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Just watch, the microsecond after the election is over the Democrats are going to be suddenly and deeply concerned with the mental health of the president.

The current batch of E-8's and E-9's, saw it when I retired in 2003 E-7, is the fault of the Flag officers who wanted Senior E's who got there like they did. Didn't want crusty Chiefs anymore behind closed doors telling them that their policy is crap. When I started in 1981, we only had only had a CMSAF and a bunch of senior enlisted advisors, all were Viet Nam vets or actually helped Lemay at the auto hobby shop on Offutt. Saw the change after Desert Storm, the Senior E's who didn't go started to make life hard on the guys who did. The Espirit De Corp after the storm in ops and mx was through the roof and was destroyed by peace dividend. So, the guys who sat on the boards discounted wartime deployed experience and chose special duty, how many duty titles they had, etc. I read Chief Bass's bio, can't figure out what her AFSC was.

For every useless “chief” there’s an equally useless O-6+. I don’t get the feeling MAJCOM, CAF vs. MAF, etc. really changes that in any appreciable way. Generally it seems when dudes go E-8/O-6+, many get that fabled “lobotomy,” and only a few remain mission-oriented bros. The guard is far better than AD with this subject.

Julia Powell dead of heart attack at 49. But yea guys, this is totally normal.

I know these rates seem crazy, but we're still below normal for any time prior to 9/11. This chart showing rates since the late 50s and, besides for a ~3 year stretch in the early 90s, rates weren't below the 4% they currently are for any real sustained period from 1965-2001. The chart is also a little misleading, as the way rates have been established has changed a few times and they've gotten tighter (sts) on the range rates are in and frequency they're changed. (This is a good writeup about the recent history.) Rates just seem high because, like a junkie, we're addicted to low rates we've had post 9/11 and require them to continue to grow as we have. The low rates have made us feel rich; corporations borrowed a lot of money to spend on growth and stock buybacks to push up stock prices, mortgages were cheap and allowed housing prices to turn into investments and grow at rates not seen in the ~75 years proceeding, and consumer debt just kept growing because it didn't cost much. Our new normal wasn't sustainable and, yes, this is a pretty abrupt raise pattern that's gonna hurt, but we've been at new-pilot-on-final levels of throttle-rowing for the past couple decades in regards to interest rates and it's just not sustainable. It spans parties/administrations/Fed talking heads/etc.; no one wanted to take away the punch bowl and have things correct on their watch.

Or this version, depends on how long you’ve been flying fighters…

I’ll just say it - a lot of people had these same thoughts when younger, but they won’t admit it out loud while simultaneously throwing out “officer first.” They’re correct in that statement, but it’s not so black and white, and that’s OK. I understand where you’re at/coming from. I won’t rehash in detail, as Oface is correct about a lot of info in the “archives,” but big pic… AD - If looking at OTS route, you can decline any “offer,” so you’re not stuck. There’s a lot more details on that you’ll have to go read yourself. ROTC/USAFA is not a guarantee, but ultimately my opinion is those who should get a pilot slot typically do, with minor exceptions. ANG/AFRC - “Guaranteed,” but you have to get hired. That is a very competitive process and definitely risk of not making it. Go read about it. My opinion - Try for ANG, AFRC, AD in that order. Once you’re getting “old” on the interview circuit, consider putting your hat into the AD ring. Regardless of which component you may go to, be good with being a non-flying officer for at least 4 years, as there’s lots of hurdles to stumble over on your way to being a MR wingman or co-pilot.

When you get your 5th Gen fighter from Wish.

“Hey Ivan, we ran out of rivets, can you run to Home Depot and grab some drywall screws; they’ll work fine”

Dementia Man at it again...FALSELY claiming his son died in Iraq. Biden Verbally Fumbles, Twice, During Campaign Trip in Florida Fing epic song parody...Hilarious if it wasn't so accurate.

I just wanna watch them try.

My dad's air medals from Vietnam are pretty important to me.

