Cap-10

While true, a majority of airline apps ask for number of hours / approaches during the last 6 or 12 months...I've even seen one that mentioned they desire a minimum of 200hrs in the last 12 months....if airlines are asking for that info it's easy to see how potential applicants would want to have recency of experience. Cheers, Cap-10

Since I got out on 30 Apr: - Not shave (not employment, more like a hobby). - I have a Reserve job flying T-38's - I have a CFI job at the local airport - waiting for an airline to call...I do have a tentative offer to get an Phenom 300 type and help shuttle some aircraft around...could be fun. - if I still need more cash, I'll work at Lowes part time (i LOVE that store) Bottom line: I have control over what I do and for how long I work there...when I don't like it anymore, I'll leave. Cheers, Cap-10

Does Verizon offer internet down there as well? Maybe a home bundle type of thing? Cheers, Cap-10

Hoping that the MWS bros get back to their jets, but for the latest VML, our assignment porch website "status of the F-15E" document still stated that UAV's were a one way street...fingers crossed that changes!! Cheers, Cap-10

Cell phone carrier: 1) who do you use...good coverage? Reception on base / in your squadron? 2) 3G / 4G? ETA: 19 days. Cheers, Cap-10

I think everyone agrees that the mission is first...when the flag goes up you grab your bag and deploy, child's graduation / wedding anniversary be damned! The reason people get ( I got) out is when, in their opinion, the pro's of the job / hacking the mission no longer outweigh the con's of being gone and the effect it has on the loved ones who stay behind for 6 months / 365 at a time. For me, it was the easiet choice I've ever made...guess that makes me a quitter! Cheers, Cap-10

Cheers, Cap-10

From AFI 36-2110 (Assignments): "2.30.2.2. The date of separation or date of retirement officers are eligible to request under 7-day option provisions varies depending on their grade, whether serving OS or in the CONUS, if they have been notified of establishment of an ASD based on vulnerability for involuntary PCS selection and whether or not they have an unserved ADSC on the requested separation or retirement date. Officers may not request a separation or retirement date which is before the expiration of an ADSC, except as an exception to policy IAW paragraph 1.5. Officers with no ADSC (and those with an ADSC which will expire before the requested date of separation or retirement) may request a separation or retirement date which is no later than the first day of the 12th month following their ASD (mo/yr) or 1st day of the 7th month following official event notification (mo/yr), except:" I read that as having to set a DOS no sooner than the expiration of your ADSC. Since anything is waiversble, it does mention the exception to policy in paragraph 1.5 of the same regulation. I would also recommend looking through AFI 36-3207 "Separating Comissioned Officers" I interviewed with my reserve unit 11 months before I separated and got hired the same day. They were more than happy to give me a intent to hire letter that I brought back and gave to my ISR. Since I just Palace Chased, I would recommend applying a minimum of 7 months prior to requested DOS. My timeline was: 3 months from starting application process until finally approved (party line is 6-8 weeks but mine took 12) 1 month for ANG/Reserve assignment to get loaded...once loaded this allows active duty to finalize DOS, generate separation orders and activate vMPF out processing checklist. 1 month to accomplish out-processing checklist... Yes you can do it faster but you know that some appointments (TRICARE, TAP, etc) are probably only offered 1 to 2 times a month. 2 months of terminal leave...I had just under 60 days of leave saved up. (note: you do get permissive leave when Palace Chasing) Hope this helps...good luck! Cheers, Cap-10

Citation X. Cheers, Cap-10

Not me personally, but my bro from college was flying for GE out of CT and flying the KC-10 out of McGuire. Cheers, Cap-10

What flavor of Kool-Aid was he handing out? Cheers, Cap-10

I know they SHOULDN'T be taking my CAC but trying to convince the civilian to give me a Reserve Card when she said "I've never heard of PALACE CHASE before" it was a lesson in futility. I was there for quite some time, jumping up and down on supervisors desk, but apparently no one at the local level had any ability to force their computer system to generate a Reserve Card...they also couldn't not re-issue an active duty card with anything but a 30 Apr expiration date.....the creator of the DEERS / MPF interface program has just made my list! Not sure if it was all the phone calls and pestering I've been making the past 6-9 days or the fact that my unit and AFRC were on the ball but I had my wife drive me to base today (I made sure she kept her dependent card after my experience) and DEERS showed me as a Reservist...I was able to get my Reserve CAC card as well as the TA-180 card (180 days of TAMP, effective the day after my active duty DOS). While we are sharing lessons learned, your final paycheck gets direct depositted 6-9 business days after your DOS, so don't expect your normal 1st or 15th paycheck. Cheers, Cap-10 EDIT: auto STS with regards to any mention of "my CAC".

