Bender

Every year the line of the Air Force competes multiple AFSCs against one another to promote an overall specific number into the next grade as authorized. There is no consideration for manning within a specific AFSC (i.e. we need more captains in SF, or less Majors in Rated positions [also not individually accounted for a la 11M vs. 11F]). That said, it's "unfair" to begin doing it differently once an AFSC is overmanned, meaning no promotions within that AFSC that year. It needed to be done all along to maintain the correct experience levels within each AFSC. I'd be curious to know the promotion percentages within each AFSC and overall if promotion boards considered records by AFSC. I wouldn't be surprised if overall, they were very similar to the percentages that are used by the Line of the Air Force promotion boards. A little lower here one year, a little higher there one year... It's not ideally about how to "force reduce" correctly, it's more about how to "force produce" correctly. That takes preparation and use of Force Management processes that are permanent parts of the way of doing business. Bendy

I have no idea how many have been relieved of their duties (if I were to guess, I would guess low), but I can tell you how many have been promoted right in the middle of it. The answer is notably not zero. Bendy

I felt like a kid learning to scribble for the first time, going on that twitter like that. I must admit I don't totally get it...but, there were some decent ones in there. I suppose I prefer to stick to what I know (plus, is own LGBT right promoting son couldn't say it much better, although this author tries): https://gawker.com/ex-westboro-baptist-church-leader-fred-phelps-is-finall-1544924334 Now that I'm feeling tech savvy, maybe I'll spend a couple hours tonight learning to make one of those App thingies that I can sell for a million dollars to FaceSpace. How hard could it be? Bendy

Am I the only one that doesn't understand why the Air Force Personnel Center is dictating policy to the Air Force Food and Beverage Section on behalf of the Air Force Medical Support Agency? That article tells people what they need to know. Are we sure that this isn't about money, disguised as concern? That wouldn't happen after that email on the core values...never mind. All I know is they're right, I'll buy my own...until they get the BX to pull them too. THEN I'll be ready for the VSP. Bendy

The matter has been professionally resolved (thank you for that). All just a misunderstanding...expect no email on Monday, you'll need to find your entertainment elsewhere. That said, I would have +1'ed all the "Cripple Fight" comments if I wasn't out of upvotes. Nothing to see here...back to debating the combat nature of combat. Bendy

Recieved via PM: Response PM: I guess the witch hunt is on. There are a handful of you who know me, not that it's ever been a secret. Please share with the good LtCol if you see fit. Bendy

Now I feel old; Thanks asshole. Bendy

Thank you and very. At least I better be before that kid pops out, otherwise I might as well stay. Bendy

You know what you do when you aren't interested, aren't involved and/or aren't asked to participate in the conversation going on? You STFU...and drink your whiskey. Bendy

