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Isn't this the same study we talk about every single year when big blue releases the same bonus as the previous year?

I feel like stringing people along 2-3 years at a time would be a better strategy than the current lump sum. Right now they are only targeting people who are willing to go all in. If I had the chance to play assignment dice between each bonus I would probably stick around a bit longer. Who knows. I find most people are very hesitant though to sign another 9 year commitment after having already felt battered from the 10 year one they just got out of.

Until recently you were ineligible for a second bonus after taking one. (Yes, I know before 2001 there were 2nd bonuses to keep people in). Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I know a dude at United doing the same thing. He’s close enough to retirement that when he gets back he will finish out. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Looks interesting, but it'll have a tough time beating Rush as the premier motor racing movie!

We dropped USAA insurance last year. My wife was in a car accident that was deemed by USAA as not her fault. She was however injured and eventually required surgery. We carried $250k in medical insurance as our state is a no-fault state. USAA uses a third party vendor to handle their medical cases. They eventually denied the visit to the ER and refused to pay because "we didn't get prior approval" which based on everything else takes 5-7 business days. Then they proceeded to deny all care saying my wife was making it up, never injured, and had a psychological disorder making her think she was hurt...no joke. Eventually they went as far to say she was never even in a car accident. Needless to say we no longer have anything with USAA and when I called to cancel the insurance the individual told me he understood and that it wasn't the first time he had heard that before. Now we are well over a year past the accident and our lawyer is working the lawsuit against USAA because apparently that is what it takes to get USAA to pay out the policy I paid the premiums for all along. They like to talk a big game but should you actually ever need what you pay for...good luck.

Because when RAND briefed Congress this year they told them that they didn't believe their data and to basically pound sand, then they turned to the guy proposing that the DoD do more surveys and they ate it up.

New update...

Hey man, the bandwagon is going the other way right now

You should still apply in my opinion. Maybe your chances are slim to none, based on what the others are saying, but it's a definite no if you don't apply. Give them the chance to tell you no.

If you don’t know your system capes it wouldn’t matter what you’re flying in the stack. That’s a weak argument to those out there saying “Bombers shouldn’t/can’t perform CAS” of which there are plenty typically in platforms with their own shitty record of fratricide. Neither is it unique to the CAS mission as it could just as easily be a C-130 refueled that cant figure out how to turn his F’ing lights off to refuel the HAF, or a drone that doesn’t know how to steady stare at a target and keeps walking the laser everywhere but where it should be. Plenty of people in Apache/Hawg/etc communities that don’t know or care to learn how to fight their MWS are putting ground personnel at risk every time they check in and hope it works out for them this time around. That’s neither unique to bombers nor something to ignore. Know your shit and what it can/can’t do. Beyond that playing the “this is my party and you shouldn’t be here game” that many have been making this incident evidence of is just MWS chest thumping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've always been impressed with how quick USAA figures out that I didn't spend $400 at Zappos.com, or buy a new iPhone at the Sprint store in Albuquerque.

The JAGs at SAF/GC are the ones claiming that the early takers owe an additional one year extra to get this year's bonus. That does not mean that every lawyer agrees with that idea (l do not agree that an extra 12 months are required since that is no where in the NDAA). There's a FBI group for "early take avb action group" if anyone is interested or would like to assist.

From the HAF/A1 BBP on the Early Enrollee Bonus Shenangians: "FY16 program, as approved, didn't mention that additional service was required to renegotiate. The governing statute and DoDI at the time did not specifically authorize renegotiation even though the AF approved that provision in the FY16 program." The AF didn't have the authority to offer contracts that had renegotion clauses. Yet the AF did offer such contracts without mentioning that additional service was required. Awesome.

Over 75% of the total Long contracts are from the Early Enrollees who signed contracts in FY16 and are now getting screwed. This is from the BBP from HAF/A1P on the "Bonus Shenanigans" the Early Enrollees face: "FY16 program, as approved, didn't mention that additional service was required to renegotiate. The governing statute and DoDI at the time did not specifically authorize renegotiation even though the AF approved that provision in the FY16 program."

I just looked this up and was surprised that the answer is yes. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Special-and-Incentive-Pays/Index/#301d They receive a Retention Bonus (think Bonus) and Variable Special Pay and/or Incentive Special Pay (think Flight Pay). But they can also receive Additional Special Pay after they complete their residency and Board Certification Pay if they are Board Certified. I'm not sure there's an exact equivalent, but it might be similar to IP Pay or Patch Pay (not that those exist...)

https://cajunsaviationdream.org/

The relevant change in the tax law was that miscellaneous unreimbursed employee expenses can no longer be itemized. In previous tax years, employees could use a Schedule A (where you itemize your mortgage, charitable contributions, etc) to also itemize unreimbursed expenses. This applied to most all employees with unreimbursed expenses like a traveling salesman for unreimbursed lodging. The expenses for Air Force folks were usually related to uniforms, and this is why Lt Snuffy would save all of his dry cleaning receipts. For 2018 going forward, employees can no longer itemize unreimbursed expenses on Schedule A. But Reservists who travel more than 100 miles from home to perform military duty can/should file Form 2106 for their unreimbursed expenses related to traveling. This Form existed before 2018, and there don't appear to be any major changes to the Form. Form 2106 is an "above the line" deduction that helps lower your AGI and can be used even if you do not itemize other expenses on a Schedule A.

Here is a link to the Rand Study the AF is considering, so why did I just sign a 3 year bonus?: https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE309.html