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What a stupid fucking tweet, acting like there’s some conspiracy that McCain and Graham were over there in 2017 representing the US and defense aid to Ukraine. Do people not remember that Russia unilaterally invaded Ukraine through Crimea and several eastern provinces all the way back in 2014? This country is turning into a looney bin more and more every day. An unending parade of woke and social justice garbage from the left and sound bite conspiracy theories from the right. Awesome.

Ask them to print out their TDY history. They are exaggerating greatly. Or the scheduler was banging their wife. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some Air Force guy at CGSC is rock hard reading these posts.

I’ve researched this a good bit and this is the most convincing argument I’ve seen. This is just a condensed clip of a way broader conversation, but starting at about 1:20 he talks about the historical vulnerability points to Russia and Ukraine + Crimea are key to 2/3 of them. That coupled with demographic collapse in Russia in the near term has forced them to make their move while they still can. What isn’t addressed is more of the psychological aspects of Putin’s view of the Russian Empire (pre-Soviet pre-Bolshevik era) that also have influenced this supposedly. I’m not a geopolitical expert or anything but those reasons (mainly articulated by Peter Zeihan but some others) make the most sense to me.

Good time to go get a few face tattoos lol.

...and if you fail? Wonder if they make these guys do OPRs? That could be fun...I'm here, I show up on time, most days. old guys showing up for their PT test.

I didn’t mean for any of this to be an indicator of how I felt during my time in. I wasn’t upset while I was in. I’m not upset now. I was honestly pretty thrilled during my 12 years on AD. And no one ever heard me say a single bad thing about our jet, ever. Maybe I longed internally for a very different mission, but who ing cares. I had a chance and it didn’t happen. Boo hoo. Not loving your MWS can be kept close to your heart, or realized slowly after years pass. I don’t love the airlines, but damned if I’m not the first to tell my fellow pilots how fortunate we are with a smile on my face, and I’m the first to suggest drinks and day trips while on the road. Anything but a slam-clicker. I merely wanted to be transparent, on an anonymous forum, about my hindsight on if flying in the AF was worth it. It took an enormous toll on my family and marriage. I saw my son for, at best, 1/3 of his life while often flying empty jets across the ponds and in the AOR. The 30 yo me didn’t care nearly as much as the gray haired me. In retrospect I still feel fortunate and am grateful for the friendships, memories and ratings, but I have come to the conclusion that the AF definitely took a lot, and I probably would have gone a different route if I had to do it over. If that makes me toxic, I guess I’m toxic. Judging oneself is never easy and rarely accurate. I definitely felt like I was a solid bro who was always willing to push and smile while doing it. I just felt like deep down it was not as fulfilling as I initially thought it was going to be. I’ll bow out to not clog the thread anymore, just felt like engaging when reading from strangers who don’t know me that I was not an asset but rather a detriment

Check out Skunk Works for a great read.

I agree. Edit: After second thought, I don't think he had enough DFCs (3) or AMs (64). I learned me something today. 😌

I’ve got zero issues renaming this place after a dude that flew B-29’s in WW2, got out of the AF Reserves as an O-5 (and gave up an airline line number!) to be a W-4 in the Army. He then earned the Medal of Honor doing 15 evacuation flights to save 29 ARVN soldiers. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_J._Novosel

Holy shit! I had no idea they renamed Rucker. Lol. Renaming things . Hooray for justice!

It could affect all the dudes that went to ALO or CAP-USAF. I don't believe it's likely, but they're IRR and still very much reachable. If any IRR gets non-vol'd, I think it'll be Army.

Yeah, let us all know how this great idea works out. OP, my bros in C-17s are TDY a lot more than I am in the CAF. We average on the road 3 months (3 TDYs a year) for my sq going back the last 6ish years. The C-17 guys I know were at least twice that, but none of them were Elmo guys. You should checkout the How do you feel about your airframe and mission? thread if you haven’t already. I know there are C-17 dudes that have posted there. It might not be Elmo specific but you’ll get the idea of how much they’re gone. What I know for sure is that PACAF is 5 gallons of shit being stuffed into a 1/2 gallon sock. Be prepared to fight every TDY to get paid IAW the reg. and before your GTC gets sent to collections.

Caller ID is your friend! 😎

All the posturing makes me desire the simplicity of honesty by world leaders. I know that might create its own set of problems. One of my favorite scenes in movie history.

Take it from a father of 4…your kids and wife will be fine if you have a solid relationship and are clear on expectations. It sucks being gone but if you make the time you have count, it’ll be fine. If you can’t square that corner and want to be a stay at home dad, just SIE now, finish your career as a finance OIC, and move on to something else. Spoiler alert: Whatever you end up flying, you’ll be gone a lot. Even FAIP’ing you’ll be working your ass off 12 hours a day for years.

