Jaded

What was the promotion rate to O-4?

My understanding is that you must be experienced to do things like ALO, RPA, IFF or UPT. Like previously stated though, AFPC has no problem breaking every rule it's supposed to follow.

Yes! This is the perfect place to talk about the air Force's EW capabilities and vulnerabilities. (but seriously, find something else to talk about)

The implication was there, however. Why else would he say it?

That was the final number. The retention report has been out for weeks. Chang is not in the know and should not be asked about inside info.

I know a viper bro who recently went to Accessible Aviation in Oakland. He had positive things to say. I think that a lot of their instructors are prior military.

You're asking for answers from a guy that didn't even know the take rate this year. He's not I the know; stop feeding the troll.

Wow. 46% take rate for fighters? 101% losses of eligible mobility pilots when including VSP? Overall Continuation rate of 35% for 6-14 year groups? This report looks really bad. Maybe this means some of the career progression and quality of life issues will be addressed, right guys? Guys? Also, the 59% is bogus logic, since a person choosing to VSP wasn't going to take the bonus if not allowed to separate. Looks like a statistic cooked up to make AFPC look better. Can someone tell me how this isn't a huge problem?

John Q public's blog mentioned that he talked to AFPC and was told that they have a huge backlog they are still working through. He received numbers, did the math and it looked like the take rate was going to be about the same as last year. I don't know how this is going to actually turn out, but let's wait until the final numbers are in. Was anybody around in 96/97 when the take rate fell off a cliff?

Last pin on: Not yet. That year group will be major selects for longer than they were second lieutenants.

It's interesting; I'd heard that guard units were having the same problem, with even AGR guys giving up their full time slots to take airline jobs. I had thought the airline hiring would hit active duty harder than it has, but maybe it'll hit the guard first. All heresy though.

I've heard secondhand that many units are having trouble finding enough f-16 guys. Any truth to that?

He addresses that exact concern in the article. TL;DR - vaseline.

Cool idea. If you ever port it to android, I'll check it out.

Here's hoping that 11Fs get their chance (though the current bonus take rate makes it unlikely.)

I enjoyed living off base during IFF. Cheaper cab rides from the bars.

GC enjoys sitting on his high horse and acting condescending to a group of people he has a great deal of contempt for. Don't post expecting answers from him. He's not here to provide info.

I've always wondered what take rate was required to maintain an adequate inventory. 65% is normal-would 55% result in empty cockpits? 45%? What rate would be concerning to the brass?

If you're getting a job immediately after you separate, you could put as much as possible in your new 401k. Or, if you know early enough in the year you could max your TSP contribution for the year (plus IRA). It's kind of a first world problem; you're making so much money this year you have to pay more taxes.

When will the FY14 retention report come out? Early Oct? Late Oct? I think it's always an interesting read.

Wait until October before taking too much stock in the numbers. They change a lot each September.

Usually I think Karl is way too negative, but I think I agree with him on this point. I think you were a sucker to take the bonus. I know you, and you are intelligent, competent, and in an organization that will waste your talents. You have colleagues at Standford Business School, with full time gigs in the guard and reserves, and starting what will someday be extremely cush jobs in the airlines. Because you are not a patch wearer, you will spend the next 10 years wallowing while doing things like: -wing jobs (Yes sir, I'd love to be the chief of IGI!) -getting passed over for O-6 because of your lack of staff experience (thanks 11F) -a 365s as the OSS/CC to Djubouti (the Died... etc) You will be 43 years old at 20 years in looking at the exact same decision about whether or not to fly for Delta with a pension check that will barely feed and house your family (assuming you don't get fired at 18 based on trumped up bullshit your WG/CC decides is unacceptable). You will fly less, see your family less, and be more vulnerable to deploy to shitty assignments. You had the potential to do anything you wanted, but chose not to for an extra $18k a year after taxes. The bonus, as I see it, is an awesome deal only for those who have no potential to succeed outside the military.

So, not for the 05 major's board then?

He's more likely to get an LOR than results.

That looks awesome.