The section of Title 32 you are quoting pertains to the United States Army. While the Army may choose to award the MSM for meritorious achievement in a “combat area” that does not automatically apply to the United States Air Force. There is no such regulation governing the Air Force; if there is show it to me, otherwise agree to disagree on point #1. https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=de55914787128b8ec27c324988488b3f&c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title32/32cfrv6_02.tpl#800 AFI 36-2803 does not have the 9/11 caveat, therefore the MSM is not applicable to the deployed USAF air wing: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2803/afi36-2803_.pdf Agree wholeheartedly on point #2, that not every deployed "achievement" is a "combat achievement". However, aircrews operating out of Bagram Airfield fly into combat every day, thus the ridiculous Air Medal debacle. I will concede that it is against an enemy already subject to our air superiority and ill-equipped to launch effective, consistent attack against our airborne assets. Be that as it may, they are in contact with the enemy’s small arms fire on every departure and approach, effective or plentiful or not. On point #3, I like where you are coming from, I do, but this is not WWII and to continue trying to compare ourselves to that generation, while fruitful in some respects and dreadfully painful in others, I do not believe is appropriate in this situation (but we must still have respect for it). The Bronze Star may not mean what it meant in WWII, but it should mean what AFI 36-2803 fucking says it means, one of them being “meritorious achievement or service during armed conflict that are of a lesser degree than that required for the award of the LOM”. The LOM does not even require contact with the enemy, but it requires such an above and beyond performance of service that it is rarely ever appropriate, and is rightfully rarely awarded. The correct downgrade is to the Bronze Star, then the Air Force Commendation Medal. Again, you quote Army CFR to make your point, which unless you are in the Army is not applicable. The Bronze Star should not be confused with the Silver Star, even during WWII. You may be able to find examples that make your point, but I didn’t get past just trying to find a citation for both (I’ll go with your Army example, as they are easier to find quickly). The Silver Star in WWII: "For gallantry in action against the enemy in Germany on 17 November 1944. Although his platoon sergeant and squad leaders had become casualties during the early stages of the attack, First Lieutenant Abate (then Second Lieutenant) courageously continued to lead his men forward, fully aware that he was the only officer left with the assault elements. Moving freely through the veritable hail of fire, he gave his men renewed confidence. When they were halted by a well fortified machine gun position, he directed his men to cover him while he boldly charged and annihilated the emplacement. Finally, the objective was secured, but First Lieutenant Abate declined to seek cover until he had assured himself that his men were properly protected. His courage and gallant leadership reflect great credit upon himself and the military service." Bronze Star in WWII: “Mark J. Alexander, O-411615, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, United States Army. For meritorious service in connection with military activities against the enemy for the period 20 September 1944 to 2 January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander, Base Commander, France, established now camps in France for the 82d Airborne Division while it was in combat in Holland. He administered and organized the camps and accomplished the reception of troops in a highly efficient manner. Faced with numerous and complex problems and a meager staff from the United Kingdom Bases of the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander executed the tremendous assignment with outstanding skill and initiative. When the 82d Airborne Division was unexpectedly committed in Belgium his invaluable assistance helped expedite that unprecedented displacement of a reinforced Division into combat in less than twenty four hours. After its departure, he operated the two Airborne camps for the successive tenancy of two Divisions, and an Army Headquarters. His intelligent and determined efforts in a period of critical troop movements were material factors in the successes of the 82d Airborne Division and other major organizations which stopped the German surprise offensive in Belgium. Entered military service from Kansas.” Not the same thing…and they still aren’t. Point #4 I agree with, but it is an oversimplification. “Mere existence in a deployed location does not make you eligible for "combat achievement"." One cannot have a “combat achievement” if they do not exist in a combat zone (define it how you wish)…that is part of the beauty of the United State Military (there may be exceptions). Point #5 is the heart of the matter. The Bronze Star is the deployed MSM, so it makes sense they are weighted the same (I think we give out too many MSMs too by the way). The Air Force does not have an MSM in combat…it has the Bronze Star. My point here is that it is the Air Medal that is given out inappropriately that causes the muck…not the Bronze Star; If the Air Medals were not awarded, those achievements would be used in a Legion of Merit, eclipsing a Bronze Star, for service beyond that capable of by the “shoe clerk”. The Bronze Star has been given out too freely (I agree with you there), for things that are the “performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, assignment, or experience of an individual” which is not in line with its successor, the Legion of Merit. Process more travel vouchers than anyone has ever processed before and that is “distinctive”, but it is “not unique”…which is the definition of the Air Force Commendation Medal, certainly NOT the definition of the Bronze Star. Bendy

"I think you should volunteer for a 365." <-- I'm thinking this one has, in fact, been said before. Bendy

The "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy wasn't popular apparently, but it worked quite well. Why isn't there a "Don't Like Don't Look" policy. Too much bitching about sand in the va-j-j and not enough fucking doing your jobs. Commanders and everyone does not have time for this shit... Insane. Bendy

The one about banging your wife or the one about finding new ways to self affirm in the mirror? Recommendation: Bang your wife, brag about it to the ADO, then brag about it to your self in the mirror saying, "I did do that, I did it for her, and I did it well". Then I think you're covered either way. Bendy

