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Depends. By law, only so many officers can be on the rolls at each grade. That percentage fluctuates depending on authorized force strength. Big Blue saying 100% to O-4 means they literally don't have to cut anyone. (Why that fact exists, of course, is the great unanswered by Air Staff question). The number of total O-5s will also be set so the culling of the herd will occur then as well. Assuming that the herd doesn't keep finding weak areas of the fence and escape into the wild. If the numbers then are also below requirements, then the percentages for O-5 will increase. Instead of the cliché of "Will the last one leaving the Air Force please turn out the lights?," it appears that USAF is working its way toward 100% selection to general officer.

For another, the 12th (was part of 18th WG during my time in mid-1990s*), the 44th, and the 67th all flew combat missions during Vietnam. Guess that's not called a "real war." Might get another chance fairly soon... *AWESOME assignment

First scoping questions: Are you staying where you retire? What is the market there for employment, either working for someone or for yourself? If moving, to where and same questions. Have you determined your absolute mins for income/lifestyle? Been out for 9 years now (finished out as an AGR), did defense contracting and now GS. Original plan was for wife (retired within 6 months of me) and I to run a B&B in Sedona. Turn-key place, year 'round 85% occupancy rate. Unfortunately, I was in DC and had A) kid in #1 high school in nation (Thomas Jefferson) and B) retired at the height of the housing market crash. Was over $100K upside down on my DC house and couldn't afford to walk from that AND pick up the business loan on the place in Sedona. So...switch to back-up plans to pay bills. Wound up staying in DC area for another four years. Ugh... Escaped to Omaha and now Nellis. Started out as a contractor for Boeing; switched to GS for salary and security. For profit, except for working for myself, wasn't attractive since the lay-off factor was high then as well as capricious now. I'm all about capitalism but the realities of being fired/laid off for reasons beyond my control, i.e., I'm canned not because I didn't do a good job but just because (like most people do, I realize) wasn't working for me after 20 years of a guaranteed paycheck. Basically, I consider(ed) myself institutionalized. Being stuck in DC made that an easy mode to enter. GS in agencies other than DoD, in my experience, sucks. No sense of mission, no sense of team, nothing but "I got mine." Especially nothing about the taxpayer. Don't get me wrong, I saw unbelievable waste and "I got mine" in DoD as well and it frustrates(d) me. But there was still that core of dudes/dudettes that care about the mission despite the Man. Unfortunately, for fifteen years I was at Air Staff or above levels. Empire building and not making waves are the currencies there so I wasn't happy nor considered a team player. I'm now at the squadron/base level and enjoy it much more. Even if the folks in uniform, as a rule, dismiss civilians, being a part, however small, of making the mission happen is rewarding. edited to add: Not meaning to derail the thread. Wanted to give one perspective on defense contracting and GS route as an alternative to a guy who is able to go airline and is asking for alternatives. I could not (without spending a metric sh1t-ton of money and time I didn't have to get my quals).

And the Sq/CC said, "Sir, you will have to do that because I am removing mine." Did he? And Big Blue wonders why people are bailing...

Negative. It is not "ok" to disrespect the flag and anthem. But that is my personal belief. I won't watch those teams who keep such arrogant, clueless individuals and I let the advertisers know of my displeasure. If enough fans of the affected teams feel that way, then the players will be kicked to the curb without a second thought. If more fans want a winning team vs. a respectful one, then the opposite will occur. Those disrespecting the flag/anthem are protesting the symbols of the very idea that gives them the right, opportunity, and vehicle to stage said protest. Not the brightest bulbs in the ceiling fixture in my mind. Going old school: don't like it, GTFO. I don't see them thriving in Russia or Cuba.

As repugnant as I find the actions of those not showing respect for the symbols that stand for their right to perform those very protests (irony lost on those players, I'm betting), let the performance numbers of your red herrings Bennett and Beast drop like Kaepernick's and they are gone without a second thought by the team's owners. Performance = profit Flagging performance + disrespectful to most fans behavior = "would you like fries with that?" It seems that a museum celebrating the accomplishments of only one race has a political agenda and not an actual historical intent when a football player makes it prior to a Supreme Court Justice. Numerically, there have been a lot more black football players than black Justices.

