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Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Don't trespass, break down doors, shatter windows and hop barricades clearly meant to keep you out and you likely won't get shot...easy as that. Hard to feel sorry for someone like this.

Because you like to oversimplify my arguments into black and white, lib and conservative, whatever. I think my opinions are more nuanced than you would ever give me credit for, and often I don’t align with the bucket you try to put me in (sts). Also, I don’t believe that serving on active duty provides an iota more feeling of service to the nation than serving in the guard or in the civil service. I believe that if the military wants people on active duty, then they have to compete. As a young fighter pilot, i realized that TR guardsmen got to fly 6-9 times a month working 3 days and one weekend a month. I also realized that’s how much I was flying as a CMR wingman. On top of that I realized that flying was what I actually enjoyed in the Air Force, and it’s where I felt I was actually accomplishing something. The military/gov is type one spatial D’d (unrecognized) when it comes to retention. They know active duty is the most important for military health and they need folks on active duty to accomplish their mission. But every single incentive other than slightly increased chances to become an O-6 🤮 goes to the advantage of the guard or GS. You let me fly fighters, pay me twice as much, don’t force me to move, can’t deploy me if I don’t accept, and have to keep me to 40 hour weeks - thats better in literally every single way.

Wow. Who wouldn't sign up for starting out as GS-7 with an 8 year commitment at Del Rio? Especially young CFIs in the current aviation job market? As expected, USAF screws up a potentially successful venture.

Why does it take a current civilian CFII 3 years of training to become a T-6 instructor but a FAIP can be made in, what, 18 months? A bunch of morons must have written the requirements for this...same with anyone who signs up. If you wanna fly T-6s that bad just, IDK, join the Air Force!

Just labeling your demonstrated behavior because any time anyone does make the argument that Putin’s being an imperialist asshole trying to erase Ukraine and re-start the Soviet Union, you just whitewash it with “NATO provoked this yada yada yada Putin was justified, trust me I’m an expert.” There’s no genuine room for discussion there, but nice try.

That's fine. As long as a country we agree that in every instance when an unarmed black person is killed for resisting arrest that they were playing a stupid game and won a stupid prize. I don't believe we really think that though.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3055795/department-of-defense-updates-policy-on-hiv-positive-service-members/ No Covid Vax? GTFO. Got HIV? Come on down! Admittedly, I don’t know enough about HIV but even with no detectable viral load etc in the release, isn’t it still spread via blood/fluid exchange? Therefore, isn’t that putting other members at risk if there are no restrictions?

Then why didn't Russia attack Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia since they share a border with Russia, and all rushed to join NATO, now soon Finland and Sweden? Is Belarus up for this fight?

More like a PoS position.

I think that misses the mark for most people. I really have no problem with what personal choices people make in the bedroom, nor with how they choose to party. I am, however, weary of the requirement for the masses to celebrate everyone and everything. It’s not just a “pride” thing - it’s a much larger toxic narcissism that is endemic to our society.

More like they foolishly shut down half of their nuclear plants shortly before deciding to finally get off russian gas. Seems unwise! Meanwhile France gets 70% of its electricity from nuclear...all carbon-free! FWIW while I'm a strong supporter of renewables (solar/wind/hydro/geothermal), I'm also a strong supporter of nuclear. Steady nuclear with peaky renewables are really an excellent pair if you wanted to design a sustainable fuel mix for electricity. All until we crack the nut on fission, then it's game over for anything else. The power of the sun, in the palm of my hand!

Agreed. Consistent application of principals = legitimate rule of law.

There’s a seemingly an increased urgency, rate, and volume in which this propaganda is being forced upon military members. The Navy, of course: https://freebeacon.com/national-security/pride-month-heres-how-the-navy-is-training-sailors-on-proper-gender-pronouns/

He did a gala for my wife’s company, he was a total bro. Politics aside I love how committed he is to wounded veterans and helping them rehabilitate.

Meh I don’t give the air staff so much credit… Chuck

Holy crap, 8 years? Just commission. I'd sure like to talk to anyone that signed up for that and find out why they did it.

