? I've looked at the pay charts and know basic pay for a O-1 is roughly 36k a year. But what else it included, like Basic Allowance for Subsistence? or Aviation Career Incentive Pay? Whats pay like for a fresh Lt after a 2 week TDY? For the dif pay stated above, they only allow 30 days of short term deployment dif pay in any calendar year. I suspect (or at least hope) I will be flying more than 30 days a year, so i'm trying to figure out if a 2 week TDY is comparable to half a months salary for me. Thanks in advance for any input from the guys that have recently done this. I'm just trying to get ahead of what the situation financially will be before i step into training and start going full speed.

The shiny pennies are still getting chosen at the majors board. They just aren't releasing the results to you anymore. There's still a list. Believe it.

WSO, but I was the #1 "P" and I made it. Dammit, responding eleven years later. That's what I get for using my phone instead of a computer.

Don't, at least wait until the families have been notified, same especially goes for Facebook.

While I am sorry my 08 bros have to wait, if they are indeed getting rid of "school selects" then me says that is a very positive change in terms of promotion and career progression. It may eliminate the unnecessary box checking leading up to majors board (exec, moving jobs every 6-9 months) and otherwise polluting the time of a critical demographic in the squadrons. Instead, hopefully we can spread out the "leadership selection" over several years and maybe find better leaders, possibly "late bloomers." I'm for it!

At this rate people will pin on before the results even come out.

The 133rd ARS is hiring SUPT Pilots (Non-Rated) for to fly the KC-46A. Minimum requirements include a bachelors degree, AFOQT/TBAS, and start pilot training before reaching the age of 30. View more detailed info about the board and further requirements at https://www.157arw.ang.af.mil/Units/157th-Operations-Group/133rd-Air-Refueling-Squadron/

Well, as we all know, step #1 is recognizing you have a problem. This will be interesting to see play out. Prior to this the O-4 board has represented a giant off-ramp with limited opportunities to regain professional traction. Hopefully this changes things. But, as General Goldfein notes, I am skeptical the Air Force can pull it off.

Doesn't show at all Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Mk 82s and a mini-gun...not what I had pictured for light attack but sign me fvck the up.

I thought the Amelia Earhart documentary was well done and informative. Felt like I was well researched. Makes ya wonder. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

That's the sad thing, to me decoupling school selection from the O-4 board could be a good development. The problem is that the AF has done a shitty job of explaining any potential change, selling their folks on why the new policy is better, and communicating a timeline for change which they intend to live by. In other words, big surprise... /sarcasm

Tragic. God Speed brothers/sisters

Was in the C-130H...so many issues there with proficiency and MX rates, in the J now and life is much better.

While laying blame for the entire crisis, please keep in mind that not all pilots that fly fighters are fighter pilots. And most of those clowns get promoted on up.

I agree with everything you said except blaming it on pilots. Shoeclerks and weakling leaders are responsible for ruining the Air Force, and "shoe clerk" is independent of AFSC. Some of the best and worst leaders I've seen have been Pilots. Many of the issues I have with the Air Force is the lack of mission focus, where the CE commander whining that we aren't doing enough Chem gear exercises takes place over the OG advocating for the flying that should take place while copilots and half the IPs can't land the airplane. In my opinion, the pilot corps has been neutered. It's not about fly fight and win anymore. It's about political correctness, queep and BS that has nothing to do with flying. In an organization charged with flying airplanes into combat, who else do you suggest lead the Air Force? I don't think pilots are the issue.

Oh badass, I'm a millennial too. Can I get some avocado toast? I'm gonna take it all back and be a libtard millenial. I own it so what big whoop, wanna fight about it?

