17D_guy

Surprised the NY Ball Drop is still a thing.

Yea, good points here. This admin, which I've recently heard described as "passive-aggressive" on foreign-policy, has decidedly picked a really poor time to implement this type of response. I can only speculate that it's the lame-duck president trying to get his "cyber house" in order before the new guy comes in who assures us he knows a lot about hacking. Overall, I don't think they can release too much publicly without burning IC assets. Note - this is assumption on my part. There's so much to think about in this domain as it relates to warfighting. For example, due to the LOAC we have to have a uniform, clear markings, etc. How does that translate to cyber? If the enemy can identify our weapon system domain, it's simple to block, man made domain and all. So, if we take out a Schmuckistan Air Defense System from gray/civilian space, have we just violated LOAC? Also, attribution is the hardest thing about this domain. Most of the IP addresses released in that JAR were either proxies, onion/tor nodes. Until some time in the future, we're going to have less level of confidence of the actions of our adversaries in this space. It's basically going to be - moves like a bear, talks like a bear, acts like a bear...we hope it's a bear. Man I love this shit. Happy new year you animals. My old ass is going to bed.

Here's the thing. This isn't just the DNC being embarrassed. You're making it sound like, "Eh... no biggy. They hacked a major political party and released that through wikileaks. Possibly influencing an election in their favor (proven by next-Pres tweets). No harm, no foul." Meanwhile we've got Russians using cyber for real world effects other places: Ukraine Annex, and the increased harassment of diplomats and on-going effects there. Georgian War Ukrainian Power System (twice) NATO, Finland, Germany... lets just call it Europe Joint Cheifs getting hacked Tons of other stuff not for here Why aren't you looking at this Russia cyber involvement as a whole against the electoral process? Do you not consider the Info Op as that, or do you think this is a one off? What would be your red line in this instance? I've been reading a lot about the Intel/Info Ops side of Russia for the past decade and it's fascinating what Putin's put into place and now how he's starting to extend that overseas. It's a very interesting form of power projection we're not used to, and ill-equipped to deal with at the moment. I consider the DNC hack part of that overall campaign, and am wary of simply concluding that because no one died and/or money was lost we should just call it a wash and wait for next time to at least say something. We're very close to being back in a Cold War state with a peer, not even near-peer, in Cyber. This could just be something we agree to disagree on, as I've had to with much of my hyper-right-wing family who doesn't care if it was Russians. Which... given they grew up under Reagan, is very strange.

Also the Chaos Computer Club just finished their Congress, which is like DEFCON in Vegas, but older and some would argue better. The videos are available here, and the german ones can be downloaded to be played with an alternate audio stream from the translators. Really good stuff if you're interested in that sort of thing - https://media.ccc.de/

So anyway, Finally finished the report and a few of the critiques of it. Overall, it was ok and I can understand the disappointment. News rumor mill is stating there's a classified report being made for gov't that'll more strongly tie RIS to the DNC and other hacks going on right now. Portions will prob get leaked, so we'll get more info. The JAR in itself wasn't that and appears to be more of a "we're not going to take this anymore" and heads up to the commercial side about what to look for. The second part was greatly stumbled towards, with the information put together by people who...frankly don't appear to know what they're talking about. But, good first-ish steps. With CYBERCOM coming online as its own thing we're going to probably see a step-up in this sort of material. As well as a norm-ing of what Cyber Operations is. I think it'll take us a couple generations to get it right. We've still got a lot of old heads stuck in this strange in-between place for Cyber. Clearly focused on Ops, but without the no-nonsense focus on capes/effects/etc while also refusing to acknowledge it's a man-made domain that needs maintenance. Gen Bender came to speak at my location a few weeks ago and I took notes. I'd really like some of your guys thoughts on his ideas as we move forward. Overall I'd really like some of sun-god bastards to crossover and help get us more educated on what operations actually means. But ACP and all.

Don't tell me that you equate Russia stealing/releasing information with journalistic uncovering political underhandedness committed by some cronies to influence elections. Not the same.