I especially enjoy the complete lack of balance history. Having 0 idea of how my retirement savings have preformed in the years prior to the site rollover is exactly what I wanted.

Good god whoever signed off on the new TSP site design should be shot.

Of course this is XL only. Copy and paste details from TPN: the USAF PAQ T6 Instructor email came out today. just wanted to share it for people who were curious about the details of what the position looked like and what the details of the position were: here are the big points: 1. 8 year total commitment 2. 3 year training pipeline, 5 years as an instructor. 3. Pay starts at GS-7 and progresses to GS-9 while in training 4. Instructor duties and ground will be a requirement and but most of the training will conducted in the aircraft. 5. You will be based out of Del Rio AFB 6. Pay, one as an instructor tops out at GS13. 7. 6 total hires, 3 fall 22, 3 spring 23. Here is the body of the email, I left off the section from the program manager PoC information. If you want it, and it's okay with Admins, i can share the email with you. I just want to make sure this post is allowed, if not, please delete. from the USAF PAQ AFPC: "As you can see in the handshake announcement, the Air Force is looking to hire a total of Six (6) candidate into this program starting with Three (3) in Nov 22 and concluding with an additional Three (3) in March to April of 2023. All of these positions will be based at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio TX and once the training portion of this program is complete, the incumbent will be based out of Laughlin AFB for the duration of their term of service. The overall program is broken down into a three year training phase beginning with T-6A Only Undergraduate Pilot Training in the T-6 and a Five (5) year term of service as a Civilian Flight Instructor that follows. Upon completion of that course, you will be evaluated on your progress and if nominated by the hiring unit squadron commander you will attend T-6A Pilot Instructor Training on a temporary duty assignment to Randolph AFB. Successful completion of both of these courses is a required training event and failure to complete these courses will result in removal from the program. When these two courses are complete, the incumbent will return to Laughlin AFB where he or she will complete the Mission Qualification Certification and then will begin teaching USAF student pilots in the aircraft. Instructional work will include all phases of the current AETC Syllabus to include Contact, Aerobatic, Formation, Low Level, Instrument and Cross Country work. The goal is to accumulate the required Total, Pic, Instructor, Night and Instrument flight hours to be outplaced into the full performance position. In addition to the in-flight instructor certification, the incumbent will also become certified to teach in the T-6A Flight Simulator and to serve as an Academic Platform Instructor however the focus of the majority of the work to be performed is in the aircraft. Upon completion of this Three (3) year program, the incumbent will be required to serve a Five (5) year term of service as an instructor pilot in the T-6A Aircraft. Each candidate will have an Individual Developmental Plan which outlines all of the required training objectives and each person will be assessed at various gates to ensure you are making satisfactory progress towards the end goals of the developmental program. Each incumbent will be assessed annually at a minimum. Successful completion of each year's training plan will result in a grade level promotion. The incumbent begins their service as a GS-07 then progresses to GS-09 and GS-11 during the training phase. Upon outplacement to the full performance position, the incumbent will promote to a GS-12 until obtaining 52 weeks (1 year) time in grade and then be promoted to a GS-13 grade level. Pay and benefits are set by the OPM pay tables but beginning at the GS-11 grade those tables are governed by a Special Salary Rate based on work performed while actively flying. Additional incentives are outlined in the handshake agreement attached to this document. The attached PDF document is the "Handshake" agreement that went out to multiple universities who offer a Part 141 Professional Pilot Bachelor's Degree. Within that document you will find details on the program and the links to apply either through the Handshake link ( https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/6600656 ) or by submitting the required documentation directly to the Operations Career Field Organizational Email address ([afpc.operations.cft@us.af.mil](mailto:afpc.operations.cft@us.af.mil) ). It is imperative that you provide ALL the required documentation to prove that you meet the program requirements with your initial response as there is little opportunity to reach back and track down anything you may have missed. In short those required documents include: 1. Your College Transcript (can be unofficial) showing GPA (2.95 Minimum) and Major: Must be a Bachelor's, professional pilot Degree from a Part 141 flight training program. 2. Your Resume 3. A scanned, Signed copy of the last page(s) of your log book showing that you have a minimum of 50 hours of Dual Given as a CFII. 4. Scanned Copies (Front and Back) of your FAA Certificates (Commercial, CFI, CFII and FAA Flying Class I OR II Medical): These must be current through the anticipated onboarding date (Nov 22 - Apr 23) The basic requirements to be eligible for this program include: - U.S. citizenship - Recent/graduating student (Sep 20 - Dec 22), with a Professional Pilot degree from an accredited university with a Part 141 program - Possession of a FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument rating, and an Airplane Single-Engine Land and/or Multi-Engine Land rating - A minimum of 50 hours of dual given flight instruction - A FAA Flying Class I or II medical certificate current up to the time of appointment (November 2022 to April 2023) - In good academic standing with a GPA greater than or equal to 2.95 on a 4.0 scale - Ability to obtain a Security Clearance (Air Force funded) - Meet T-6 ejection seat height and weight requirements (Safe operating limits for ejection) -- Nude Body Weight - 103 to 245 Lbs -- In addition to the weight requirements, other anthropomorphic measurements will be required during the screening process which include standing height, sitting height, buttock to knee length. These will be assessed for those who are tentatively selected and you will be notified on how to accomplish these measurements at that time. When we receive your application and documents, you will be notified that we have received them and are awaiting a final selection notification. At the close of the application window, all applicants will be sent to a central selection panel who will select those moving forward. When that decision is made, those selected will be notified by AFPC and given a Tentative Job Offer to continue. Ultimately those selected will be given a formal job offer and an entrance onto duty date to report to Laughlin AFB for in-processing and UPT 2.5 training start dates. Throughout the training program, the Operations Career Field PAQ program manager will continue to support your administrative actions while the gaining unit commander (or delegated officer) will become your immediate supervisor." --

