M2

ACJ I picked up a BFM a while back, but as I since retired it now serves as my extended "go bag" that doesn't see much use. I like its extra pockets and it is a bit larger than a MotherLoad (it'll hold two 3-liter bladders), and all in all it holds up to the high standards of the CamelBaks. Highly recommended. I think the Cool Gadgets thread is dust in the wind...which is too bad as it was a good 'un! Maybe we can start another in the Squadron Bar section of this forum. And while we're at it, it might be a good time to start another gun thread as well! Cheers! M2

Due to circumstances I ended up selling about a month's worth of leave when I retired. I was lucky in that the organization I was working for pretty much cut me loose to do whatever I wanted those last few weeks so I didn't have to burn any leave. Yes, I only got my base pay and after taxes were taken out, but it was a nice little chunk of change. And a major rule has changed since I retired, that being that officers on terminal leave cannot work in any government spaces during that time. I was able to "double-dip" for a few weeks, as I started on my contract before my retirement date; but a later re-look changed the ROE: Just to note this all came out about mid-June 2006... Cheers! M2

WTF? I was 42 when I picked up my CBR!! Don't be a wuss! Seriously, if your ZX-R is anything like a Ducati, I know what you are talking about! It is one of the reasons why I went for the CBR, they are much more comfortable than the other litre-class bikes! Cheers! M2

Action -- Result -- Impact Follow that format, and lead off each bullet with a "power word(s)" (e.g 'Expertly,' 'Outstanding,' 'Team Player'), and you will have the USAF format as I remember it down pat. And try to quantify (i.e. 'Best of six,' 'My top lieutenant out of 10') or add numbers ("Saved $100M...," "Responsible for $3B...") where you can. Keep in mind that your future PRFs will be mainly written from your OPRs, so quantification and specifics will help you down the road... Whatever you do, do NOT buy that little blue book on OPR writing and directly use anything from it. At best it can give you ideas, but the bullets from that book are too generic and are tired. Another good source of info is try to find someone who will give you a copy of their OPRs. I kept a binder in my desk with mine, along with my decorations, it was always a handy reference. Hope that helps! Cheers! M2

And I have ridden Deal's Gap (The Dragon) before, it was fun (318 curves in 11 miles) but I would advise against going there on the weekends or during the summer. It is extremely popular and everybody from RVs to Miata Owners Groups will be out there. If you want to see some great photos from that area, try Killboy's web site, or more of his pics here. Actually, although Deal's Gap was fun, my ride down from Baltimore via Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway was more enjoyable. Anyone coming from that direction should consider that route. Cheers! M2

VFR800 It is easy keeping a motorcycle while on AD, as long as you are willing to put up with the occassional witch hunts after someone does something stupid on theirs. The AF will move your bike in your household goods, my ST1100 went to Europe and back twice without a problem. Just let TMO know you have a motorcycle, and it is a good idea to call the moving company beforehand to assure they also know. As for a place to keep it, the only concern I ever had was when I lived in a highrise apartment complex. I wasn't comfortable leaving it in the parking lot, and it got knocked over several times. But if you have a house and more importantly a garage then it is not a problem. Just be warned that there are some adamantly anti-motorcycle people in the military, I have seen several GOs state they don't want there officers riding them (to include a two-star I worked directly for). However, I didn't let that stop me, I just kept the fact that I rode quiet. Cheers! M2

Been riding for most of my life. My latest bike is a 2005 Honda CBR1000RR Repsol rep... AirGuardian has one just like it. I've also got a 1991 Honda ST1100 sport-tourer that has been sitting dormant for the past few years. I don't find much motivation to ride it when I have the CBR; but I have been thinking about getting it back on the road as it makes a good alternative for commuting to work. Cheers! M2

He's talking about the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge, which from 1979 to 1983 was the largest tactical fighter wing in the world, with six squadrons of Hawgs during most of that period. The 81 TFW also had four Forward Operation Locations in Germany (Sembach, Leipheim, Alhorn and Norvenich). This was USAFE at its finest. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and the only two A-10s left in the UK are the static bird at RAF Alconbury (with the God-awful noseart) and the one that hangs at the US museum at Duxford. The 510 TFS moved to Spangdahlem in 1993, and later became the 81st Fighter Squadron. The Panthers are the only contingent of A-10s left in USAFE... Cheers! M2

It would be a great reason to break up with her if you wanted; but from your comments I see you don't want to break up with her, so just don't go sucking face at your detachment and you should be fine. Serisouly, don't AFROTC cadre have more important things to worry about?? I remember 100 years ago when I was enlisted we had a pretty hot looking female captain walk into our office with the same name as one of the colonels that worked in our building. Someone asked if she was that colonel's daughter, and she replied that she was that colonel's wife! Needless to say, we all had a healthy new respect for that colonel! And next time post some pics of your girlfriend in a bikini or something so we can better assess whether she is worth the trouble or not! Cheers! M2

Steve On that scale, about a 0.69! As for Bendy's problems, what concerns me the most is how he is referring to himself in the third person, a.k.a. "The Jimmy!" Cheers! M2

