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Patriotism is what gets you to serve a 10-year ADSC when you are young and single. Money is what helps keep you in past your commitment once you have a family. All the General’s I’ve been exposed to seemed to think that no amount of money would affect people’s decision to stay. I think they have it backwards. The people who are going to stay regardless don’t care about the money. For plenty of folks on the fence money is a huge factor in their decision I’ve talked to plenty of guys on a bro level who will readily admit that a $50-60K annual bump in pay (without stupid long ADSCs attached to it) post ADSC would likely have gotten them to stay in. It’s not that the AF ever had to match airline pay, they just needed to provide a decent increase to make pilots continue to put of with the BS and lower QoL inherent in military service. Hell, even just making the $35K annual professional pay would likely get a few guys to serve an extra year or two.

That's fine in a theater where being a POW is an option. Being burned alive in a cage or having your head sawed off with a rusty blade on LiveLeak might motivate some folks to face those odds and shoot back.

I heard they’re not offering it anymore, because it’s not about the money. Flight pay is also being canceled, along with BAH in all locations where base housing is an option. There is also talk about capping pay at the Captain level. Since money is not important and you should only stay in to serve. (Forget about age 43 to 100... you won’t need money for that)

Vastly different scenarios for most of our guys these days.

Our population tripled between 1860 and 1920, and again between 1920 and now. I'm not sure how you conclude that doubling it in the next few decades will overload the US. The upper Great Plains isn't exactly crowded...

as a nation of laws it just blows my mind that half of the country has zero issue with people coming here illegally. Illegal immigrant does not equal immigrant. That’s where the left and press are getting it wrong. No one is entitled to come here illegally. But that’s sure how the left sees it.

#4 fire, #2 throttle stuck at 12k in/lbs.

A Space Force seems inevitable, but it feels too early to stand one up https://breakingdefense.com/2018/06/space-force-go-slow-learn-from-army-air-corps/

Usually I despise the Republican Party because they are spineless. At least they are starting to speak the truth...

The US is a nation of immigrants. There isn't a qualifier of "illegal." If you come here without our permission, you aren't an immigrant. You are illegal present in this country. We should get to decide who we want to let in; you don't cross the velvet rope just because you want to. To grant any sort of preference to someone sneaking in absolutely nullifies our status as a nation of laws. It also give a huge middle finger to all those who have gone through the lengthy process of immigrating here legally. A system, however cumbersome (it is government, after all), that is designed to ensure some basic assimilation characteristics - grasp of English, knowledge of US history, etc. One designed to give at least a modicum of a level playing field so that the new legal citizen can try to take advantage of the American Dream. Those who came here legally worked to make it happen. They get it; work and you help make your own luck. Those coming in illegally have decided they are more important and are aided and abetted by those who enable them. Starting your stay in the US illegally should not be rewarded. On a personal level, I don't blame 'em. I'd want a better life as well. But if me and however many millions of my friends sneak in, we begin to make large areas of this country just like that from which we fled.

Had a couple guys drop by the squadron a few weeks ago - we don't have a board for another year. It's completely normal and the visits are remembered - mostly positively as the fact you took time/money to come visit in person means you're not just a "tire kicker" and care a little more than the average guy who doesn't make pre-board visits. When you get a hold of the squadron, ask to speak to the pilot who's in charge of recruiting/UPT boards - if they're not available, then talk to any available pilot. Tell them succinctly you're interested in the unit, you will be applying to X board, but you would also like to drop by the squadron for a visit to check out the squadron and introduce yourself. Even the non-recruiting guy can probably give you a good idea of when is best to come visit based on squadron schedules (TDY, drill weekends, etc.) In the end, make sure the recruiting guy preferably knows you're coming/what date - it's always best to show up with at least one pilot knowing you're coming...helps break the ice a bit. Bring a bottle of booze with something written on it (simple = "Thanks for the visit! - New Guy"); that way we remember you two months later when we're drinking the whisky/scotch you brought. Have some SA on if guys are busy (i.e. at ops desk dealing with the day's flying ops) and don't be annoying with questions; if guys are just hanging out in the bar/bullshiting somewhere (guarantee that's happening about 100% of the time in a guard unit), walk up and introduce yourself - have normal conversations and get to know people/help us get to know you. Be yourself - don't talk a ton about yourself, just ask questions and get to know the squadron/dudes in it. Dudes will ask you about yourself, answer those questions and conversation should naturally flow from there if you have reasonable interpersonal communication skills.