Yes. Political hypocrisy is a symptom of extremism and tells me someone isnt interested in a just, equal society, they are interested in exploiting those values to achieve their political utopia, which fundamentally, is a dystopia for many others. I don't necessarily uphold Ashley Babbit as a wonderful person. But just as we had to exercise ourself to see passed George Floyd's criminality to recognize him as a human being, we need to do the same thing with her. Justice is about ensuring just ends are met, even if they are ends that as a society make us uncomfortable.

I have SA, you’re the tumbleweed one who can’t see past your infatuation with Putin. Keep thinking you’re an expert and talking down, sure sign of someone who knows what he’s talking about.

Yeah, it does seem like a lot of grandstanding. I would have assumed just about any Congressman of note would receive at least a handful of similar letters every year. Lots of crazies out there, after all. Sure enough, from the article: 9000 potential threats, spread over 535 Congressmen and Senators. I assume Kinzinger probably has a selection of letters he could have chosen from when he published this one.

Ah yes, a PhD is the prerequisite to discussing a topic. Totally valid critique of this dude’s theory from Prosuper since Putin’s justification is pure BS and he’s just doing genocide through imperialism. But keep simping for Putin.

https://nypost.com/2022/06/20/west-point-cadets-being-taught-critical-race-theory-report/

Just curious, if you think it’s silly for someone to stay on AD, why do you believe so? Reason I ask you specifically is that on other threads you’re very pro-big government and seem to trust the feds wrt environmental, health, economic policies, and in general being pro-regulation vs not. . So why not extend that same faith/enthusiasm to serving in the active duty military?

All that money Germany invested in Green energy appears to be wasted. Going back to coal! https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/20/ukraine-war-germany-turns-to-coal-as-russia-throttles-gas-supplies.html

He teaches at Harris, which is a pretty lofty credential considering something like half the faculty there are Nobel laureates in either peace, security or economics. He's also founded and written on some theories guiding great power conflict. On his wiki bio he was also a Westpoint graduate and Army officer. Honestly, I'm reading his wiki bio now and this dude has been in the international security circles quite deep. Edit: the real hero here though is the European dude at 2:03:00 who just shit talks the EU and NATO for like 5 minutes (and he's an EU employee lol).

