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Retired Lt. Col Jonathan Huggins, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron U-2 instructor pilot, performs a preflight inspection before takeoff. It’s been 2,133 days since he last flew the U-2 solo. “As a civilian instructor pilot in the 1st Recon Squadron, I’m focused on working with the newest U-2 trainees, and getting them proficient at the basics of flying the U-2. I’ve missed it. The fact I’m getting to come work here again, with the people I love to work with, in a jet and a mission I love to be involved with, well, it’s just a dream come true. You realize when you’ve been gone a while just how great the people are, and how satisfying it is to be a part of an organization that gets the job done, and that it’s a job that is so critical and important to the nation.” Beale AFB Facebook Edit: Beale AFB 'News' link

I agree that audiences are terrible and that there should be debates. My fav ones are where they sit and have a more policy-focused discussion although there is some room for a town-hall setting in a non-pandemic year. I don’t like standing behind podiums slinging insults for audience cheers.

That model has infected all of our politics. I feel like they all took a lesson from Ashton Kutcher's character in "That 70's Show" and the ultimate political brownie point is a "sick burn." We live in the dumbest of times.

If either of them shy away from a debate, they'll end up the loser. However, one upside to COVID would be if we finally got rid of audiences at debates. Without an audience reaction, the power of one liners and insults go away and the candidates might actually have to have some substance. Sent from my SM-N975U using Baseops Network mobile app

100% agree but I think I can speak for most people here has been extremely challenging for applicants the last few months. I got one virtual, one in person interview, and couple of phone screeners with units this year I had met in person before the Covid-19 lockdown but I can't recall anywhere I was taken seriously that I didn't go to a UTA weekend at least once in person. I've met plenty of other applicants during past visits who had way better scores, way younger, way more flight hours but were insufferable to be around. Visit as many places as possible and don't be a douche/be yourself once this pandemic passes.

6/12 on the DP test would be a different test than the one used at FC I. I actually don't know any DP test that uses 12. B is the passing line for FC I now (used to be D). The new standard is MUCH easier.

I'd like to chime in on this great discussion. My comments reflect my own journey so please take with a grain of salt. I've read many comments regarding AFOQT scores and the accompanying scores. Throughout the years of reading this forum, I've seen many comments (not on this thread) to the likes of "my Pilot and PCSM score are in the low 90's, do I even have a chance?" and it makes me cringe every time. If those two factors were solely what gets an individual hired then yes, definitely, you are probably in the top 10%(guessing) of people who achieve those scores and you get the job. Thankfully they're not the only factors. In my experience, far from it. I took the AFOQT in 2013 and my Pilot score was 67 and PCSM 70 (75 flight hours) and the other scores as equally average. Applied to units like crazy and got hired at my very first interview and got interview offers at about half of the other units. Average scores and low flight hours, you may ask, how did I get a job? I had a good attitude, and I put that across in my application and cover letter. I wasn't prior service and I hadn't graduated college either. Numbers on a page don't define you. You're selling yourself, and if you use those numbers as a crutch, the other areas of your application will be lackluster. I get it, 2013 was a lifetime ago now in the world of UPT hiring cycles and changes. Still, I believe what I said to be truer than ever. 20, 50 or 150 applicants you have no control over, and it assists you no way thinking about it. You have to tell the board who you are in your application. Why you. No BS, be humble and be human. You get that golden opportunity of a cover letter for a reason. Trust me, if I can do it, any single one of you can. Good luck, apply like crazy and don't look back.

The former 9 RW/CC was brilliant, and a man of impeccable style and taste. Nothing "questionable" about his decisions.

FFS. Any functioning adult...just one, please run for President! Dan Crenshaw? Colin Powell? Mike Rowe? Keanu Reeves? Anyone? Please?

“I would say there is one candidate in this race who has agreed to three debates and that’s Joe Biden. The Trump campaign has actually not agreed yet to participate in the debates set by the presidential debate commission,” https://www.foxnews.com/media/biden-campaign-official-trump-debates #fakenews

Many of you will know Huggy, so he needs no introduction here. Here’s Part 1 of my interview with him, released to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the U-2’s first flight.