The Hitman's Bodyguard. Opens next week; got to go to an advance screening with wife. Predictable, a lot of over the top violence, not much skin. Absolutely great writing for the lines between Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds. A lot of funny bits, not just the usual one or two in most movies. Recommend.

Err, what the poster (me) meant to say was... When the Democrats ran the Congress under Obama, they ignored the GOP. When the Republicans gained back the House, then the Senate, they did squat all when Obama ignored them and ran riot with his executive actions. Ignore Congressional subpoenas regarding Fast & Furious? Not a problem. Find the Attorney General in contempt over that? No big deal since it drew a complete yawn from the Democrats and the press. Actually use those Constitutional powers to hold in check the Executive Branch? Not a thing done. Hence my "aiding and abetting" line. Today, the Democrats are in the minority and they got the Republicans to go with the Special Prosecutor. So either the Democrats are better at that whole wielding of power thing, or the GOP is colluding with them to get Trump gone. BTW, Barry, among many things, unilaterally signed the Paris Climate Change agreement. He never submitted it to the Senate per the Constitution. And Congress did squat about that. Ditto with the Iran deal. Essentially a treaty involving the U.S. and the President ignored the Congress. And they let him. And went wild with condemnation when Trump undid at least the Paris agreement with his executive action. That list of Obama actions that were unprecedented and ran roughshod over the Congress is much more extensive. But he's not POTUS anymore so no whining when Trump eventually goes that way. Which, to date, he really hasn't. He's talked a lot, but not taken likewise unprecedented actions.

I don't recall a lack of credit being placed on Obama by the media who were non-stop cheerleaders for him. Did I miss that? Did the special counsel investigate the IRS targeting political opponents and the massive destruction of evidence that followed? Or the extrajudicial killings (no matter how well deserved) of an American citizen? The cozy Dept of Energy loans to Administration-friendly solar panel companies? The election line of "Osama's dead and GM's alive" despite the executive action of literally ignoring established bankruptcy law? Leakers in the Obama administration were identified and prosecuted (in numbers higher than all previous administrations combined) whereas today they are "heroes and resistors." I don't recall the previous Attornies General recusing themselves from non-existent investigations into Fast and Furious or meeting the husband of a criminal investigation on an airport ramp. Imagine if Sessions were held in contempt of Congress like Holder was. Instead of a brief mention in a small paragraph on page C6 of the WaPo, how many days of front page, all of it, it would garner. Would that merit a newspaper putting a resistance slogan on its masthead? To name just a few. (There's a glimmer of hope that the unmasking of American citizens in NSA intercepts for political purposes might see some results, but for all the coverage on it, it might as well be moot as well) I don't recall debate moderators correcting him during various venues or even debating him instead of being impartial question-askers. Barry did all good, all the time according to the same press that is saying Trump is all bad, all the time. When, in fact, both men did some good things and some bad things. The difference is that one was aided by the legislature on both sides while one is not. Finally, and the frustrating thing about conveying ideas in short posts, is the idea that "keeping score" was my intent. Noting hypocrisy on the other hand... Which happens on both sides of the aisle. Shocking, I tell you. Shocking.

Negative on the "true believer" stuff unless you are referring to my anti-Hillary stance. However, my point holds regarding that I, and enough others, utterly rejected the business as usual candidates, and this is the important part, because it was not and is not working. He was the means, given the field of choices, to deliver said message. His run so far has been amusing, quizzical, and very bombastic. I am reveling in the consternation that he has wrought in the media and in normal political shenanigans. But I see far less actually ignoring the rule of law than his immediate predecessor. Which all those "mavericks" in Congress were content to let do so. Now that they've got a guy notionally on the same side, they suddenly find their "separate but equal branch of government" pants.