Bendy

“Each decoration prescribes standards which define the degree and magnitude of an act, achievement, or service considered worthy for awarding that particular decoration. Do not base award of a specific decoration upon a member’s grade, but on the member’s level of responsibility, achievements, accomplishments, and manner of performance.” - AFI 36-2803 The award of military decorations in an incongruent manner has a negative impact on both morale and readiness. The current misapplication of aviation related awards and decorations by a deployed flying wing has three unintended consequences: 1) it dilutes the recognition of other higher options for recognizing aerial achievement and 2) it complicates the process of correctly applying other non-aviation awards and decorations, and 3) removes sufficient recognition of superior performers that lays the ground work for a “socialistic decline” in the future performance within the wing. Not all awards are applicable within the normal conduct of a deployed flying wing’s day-to-day operation. The Distinguished Service Medal is generally not applicable beyond the WG/CC. The Distinguished Service Medal is intended for exceptionally meritorious service to the US in a duty of “great responsibility”, such that they “decide the successful operation of a MAJCOM, activity, installation, or major program” such that they “greatly benefit the interests of the US”. The Silver Star is intended for “gallantry in action” (i.e. “heroism of high degree involving risk of life”), just short of warranting the Medal of Honor or Air Force Cross. It requires this “gallantry” while “engaged in an action against an enemy of the U.S.” Multiple common policies incorrectly apply award guidance and are infused with subjective application of requisite rank and duties. The current squadron level policies of pushing Air Medal recommendation as soon as possible after completing twenty combat sorties is far out of line with Air Force instruction guidance on awards and decorations. Higher group level policies dictating that End of Tour Decoration recommendations cannot contain achievement/service construed as “primary duties” further diverges from the structure presented in AFI36-2803. The application of aviation related recognition is laid out by the Air Force Instruction as such: The Distinguished Flying Cross is the highest honor available for recognizing aerial performance. It requires “heroism or extraordinary achievement” that is “entirely distinctive" during “operations that are not routine.” This award is not intended for “sustained operational activities and flights”, thus would be rare, requiring an exceptional example that should be clear in its worth. The Airman’s Medal is applicable, but unique. This medal requires an act of “heroism involving voluntary risk of life under conditions other than those of conflict with an armed enemy of the US” in other than the “normal performance of duties”. Like the Distinguished Flying Cross, this award would be rare, requiring an exceptional example that should be clear in its worth. The Air Medal, like the Distinguished Flying Cross, also requires “heroism or meritorious achievement” during aerial flight that is “entirely distinctive" during “operations that are not routine”. It is awarded for those achievements that are “above and beyond that expected of professional airmen” and must be “accomplished with distinction”. This medal is intended for those achievements that do not rise to the level representative of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The medal is expressly stated to not be awarded for “sustained operational activities and flights”. The Aerial Achievement Medal is awarded to recognize “sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.” MAJCOMs, FOAs, and DRUs have leeway in determining the missions and positions that qualify, but the award is not to be used for “single event flights”. The Aerial Achievement Medal does not require specific achievement, only “sustained meritorious achievement”. The blanket exclusion of aerial achievement from “End of Tour” award recommendations and citations is not appropriate. However, in accordance with AFI36-2803 paragraph 1.15.10, the “approval of multiple decorations for the same act, achievement, or period of service is considered dual recognition which is prohibited”. If they are included in the award of the Air Medal, it makes those achievements disqualified for use in an “End of Tour” award recommendation. Once the recommendation is in the “official chain”, defined by AFI 36-2803 as endorsed by the next person above the person making the recommendation, those achievements are considered. This means that an “End of Tour” award recommendation for even an Air Force Achievement Medal cannot use these achievements. However, an “End of Tour” award recommendation for the Air Force Achievement Medal is certainly applicable for “outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force” or “acts of courage that do not meet the requirements for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal” that are outside of aircrew’s “primary duties”. The Legion of Merit is intended for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding services”. “Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, assignment, or experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award”. There is no prohibition on the inclusion of aerial achievement outside of dual award. The Legion of Merit is a combat and non-combat award appropriate for the very best efforts within the deployed air wing, to include aerial achievement and otherwise. Under the current policies of mandated, and inappropriate, Air Medal submissions, normally only ground duties are available to justify this recognition. Although, even discounting aerial achievement, stellar performances outside aircrew "primary duties" could justify recommendation of the Legion of Merit. The Bronze Star is intended for “meritorious achievement or service” that does not involve “participation in aerial flight” under conditions applied to the Silver Star. The Bronze Star is also used to recognize meritorious achievement or service during “armed conflict that are of a lesser degree than that required for the award of the Legion of Merit”. The Bronze Star is not a lower form of the Silver Star, rather relative to the Legion of Merit recognition. Holding the exclusion of achievements involving "participation in aerial flight", the Bronze Star award applies only to ground duties. Aircrew are not eliminated from consideration for this recognition based solely on other "primary duty". The Bronze Star is intended for stellar performance outside aircrew "primary duties" that do not measure up to justification of the Legion of Merit. The Air Force Commendation Medal is intended to recognize any “meritorious achievement and service” by an Air Force member that is “distinctive”, but “not unique”. To this end, the Air Force Commendation Medal is expressly stated to recognize “sustained meritorious performance by crewmembers”. This is the lowest form of “End of Tour” award recommendation related to aerial achievement (meaning it can and should consider aerial achievement, with reference to the prohibition on dual award), as the Air Force Achievement Medal “will not be awarded for aerial achievement”. Recognitions of duties which are “distinctive”, but “not unique” can easily apply to the performance of “additional duties” such as flight commander, liaison officer, etc. Doing a "distinctive" job in a commonly held position is sufficient to justify this recognition. The act of downgrading a stellar performance to this award holds the most potential for "socialistic decline" in future performance. Show up on time everyday and if the boss likes you, AFCM...do an job above the "grade, branch, specialty, assignment, or experience" expected of you...AFCM (likely downgraded from a MSM, which is not even appropriate in a combat zone). The only hope is that an officer promotes into the next preconceived requisite rank before they catch on that their performance is not properly recognized. None of these three decorations are predicated on position, rank, or previous accomplishments. Aircrew within a deployed air wing should be appropriately considered for Air Force Commendation Medals if they perform well outside of flight, the Bronze Star if they perform exceptionally (i.e. “above their peers”), and the Legion of Merit if they excel beyond their “pay grade” (i.e. “well above their peers”). Rather than move closer to aligning with Air Force Instruction, recent trends are to recommend the Meritorious Service Medal and subsequently fight to have them not downgraded to Air Force Commendations Medals. The Meritorious Service Medal is not a combat award. It is intended for the recognition of “outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or outstanding non-combat meritorious service” to the United States. “Normally, the acts or services rendered must be comparable to that required for the Legion of Merit, but in a duty of lesser though considerable responsibility” (i.e. in-garrison). The Meritorious Service Medal is not applicable within the deployed air wing. Rather than downgrade an MSM to a AFCM, we should be downgrading LOMs to Bronze Stars to AFCM to nothing at all…except the twenty Air Medals you received, which you’ll wear before your AFCM, since your efforts were not worthy of an MSM (which should have been submitted as an LOM, downgraded to a Bronze Star). Bendy

