BFM this

I think you have to say his name 2 more times.

That was part of my consideration as well, but it was specifically why I went with AAFMA. I wanted coverage during my prime earning years--years before I had my own nest egg/financial foundation built. Those are the vulnerable years in my mind. 20 years from now, I will have eclipsed what that policy would offer, so it will at that point be redundant.

It's not matching, it's defined contribution (govt will contribute x amount to tsp automatically). In fact I don't recall the DBB proposal mentioning matching specifically.

Just after a two year record high retention rate. Weirdest thing!

Fast forward a few years. Assuming these changes take place, how or would your advice change for... the 17yo that is thinking of enlisting 17yo thinking about a service academy junior at the zoo thinking about pilot training 7yr SSgt weighing thier options (ranging from defense contracting job to going back home to be a cop) I've got my ideas, just thinking through the second order effects for discussion sake.

I was really young during 40%. I remember a lot of bitterness. A LOT. In conjuntion, a lot of E-6's were getting kicked to the curb at 16-17 years. I was like a young pup that could smell something bad in the air, but didn't quite know what it was...

$289 retail according to the website, but $150 according to the catalog once they have your impressions. Might be questionable value at that price, but I love mine, and will be getting a spare set.

All great thoughts, but I wanted to point something out. When my unit transitioned to ACCES we had a very smart LSO working at the group. He rightly predicted that the user would have to get accostomed to these new earpieces. Second, since Westone already had our molds, it was very little additional cost to order everybody stereo earphones specifically to ease the acclimation process. And yes, they legitimately helped. If your unit is about to transition to ACCES, I would drop this idea off with your LSO. The earphones are pretty awesome--could be better with lower freq's, so if you're a full-up audiophile you prob won't be impressed, but I like them. If your unit has already tx'd, you're not out of luck. Westone keeps all molds for 5 years; call them up--it's prob way cheaper to get a set of headphones with a ready mold. I haven't looked into it yet, but even if mine don't wear out/break/get lost I'm planning on ordering another set in 3-4 years. They are hands-down the best fitting earphones I've ever had. Sorry for the hijack--Back to the discussion.

That dude made O6. And got a Wing. ...

Neither have you. Noted.

It's ok. They had radar SA.

First off, this is an ACSC paper. C'mon, how often do those get any traction? Second, agree with Brother Brabus-Johnson: you'll get your AR intro in the B-course (MQT often enough). You won't remember what the big deal was two weeks into your first deployment. Two months into said deployment, you'll stay on the boom while using a piddle-pack. In the last month of the deployment, you'll see which booms catch that you're giving the ops desk dsn every time they ask for your tail number.

If you need to reference an education office that is up and running with this, call Moody. They've got two schools approved. I didn't use them for my ATP due to scheduling complications, but they know the regs and certification requirements.

How long had he been gone? Was this a result of the "return to fly board"?

Word.

DUDE, I know exactly what you mean... Wait, what?

Sounds like they're just copying from ACC's RTM drafts for next year.

Valid. Whoever wrote the article throws around the word "operator" like everyone else uses warrior. I just would have been more incensed if the article had implied a full title or glossed over training and qualification differences.

oh I don't know, I think they were pretty up front about this being an augmentee thing, not the full up real deal. True, the headline was misleading though.

No joke; for a plane that size, that's prob the best off-field landing I've ever seen.

Standard @ Moody for the last 3 years. Retarded to say the least. I just don't go to the gym on days that I ride. The appearance of safety is all that matters.

Makes perfect sense. Wait, you don't think it will actually happen that way, do you?

I've got quite a bit into T. Rowe Price and am generally happy with thier management and returns. I've also looked at Vanguard and they look good as well. Here's a question for the masses: So I've got my portfolio split between an advisor and my own vehicles (like TRP). None of the stuff that I choose has any loads. I invest, let it grow, and every year move funds from regular to IRA accounts. Annually I see custodial fees drawn from my IRAs, and there is the expenses that is contained with the regular account perspectus' (typically btw .8 and 1.2%), but otherwise, not a load in sight. Contrast that with my advisor: Seems that with every event, a monthly automatic investment, moving funds, etc.; it's an auto 5 to 6%. Now my advisor tells me "you always have a load, no matter where you invest." Hmm. A little internet research tells me that her company is probably getting most of this load toward them in commissions. Am I being fleeced?

You don't really think the gov't side of the table has some higher altruistic motive at heart? It's the same motivator that keeps teachers in the classroom with sub-poverty level pay (although requiring some graduate education to qualify at even the entry level). A sense of Service will be the motivator for those who lead us through the next 10 years. The politicians are banking on it.