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Worst timing ever: Top Gun 1986, Graduated High School 1987, everyone chasing the pointy nose lifestyle, Gulf War 1 actually starts/ends 1991 and we graduate within a year to the drawdown. ROTC Pilot slots dwindle from 1200 to 100 nationwide. Pilots Banked, my awarded slot from basic is yanked. Became Aircraft Maintenance Officer and gave it my all for F-16s, A-10s, C-130s and Staff for Heavies for nearly 7 years. (Some of the most challenging but very rewarding/fun times of my life.) Given another shot, age waiver Pilot slot from the ANG, boom C-141s, then C-17s. Flew minor squirmishes, then OEF, OIF, OND, etc. for 12 years straight, mostly AE which were the most rewarding ever. Final years back at Staff, then Homeland Defense. Now fully retired and proud to have given it my best foot forward while keeping my amazing wife intact (still married over 22 years). Future is still wide open, now flying 747s around the world twice a month. Remain resilient, care not what others think it’s your life they have/had theirs, and never ever give up. You never make the shot you never take. People of today need to understand that not all things are immediate satisfaction guaranteed and it’s just that much sweeter when it does work out. Everyone’s path is different, you have one life! Not the selfie life, etc. Do your Best! Always.

A few have reached out and I am sending her Paypal privately. All funds are going to the kids 529 accounts. CH

For anyone wondering: “around” Feb. 15th is when Klamath and Portland will be calling for interviews. Source: Hiring POC for Oregon Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I just rushed Tulsa this past weekend. They plan on notifying interview selectees the first weekend of march due to the email address mix up. Board is still planned to be in April. If anything, calling the squadron and talking to a pilot is usually the best source of accurate info.

2015: For you young A-10 wannabee pilots, I suggest scratching the A-10 off the list. It is on the retirement chopping block. Not a done deal but I wouldn't go to Vegas or even Atlantic City and put any money on any future new Reserve A-10 pilots.

There was a *lot* more baked into the decision to drop Amazon than is displayed in those numbers. Amazon was playing a very smart game, using FedEx lift to move its lowest yield packages (thereby taking real advantage of the cost negotiated with Purple to move them). The "revenue potential" that was lost (which was only 3% of Express' overall business) was producing only razor-thin profit margins anyway. What most folks didn't realize was that at the time of the divorce with Amazon, Purple had more domestic business than it had airlift to accept, and that other business had higher profit margins than the Amazon packages. Without Amazon, Purple is now free to go after that business that had previously been rejected. What has *really* been hurting Purple financially recently is the combination of the China trade war, Brexit, and TNT integration. Those three have been massive punches to the bottom line, and are what is really responsible for the "we made less profit than Wall Street folks think we should have made" doom-and-gloom news of the last two quarters.

I'll just add that your Dad seems like an asshole, perhaps your whole family. One of the great things about growing up is you don't have to include shitty people in your life anymore if you don't want to.

Also, if you are really in a dark spot where your psyche is in a downward spiral, seek help. Chaplain, POTFF if you have that, Military One Source, mental health in that order. Being a pilot is great, but don’t kid yourself that that would make everything alright immediately. Best of luck

FWIW, it seems like our drone pilots are removing a lot more bad guys from existence than the average fighter pilot.

I have had some interviews and failed. I have also been battling some stuff on the outside that may keep me from achieving this, and even worse I'm scared to explain my situation and why I am at where I am at in interviews. Over the past year I have made three major adjustments to counter the down in the dumps. Step 1 is to fly. Flying is fing flying, yes I want to be a fighter pilot but I'd be wasting my life if I did not enjoy flying my crappy piper. Being up in the air is so satisfying no matter the plane or uniform. I will soon have my commercial-huge confidence boost. Step 2 is to value who you are. Be proud of how hard you've worked, and the fact that you are an officer. Not being a fighter pilot doesn't mean you suck and are a POS. Took me a long time to realize this. As for the jokes, I'd rather never be a fighter pilot than be a fighterpilot and make fun of someone who tried their hardest to be one and failed. Step 3 is to realize how lucky you are. At work there are two guys, one in a wheelchair and one with a serous nerve issue. They might never get the chance to fly anything, let alone an air force jet. Imagine what they'd give just to be able to walk normally. All of our clocks run out at some point, if manned air force pilot or not. Swing for the fences and don't look back, that's what it's all about.