I think that Lord Ratner is hitting center of mass on this one but with one exception: the bureaucracy has become so stifling that even the best-intentioned leaders are struggling to make a difference. I do not blame pilots. A bunch of MSG Colonels and Generals wouldn’t do any better. Exhibit A: When Gen Welsh was appointed CSAF everyone was fired up about him righting the ship. By most accounts people were disappointed. I think it was death by a thousand cuts once the bureaucracy got it hands on him. And by bureaucracy I mean HAF, SAF, OSD, and Congress. Having seen these monstrous staffs from the fringe I can't imagine how we accomplish anything.

The best leadership for the Air Force is rooted in the pilot community....unfortunately "most" of the best pilot leaders are in the guard already or not on a path in the AD system to be in control. Sad fact, the system doesn't promote the best leaders into leadership...which is why you see the kid who got picked on his whole life until he figured out that he could join the USAF, fill some squares and be the mfwic. Most of the great pilots and bros I respected when I was a LT are gone...many of the ones I saw as ass-kissing careerist, risk adverse square fillers are now the decision makers you are blaming for the USAF woes. There are still some great ones though. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

I agree that it is the right direction I'm just a little disappointed that there was no attribution to Lt Col Raible.

You could also do it the way my SQ/CC handled our assignments back in the B Course: "Here's the assignments. You guys are grown men, figure out a fair way to pick who goes where. If I hear any arguing, you're all going to Korea." Good to be a Guard guy. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

122FS (F-15C) is having a board during October drill (13-15 Oct) by invitation. Please see the LA ANG is hiring thread for details and drill dates for visits. We have openings for experienced as well as UPT hopefuls!

Masked... other than the 25 Maj OPRs in your record.

17-11 4 x B-52 WSO 1 x B-52 EWO 2 x RC-135 Nav 4 x RC-135 EWO 1 x AC-130W CSO Cannon 1 x AC-130J CSO (only the second time this has dropped, other was 17-01) 4 x F-15E WSO 1 x B-1 WSO 2 x LC-130 Nav NY Guard 1 x MC-12 CSO OK Guard 1 x HC-130J CSO AK Guard