The quote from my real boss (sometimes I think we should promote her, but she's already the self proclaimed CINC of my residential address): "If they want you to plan your life around the deployment, then your dates shouldn't change. "Uh, I'm deploying in like 3 weeks." "Um, my return date got pushed back" doesn't work if you are having a kid." Yeah, I said both of those things this time around (although she's paraphrasing, I was much more charming then that recounting), Bendy

Went through the linked 390+ page "report" (more of a collection of paperwork along with a relatively short report). Since I know most of you are lazy, here's what I got out of it: Student up front was doing well, but struggling through low levels (specifically turns), paired up with an instructor EMCO that while he had 1500+ hours in the jet, had low time (pretty much just the instructor EMCO recertification) over the last year and a half going into the flight. Executing low level turns (two uncalled turns in a row), the aircraft started nose slicing into the turn (due to over bank most likely) and it wasn't recovered from quickly enough. The back seater tried to eject, but far too late, front enders never pulled handles...outside the envelope anyways I'm sure. They identified a number of causal factors mostly tracing back to documentation of performance, missed opportunity for remedial training, and waiving/combining of syllabus events, mostly focusing on the students performance and the instructor EMCO's scan in that flight regime. It's a morbid double edge sword, a testament to our training that creates solid IPs (that this type of tragedy doesn't occur more often), while at the same time highlighting the all to often lack of effort IPs put into additional one-on-one training and filling out grade sheets completely and correctly. There aren't many people that would say the average IP is underworked, and it's damn hard to focus on paperwork after a debrief. Making the kind of cuts to the Air Force we're looking at, we need to be damn careful we don't exacerbate this delicate balance of safely creating the people that keep us safe. Sad story, Bendy EDIT: Changed IP to EMCO (Thanks ExBoneOSO)