The watergate tapes were leaked by multiple Americans to American journalists. There was a crime committed at the behest of the president. What crime was there committed at the behest of the DNC? What was a threat to national security from the DNC along the lines of Russian Influence Operations (it was not hacking) of our election? Simply because we disagree with their political platform doesn't mean they're going to send the country plummeting into the abyss--R's kept the legislature. Don't intertwine what journalists are supposed to do with this stuff. I guess you'd say Snowden leaking the NSA's secrets (including telling them we knew Russians were hacking their own soon to be assassinated journalists) was great for the nation to? Is that the kind of corruption bullshit you're talking about? Or are you talking about the kind of bullshit where it's ok for Russian Intelligence Services to target US political parties to influence an election through a biased intermediary (wikileaks) and we all pretend it was ok because it was someone we didn't want to vote for? Also, the "hacking of the power grid" thing.. really? They found it on one laptop not on the grid with the indicators from the report and RAN to the press to report it ASAP. Didn't get a Cyber Security Org (ex. CrowdStrike, F-Secure, Mandiant) in there to figure out what was going on. So.. if there was indicators in the power grid, they're now gone.

Meanwhile this is the incoming administration's response - I try to be optimistic about this change from D to R... but things like this really drag down any confidence I have that we're going to have a better foreign policy/cyber policy goals. This one too -

I won't comment on the report yet, since I've yet to read it. But this idea has been floating around about how these emails and links are obvious. This wasn't a Nigerian scam, it was legit Intel Exploitation by a foreign state. I guess, unless you're in the incoming admin, then it was magic 400-lbs cyber-faries. You can look at the email Podesta received here along with the phishing site link. I was fooled briefly, which makes sense since these guys, cough...Russia...cough, are pros.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the release of the 17D Officer Retention Bonus (ORB) information will be delayed until further notice. The details of the ORB are currently being worked, and once approved AFPC will release a PSDM with eligibility criteria and the application process. Thanks for your understanding and patience." Color me surprised AFPC set a date for itself, failed to meet said date, didn't announce anything about it then finally dropped this 5 hrs ago and didn't set a further date. I'm sure this is giving those that remain a warm fuzzy about further investing their lives with this professional organization. Of course, this is right in-line with the type of "Cyber Ops" leadership I've seen from most of the O5's and up.

Meant clearance/access to areas teams are going to visit.

It might. Watching the mid-tier leadership struggle with crew management issues when I think back to how you fliers do it is very frustrating. Can't figure out how to get a mission assigned and a crew tasked? Well.. fliers use PEX to track all those requirements...but we can't use that because "we're cyber" and "it's different." Brought up the idea of a scheduling office and was told that won't work because this cyber stuff requires de-conflicting clearances and access issues. Good to know you fliers don't have to deal with that sort of thing... Then they suggested contracting something like that out. Thankfully the Bro in charge was a flier and killed that idea painfully. I got <4 yrs left. I'm taking the $ and running. But I can't speak highly enough about our Reserve/Guard members. They're going to be the real leaders in the fight going forward and I think it's going to cause massive changes in how we're organized in the future. Much like flying, this isn't a field where technical proficiency is to be mocked. You've got 20 years hacking this particular device type? Fantastic, here's a boatload of money.

Well.. something big for us. https://www.reddit.com/r/AirForce/comments/5d9grn/17x_critical_skills_retention_bonus/ the gist of which is: "Effective the date of this memorandum(10 Nov), I designate the 17X (17D and 17S) Network Operations and Cyber Warfare Operations Officer specialty as critical to establish CSRB authority (Title 37, Section 355 USC, DoDI 1304.34). Upon approval, the Air Force will target qualified 17X Cyberspace Operations Officers with 4-12 years of commissioned service (TAFMCS) with payment of $15,000 per year for 4 years. These officers will incur an Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) of 4 years, and payments will be made on the anniversary of the contract. This designation of Cyberspace Operations as a critical skill and targeted CSRB is to incentivize highly skilled and experienced 17X personnel to continue leading and managing this critically manned specialty." So, I'm not too surprised it took the AF this long to figure out having our Cyber Operators continue to follow the support career path was forcing out the dudes who love the tech side of the job. They've also started to put a ADSC on the folks who receive the 3-ltr-org training as well. However, just like you fliers with the ACP, this isn't going to retain the numbers that are needed. Until there is a clear career path that allows folks to maintain tech roles for longer (or at the very least quals) we're going to continue to have a problem. If we continue to use the same career path as we did for support, while calling ourselves Ops, and meeting/not-meeting POTUS directed cyber force constitution--people are going to step. If I can't build a team to run missions because Lt So-and-so has to box check exec, PCS, etc., then people are going to leave. You can't tell educated and dedicated nerds that they're important and necessary, then file them into crap jobs when they don't have a ADSC required to put up with your crap. You can't tell some Lt/Jr Capt how important Cyber is, and how much they're needed, while PCSing them to inspect SCIF's or be a contract monitor over a "cyber integrator." We look for holes in logic and exploit it...it's literally what you pay us for. And we aren't beholden to a small group of employers with byzantine hiring requirements. Even basically accomplished individuals can trip and fall into $1XX+ year jobs. The market is in our favor. It's so strongly in our favor I can't think of a word for it. All that being said, this aligns with my plans and timelines. So... I'm a strong candidate, but I was anyway. This isn't going to turn anyone's head that wasn't already walking in that direction. Again, much like your ACP.