This shit really pisses me off. It’s called service and it’s called sacrifice. It’s what the rest of us have dealt with and managed for years and years. I can’t count the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and everything else I’ve missed in my 21 years. Your kids will take 20 years to “grow up”. Find a way to stay in AETC and get out. The rest of us will continue to handle the tough part.

HTN 23-07 July 14, 2023 8 students CV-22 – Kirtland AFB, NM HH-60W – Kirtland AFB, NM HH-60G – 55th RQS, Davis-Monthan AFB AZ TH-1N – 23rd TRS (FAIP), Ft Novosel, AL UH-1N – 1st HS, Andrews AFB, MD UH-1N – 1st HS, Andrews AFB, MD UH-1N – 37th HS, F.E. Warren AFB, WY UH-1N – 40th HS, Malmstrom AFB, MT

That one comment caught my attention, and I'd like to share a few (well, more than a "few") thoughts on it.... First, while I will agree that volunteers are more preferable than conscripts (having spent copious amounts of time in countries whose military is made up of the latter); I don't necessarily agree that voluntarily joining makes one of "noble character" as they are fairly well compensated for doing so! I joined the USAF right after high school after discovering stocking shelves at Winn Dixie was not something I wanted to do when I got older (say, into my mid-to-late 20s!). I barely had a education (and it's only gotten worse) and zero skills or experience other than the aforementioned grocery store job. I was just above the minimum wage level and without more things to bring to the table, my chances for making more money and getting a less mundane job were low. Joining the USAF gave me the opportunity to increase my "net worth" considerably while serving. I got two degrees, a commission, and accomplished a long list of things I otherwise would not have had I not joined the military. Yes, we all know the sacrifices required; but we also should have known those risks going into the agreement. Even I, as a 18 year old dumbass, basically knew what would be required of me when in uniform. But the volunteering difference really struck a cord with me after I retired and joined a State Defense Force thanks to a former USAF bud who was already in and talked me into it. If you are not familiar with those, they are military units who operate under the sole authority of a state government as authorized by state and Federal law (in 1940, Congress amended the National Defense Act of 1916 to allow them), and are under the command of the governor of each state. State defense forces are distinct from National Guard units in that they cannot be Federalized, which in turn means no Federal funds can be used to sustain them. So what that boils down to is service in SDFs are true volunteers as they do so pro bono. My TXARNG counterpart across the hall from my office at the armory makes $1,448.24 for his weekend, whereas not only am I unpaid but all my expenses (uniforms, equipment, meals gas, etc.) are out of pocket as well as the amount of time I have to put into my duties (usually in addition to drill, it's an hour or two daily, sometimes more). As you can imagine, it gets to be a very expensive "hobby!" So while I am no disparaging those on Active Duty or in the Guard and Reserves, I now have a second perspective of what "noble volunteerism" is about. Honestly, when I get "thanked for my service" these days, I take it more to heart. And, for anyone still interested enough to be reading this far, our mission for the state is mainly emergency management. We can be activated more easily and quicker than our TXARNG and TXANG counterparts, and are trained to assist state and Federal agencies in establishing shelters and distribution points for disaster survivors. We also have other related missions to include operating emergency tracking networks, supporting comms, security, SAR, conducting wide area searches in disaster areas, medical support, boat and dive crews, and anything else I can get my unit trained and certified to do. Our mission is to initiate and sustain these operations until the TXARNG and TXANG can recall and deploy their troops and equipment into the area, which can take up to two weeks. Just to add, when we are activated on State Active Duty (SAD) orders we are eligible for per diem of $179/day but there is no rank pay at all. So the E-1 is getting the same money as I am. Also, we do have the opportunity to deploy to the Texas border mission (Operation LONE STAR) which has additional compensation to the tune of $84K/yr; but that is mainly offered to enlisted and CGOs. I have about 27 troops on that mission at the moment... So if you think it's tough trying to recruit and retain quality individuals for Active Duty, imagine the leadership challenge to do so for a mission which normally doesn't pay!

Fortunately, it appears that the smoke issue has been minimized for the last week or so. The photos I’ve seen from a friend the is currently volunteering at OSH appears to be clear skies there as well. They added another new area just NW of the south forty this year. You got to give them credit for constantly increasing parking areas to accommodate everyone flying into the show. I’ll be flying in early Saturday and joining you in HBC.