WAY too much credit...more likely just your need to attempt to make sense of non-sense. WTF is going on in this thread right now? Bendy

Hmmm...I'm sorry that happened to you, BL. There needs to be a case-by-case basis applied to handling everyone's personal affairs as they pertain to our professional lives (leave, deployments, TDYs, etc.). It's clearly a morale issue that every Squadron Commander should have as one of his top priorities. A blanket policy that is enforced in the situation you describe is down right awful; I'm glad you can still smile after being treated like that. I pretend that it doesn't indicate that you like it rough. This is the exact reason that ADOs should not be allowed to do shit without the DO's oversight. S/He is, after all, the A-DO. The problem starts to emerge when you have "assholedouchebagfuckstains" that the DO doesn't mentor because he's too busy doing "important stuff" like flying and teaching academics no one NEEDS. There is the possibility that he is merely overwhelmed with his own responsibilities, doesn't realize that being a good DO takes a lot of energy and A LOT of time, simply has no fucking clue what he's doing, or is literally incapable of mentoring anyone because he literally has O-5's that are ADOs (some of which are definitely "assholedouchebagfuckstains"). And before you think that an O-5 ADO has any motivation to "mentor" other O-4 ADOs or an O-4 DO, I'm not sure I can agree with the way you think. There are exceptions to everything. Did I mention that I think having O-3 DO's isn't a bright idea? This reminds me of the conversation on flyers being CC's of other units on base. I don't remember if I liked it or not, but I'm starting to think not. Bendy

Disclaimer: I haven't seen this email except for on this page. I agree with all the other comments so far...that email is WAY off the path. You have to tell your leadership when you know your wife is going to give birth...if you know she's pregnant, and you know when she's due, and you don't tell anyone until you're due for your deployment, then you are a shit bag. Now someone else is going to have to pack a sack, kiss the wife and kids, and go in your place with little notice. This person that is eating this shit sandwich knows this could have been avoided if you didn't keep information of massive magnitude to yourself, will be pissed off, and has every right to be. Over and over again...I keep coming across the line, "I honestly didn't think I needed to tell people that, turns out I did." That email doesn't surprise me at all. The content/wording of it does, immensely, and I can hardly even wait to check my home station email and see who wrote that! As for the leave...seriously? You need to take leave out of the local area AFTER you out process? I don't know what "recent incidents" there were, but they must have been pretty stupid to have allowed someone to read this email over and think it was cool to hit send. As for the DO comment...did you know that ACC has an experiment going where we pick Majors to be DO's now? I know of 3 "selected" individuals to fill that billet. Not the brightest idea I've ever heard, but I'm sure there are O-4's in the Air Force that are up for the task. Sigh. Thanks for posting that, I've never looked forward to checking my email while I'm deployed more than right now! Bendy

Or they let their co-pilots check them...rookie mistake. Bendy

Did they change your RDTM? Even I can understand that, but that doesn't matter because it's not about "the hardware" at all. I don't give two shits how many hours you have, only the airmanship you've gained. I don't give two shits about how many training sorties you've flown, only the competence you gained. I don't give two shits about your 25 Air Medals either...only the deployed experience you gained. You could even be the commander of combat, and it wouldn't mean shit to me. Although, clearly this individual did a bang up job while commander of combat. Using the number of AFAMs, AFCMs, MSM, etc. one has to judge their ability as an officer and a leader is the exact same thing as using an AAD and PME. It is an example of what's wrong with the Air Force. As RSD put it, "But what is more telling is where they were flying." There are things that mean something, and there are those that don't. As an organization, we have a pretty decent deficiency in telling one from the other. Bendy

I see...that is a horrible idea. Thanks for having it. ..oh, and thanks for the explanation...now I can get some sleep! Bendy

Oh, dear! Perhaps it's more just a reflection of your interest in the topic more than your capacity to care. Happy drilling! Bendy

^^ Proof that it's the weekend in 'Merica, folks. ^^ Bendy