DUNBAR

Did she really say they intend to cut the active force by 25K this year? That's pretty big stuff and quite different than the CSAF saying we MAY have to cut 25K over 5 years depending on our funding.

That's pretty darn good Spur. Did you write that?

I wonder if there's a special prize for starting the most uninteresting thread in BODN history.

Does anyone out there pay for the long term care insurance (nursing home, in-home care, etc.) that is offered to us through the AF? Do you know of anyone who has ever benefitted from it? Thanks

I think I paid about $9 for mine. My daughter caught a nice catfish with it, so it's pretty lucky, but with straight-line depreciation I'm guessing it's worth about $3.50.

I think that's a legit answer if we were downsizing 15-20% of the force. The fact that we are downsizing 8% at the most over the course of several years does not, IMO, justify the current situation. Look, I know I have become a tedious broken record on this topic. All I ask is that the AF stays good to their word and does this with volunteers to the greatest extent possible. I think it can be easily done without losing all of our fighter pilots, doctors and cyber warriors.

I know I'm a lone voice in the wilderness, but I still just don't get it. "Cutting 25K in a few years is something we haven't seen before." Really? This should be an absolute cakewalk compared to 1993. How can it be this difficult to voluntarily cut 8% of the force over 3-5 years when we have VSP and 15 year retirements at our disposal?

It's remarkable the DOD doesn't offer the option to take it as 2 or 3 payments across several years or to simply defer it for tax purposes.

I certainly don't have any reliable information. Like everyone else, I only know what I read in the portal, CSAF memos, and the AF Times and I try to read the tea leaves as best able. If I read the initial CSAF guidance correctly, he conveyed that due to the budgetary unpleasantness, we MAY have to draw drown 25K positions over the course of FIVE years. The AF Times subsequently reported that based on our expected approved budget, we would have to reduce our end strength by 1,900 positions over the next FY, but that certainly isn't finalized. ******************************************* "Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh has repeatedly warned that sequestration, if left in place, could force the service to cut roughly 25,000 total force airmen over the next five years. Grosso could not say exactly how many airmen the Air Force plans to cut under the 2014 force reductions because a final budget has not been passed for the year, but said the number could be in the thousands. The latest fiscal 2014 budget deal — if it passes — would leave the Air Force with an end strength of nearly 1,900 fewer billets than it had in fiscal 2013, Grosso said. The resulting end strength of 327,600 would match the administration’s proposed 2014 budget."

Thanks for posting all of that; appreciate all the info because none of this makes any sense to me. At the risk of regurgitating my previous post: 1. According to the AF Times, based on our expected authorized end strength, we need to shed 1,900 personnel this year, which is approximately one half of one percent of the AF. 2. In order to achieve this 0.5% reduction, we have disseminated a force shaping policy that has 90% of the AF wondering if they're going to be shown the door. Hunger Games, indeed.

OK, I am clearly missing something in this latest force shaping extravaganza and would appreciate some wisdom and insights. That is a pretty serious force shaping message. We are even going after Chiefs (Gadzooks! Is nothing sacred?) One might get the impression it's 1993 all over again and we just won the cold war. But when you think about the numbers we're kicking around, it sounds like we MAY need to downsize 25K over FIVE years depending upon how the budget wars shake out. So (math in public), isn't 25K approximately 8% of our active duty force? Couldn't we easily downsize 2% per year in real terms, which should be relatively painless, especially considering every pilot in the AF seems to be busy practicing his or her airline pilot intercom voice? (uhh....ladies and gentlemen...sit back and relax...) So as usual I'm sure I'm missing something.

I'm not liking the sound of this "enhanced" SERB. They seemed nasty enough without someone going and "enhancing" them.

https://www.nationalreview.com/article/363699/truth-about-navigators-john-fund F&*king navs.

What's the difference between a nav and a T-37 engine? The engine stops whining when the mission is over. Why was the copilot in the frozen food aisle, staring at the orange juice? The label said "concentrate." How many fighter pilots does it take to change a light bulb? Just one. He holds up the bulb and the universe revolves around HIM.

How do you get two navs into a fist fight? Ask them what time it is. Disclaimer: The preceding was an archaic joke that may not be comprehended by the iphone/GPS generation. For additional clarification please ask someone over the age of 45.

Can anyone explain to me our future tax liability under the new health care law? I keep hearing talk of huge tax liabilities because "Cadillac" health care plans would be considered income. I imagine the health care we get as military personnel and retirees is considered pretty "Cadillac-esque." Are we exempt as military personnel? Does anyone on the planet understand this stuff? And yes, I know Cadillac automobiles are junk. I didn't choose the expression.

Thanks for posting that letter. I showed it to Mrs. Dunbar and she is still laughing. "Is this for real? Seriously? This is a joke, right?"

Back in the day, when I was a young captain, they had something called FLEP--Funded Legal Education Program. I seem to remember it was extremely competitive, but it was a sweet deal; Uncle Sam pays your way through law school while you're drawing 1Lt pay. I don't know if anything like that still exists in these murky days of sequestration. If you do have the lawyer fever, however, please make sure you're conferring with some folks currently in the profession. Back when I was kicking it around, I was surprised how many USAF lawyers did not recommend the profession. Additionally, if you have any civilian lawyer aspirations, my understanding is it ain't exactly a glamorous John Grisham novel out there.

It's bad. The tenants are getting completely soaked, although some are still new, and wet behind the ears.

I closed in mid-Jul with Dave Devine. Another satisfied customer. It is becoming inconceivable to me that anyone would ever again use USAA for a mortgage. I spent 5 minutes on the phone with them trying to make sense of their good faith estimate and it was appalling. Additionally, if you are skeptical of the opinions of us beer-swilling Neanderthals here at baseops.net, you can check out the reviews for National Bank of Kansas City at numerous other websites (Lending Tree, etc). Very impressive organization.

Have you been through AFI 36-2110, "Assignments", table 2.9? You'll need 2 aspirins, 3 decoder rings and a stiff drink but it's a pretty good starting point.

Thanks Marco, good to know. I know it's not exactly the sexiest thread topic in the world, but like I said, trying to get good insurance on the eastern seaboard these days is quite an eye opener.

Looking for help/advice on homeowners' insurance. If you've been shopping for a home on the eastern seaboard this summer, you probably know a lot of insurance companies (USAA, Allstate, State Farms) are running away screaming and won't write the policy. This is my first time straying off the USAA insurance reservation (and yes I've read the "USAA" thread) and was wondering what others have to say. USAA is directing me toward ASI. Additionally, I have a quote with Amica, who allegedly has a sterling reputation, but they seem to be TWICE as much as ASI for the same coverage. Is anyone insured with either company? Any recommendations? Thanks.

Except for the guy at the Randolph AFB BX. I think he retired to a mansion on the Riviera. The one in France, not Florida.

Well, we did spent $3.1M designing and developing them, but you've got to spend a little if you want to procure something that cool and comfortable.