backseatdriver

Discussion today at work: "So toxicology reports show there weren't any drugs in Amy Winehouse's system" "So what did she die of?" "Apparently a broken heart from missing the coke."

The top comment on the YouTube page is: "Loved you in the Goonies"

Thanks for the gouge. Like I said, this is a concern across the community (both sides of the aisle if you will). We all discussed it at last year's AFSOC ops conference, and the issue of CSO studs having limited exposure to the mission, crew dogs, etc was voiced as a concern. I know there was talk of both squadrons trying to get guys over to PCola to talk to the studs on career day, etc, and the U-model guys had mentioned dropping in with a plane (it is next door after all) and doing some statics, show some Kill TV, etc - not sure where we're at on that. Sucks to hear there's guys there that are turning students away from the community by their actions...we need to do a better job of mitigating that kind of stuff.

Can't speak to Pcola specifically cause I'm pretty sure all the guys we (H-models) washed out last year were from Randolph, but the problem areas typically are: - Inability to multi-task - Lack of SA - Task saturation - Can't talk on the radio (kind of important for a Gunship nav) - however, this is rarely a stand alone thing, usually a function of lack of SA/task saturation - don't think I've ever seen a guy know exactly what's going on, but just not be able to communicate it

Being a good dude is good, being able to do the job is better. Hopefully they can hack it. I don't blame them. That being said, the mission is the same, so hopefully guys are factoring that in to their decision. Are they still masking which base the AC is at when the drop comes down until drop night? I know at Randolph they were only telling guys it was an AC-130 in the drop, and you found out location at drop night. Not surprising. Yeah, the CSO schoolhouse is a very rare assignment due to it being outside the "normal" flow of AFSOC assignments (meaning it's rare for guys to get assigned back outside of AFSOC, with the exception being the Kirtland guys since they're technically AETC...but it's still basically an AFSOC assignment).

Not concerned about getting an AC-130, been on them for 6 years, wondering if we're getting sharp dudes or shitbags. There's concern in the community that the "Cannon factor" is keeping otherwise sharp guys from putting Gunships down on their dreamsheets. The H-model schoolhouse went 1 for 4 last year on new guys making it through the program. Not sure if it's a factor of an overall drop in CSO quality, or just a drop in quality that's heading our way. It's unfortunate because Cannon or not, crews are still consistently laying waste to the enemy downrange on a regular basis (Example). Dropping tons of ordnance is fun and all, but there's only one place where you can chase Muj down one by one to ensure they don't live to fight another day. You can run...but you'll only die tired. On another note - interesting that AC-130 would be lumped separate from "strike".

Valid.

You should probably stick with working equations to help out CH and leave the rhyming to the liberal arts majors.

Where do the guys dropping AC-130s out of PCola typically rank in their class?

You're obviously not in AFSOC.

Based on this comment I think it was a valid award...no need for retaliation.

Teen With Rare Condition Could Die From Brushing Hair

Hook, line, and sinker.

Thankfully I'm not a big enough nerd to get that cartoon.

My bad, looks like you're right on the defined contribution. This is where I got the idea matching was involved... Slide 19: $16,500 annual tax-deferred contribution limit –Applies to Member contributions from basic, special, incentive and bonus pays –Does not include service matching contributions (for the few service members receiving matching) I wonder who gets matching...

But that's assuming the government is matching $16.5K every year, which they won't be. A new E-1's base pay is $17,611/yr. An O-1 is $33,408. Don't know many guys that are investing 50% of their paycheck in retirement - the enlisted side of the house is right out. Nevermind...keep reading...

Except all Americans don't endure the hardships of military service. I think the AFA's response to the proposal said it best: I'm not saying options aren't good, and I think the ability to leave before 20 with some money in your pocket is a good thing, but I think it's fair to say we shouldn't act like military retirements and civilian retirements should be compared like apples to apples.

It really irks me how much attention is being paid to the SEALs at the cost of the rest of the guys on board (to include the crew which had hardly been mentioned before the pilot's son sent out his message on CNN). I understand why - the recent attention due to the Bin Laden raid, basic ignorance of the masses, etc, but it irks nonetheless. Ultimately it's good that folks are at least doing SOMETHING to honor the fallen, just wish they wouldn't be selective, even if unintentional.

Welcome to the very first post of this thread.

Slow down turbo - same wording was in the old 2903. Let's not voluntarily give the shoes more ammo.

Another push for SOWF. They are going to offer scholarships to children of ALL of the US guys that were killed in the crash (meaning the helo crew as well). Please consider donating.

Dude - call me an asshole if you want, but I literally laugh every time I look at this - well done.

Not when it's a Reserve unit.

Not the place dude.

So according to the caption that went along with this pic, these are KC-135 pilots doing a SERE exercise at MacDill. I'm assuming they failed...