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I would think of it less as us RPA dudes jumping ship and more of us just trying to jump on other opportunities. Flying Reapers has been the best job I’ve ever had hands down. But I love flying and it was my goal to fly manned since I began seeking a career in the Air Force. So anyone who is applying for RPAs and gets picked up it’s still a fantastic job. And arguably still probably the most likely to have first hand effects on the battle field.

“treat your ADSC contract like you work for the best paid regional airline, and a lot of this lamenting is self-limiting. If you pursue an extension of your one-sided contract, do so with eyes wide open.” What a prolific analogy. Excellent work.

It's not lack of awareness, it's straight up (however sclerotic) game theory application. They have a reductionist view of airline hiring cycles since oh say, the end of the vietnam war (and definitively post deregulation). They will always short-call airline hiring predictions. That's why things like the FY21 AvB offerings are allowed to manifest in spite of real world a-word hiring intel they are privy to, especially in the age of the internet. I forget I'm one of the old crusty guys on here now, so I catch myself repeating the spiel, but I'll do it anyways: They'll always play run-the-clock offense, even when they're behind. It's not a bug to them, it's a feature. This is because even though in a game with no ADSC such decisions would get them sacked out of office, that's not the game we're playing here. You AD critters should know that better than anyone. At the pilot occupational level, they staff and manage this place like a regional airline. So, treat your ADSC contract like you work for the best paid regional airline, and a lot of this lamenting is self-limiting. If you pursue an extension of your one-sided contract, do so with eyes wide open. And to be clear, there are reasons why it's ok to be a "regional lifer" (ask me how I know). No right or wrong answer, only the right or wrong answer for each individual and /or dependent family. Happy New Year.

I am not. There’s a whole different Air Force out there. It’s motherhood just like tanking is for you: enabling movement to target. What if your yo-yo plan was landing on a blacked out dirt strip to drive your own fuel truck to FARP, and the better you do it the quicker you return to a TIC? Not so silly anymore. that’s an extreme example, although valid. Mostly it’s to move luggage pallets quicker!

I send guys to get all manner of licenses before we deploy- forklift, 10k truck, etc. We go to austere locations and it’s been a huge help to have this capability organic to our unit. That said, I empathize with the overall sentiment that line instructor pilots are tired of being forced to add non-flying responsibilities to their duties in order to cover for an organization unable to generate sufficient support. It’s true, the AF sucks at helping you. If you extend your ADSC, expect more of the same. Posture future plans accordingly.

The squadron bar is kinda like a social media platform. You say something dumb enough in the bar and you’ll get shouted down by the bros. Keep saying dumb shit, and they’ll change the door code and not let you back in. If the Bobs who own the bar decide not to change the door code and keep letting the clown talk, the bros will eventually leave and nobody likes the bar anymore. Either way, the Wing Commander isn’t coming to arrest you for just being a douche in the bar.

I really hope they have more slots than ever after seeing other peoples scores from this year and last year!

Just wait until people decline ADSCs for instructor upgrade or requal. That'll REALLY help the manning.

Ya, I was being a bit flippant in my comment. But it's a bit silly in my scenario due to the vacuum cleaner of an underslung intake on the jet. That FARP better plan on a few engine swaps. I've changed a few engines back in my enlisted days, it might be a tough gig in a FARP. 😂 But seriously, in this scenario, are we just leaving fuel trucks in the middle of nowhere with noone around? Maybe we are...but I'm not sure I'd trust the fuel. If we're not at a FARP scenario anymore, who is building those pallets that you need to move quicker? Why not have an additional troop there to move stuff. Is the next step to have you land, go build up the pallets yourselves, then go? Seems more prudent to build up our CRG type units than to keep piling duties onto one person. I get the ACE idea, but at some point, it gets a bit crazy to expect good outcomes if you continue to pile up the duties.

Truth, but don’t mistake the cynicism for aspects of it not being worth it. Everyone’s calculus is different, and may change over time. I have plenty of bros who were CSO types that managed UPT (and one even in RPA) slots that are enjoying it. The flying is definitely a highlight.

There isn't one for 1st time rated, just the bonus after your initial rated commitment if that year group/career field gets one.