Mustache March is a USAF tradition, much like Flattop February. Well, at least it was back in the day. In today's PC world full of SNAPs, it may not be as common as it once was... Cheers! M2

Errrr....Univ of Phoenix and DeVry ARE actual universities, just because they have online programs doesn't mean they aren't "real." Matter of fact, I am about to start my second Masters degree from American Military University. I know that some of you are saying "why?" as I am retired and no longer "need" a Masters (and I already have one). Well, several reasons. For one, despite the burden it may seem, an advanced degree can be a learning experience! Secondly, the AMU program I am going into ties well into my new contractor job, and it never hurts to give yourself an edge in the business world. Thirdly, my company is offering 100% tuition assistance with only a one-year commitment afterward, it's almost as good of a deal as the USAF is offering! Bottom line, a grad degree—whether through the USAF or via a company—is a great opportunity that will never hurt you if you take advantage of it. However, passing on it can adversely affect you down the road. I got my first grad degree—a MS in Info Systems—as I thought I might be going into that world after my USAF career. I didn’t enjoy how highly technical the program was, but it was a well-paying career field. However, a different opportunity presented itself after I retired and now I want to maximize my advantage as I follow this path. Maybe some of you young pups haven’t realized this yet; but life doesn’t always go as you thought, and it is always smart to have a backup plan (or two). And the best way to do that is to be prepared, as the more prepared you are, the better you can adapt to those “surprises.” It is a simply matter of survival… Cheers! M2

Now I am getting the same problem with the 'View New Posts' option... Cheers! M2

Gimme Math not your best subject? Still, good shit and something I am gonna pass on tomorrow at work. Cheers! M2

From this... To this... WTF!² Cheers! M²

And if you need some motivation, having a current TS/SCI is worth $$$ when you retire/separate! Cheers! M2

Let me tell you from firsthand experience, the retirement check is a good thing! Add some VA disability on top of that, and make an effort to live a long life, and you will be sitting pretty. However, all that said, don't place all your eggs in one basket. Invest as much as you can, as wisely as you can. You can never have too much money! Cheers! M2

By the way, apparently back in 2005 they dragged 73-1664 out of the desert back and into the paint barn. She now sits inside a hanger at the Flight Test Center Museum, looking very sweet! (Click on pic for man-sized version) Cheers! M2

Actually, I found a copy at the shoppette, but the lady behind the counter told me it wasn't the issue with the TI in it. I told her it was, and she said they were suppose to be taken off the shelves. The only reason I asked for verification is that our shoppette isn't always "in the know." I have to admit I didn't see it at first, but I removed the 'blocker' that prevents anyone from actually seeing the covers of these horrible magazines, and it was tucked up behind some other mags, so it is fairly feasible that it was overlooked when they removed them from the shelves. I have to say that if it true that AAFES pulled the issue from their stores, what a friggin' joke! The reaction already has been overblown (what a great term!), now is the USAF worried that the troops might actually get to see one of its finest nude? Cheers! M2

AT Got it and sent a reply. I've heard a rumor that AAFES has been told to remove the February issue of Playboy from their shelves. This from a pretty reliable source. Can anyone verify? Cheers! M2

Here is a link to the full Center for Defence Information (CDI) report: V-22 Osprey: Wonder Weapon or Widow Maker? Cheers! M2

This was posted on Miltary.com today... Cheers! M2 (Editted to add link) [ 25. January 2007, 11:52: Message edited by: M2 ]

Robert Young Pelton's License To Kill on private military contractors is interesting, especially in light of the recent shootdown of a Blackwater helicopter and the execution of four of the people onboard. Cheers! M2

Yep, I got popped for making an illegal left turn from the center lane. Luckily the cop believed that the car in the left lane had waved me to go ahead, which was the truth but didn't negate my illegal turn. What made matters worse was that I tripped getting out of the car, making it look like I had been drinking (I hadn't). I also got ticketed for allegedly going the wrong way down a one-way street in Ann Morrison Park (across the river from BSU, if I remember correctly), even though I told the cop I had made a U-turn prior to the one-way area. Based on the advice of a motorcycle cop I knew, I went to court on that one and won; and a week later there were 'No U-turn' signs where the incident happened. Good times... Cheers! M2

OK, whereas I agree with C21Cowboy that this discussion should focus on her rack (and I don't mean her ribbons, but that is the right general area); I got the itch to know the facts, and here they are. According to the 40-lb-personnel-brains at AFPC, here are the latest promotion rates for 2006: to E-5 SSgt - 35.87% to E-6 TSgt - 16.76% to E-7 MSgt - 19.86% to E-8 SMSgt - 8.63% to E-9 Chief - 22.83% (Source) But go back to the source and look at previous years, at one point the promotion rate to SSgt was as high as almost 65% (2001) and for two years the promotion to Tech was over 33% (2001-2002). But what the hell, she probably made more in that photo shoot than she will over the next 3-4 years as a SSgt (or even a TSgt). She has "skills" (two nice ones), why not market them?? Cheers! M2