brickhistory

You kids and your danged technology... Missed it. Sue me...

So a VADM will be working as a senior VP for some defense contractor shortly since the boys embarrassed Big Grey on the national stage (story ran in a lot of outlets, left and right). Also 100 guys will be getting a line number at one of the majors soon. Ballsy move.

Errr, it's springtime in Maryland. Weather today was high of 70. Lots of really brown, dry grass in the foreground and the trees in the background are pretty bare. The Ivan-wannabe that looks photoshopped is in a medium to heavyweight jacket. Pilot not interacting, at least in the one shot, with the photographer who probably was using his, wait for it... cell phone. Not buying it. Happy to be wrong, but it doesn't like right. Glad the pilot is ok.

Bannon is out, certainly. Some reports he accomplished what he set out to do regarding the bloated NSC. Others that McMaster booted him. I suspect the latter. But Bannon retains his clearances and ability to attend NSC principals' meetings. Just not as one of them. He still, apparently, has ready access to the Boss which is all that really counts in DC (or really anywhere...). I also note that Susan Rice just cannot help herself from going full retard. The frag pattern from "the Russia thing" is going to get some Obama people. Good. The DC leviathan is a threat to all of us, especially a partisan IC which in my experience, it is. I hope there are lots of political casualties on both sides. I hope some real oversight of the IC and individual privacy checks resumes and isn't pencil-whipped like it largely has been. Because the temptation to peek is too strong for nearly any political type, regardless of rank/position. People gonna be corrupted absolutely. My Georgia accent version of the famous quote...

Yeah. Re-posting a article originally written by a different news agency is such a right-wing thing to do... The by-line from the article in the link "By Cam Inman, Mercury News"

Ron Fogleman. Among other leadership considerations, the ability to organize, train, and equip the forces to carry out national strategy is dependent upon resources provided. Sure, there are finite resources. It is the responsibility, and more importantly, the duty of the CSAF to advocate for those resources necessary to conduct the missions given. If the necessary resources aren't provided, the CSAF has a responsibility, and more importantly, the duty to notify his civilian leaders of the consequences of the lack of those resources. Then, the missions are either reduced to meet the resources or the resources are increased to meet the demanded missions. Failing that, the CSAF has the responsibility, and more importantly, the duty to respectfully refuse to carry out those mission knowing that the risk to the personnel under his care is thereby increased with no benefit to the nation. Having refused, in our generally grand tradition of military subordination to civilian control, the result is resignation or firing. That tends to crimp post-uniformed service board memberships and the like...

Didn't go to UPT or marry an E. However, something to consider: If you got to UPT base X, and spouse gets an assignment there, you are there for a year-ish. She, on the other hand, drew the PCS commitment and sentence - two years if she takes an overseas gig afterwards, or at least three if it's CONUS. Possibly longer. So, in the long view, is her being there while you go through UPT AND she is doing her job with, I assume, it's own long hours and pressure at the same base, A) how fun would that be for both of you and B) what happens when you are winged and off to Base Y for B-course/MQT, etc? She's still stuck at UPT base X for a lot longer time.

Ooohh, a "joint task force." "The Pentagon has established a joint military task force to handle the growing investigation, said MaryAnn Cummings, a spokeswoman for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Navy, Marine, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard investigators have "established a multi-service task force to expand the investigation," she said." https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/17/marine-corps-commandant-robert-neller-marines-united-pornography/99306778/

Yes. Yes, I would like fries with that, Colin. https://nation.foxnews.com/2017/03/18/nfl-gm-some-teams-genuinely-hate-colin-kaepernick

Essentially "2" on M2's post. I do not know if it's "legal" to organize a petition on-base, but I do know it's a direct challenge to "The Man." Do so at your peril. Base commander has made a determination. Best bet, albeit a long shot and dependent on the political leaning of your elected representatives is to contact those offices and ask "How come?" Since DoD loosened the reins at the first of the year regarding on-base weapons by permitted individuals, it is still the installation commander's ultimate decision. Most don't have the guts to trust us. As a personal anecdote, I tried the congressional maneuver at Offutt last year. Stirred the pot and caused "The Man" to respond, but it wound up being the "study group" you mentioned in your post. Gave the examples of Dyess and other bases letting this happen as well as the specific DoD instructions. Results were the same as before I tried, however. I haven't even bothered here at Nellis since every single elected official in my food chain is anti-gun, i.e., a liberal Democrat.