Also, Don't believe whatever they say about the shred outs (B vs S). There's nothing that keeps one from doing the others jobs except training...once you get a job. You're just a meatbag, and can fill any hole...sts Welcome to the cyber force.

Spot on. We're starting to see the same thing impact the "cyber ops" side of the force as well. Except the breadth is huge, possibly bigger than what you flyers are facing. I can have a Lt-Capt sit and do COMSEC inspection, Flt/CC stuff at a base, or do no-shit ninja stuff against nation states. 2 of those 3 know they're not doing the sexy job, and the sexy guy isn't looking forward to doing the non-sexy stuff. None of these guys have the ADSC to retain past about 8 years once done with even the most vigorous of training (CNODP/WO) and the tech side is throwing insane amounts of money, faster tech, faster training and better QOL. They've pulled "non-ops" AFSC's into ops slots, without the recognition or all the training because a "body is a body" and they just need someone. It's working ok for now, but all of this is going to come to a head, and faster, than the pilot retention side. And having worked at a couple different staff levels, it's amazing how much a 3-star on down lack in power to get anything done. Downright unmotivating when you see them champion for the right thing, to only get shut down due nonsense.

Jack Reacher was ok. Lots of the "Tom Cruise Run" and dude is starting to show the age in close ups. 80's schloky fights, bad guys, dialogue and plot. Really a retro film. C+

Isn't there already an award for Fighter Pilots? I could have sworn I neg-replied on one when I was doing my tour in a CAG pit.

Saw "The Accountant." If you liked Affleck's other movies (The Town, Argo) you'll probably like this as well. Concise story without trying to build some mythos and/or franchise that a lot of the movies go for these days. Well shot, with interesting visuals and not too much shaky cam bullshit. Good character and story arc with little to no pandering and it swerves away from getting cliche in a lot of parts. Nothing really surprising, or hard to figure out if you even pay a little attention. Solid B/B+.

Yes, they are going to plus up the CSS'. 3A's AFSC has been recreated to be exactly what it was before Skeltor destroyed the AFSC & Sq CSS. So, basically it's going back to what it was when I joined in 1999. However, there are still a lot more programs now than then. I'm particularly concerned with moving UDM to the CSS.

So, I need to get on here and eat crow. I bitched at length, and repeatedly, about not having Cyber people leading Cyber in my beloved AF. Well, I've had the please of interacting with the new 24 AF CC. He's a zipper suited sun god Viper driver. He's fucking awesome, link to bio - https://www.24af.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/804882/major-general-christopher-weggeman He's applying his experience as an Viper driver to our cyber stuff and it's just...a breath of fresh air. It's fantastic in every way imaginable. No micro-managing, no "meet the deadline or else" BS, he cares what our cyber-operators are executing and will call BS, to 4-stars, if something/one attempts to impede that to turn a checkmark green. He also actually comes off as really liking this stuff beyond a "help make another star" attitude, or a time sink to retirement. The attitude on staff is... I don't even know how to describe it, beyond pretty darn good. I hope that AF doesn't screw this one up and move him out in a year or less. We really need some stability at the top, and I think he's the guy to right us. Shit, if he could run it until we move to Vigilance Command, it might work out very well. News flash: Space Operations ain't. Also someone makes jalapeno popcorn in the "heritage room"... how has this not moved out to the AF as a whole. That stuff is fantastic. P.S. - the vice is a good dude too - https://www.24af.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/809210/brigadier-general-mitchel-h-butikofer

55th's had a bunch of deaths this year. Rough one. Toast to the man.

" My desire to stay in the cockpit meant that further promotion passed me by like a ship in the night but I am not bitter. As I approach 18 years of service I have only worn the shackles of a desk job once - in the job I am currently in and even now I still hold a cockpit for a couple of weeks of the month" What a novel idea...

What do you mean? Europe has never had a problem with right-wing nationalism before.

British politics are the best.