I was < 6 months (11F) and was approved....the WSO's (12F) who are < 6 months are still getting denied. Mine took a little over 8 weeks. I too called the porch and chief of fighter assignments just to give a skulls up and explain my rational/big picture plan...they both recommended approval. I also had a intent to hire letter...not required but it can only help your case. NEW PALACE CHASE ISSUES 1) Lack of ID card: at my final out, they took my CAC card...I asked for my Reserve card...they said no...regardless of what my separation orders said or the the email from AFPC stating my commitment to the Reserves into 2013 or the Reserve commissioning oath I took/signed, MPF said they couldn't issue a card until DEERS shows me in the Reserves. I sarcastically reminded the rep that the PC program allows for a "seamless" transition from AD to AFRC and she said "never heard of that program"...that's when I got the supervisors involved. End result, their system didn't give them the option to make me a reserve card since it feeds off of DEERS, so now my only access to base is when my wife drives me since she still has her dependent card. 2) TRICARE: Tried to sign up for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)....again told that I can't until DEERS is updated...I asked if I was still covered under my AD TRICARE for 30-69 days but was told since I voluntarily separated (as opposed to RIF, etc) that I was cut off the day after separating. Once I do get gained into AFRC, I am told that everything is backed dated to 1 May (day after my DOS) and that I "should" be covered retroactively for any medical issues, but hope is not a plan nor a tactic so I'm still searching for a definitive answer or something in writing, but no luck so far. TRS sign up have to be done by the 20th of the month to take effect on the first of the following month, so if DEERS doesn't get updated by 20 May, I may not have coverage until 1 Jul. 3) THE PROCESS: the ISR sends off your paperwork to ARPC...ARPC gains you and creates the Reserve Commisioning Order....that order updates MilPDS...MilPDS Updates DEERS...on average this takes 30 days...FML!!! This was meant to be a skulls up for others who are PC'ing but if anyone has already experienced theses issues or knows how to help, it would be greatly appreciated! Cheers, Cap-10 Edit: I spell goodly.

F-15E MSOGS works great...> 90% O2 from sea level to 69K feet. Cheers, Cap-10

The F-15E has been constantly deployed since late 1990 for Desert Shield and it shows....one of the 335th "Chiefs" jets that just got back from Bagram went over 10,000 hours during the deployment...the FTU jets (first F-15E's off the line) are in the high 6, mid 7,000 range. IIRC, the original design limit was 4,000 hours and I know it had been extended to 8,000...not sure what the current approved hour limit is. Definitely looks like more jets are having hydraulic issues, generator issues, etc...hell, I don't think we have a single jet on base that has a Left Vertical Stab light that works. In my last year, I've personally had more minor flight control issues (CAS first fail or Lat stick limit type of things) and seen more gear fail to retract or door sequencing issues than in my first 9yrs in the airplane. Not sure now much longer the jets can take it! Cheers, Cap-10

Simmer down Francis, Wasn't bashing the UAV pilot community as a whole....just the a$$ clown who is whining to the media about it. I know you are there as a non-vol....I know a couple of bro's from my community are there as non-vol's as well. Please get off your soap container....what sh!tty deal / take one for the team have you "raised your hand for"? I have vol'd (and got selected) for a 1 yr remote...figured it was better to try to get'er done when the timing was good for me and the kiddo's where young. Or the time I vol'd for an SIB to Afghanistan and was on the plane that evening.....any more credentials you would like? Look, my point was he's crying to the media about not getting medals....anyone worth their salt could give 2-sh!ts about air medals (or any medals for that matter!) He was also trying to say that UAV pilots at home are in just as much risk as the guys down range by saying that terrorism can strike anywhere (people got purple hearts in the pentagon) therefore they are at risk even while at home....WOW! Using that mentality, I would argue pilots down range are at MORE risk once they get home. The article states that UAV pilots name aren't released in press articles unlike other pilots....so Al Queda could get the rank and name of a C-130 pilot mentioned in an article, then just wait 179 days until he rotates home and then google his address and blow it up...so wouldn't you agree that UAV pilots are acutally MORE safe while at home compared to the manned aircraft pilot who had his name all over an af.mil article? Bottom line, he's whining to the media about lack of medals and perceived lack of respect from his peers and big blue....poor form! Cheers, Cap-10 I'm ridiculous for saying I would prefer to have 0 air medals in exchange for being able to be home for my kids birthdays and sporting events?