I’m skeptical of it actually happening or other redeployment / draw downs but I hope that it does, not out of animus to Western Europe but because I do not believe it is in our best interest. I’ve mentioned this idea before in other threads but why do we deter aggression or coercion from one state (Russia) when Germany and others do business with them and other threats (Iran notably), it just does not work. It’s embarrassing, emasculating, infuriating and stupid. This is a cuckhold relationship, no thanks. NATO is part of a world order that doesn’t really exist any longer, where American largesse was great enough to overlook problems and unfair / untenable arrangements out of magnanimity and some ego, it’s time to admit that and act accordingly. Besides, the locus of threat is no longer the Fulda Gap but at the contentious new eastern flank of NATO, the Allies could take the wind out of the sails of NATO skeptics like me by offering modest forward deployments of their own forces with ROE that bypasses the blob of NATO bureaucracy, puts those forces while deployed under the OPCON of NATO members under threat of direct or coercive Russian aggression. Skin in the game and guarantee to fight if Ivan tries something? That’s a different NATO than what we have now This does not mean chaos following redeployment or there being no military relationship post NATO but something has to change, the old order is gone. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Adding another data point here: Originally took my TBAS and AFOQT many moons ago, and after the new formula revisions over the past few years, and with my current flight hours (~50) my PCSM was a 67; my pilot was a 72. I recently retook my AFQOT, and while AFPC hasn't updated their site yet with my official scores, the TBAS site has (which seems pretty odd, but I'm sure there's a reason for it. Would LOVE to get those from the ASAP as I owe official updated AFOQT scores to a unit 😅): When checking the TBAS site, it shows my AFOQT Pilot score is now a 96, and my PCSM is now an 83. So improving my AFOQT score by 24 points moved my PCSM up by 16 points; roughly a 2 point gain in PCSM for every 3 points gained in my AFOQT (or something like that; we'll see what my Quantitative score shows when I finally get the full official scores to explain any accuracy/inaccuracy here). If I get to 201+ hours, my PCSM will max out at a 97. @Fat Tony increased his AFQOT by 70 points, and that moved his TBAS up by 38 points. At some point I may re-read through the rest of this thread and see if we can compile more data here, but with an admittedly very limited sample set, it seems like you every every 1 point gain in your AFOQT Pilot score moves your PCSM score up by .54 -.66 points. Again, take that with a grain of salt, but it's something! With that said, and currently having no visibility into how I did for the rest of the scores, I focused exclusively on the Pilot sections: Math Knowledge, Table Reading, Instrument Comprehension, and Aviation Information. I used 4 (yep, four) different test books, and hammered each off them for the better part of 2 months. Almost every day, I was doing 1+ hours of study with a heavy emphasis on the Math Knowledge as that's always been my weakest point. My advice: 1. If math was never your thing like me, use https://www.math-aids.com/ and YouTube. I probably did dozens and dozens of worksheets, and any concepts I struggled with, I watched YouTube videos to help me better grasp them. 2. IMHO, Table Reading & Instrument Comprehension are as close to gimmes as you're going to find. Table Reading is very straight forward, and so is Instrument Comprehension once you nail down the concept. I'd have to double-check to confirm, but I believe there's a total of 110 questions to answer between all off the sections that compose your Pilot score. 40 are Table Reading questions and 25 Instrument Comprehension questions. That's 65/110, or 59% of all questions. And, I believe I read that we're scored on the number correct, so nailing these two sections is absolutely critical. I printed my own 20x20 table from the AFPC/PCSM website's AFOQT Prep Guide and every day for two weeks leading up to the test I did 2-3 timed Table Reading Tests. That helped tremendously, and already having a pretty good grasp on the Instrument Comprehension, I still tried to do one of those at least every other day leading up to the test. 3. For the Pilot section, go flying. Invest in ground school and 6-10 hours of flying. It'll be worth it, I promise. Why 6-10? For some studs, 10 hours is enough to solo in working toward your PPL, but it'll also a) give you a boost on your PCSM as the 6-10 bracket is the second bracket that improves your scores b) give you a much better understanding of how airplanes operate in general and c) doing ground school will "make real" aviation concepts from the test. From there, study the AFOQT books (IMHO, Barron's was the best), and then knock that part of the test out. 4. If you think you did well on the TBAS--specifically getting all of the directional orientation questions correct--I'd advise against retaking it unless you feel really, really good about doing so, or at least retake the AFOQT first. I remember getting all of those correct, and while I thought of retaking the TBAS, I was like, "nah, let's just do the AFOQT because I think it's a bit too risky to retry the TBAS." While I'd like my PCSM to be in the 90's right now like some of the cats around here, IMHO, if you think you did well on the TBAS but still need to improve your PCSM score, start with the AFOQT. Finally, to end this novel: I have 4 AFOQT prep books, a laminated 20x20 Table Reading grid for practice (printed from the AFPC AFOQT prep guide), and a few spare answer sheets I made copies of from the back of the Barron's book for taking (a bunch of) practice tests. If you want 'em, PM me, and they're your's, 100% my treat. Unless you happen to be in a unit I'm applying to, then all I ask for is to put in a good word for me 😉 Best of luck to everyone grinding. Take it from me, someone who is not the smartest or most talented, and who has struggled mightily at times with math: You can do well on this test if you just hammer any concept you struggle with from the prep books until it makes sense, even if it takes months (and some coin)!