And she/he/it is relatively correct. MSNBC (with it's own cast of tax scofflaws - I'm looking at you Al Sharpton, to name just one) can publish nearly whatever they want. But somebody leaked the partial return which wound up in the bearded never gets laid reporter who gave them to Madcow. That person or persons committed a felon. Which is my point - if next time it's yours or mine, will the rest of you be fine with that? To have the IRS continue to work for one ideology and/or party as part of it did in the Lois Lerner fiasco? This is out in the street ugly not just, in my mind, the usual political shenanigans.

Part of Trump's 2005 tax return gets revealed. And it shows.... he paid taxes. Leaking tax returns is a federal crime. It's all fun and political shenanigans until it's yours or the IRS is used a political weapon. Gold, guns, and ammo...

Not to derail the thread, but since "Fat Leonard" was mentioned already: https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/admiral-seven-others-charged-with-corruption-in-new-fat-leonard-indictment/2017/03/14/faf01600-08da-11e7-b77c-0047d15a24e0_story.html?utm_term=.afde467465bd NCIS must be self-actualizing in such a big way with all this publicity...

I am not amused by the GOP's Obamacare-lite shenanigans.

And the winner of her comparison shoot today was.... The Shield.

Finally, a practical use of baseops. A year ago, my wife and I found what we thought could be our forever home. We took the many recommendations from here on NBKC and although the guy listed here had moved up in the bank, he sent us to Jackie R. who did a great job. However, the very elderly sellers refused to even consider the offer because it was a VA loan. Not to mention they were pretty proud of their offering and set a very unrealistic, uncompetitive price on it. A collective WTF? from us and NBKC, but ok, if the color of our money is good enough, best of luck selling elsewhere. Fast forward 11 months and the house is still on the market. Funny how a year of nothing can change minds. The couple accepted our offer with no dickering. We closed this past Monday. Most painless closing I have ever experienced. So, a well done/bravo zulu/sierra hotel to NBKC and Jackie R. Texas hill country, here we come!

Shack. However, I was referring to the things that will lead NCIS off onto bunny trails that aren't even imagined at present. A link to baseops with a NSFW thread and public mentions of BQZips' mom? Well, why don't we spread the wealth and let our OSI brethren share in this non-PC goodness? Looking at whatever in your search history? Must be something there for us to pursue. This is gonna be bumpy ride; buckle up.

Remember how local OSI went full retard over Mollygate? HQ-level NCIS' collective hard-on over pursuing this - 30,000 suspects--promotions and bigger budgets for all! - will make Viagra obsolete. So much collateral damage is going to occur that my liberal arts degree-trained mind boggles.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/03/05/im-never-reenlisting-marine-corps-rocked-by-nude-photo-scandal/?utm_term=.20b8e8846573 A couple of thoughts: 1. Trying to change young, hormonal, healthy men who you want to be very alpha in order to do their jobs is stupid. 2. This is why we can't have nice things. 3. Don't be stupid on the internet. 4. Lots of collateral damage impending.

