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Breaking DefenseFixing the machine: Inside the Navy's race to rebuild its...An in-depth discussion with the service's chief of Naval Air Training Command.

And, my LGS just announced they are selling suppressors to GOA members with only a 4473, no Form 4!! I am going to pull the trigger on a YHM Turbo-K RB and maybe one for my .22s next week. Gotta strike while the iron is hot!!

Well, after years of wanting one, I finally found an Italian-made Beretta 92FS at a decent price! Full disclosure, I was never really a fan of this pistol when I had to carry it on active duty. I always found the grip to be too large, and preferred the Glock (and later XD) or a 1911 over it. It wasn't until I got a Walther P1 a year or so ago, and a bud of mine was showing me the 92FS he was carrying a few weeks ago, that I got the bug to grab one. I wanted an Italian one over a US made version, and a FS over a F. A coworker mentioned having one, and I told them to let me know if they felt like selling it. They offered it at a good price ($500) and as it looks like it had a very low round count, there was no way I could pass on it. I am searching for a third mag (again, prefer an Italian-made one) as my shoulder holster from Sarajevo holds two extra mags. I may have a lead on one; but if anyone has an extra they're willing to part with let me know. I also have to admit handling it does bring back some fond memories. The manual of arms is still intuitive despite it being over two decades since I shot one. Some things you just don't forget!

A Master's in Engineering makes you more competitive at the board, but it is not a requirement. A letter of recommendation from a TPS graduate (or 2) probably has more weight for pilots quite honestly. Plus you get a Master's of Science in Flight Test Engineering for going through the course. The only thing a Master's in Engineering opens up for you is if you want to get selected for the TPS PhD program after TPS. In my class about 1/2 of the pilots had an Engineering Masters, 1/3 had non-Engineering Master's degrees (ERAU, MBA, etc.), and some had no Master's degree prior to TPS. Plus there is an AFIT TPS option. Take the GRE and get a Letter of Academic Eligibility from AFIT for their Aero or Electrical Engineering Masters program then apply for TPS with the AFIT box checked on the application. As far as how to get a letter of recommendation from a TPS grad. Find out who the TPS grads are that are working DT on your airframe, get in touch with them, and convince them you are they guy or gal they want to work with. Figuring out a permissive TDY out to Edwards or just straight up taking leave to go there on your own to check it out sends a pretty strong message. Plus you will realize where you are signing up to live for possibly the bulk of your active duty career going forward. The flight line is like an airshow everyday especially when TPS has qual eval aircraft in town, but it is a very remote place to live for people that like urban amenities...like a drive through Starbucks, fully stocked liquor store, or gym that isn't as old (or older) than all the bombers on the flight line. If you want to do an online MS go for it. It certainly won't hurt you. One of my classmates did the CSU program that was mentioned, and I know at least 3 TPS grads that did the MS Program from the University of Alabama. https://catalog.ua.edu/graduate/engineering/aerospace-mechanics/ms/