But, Gotta call a spade a spade: that sound's pretty pessimistic. If financial security and work-life balance were your known goals when you started...why the hell did you join the military? Let's be honest, we all made some rash quick decisions with long reaching consequences when were in our 20's. But I'd say you're doing yourself a disservice with that hind-sight 2020 type of analysis where you say you hated it but imagine that you didn't have a poor attitude. Being miserable is 90% perspective and attitude, and 10% situation. What you choose to focus on is what you focus on. If you focus on the suck, yeah, you'll be hate it. So say that mil flying was only worth it to get to your civilian job is really, really, jaded. If you were so unhappy, trust me, your peers knew it regardless of how much optimism you painted over it. We've all known that guy. I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it. I was there too, and yeah, there was a LOT of suck. But no amount of wallowing in misery ever improved it, so most of us chose to enjoy what we could enjoy, missed birthdays and holidays included. Frankly, dudes with the "get me out of here" attitude were the ones that poisoned the well and tended to bring morale down. I've worked with enough of them to know that invariably it's something else going on in life. Whatever it is or was, you're not alone.

I know they added more spots on the south side in the last few years. I think typically tues/wed is the peak of traffic when they have turned non "showplanes" (experimental, vintage, warbird) away. I'll be in HBC all week in my RV-6. I really hope the smoke stays away. Flying into the show is quite the experience. I feel like the last two times i've flown in the arrival line started about 60miles from the field going past endeavor bridge. But i've always shown up at peak times in the afternoon.

Possibly, but I think that’s arrogantly presumptuous of you to say. I would be willing to bet there’s not a single person I served with who would think I had any pessimism or a poor attitude. Quite the contrary. Additionally, I am grateful for my time in but age has brought a certain perspective, for me, that does not exist within your sounding booth. I don’t think that warrants your need to make such a shitty personal jab.

Dude, stop. I only get so many down votes a day...

I’ve steered several friends toward the Ranger Regiment , NSW, the Marines, and AF Special Warfare. They all were worried about transferable skills and I told them if they could handle one of the aforementioned jobs, they’ll be able to get some job on the outside because they’ll be able to make things happen with a winning attitude. What really drove the point home to me was when I went to a recent reunion with a bunch of bros I played college football with. They all were so interested in my stories and a bunch (including 3 former and 1 current NFL player) said they wish they would’ve done that. Do cool shit with your life and don’t rush to being a fucking square.

Its almost like watching Macaulay Culkin fighting the wet bandits, but with uavs and grenades instead of toys and hot irons.

An aircrew friend went to work for Gulfstream. Said individual provided critical, pointed feedback to a coworker regarding substandard performance. Said individual was subsequently ‘counseled’ by HR. The quote: “Listen…this isn’t the military. You can’t verbally punch people, you have to pet them.”

You guys are terrible at critical reading. I directly said the hypothetical dude is not getting a civ tank driving job. I’m saying the experience he gains is a solid resume builder to help obtain good jobs in the civ world post-mil. Employers want to higher mil-experienced people, even if only for the perceived value of the “intangibles.” Of course its even better if the AFSC/MOS directly correlates to the same job in the civ world, but that’s not the only means the mil experience helps build resumes and land jobs. Bottom line, it’s still a great way for a young person out of HS to gain some valuable experience, build a resume, and be a more marketable and better hire in the civ world when they leave the mil. If it helps your mental block, replace tank driver with SARM (who I know several with excellent jobs not linked at all to aviation or the management of it), maintenance (know several who aren’t doing anything MX related in the civ world), etc. The only way a mil person doesn’t walk away with a leg up on their civ counterpart (apple to apples comparison) is if they have self doubt and downplay their own value…probably because they were told bullshit about how there’s no opportunity out there for them because there aren’t tank drivers at Walmart.

This is a logical move though from the people who believe there are no differences in humans at all and as such you can just pick whatever identity group you want more representation from. The idea that you're going to find a bunch of recruits from a political demographic that fundamentally believes that America is more accurately characterized by it's flaws rather than it's strengths is silly. They're called Social Justice Warriors because they already believe they are in a war. They don't need a real one to feel like they are doing something.

If you say so, Neville Chamberlain.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a member of the C-130J community who doesn’t like the mission.

A group of us saw Sound of Freedom last night. I thought we'd be the only ones there, and everyone else would be watching Indiana Jones. Our theater was absolutely packed. It was the first movie I'd seen in the theater since Maverick. I was completely unfamiliar with Tim Ballard, the true story the movie was based on, and the obstacles to making the movie. Absolutely fantastic. The story, the message, the awareness it intends to spread. It was refreshing to see a successful move that was made outside the typical Hollywood entertainment manufacturing process. The only caution I would warn of would be that it may inspire some to go on a mission to seek and destroy actual evil in the real world.