Please clarify: would you say we shouldn't have Presidential debates prior to a Presidential election, or should we not debate as to whether there should be Presidential debates? LOL. As to the Clintons: would you say they have not, and do not continue to have political influence with regard to the topics being discussed in this thread? Just giving you a hard time. Didn't want you to go around thinking anyone here fails to realize the dismissive mocking and scoffing isn't a common and cliche tactic.

When the idea was discussed about doing this interview, I wasn't sure I would do it. However, Hacker spoke very highly of Steve and assured me it would be great. He was right. Working with Steve was a pleasure and he's a class act. I'll admit he got me talking about some stuff I hadn't thought about in a long time. We did the interviews some time ago, but I believe Steve plans to add on to the interview with some additional talks that we are doing now. bfargin, you were very close. UPT Class 86-05, started 4 June 1985. Thank you for creating a well done final product, Steve. (And especially for your editing work!! You know what I mean!! Haha!!)

With a high emphasis on meeting you in person. Scores are great and all, but only one small part of the equation.

AFOQT scores are only one factor...we have skipped hiring lots of people with high 90s because test scores are not what gets you the job. They certainly are a factor in getting an interview, but so are several other things (cover letter, LORs, meeting you in person prior to interview weekend, etc.) Good advice from Cav.

Good stuff. I didn't expect to sit and listen to the whole interview when I saw it was over an hour long, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was starting UPT at Willie about the time Huggy was starting at Del Rio (I was 86-08 and since he started in June I'm assuming Huggy was 86-07). It was interesting to hear his story and to steal a famous line, I'm looking forward to "the rest of the story". Steve, thanks for doing the work to capture and record the stories you preserve and to you Huggy for sharing your experiences.

I just googled “fuckin new guy” to find some funny meme to post. Low SA...wish I could take that search back.

Can’t stress this enough. For some context I had P99/N99/AA99/V97/Q99 and 99 PCSM, 3.8 undergrad, 4.0 grad GPA both in engineering, industry experience etc etc and got 2 interviews after being told no for maybe 10 other apps I’ve sent out mostly fighters, and maybe a 135 and 130 sprinkled in. So as people say low score isn’t automatically disqualifying, high scores aren’t automatically qualifying either. I wasn’t a believer before, but it’s extremely important to connect and meet the guys at a squadron you really want to get into. I’m lucky the first time I visited the unit I’m with now was at my interview. I felt super at home and I was pretty much cheesin the whole time during my interview because I just thought it really fit me well. Somewhat related, I think we as a community of current/prospective guys online should shift from the mentality of “Am I good enough” to “How can I improve myself even more”. You can’t control who else is applying but you certainly can control how well you present yourself, so as long as you are being the best you can possibly be, that’s what’s good enough. Just my 2 pennies in time of coin shortage. Best of luck gents and ladies.