I am sure many have done better than me at UPT and many have also done worse, so FWIW here is the advice from an "old" ANG Captain that got tankers on track select night: You have got to want to be there! I know this sounds stupid, but you would be amazed at how quickly the "new" wears off and people start b1tching about UPT. The same thing happens right before assignment night - people forget just how lucky they are to be flying ANYTHING in the AF. Thus, you get someone literally CRYING IN PUBLIC about getting an A-10 instead of an F-15. WTF!? Anyway, I digress. You must be willing to put in the work. That means generally no Halo marathons, no drunken parties during the week, and no constant jabbering to your girlfriend who is 1200 miles away. At least during the week. I'll get to weekends later. Remember why you are at UPT - to learn to fly AF airplanes. There is only a finite amount of time in the day, and if you don't prioritize it well (see my examples above) you won't do well at UPT. You have to be consistent with your work ethic. There are TONS of things that need to be done on a daily basis. Academic exams, EPQs, stand-up, briefings, plus usually 2 or 3 actual flights per day. Toss a checkride in every few weeks just for fun. In order to keep everything straight, you MUST keep your nose to the grind stone. For me, I spent at least 2 hours a night studying (except Friday and Saturday). I would get home, spend 1-2 hours with the wife (eat dinner, walk the dog, f*ck, whatever) then study for 2 hours, shower, and go to bed at 10pm. Up at 5am and repeat. EVERY NIGHT. For the entire year. There is no shortage of things to study, so you must study/read something every night just to keep up. If not, you will get behind quickly and the pace of UPT is such that once you're in a hole in one area it is very difficult to recover (to the point where you do well vs. just getting by). I will caveat this by saying that you need to study and work hard, but don't panic about it. There were many nights that involved a few beers while chair flying! Gotta keep it real. CHAIR FLY - CHAIR FLY - CHAIR FLY. I can't stress that enough. As the SRO of my class, I was fortunate enough to be one of the 'go-to' guys when folks had trouble. I was always amazed that guys would tell me "Yeah, I know the procedures for a no-flap straight in" but when I would sit them down in my living room and say "Talk me through it - in excruciating detail. I want to know every single thing you are going to do...every switch, radio call, where you're looking, etc." and they could not do it! They would miss steps, forget checklists, or not know the radio calls. If you can't chair fly a mission at ground speed zero, you will never be able to do it at 200 knots with an IP staring you down. As a side note, helping others chair fly is one of the best ways to study, IMHO. If you can teach it to others, it shows you have a command of the information. Again, there is a never ending amoung of information to cover so you had better chair fly every night (esp. in T-1s when you're shooting 6-8 different approaches every flight. Lots of details to remember, and the more you know before you step to the jet the better you will do in the air.) There's an old saying that goes something like "Never let the airplane go somewhere you mind hasn't been to 5 minutes prior". Chair flying gives you the ability to rehearse everything the day prior. Sure, things will go wrong or change, but if you've practiced the "perfect mission" 3-4 times before, you'll be able to focus on the changes and not get wrapped up worrying about the basic profile. The ability to remain calm and excel when the profile changes is one of the things that will set you apart from the rest of the class. Perhaps some of our FAIP mafia on here can comments on that...but in my experience, that was the case. Anyone should be able to fly the profile as briefed. But how people react when the feces hits the rotating oscillator is when you find out how they really perform, IMHO. Balance. You must balance the day to day stress of UPT with your life. For me, I would stop worrying about UPT stuff on Friday after our last event. Party it up at the club, drive to San Antonio, whatever. We'd go boating, travel, or BBQ on Saturdays and Sundays until about 5pm. Then it was time to eat dinner and hit the books again to get ready for Monday. Use the weekends to catch up on your life...spend extra time with the girlfriend/wife/kids, go do whatever you do for fun. The people that never let UPT go soon self-destructed. Those are just a few things you can do to improve your chances. It's true that natural ability plays some part in success, but it's more mental than anything else. You can learn the monkey skills of actually flying the airplane. It's keeping your SA and being able to answer IPs questions that is the real b1tch - and the part of the equation you have direct control over by studying/chair flying. You will never hook a ride for a firm landing [hand-eye stuff] but you certainly will if you bust out of the MOA [brain power stuff]. That's where work ethic, consistency, and attitude come into play. I know some folks reading this will say, "He's full of sh*t! Everyone has GOT to study! Everyone has GOT to chair fly!" You'd be surprised how many people I knew that spent 0 time outside of the flight room studying. And they all got what they deserved on assignment night. Whew. Guess I got off on a rant there. Sorry if I was long winded, but that's my perspective.

I'm neither (10 minutes of searching would have helped you there...), but please allow me to clarify: I mean millennial in only the most derogatory, degrading, and hurtful possible sense. Much as I would use the term "gay" while having absolutely no reference to sexual orientation or lifestyle. Here I mean "millennial" to reference the 5-year-old minded 28-year-old who points out injustices that are, in fact, wholly just, but that leave said millennial getting an outcome they don't like. The "millennial" response being to whine and complain instead of seeking a rational, effective, and practical solution. These "millennials" want the world perfectly presented on a silver platter, in a safe space free of insult or discomfort, at a time that perfectly suits their whimsically felt 'need' at that specific moment. To be honest, I know a lot of people that fall in that associated generation who are in no way shape or form "millennial." I've worked 6 month deployments with them. I've flow combat missions with them. They are what I profess to be: professionals focused on the employment of combat airpower. Look at any generation and you will find that the true military professionals have a hard time wholly identifying themselves with the Gen-Xers, millennials, hippies, grudge rockers, oregon trailers (my year group), or whatever other subculture/sociological term might be blanket applied to that year group. That's because we have a culture rooted in who we presently are, not an identity externally stamped by sociological academia. You sound like a whiny child instead of an airpower professional. Improve yourself. Find and present a plausible solution through reasoned and constructed argument so we can discuss it instead of just bitching how some non-specific people group wronged the world and it hurts.