Appreciate your enthusiasm, but remember the other day when you asked me how to not be annoying? Well, I guess I overestimated you when I said “you know what annoying looks like.” It’s time for lesson one… Don’t be a poser and jump into a conversation, acting like you know what you’re talking about, and giving someone advice on something you know nothing about. In fact, you’re a lot further behind mocephus in this process, as you have not even taken the AFOQT or began college yet. Most importantly, you have absolutely no clue if he could “definitely get picked up by a fighter sq” or any squadron for that matter, or what a squadron will ask on an interview. There’s a whole lot more to getting selected for pilot than AFOQT scores. Also, on a personal note unless an applicant was a teacher’s aid or worked for them in some capacity, I give letters of recommendation from a college professor about the same level of credence as if from the guy taking my order at the Taco Bell drive thru. The folks answering these questions are dudes who have gone through the process, succeeded, and now have the experience to give aspiring pilots some advice. I realize that the internet is a cesspool of horseshit and people pretending to be experts, and yes these forums are full of threads where pilots think we’re lawyers, financial planners, and politicians. However, when it comes to AF pilot questions, it’s best if you left the answers to those who are. Let’s try to maintain a degree of validity here. Lesson two: Humility. Mocephus scored a 99 on his pilot, that’s as high as you can get. He knows it’s a good score. You should’ve answered his post by saying something like “Damn! Great pilot score. Do you have any pointers for me so that I can score that high too?” instead of acting like you’ve been sitting on hiring boards for years. You seem like a bright and eager kid, that’s good and I’m definitely not trying to crush your spirit here. I’m certain you’ve spent hours combing these threads and picking up whatever morsels of intel you can digest. However, don’t confuse regurgitating the words of others as personal experience. Make sense?

Careful, you’re going to end up on the Pentagon social media monitor calling it Rucker.

like ryley said, lots of good answers to your questions all over this forum; but I have no problem taking a swing at your questions. Your AFOQT scores are great. you could definitely get picked up by a fighter sq. (assuming that's what your interested in?) but expect them to ask a question like "your rated scores are outstanding, but why are your other sections low?" in an interview. I would advise against retaking the AFOQT and mitigating your stress. keep those scores because if you retook the test they take the most recent rated scores, not the highest. if you feel like you are competent enough to get the same or higher rated scores, go of it. the last three sections will take the highest scores of either tests. I wouldn't say leadership experiences weigh too heavy on the application side, but it is an all around beneficial characteristic. any kind of leadership will boost your application. In regards to your LOR's, I suggest getting it from college professors, your boss, or if you have any high ranked military personnel connections. (mentors) if you're interested in it, bogidope.com has a good deal. they scrutinize applications and help you prepare for interviews. 2 on what ryley said, the younger you are, the more appealing you are to units. start shooting your application. best of luck!

ahhhhhh there it is! the CLASSIC drone narrative! "IF YOU DON'T GET ONBOARD WITH THE GOVERNMENT YOU'RE SPOUTING ENEMY PROPAGANDA!" listen to yourself my man...it's pathetic. do you swallow up everything the legacy media and the government tells you?

Now that the door is opening for involuntary activation, ratcheting up the numbers will be easy. I agree with this, though. If we're cheer leading a proxy war that benefits us, let's put our money where our mouth is and see how willing we, as a population, are to risk our people in direct conflict over Ukraine. It's the right thing to do. Within the last week: This, Increasing amounts of military aid, F-16s, cluster munitions, etc. Take a look at the trends here. We're committed to a path of continuous escalation. If Ukraine was capable of defeating Russia, it'd have happened. We can give them all the help in the world, but they still have a finite amount if fighting men. We will never know the real losses being incurred, but in attrition warfare where rates are more or less the same on both sides, Russia comes out ahead unless NATO member countries send their men. Ukraine is being backstopped by us, but Russia is being backstopped by China. If we're calling up Reservists just to sit on the sidelines for Atlantic Resolve, what does it say about our ability to fight a potential second conflict? Let's say Russia is defeated and pulls back. What's next? Do we redraw the old borders after hundreds of billions of $ and countless lives have been lost? If NATO and Ukraine declare victory, do they continue to allow Russia to exist in a weakened state only to pose a threat later? No, our leadership is going for broke on this one. No one financing this war gives a shit about Ukraine. This is about Western economic dominance against the expanding threat of BRICS Plus. One of the big players has to be completely knocked out and Ukraine is a great excuse.

the same people who said trump was going to start WW3 are willingly leading us to WW3...

Why would Russia decide to unilaterally invade? Just a land grab?