not my photo Comparing apples to oranges to tangerines to cannons - one all-encompassing, bigly, yuuuge STS for the entire post - So she who must be obeyed (SWMBO) gets "headaches" everytime I ask her to go with me to the range to practice with her CCW J-frame - S&W Model 642 Airweight .38 special. In her defense, and as I've written previously, it is not a pleasant gun to shoot. For some real-world situation, I imagine you wouldn't notice it, but for practice, the recoil with the incredibly light revolver gets old quickly. I'm good after about 20 rounds. She doesn't even like to finish one cylinder. That does not make for great accuracy should it be necessary. Her rationale of utter reliability and simplicity of operation is sound, however, not practicing is not safe and she knows it. So, being the thoughtful husband that I am, I have talked with her regarding those ultra-reliable semi-automatics available and demonstrate such with my EDC XDS .45. I let her know I wouldn't let her carry a jam-o-matic, so let's see what we can find out. Using my collection, she was ok - dry-firing- with the S&W Chief's Special 9mm, the S&W 3913, and the M&P9c. She hasn't fired any of them yet. From my personal experience, I know that the Chief's Special is a snappy little bastard. The 3913 is a semi-collectable (it's out of production, parts are hard to source, and the value keeps going up a bit). The M&P9c is a great gun, but the small magazines make it too short for me to shoot comfortably. (Using the adapter and full-size magazines, I love shooting it). But I'm not the one that would be carrying/shooting it, so it's a player for her. Since she's out of town for a few weeks, I researched the M&P Shield in 9mm since it's nearly the same size as the 3913 and, as far as I can tell, as reliable as the M&P9c. Part of that research meant I had to buy one. Convenient excuse so I'm went for it. Went to the range this morning to side by side by side compare the Shield vs. the M&P9c vs. my XDS. The Shield is thinner both in slide and grip than my XDS. For my large hands, perhaps a bit too thin. Trigger finger wrapped past the first knuckle on the skinny trigger. Nothing that can't be overcome with training/practice, but that's the first impression. Shooting it, the trigger was "meh." Got better as I kept shooting, but this is a good candidate for the Apex trigger kit as I did for the M&P9c and full-size M&P9 that is my nightstand pistol. With the 8-round magazine, I could put all fingers and the heel of my palm on the pistol and it felt comfortable. Needs a bit more girth for me (I said, the STS has been accomplished!). The 7-rounder left my pinky dangling and not enough back pressure on the heel of my hand. I used 200 rounds of 115gr. FMJ. No issues whatsoever. I did not shoot any of my preferred Cor-Bon DTX hollow-point because I can't seem to find more. A factory order has been backordered for more than a month and retailers locally are out. Still, shooting this 9mm is a dang sight less snappy and uncomfortable than my .45 XDS with the 5-round magazine. Hence, I carry a 6+1 magazine and not the baby one. However, there is no disguising the 'grunt' factor of shooting the .45 in such a small package. As noted in a previous report, after 100 rounds, I'm more than ready to not shoot it anymore. I put the Truglo sights on the Shield and already had them on the 9c and the XDS. Very positive things to say about those sights - bright, big, easy to acquire. Overall, I like the Shield. I can see why it is wildly popular. Skinny, light, decent shooter. It fits all my XDS holsters including my car and truck-mounted ones. SWMBO returns in 10 days and will have her choice.

And THAT, gentlemen, is how you do a rant. Any questions? Right, carry on...

As opposed to crashes now? Germanwings, EgyptAir, et al are just some where the guy in the cockpit intentionally took paying passengers with him. Run of the mill crashes happen now as well despite having two guys in the cockpit now. Pretty sure the insurance premiums are hefty now. "Reduce" the human error rate, as those seeking automation are claiming, can only reduce those premiums as well. I'm not advocating for this, just acknowledging that it is happening and much research and time/money is being spent on making it happen. The interesting NASA study shows that our own Uncle Sam is opening his wallet to making it happen.

I am one of those that wants a meat servo (sts) up front to handle things when HAL can't. However: Around 20-ish years ago, the first RPAs were fielded. Not long before we hung ordnance on them after thinking "only good for surveillance." Less than 20 years ago, I was on the Air Staff working with the FAA trying to convince them to allow UAVs (as the term was then) in the NAS. Hit a near-brick wall. How many stateside bases fly RPAs now? How many other federal, state, and local agencies do as well? Generations before this comes to pass is a stretch, I think. If it's a cheaper ticket, a lot of folks won't care just as they haven't has air travel has become bus service. I'm not advocating for it, I just happen to think it's inevitable and I don't think The Man (whether in uniform or business suit) cares about the societal impact if his bottom line improves. Therefore, young 'uns might want to keep an eye, and their options, open is my only reason for posting. But if they can hack flying for Big Blue, they most likely will hack something else as well. But they won't be irreplaceable.

If they stick to the timeline in the article and actually have a autonomous passenger aircraft next summer, then that's where my bet would be. If you mean airliner; the latter, which I assume was your point. Mine is that this is happening and Moore's law is applicable.