I also started in 1981 and can attest to this. Chiefs then were Chiefs, and practically all wore Vietnam service ribbons amongst other awards. It spoiled me as a young E-1. I watched those "old school" chiefs disappear over the years as they retired and moved on, and in their place were mostly politically correct, tow-the-line SNCOs who were mirrored images of the officers. Hell, most won't even cuss these days in fears of offending some airman! What made the USAF great during those years was officers were officers, and Chiefs were Chiefs, and each complimented each other. Now it's tough to tell the difference! And just to pre-empt the expected replies, anyone who uses the term "boomer" will earn a 30-day suspension! 😁😁😁

Low speed, high drag

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/politics/david-depape-paul-pelosi-attack/index.html He's an illegal alien from Canada who entered at the southern border. Lol. This is comical.

“I threw a bunch of Grandpa Chip’s war medals off a bridge.”

This made it fucking worth my time friend.

Not sure if real but if it is I dig it

https://babylonbee.com/news/after-oz-fetterman-debate-pennsylvania-votes-to-have-no-representation-in-the-senate The Bee has been on fire the past couple of weeks.

Danger your daughters are making you soft. Report to CH for remedial training!!!

I know it’s not stylish to actually support someone instead of shitting on them but I’m glad you’re putting a shadow box together after a good career and thanks for your work for our country. And if you earned a DFC, Silver Star, Air Force Cross, DSSC, Medal of Honor or anything else beyond the Purple Heart or POW medal, I appreciate those as well.

I would be happy to assist as the third wheel......

Another thing to consider if you’re that concerned about getting a “guaranteed” flight slot is the Marine Corps. It’s not the typical path people think of but they do give out “guaranteed” flight contracts prior to joining. Just food for thought. DM me if you’re interested in that.

Oh my god, the horror, surely there aren’t tens of thousands of pilots who have done this for decades and are currently doing it now, without any automation at all.

Do what the Navy did years ago in the S-3, A-6, EA-6B community, put an instrument qualified Co-NAV in the front right seat. For sure in the S-3 community they went the route of putting a NFO in the front right seat because keeping two single anchor pilots qualed around the boat soon proved too restrictive. I heard rumblings that even the E-2D community is looking at missionizing the front right seat and putting a NFO up there to assist in mission related tasks. I’ve got 1000+ hours in the S-3 riding shotgun with pilots. Other than physically landing on the boat or staying in the baskt (that takes more practice than I had time to master) flying the jet was a piece of cake. We were FAA dual-pilot approved so we could accept those lower mins. Don’t know if the USAF is that brave or already looked at this idea and dismissed it? Heck, “George” is flying the plane 80% of the time anyway right (except in the S-3, that autopilot sucked…but altitude Hold worked)? ATIS

It is but it is also a Navy focused solution, dumping a crap ton of money to get it on and off the carrier. Concur, but certainly within the realm of possibility. Folks are already working on it. Boom Exactly, if we can fly Global Hawk on long duration ISR missions we can certainly handle a few tankers

Yet another thing many of us already knew 2 years ago. Millions of people are batting a .969 on things to do with COVID, but nope, they were all the conspiracy theorists and wing nuts. Funny how that has turned out…

https://abc7.com/mexico-us-border-migration-immigration-crossings-migrants-surge/12365060/ Highest number of illegal border crossings of any fiscal year ever. We’re still pretending this isn’t on purpose?

From dirty KC-10 Boom to dirty Huey pilot. I've seen all shapes and sizes! We seem to attract the big ones lol. You could fit several tons of fat girls inside of Big Sexy and the Huey was too slow to outrun them.

Not sure what there is on the island of Formosa for the CCP to reposes? Unlike many third world nations, Taipei hasn't wanted or needed mainland Chinese help in building any of their infrastructure. The CCP effectively has no presence in Taiwan, so I think it'd be pretty hard to "reposes" anything there without assaulting it first.

Well, assuming you’re not just trolling us, I’d recommend you take your own advice in your last sentence and “do some research”. There is, quite literally, hundreds of pages of people discussing AD vs Res vs ANG, and their particulars, on this very sub-forum. Then I’d recommend you explore the “Road to Wings” forum, specifically “Pilot Selection Process” followed by “What Are My Chances.” Then I’d recommend coming back with some specific questions that we’d be happy to answer for you. However, nobody on here should try to talk you into this life and nor should anyone attempt to psychoanalyze your “headspace.” Happy reading.