Economically, population growth is greatly preferable to population decline.

Just saying they are flooding our country because of our broken immigration system is a joke. Watch a few of the Numbers USA videos about our population growth just due to the LEGAL immigration numbers of around 1 million per year. It is unsustainable growth and our population will balloon to over 600 million in just a few decades. I’m sorry, but we cannot let in every person who just wants a better life. We’re better served helping them increase the standard of living in their own countries. What good does it do anyone to bring our economy down over the long term? Our unfunded liabilities due to social programs alone is going to bankrupt our country, we can’t keep adding thousands to those programs each year and have any hope of staying afloat.

Anyone seen one of these or flown with one? Do you have to qualify on it? https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/26/usafs-new-gau-5-a-aircrew-self-defense-weapon/

The old "left" of Carter and Bill Clinton are no longer driving the agenda of the Dems today...the progressives are. Bill Clinton said he was very much against illegal immigration in the mid-90s. The progressive left desires much bigger government control, more social programs (which require higher taxes), etc. And when studies show that immigrants, specifically those from Mexico and Latin America, are much more likely to support an increase in government funded social programs...well, there you go. And the tradional GOP doesn't want to stop illegal immigrantion outright because that goes against cheaper labor. So here we are. And who loses: The middle class taxpayer, lower income Americans who work in construction, Americans who live in areas that have seen an increased amount of gang activity made up of illegal immigrants, etc. It's sad...but when you hate what America has mostly been over the last few decades and believe it needs fixing (ACA, public option, higher taxes, etc), then this is how you see the "change".

Do tell

I would say mandatory enrollment is because there are service members that are more concerned about their career and specific assignments then enduring quality care for their dependents.

Malcom Gladwell’s most recent episode of his podcast addresses the issue of Mexican migration. It doesn’t follow the classic immigrant fairy tale Americans like to hear based on the Italian and Jewish migrations of the previous century in that Mexicans tend to be seasonal migrant workers that return to their homes in Mexico after the season is over. So, sealing and enforcing the border actually led migrants to stop returning to Mexico after the growing season because it became too difficult to re enter the country for the next season. As a result we have the dreamer phenomenon of the current decade based on immigration policies from a generation ago. No real point to this but to point out an interesting difference between Mexican immigration and the Statue of Libery poem.

Lifer=General Chang burner account?

Here’s my 2 cents... during exit surveys and during talks with the CSAF (saw this with my very own eyes), pilots who get out/want to get out state that extra pay wouldn’t have changed their mind and that it’s about QoL. With that said I’m not sure if money not being a factor really is completely true. First the exit interview I saw back in 2016 asked if an extra $10k/yr would have changed your mind on a scale of 1-10 ie 35k/yr. They never asked if a $50k/yr or 100k/yr bonus would have changed their mind. But even if they asked the question I believe the data would be skewed as i believe it’s human nature especially for most pilots to say this is the decision I made and I’m not gonna change my mind based on a survey question. They say to themselves I invested time, money, and energy prepping for interviews, getting my ATP, etc and I wouldn’t have changed my mind for anything in the world. This is their new goal and path and nothing’s gonna change my mind. Just human nature. IMO people see the bonuses offered a year or two a head of time and start making a decision to pursue the airline option and by the time the bonus comes out they are pretty well invested in their new path. So to break the cycle they need to put out a substantial bonus to increase retention and WAIT 3 years. But senators and USAF leadership also have made up their mind based on poorly made surveys that money won’t help and just like the pilots who get out and say it’s not about the money they are firm in their convictions. The other issue I see is that in the heavy community QoL equals a slower ops tempo. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t see the CSAF specifically mentioned to Congress/Senate that we must reduce ops tempo. So if extra money and lower ops tempo are off the table. What’s left qeep? I can’t see retention increasing until airlines slow down hiring. But even if we have a recession, mandatory retirements will be happening. So all the USAF has left is increasing pilot production, try to recall to AD, stop loss (hopefully off the table), pray for a massive recession and reduce qeep. As more and more people get out, if I were them I’d try a $70/yr bonus and see what happens before it’s too late... if it’s not too late already.