SHUT YOUR MAN PLEASING CAKE HOLE! You get to go home every night, throw the wife's heels to the ceiling, and watch kiddo's t-ball games and NFL Sunday Ticket on the weekend...oh yeah, Booze! Meanwhile the lowly manned aircraft are flying low level airdrops and shows of force....in the mountains......with weather.....at night! Oh yeah, no Booze! No amount of air medals is worth the time I've missed watching my kids grow up Chow My Hog! Cap-10

WTF is going on? We lost Pitbull/Lag back in 2009....Meso/Mask punched out in 2011....feels like we just got done burying Piston and now this. Words can't begin to describe how happy I am that the crew made it out!!! Cheers, Cap-10

Segment on Nightline tonight: https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/exclusive-22-raptor-flyers-family-demands-truth-air/t/story?id=16253815 Cheers, Cap-10

Check out the uniforms...I say ABU out / BDU's back in about 6-9 months from right meow! Cheers, Cap-10

YGBFSM...you do know that not every A-10 pilot is Sandy qual'd right? If there was an A-10 pilot that was giving off the vibe that he would rather concentrate on the range instead of getting Sandy qual'd, I would bet my monthly paycheck that he would NEVER be upgraded...that mission is too important to let someone skate by...I'm sure A-10 pilots will chime in with their two cents. With regards to the original incident, I'm not sure what happened to the helo wingman, but some F-15E'sm from my squadron were in the kill container next door, established comm, and got eyes on with the Sniper. Since Bagram was a stone's throw away, the Pedro's were there fairly quickly...shortly thereafter, the Sandy's showed up and took over...my two ship showed up next and having personally seen the Sandy's kick ass and take names and run that show like they owned it (because they did), I would challenge any airframe to do it better!!, Just my $0.02. Cheers, Cap-10 Edit: jschmed, Could you add some reason behind your words? What is it about the Jolly's make them a better choice than a Sandy? Also, where did the rest of your post go? I'm wondering why you deleted the part about A-10 guys not caring because RMC "gets in the way of my primary CAS mission" statement?

Noonin was calling me out for my claims of sorting while on Demo XC's...valid, no B-737 flying welded wingman....my point was that I got what I could out of the gas I was given....I used my radar for long range search, practiced good lock mechanics, made appropriate locked/pop-up comm, loaded training misses, hit the pickle button and said "Fox", monitored missiles status thought TOF, etc. If you go back and read my earlier posts, I said I did NOT log RAP on XC's sorties, I logged COB (cost of business). Demo Safety Observer was an additional duty and I was flying plenty of RAP sorties instructing B/I/TX coursers when I was home. Your point of pencil whipping RAP squares are valid, but there are plenty of guys whipping on local flag pole sorties (logging two sorties just because you went to the tanker, even thought the AAR was per-fights, not a fight-tank-fight)...you don't have to be on a demo XC to fudge RAP. Cheers, Cap-10

Nope....safety observer for a few years flying the spare airplane....got to enjoy all the perks (hotel points, flights in the Heritage birds) of the trip with no bottle/throttle requirement....just had to stand next to the airboss and try to look good....not throwing up in front of the crowd was bonus points! Cheers, Cap-10

In response to your BCan response: RAP: I was on the F-15E demo and I logged COB (cost of business) for the XC sorties...we logged RAP when we flew sorties with our normal squadrons when we were home between shows and yes we did in-deed fly with our normal squadrons to include the FTU's, writing grade sheets on noobs. Training: we have missions on our Doc that don't require pods...I've made many a "picture", "sort" and "fox" calls during my XC's but maybe that's just me....you can get as much/little training out of your gas as you want....I'm sure there are dudes that just go XC and don't do squat, but those are the same guys not doing target attacks to/from W-122 on local sorties. I'm not saying that ACC/A3 controls everything including TIB. My VSP example was to show that there is a proven track record where one hand is not talking to the other (VSP/RIF, F-22, KC-X, CSAR-X, etc) so isn't it safe to assume that f&cked up financial decisions are also being made? In the end this is just another example of us becoming the US Shoe Force...it was fun while it lasted. Cheers, Cap-10

Also valid points! The other thing I will add is the possibility of A3 trying to "help"...knowing how difficult it would be to restart the demo teams if they had been killed off outright, he's giving the illusion of making cuts while actually trying to weather the storm with hopes of returning to normal ops a few years down the road....possibility, but not likely. Cheers, Cap-10