My point wasn't what I thought (more on that below), but rather on the obsession on absolutely everything (real or imagined) negative that is placed on Trump's skull. So why not the good things as well? (Not being serious, I realize why not) Trump is not a good politician. Trump is a successful tycoon. Those facts work both for and against him. The GOP still isn't comprehending why Trump defeated the other 16 career politicians that ranged from Democrats except for the identification to reasonable but ineffective at getting results Republicans in the primaries. Both sides of the aisle aren't comprehending why Trump beat the anointed one - Hildebeast. The heart and soul of the country was signaling that it is getting raped by a government run amuck; a media intent on assisting that rape; and a tidal wave of social ills that it wants fixed or not to progress (Go ahead, pick the nit on my wording...). Instead of absorbing the lessons learned, both sides, but especially the Republicans are choosing to reject that message. Instead of reversing those things that were specifically named as anathema to many people - Obamacare, unchecked illegal immigration, social engineering that tramples dissenting views, etc, etc, etc, the GOP postures and does nothing. Not even slow down the liberal, progressive train. Seven years to have a strategy and plan in place to repeal Obamacare "if only you'll vote for us" in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016. Even passing a repeal knowing Obama would veto it. But come an actual TOT and they whiffed. Badly. I have to give kudos to the Democrats. When they have the power, they use it. The Republicans are debating themselves as to who is more "mavericky" and standing up to Trump. McCain/Flake/Sasse, et al. I will donate money to any and all primary opponents. Not because I think Trump is the Messiah (however, he is a very naughty boy...). but because he is a means to an end and you refuse to cooperate on the important things while preening for MSNBC. A pox on both Houses

Since Trump gets blamed for, literally, everything in the world, I thought I'd throw this little bit of good news in: DOW JONES INDU AVERAGE NDX (Dow Jones Global Indexes:INDU) 22,016.24 Delayed Data As of 4:40pm ET +52.32 / +0.24% Now he may not be responsible for the number, but if he's gonna get the blame for everything, how about a little of the credit as well?

Still not Hillary.

Remind me again; who is in charge of flying wings? Of most MAJCOMs? Of Big Blue itself? Same as it ever was...

Bravo.

Although some very liberal states may now allow this, it is still against federal law...

You know, Nathan Johnson is right. Everyone who wants to serve should be allowed to. Blind? Sure, come on in. We can make allowances because you need to self-actualize. Crippled? Ditto; the welcome mat is out. Can't deploy? Can't fight? Can't do the job because a physical abnormality is going to cause you to be a long-term, very expensive ineffective round and you knew that coming into the service? I'm sure somebody can carry your load (sts...(or maybe not)) in order for you to feel included. Those individual needs should absolutely be catered to because when push comes to shove, those attributes are going to be useful in a fight. Heck, we oughta make sure those that want to be pilots but aren't currently allowed to due to whatever physical malady prevents them having the opportunity get a fair shake as well...

My nomination for "STS of the Year Award" on so many levels...

Worked with a guy who flew these missions. 3 X DFCs. He sent me the audio of one of them he had taped via his headset - he was an EWO. Holy sh1t doesn't come close to describing it.

So why not spin off space AND cyber into a thing? Staying at this public knowledge level, it would be akin to carnivores and herbivores in the air-breathing forces. Both rely on each other. Naturally, we can count on Big Gray and Big Green to give up their toys and people just like they did when the Air Service became the Air Corps which became the Army Air Forces which became Big Blue. Nothing in the history books about that. Or, if this happens, does the inevitable bloat and expanding staff mean it will eventually get its own seat on JCS? Obviously, a bigger committee makes for better, faster decisions. Or what about downgrading STRATCOM to a "nuclear corps?" (Pun intended...). Aside from a few other junk drawer missions that son of SAC has - EW - why is it a full-on combatant commander? The numbers assigned are small, the mission very specialized. Hey, if we're gonna reorganize, let's go the full monty. Must go lie down now...

Soooo, in this brave new world we're experiencing, are the 72 virgins gender-specific? Asking for a friend...

Errr, most WaPo/NYT/CBS/NBC/ABC/CNN, etc, etc, et-bloody-c, don't seem to be bothering with "well-sourced" so perhaps you reach too far? If the price of harpooning the Trumpster is the occasional retraction or correction, well that's only minor collateral damage.

Gives a little more meaning to: "Copy shot...pK miss." "Copy second shot...copy kill"

Or one of them didn't want to pay extra for the seatbelt?

And each was surrounded by a metric sh1t-ton of archie (AAA to you newbies) which is why Frank Luke was celebrated as a mad hero. Being so flammable and a static target, the Jerries (and Allies) put a ring of lead around each one. Brits never did issue parachutes for their balloonists (something about bonus' and being team players...). USAAF also categorized V-1 kills separately.