Liquid courage? That used to work at the bar...

No, there is an ANG unit in STL that used to fly F-15C's, so your statement isn't just inaccurate , it's confusing.

Well shooting GPS approaches is pretty much the main function of the AF.

I see the benefits as follows: 1. Space will be priority for the SF, rather than a side job of the other services. 2. We will finally be more military-ish than another branch, and can make fun of them for being pussies, and still make fun of the other services for being gay retards.

Do us herk dudes a favor and stay elsewhere. You’re a herk guy or you’re not... ...and you’re not.

The IRS assumes that a large number of tax filers using ITINs are undocumented immigrants, and in 2015 the IRS received 4.4 million federal income tax returns using ITINs rather than SSNs, and those tax filers paid $23.6 billion in income taxes, which includes FICA, federal, and state income taxes. Undocumented immigrants are specifically encouraged to file federal income taxes because it is a sign of "good moral character" that can be considered in the future if they become eligible to apply for permanent status. Here's my BL: nitpicking these numbers is kinda small-ball. If you're primarily concerned with money, like I said, let's bring all the undocumented workers out of the shadows, give them some kind of legal status for work, and then they will be subject to the exact same taxes as everyone else without having to play any paperwork funny games. They'd likely still being ineligible for many of the benefits that taxes enable, so overall it's a huge net plus for our social welfare programs. In fact we're already there when it comes to FICA taxes. Undocumented immigrants pay quite a bit of FICA taxes and receive zero benefits, which greatly helps the system. It goes without saying that having a steady stream of younger, healthier, working-age folks paying into our social welfare systems while extracting very few benefits from those systems is an actuary's dream. But I suspect that's not the solution you're looking for, so answering the money questions are not going to change a lot of minds IMHO. I'm happy to talk details if you're genuinely curious, but folks are mainly concerned with the impact of immigration on their cultural identity and seeing a place for people like themselves and their children in an American society they see as changing too fast or in ways they are uncomfortable with. Those concerns aren't unfounded, don't automatically make someone a racist (paging many on the left), deserve respect, and can't be addressed by numbers. Those cultural identity concerns need to be addressed by talking about shared values, how everyone has a bright future in our evolving and changing society, and by painting a hopefully, forward-looking message. My message on immigration is that in a nation of immigrants, build by immigrants, where The American Dream is that no one is bound by class or race or religion, immigration will continue to be a great source of strength and vitality, enabling the US to outlast and surpass any wanna-be competitors on the global stage. Every American and everyone around the world who aspires to be an American has a place in a truly democratic, just, and compassionate multicultural, multiracial and harmonious society. That dream has never been achieved in human history before, and it's a worthy goal for an ambitious, still-young nation and we have the best chance by far of anyone hoping to achieve it. Chris Hayes and Ezra Klein has a great podcast on this exact topic. //off soapbox // Like I said before, if you'd rather nitpick tax numbers and frame this challenge in the language of infestations, rapists, gangs, drugs and violence, I'm more than happy to let you keep pitching that message. Governor Gillespe in Virginia send his thanks to the super PACs for all those really effective MS-13 ads /sarcasm. (Ed Gillespe is a decent guy and generally moderate Republican, but he ran a very right-wing, immigration-heavy campaign for governor in my favorite commonwealth and he lost to the real-life governor, Democrat Ralph Northam). That fact that many Democratic Party leaders are dickless in their messaging and small-minded in their policy vision around immigration (among many other things) is not an indication of the lack of potential for progress on important issues going forward.