Sure thing, I'll call you on my phone which will be using an automatic call recording app...talk to you soon!

If they hire someone that tells their personnel to answer an email with something other than “call me”, I’d be happy. Cant stand working with the FAA.

I imagine the FAA Administrator is a tough job to staff. The population of people with aviation experience at an executive level (whether public or private) is pretty small. To add, the person you nominate has to want the job. With commercial aviation reeling from Covid, Boeing's shenanigans with the MAX and 787, etc, I'd think some qualified people would respond "thanks but no thanks." However, the reality is that, in the hierarchy of qualifications for these politically-appointed jobs, experience is pretty far down the list. It's Identity Politics above all, which means the number one criteria Democrats are looking for is that the nominee either be a woman or a "person of color." When you constrain the candidate pool that much, it's no surprise that you end up with candidates who have really thin qualifications.

Careful counting your chickens before they roost. Lots of Dems were thinking the same thing in 2016.

Callsign nights and shacking with female students is a thing too! …too soon?

You're welcome to express opinions but when you can't comprehend the nuance and complexity of geopolitical matters expect people who do to call you out. If you don't comprehend the chain of events from the ascension of the Balkins to the current situation in Ukraine, then yes, I'm going to trust the PhD's opinion over yours, while you go back and do some more reading on an area and geopolitical theater you clearly know little about. I saw this "keep simping for Russia" bullshit before. Except it was 2003, Freedom Fries were on the House dining menu, and the academically illiterate like yourself were accusing a huge proportion of the country that was critical of the assertion there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq of being simps for Saddam Hussein. Today those people all look like assholes. Consider that for a moment in context of your biased Russophobia. If your heart bleeds for Ukraine, fine. Absolutely noone stopping you from volunteering for their foreign legion. By all means go. I'm not stopping you and really don't care.

Took me six on one and five on the other...crazy.

Fixed that for you. Nobody fired randomly into the crowd. A reasonable, and quite forgiving, threshold for (proxy) self-defense was established by the officer and she found herself in position to be first to test it out. She was very deliberately targeted and she alone suffered the appropriate consequences. Nothing random about it. A completely disingenuous comparison as there is no reasonable expectation of threat to life. Do our enemies know that they can just waltz onto Whiteman and steal a nuke because SF can't actually do anything about it? It's just trespassing and theft, right?

She was straight up murdered. The cops own statements show that.

I don't think I'm the only one. But when you ask "why didn't Russia do this with the Baltic states" that's a pretty clear knowledge gap. What's your answer to that question based off your literature review. If you cant answer it, then stfu. Because there are plenty of people that can.

No my friend. Your reading comprehension is poor. You butted on a conversation between two other people, myself and Prosuper, in which Prosuper asked about the Baltic states. You jumped into a fight without your prebrief and now you are frustrated you don't understand what's going on. Get lost.

What does this have anything to do with the speakers background? If you disagree with him go get your PhD and write a dissertation on it. I look forward to reading it.

I know it's uncomfortable to admit, but some of y'all can just come out and say (sic), "I don't like gay people and don't want to see/hear/think about gay stuff." It's not a popular POV at this point in history, but you can just come out and say it. It's ok...this is a "safe space" 😆 I'll be fair to you vs just snarky and say point taken that perhaps some of our "celebration" months go a bit overboard on identity itself vs accomplishments of people of that identity. I agree. I don't care if you're gay and in the military, but if you're gay and did something worth celebrating while in uniform I'd love to hear about it and share that story. But overall, if people wanna fly flags and be proud of who they are or celebrate their heritage then by all means go for it! I do all of those things for my identities as an American, an Italian, an Irishman, and an active service member. Feel free to grill a hamburger, eat a spicy meatball, down a pint of Guinness and blow some shit up in July to celebrate with me! 🇺🇸 🇮🇹 🇮🇪🎖️