You lose track of time. It 0110 past curfew and you're 6 Moscow Mules in at G2's. You try to walk back to your apartment without getting caught but make a mistake detour to EFES kebab for some sleep snacks. As you step out, in front of you is town patrol, walking your direction. You look left, you look right, and in a side alley there is Songton Sally. "Honey... Honey.... Come here....." You have the aircraft:

People look like dorks wearing full-sized wings with mini medals in mess dress.

OK, I know this has to be someone from here... 🤣🤣🤣

How can it be that nobody's yet posted the clip of Baseops' @Steve Davies vs @HuggyU2 battling for ultimate domination of YouTube? https://youtu.be/ZgR3wzOioks

In my last couple of passes through the AA schoolhouse for 787 and 777 recurrent training, we have done full stalls clean at altitude, @FL400, and stalls configured inside the FAF. The stall series requires pulling the throttles to idle and holding attitude allowing the speed to bleed off while ignoring the warnings and using enormous back pressure on the yoke to hold attitude to allow the stall and sink rate (i.e. Air France 774) to fully develop. Unload while applying full throttle to recover works nicely but altitude loss, no surprise, will occur in both cases. We've also done severe upset recoveries on departure or vectors to approach. The stalls you knew were coming, the upset not so much but in both cases you knew something was going to happen. How you simulate a complete unknown and generate a startle effect with the subsequent confusion, I'm not sure, but shoving the nose of a big jet 30 degrees nose low ANYTIME is just not right and how to prevent that through training might be a question to ask.

Most pointy-nosed guys I take out for an hour in this thing find it one of the most humbling (and most fun!) stick-and-rudder experiences of their flying career.

Isolated in Enid and not up for studying 15 hours a day so why not update the timeline here: [Ex-AD, ANG Nav seeking Pilot slot with home unit. O-4, 37 with 12 years TFSC, needed ETP approved by NGB/A1 and AF/A1P. Have PPL.] Board: March 2018 <- canxed, pilots overmanned Board: April 2019 Hired, pending ETP approval: April 2019 FC1 Scheduled: May 2019 FC1: July 2019 (soonest available after finishing IN school) ETP submitted: July 2019 FC1 stamped, ETP updated: August 2019 ETP approved: 26 December 2019 Deployed: May-July 2020 (planned), heard no UPT slots for at least rest of FY2020 so didn't seem like an issue < Call from Cathy Rico while broke in NH enroute to the AOR, mid-May, asking if I can get to Vance for a June class. I'm optimistic enough to reply "let me see" rather than flat out "no". While I still have to deploy, a mad scramble ensues involving me, my deployed chain, my home station chain, AFCENT, AMC, NGB, NASA, CIA, MiB, etc to get me recalled and send a replacement. That effort succeeds just under a month later; happily my Sq/CC and the STUS civilian work it out where I can roll a couple of classes. I get a rotator back to CONUS, throw a few things in my car, sublet my apt, and set out for Oklahoma. > UPT (2.5!): 3 August 2020

I can finally finish my timeline . AFOQT/TBAS May 2019 Interview September 2019 Selected October 2019 Swore Into the Unit November 2019 FC1 January 2020 Re-Commissioned May 2020 UPT September 22, 2020 Start to finish, once selected right at a year. The virus postponed my UPT dates some but still squeaked in. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

You can afford to be lazy when the state runs the media and censors the internet. All those woke protestors should head to HK and see what it's like to protest against an authoritarian government for real.

And what does that have to do with the price of eggs in China? Your knack for strawmans, whataboutisms, and turning any topic into a something about the Clinton's is astounding.