Bode

Thanks I really appreciate your words. It means a ton. And that goes to all the advise on remarks given. I have read every post and even sent some messages to continue a couple conversations. My personal and professional goals with the military are pulling me one way while the enticing lifestyle and money of the airlines are pulling me the other. I never went and got my ATP before the rule change because I never wanted to fly for the airlines. Now here I am, letting the airline jobs have an impact on my decisions.

Agreed I didn’t calculate that into it all but at 21 years my retirement is a combo of Capt and Maj pay so it’s not as much as that. I think right now my take home for retirement would ~$48k annually. Lt Col at 25 is ~$85k. I’m not looking at the exact numbers right now. I completely understand it’s a financial disadvantage to stay in, especially with the rumors of the bonus going on. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have to agree with SocialD here. Just talked with a friend who is on the hiring boards for Delta. Rumoring of 21Q4 or 22Q1 hiring is there. Predicting all unassigned pilots being back to flying by Jan. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wow, I’m not sure how much you even read of this thread other than enough spew a bit a (perceived) bitterness. I was once told by a Col “we need people who understand their opportunities in and out of service but choose to stay in for the opportunity to serve more”. This is part of why I want to stay, it’s not about the money. It’s about doing something I have always dreamed of doing and want to do. Leading and taking care of people. I spent 21 years watching good and bad leaders and would love to be a good leader for people. The problem I have isn’t that. I don’t know if i can attain the goals I’m looking for even with school. The fact I’ve never been put into a position to take my career to the “next level”. I’ve never been out in the position to get my name on a “bar napkin” (my perception). This has been to numerous internal and external factors. Some have been leaders looking out for me. I was in AMC, join spouse, and working in safety. Wife was popped with an 8 day notice deployment when I was 5 months from PCS. Leadership took me off the plan to go be the squadron exec to allow me to have a more flexible schedule. Also, allowed me to pick and choose which missions to go on based on support for my kids. (Taking care of people) This again happened as I was fragged to be the wing exec and was hit with a 365. As most know, there’s very little leadership can do to get you out of that. Once again this is my perspective. As much as some will say I lucked out on both of those we all know that there are certain duties positions that carry different weight and usually garner higher strats. Please take a few minutes and elaborate on your bulleted points, if you will. 1-why? 2-define behind on promotions? I’m right on with promotions and based on my strats I could probably may O-5 without school. 3-I can say I have seen this as I’m currently in a tough position because of needs of the AF. At the same time I have seen the AF bend over backwards to make life better for my family at other times. 4-why? And to add to your foot note, the difference in my retirement for 5 extra years is $32k per year. That will equate to $1.2M between my retirement date and 2065 (average life span for males). Pretty good for passive income. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh and note to all; studying for the GRE blows when you haven’t taken a college math course in 8+ years Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So how would you work this situation? I do have O-6s I feel I could reach out to however ALL of them are in the CAF community. This is mostly because I have spent a good deal of time in AETC where all of my commanders have been from that world. I can attest to the fact I have seen both heavy and fighter CCs that had zero AETC experience prior to coming in for command, at different levels of command as well. I’m not trying to put the cart before the horse but I know it’s a system and contacts have to be worked well in advance. I know there is a ton of work that has to occur on my part to even be competitive once I get done with school and while on staff. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hypothetically I can just hang out for a year. I’m fragged to PCS next summer. Don’t know if I can hang out longer as we are seeing a large influx of pilots this summer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wish Pcola was an option but the only flying squadron commanded by a pilot is traditionally held by a CAF bubba. The last 5 were B52, B1, F15E, F15E, and B52. Don’t ask me how I know that. I have reached out to a couple O-6s about what they think but the comms are just starting so nothing has came out of it yet. As far as what I want for command I truly think it is dependent on how it works for my family. I’m more than willing to take something if the opportunity for my family is solid, mostly schools/sports at this point as my wife is retiring for the AF after 20 years as we speak. For her, she plans on being a mom for a few years and enjoying it.

If non-flying I would prefer something more along the lines of an MSAS, AMS, or CRS. I do understand where you are going and completely understand there are other options.

I actually love teaching in UPT, the amount impact to the students is amazing. The problem I have is personal in the fact school systems around UPT bases are not that good. I would go back to Laughlin without question if the school system wasn’t a bottom tier in the state. Add to it, there’s not a lot of places I can commute from either and it’s a huge deterrent. Same goes for Columbus and Vance from what I hear. (I could be wrong, more RUMINT then direct knowledge) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well put. Thanks for the words. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

None of my CCs from my AMC time are still in. I’ve had two since I left to AETC, one got fired and the other is just finishing up his AETC sq command, he’s just going to fly into retirement. So that’s a no go overall. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can but being that my primary post retirement plan is airlines I will be 3 years out of an aircraft (most likely). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My family is completely supportive either way. My wife keeps telling me I’m stupid for not just accepting what I know I’m going to do. My best friend flies for SWA and tells me I’m dumb if I take the slot, guess I’m damned with way. Fam would probably stay in place in Florida during school as NJ during covid seems to suck. Not to mention it seems like there is quite a bit of travel for ASAM but that could be different with covid as well. I know the current class had a good portion of their travel canx’d. Also, an AFIT masters program in ~11 months seems pretty taxing on time. Financially I am probably diversified more than the majority of people and am continuing to expand. (Anyone got some dogecoin?) (Anyone have the scoop on the AvB?) I’m recently off a short tour so I did have the luxury of spending about 18 months away from my fam a few years back which makes me not want to do it again but it should limited that type of thrash assignment from occurring again. Probably one of the big issues I have with where I sit is I’m a mobility guy who has spent 2/3rds of my career in AETC. With that, I really don’t want to drag my kids back to a UPT base after staff, which I feel is a very likely option, because the schools all seem to be subpar. I have told a couple of my bro’s and they all tell me that I’m the type of person the AF needs to stick around. That scares me when I look at a mentor of mine who took command about a year ago and it has worn him out. He’s the same type of person that I am. He looks tired and defeated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(Probably more of a vent than looking for solid advice from the green screen) So here I sit into my 21st year of service without any ADSCs, a position i was planning to retire from prior to COVID. Now i have been given an unexpected opportunity to attend ASAM for IDE in my third look. So now I’m super torn. On one hand, I know it comes with basically comes with a service commitment to 2025, 1-2 years of staff and 3 PCSs within 3 years. It also would give me a Masters in Operational Mgmt. It’s something I always wanted in life, to make Lt Col and hopefully become a commander. It also provides a ton of long term financial stability for my family. On the other hand the airlines will start hiring at some point. I have heard different things from different people but to get in on the leading edge of the next hiring wave would be great. The extra seniority could provide more in the long run than the added money in the retirement difference. Then again that’s assuming a dude with a ton of single engine time and very little ME PIC would even get picked up on the leading edge. So now I sit here, being offered a career I joined for, always was shooting for but had given up on, and the the alternative of just chilling hoping the airlines start to hire again (along with hundreds of other military pilots). I know it’s a great problem to have in a way but it’s still a tough decision to make. It was so much easier when the choice seemingly was made for me. Thoughts? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty sure you are still technically assigned to the j it until your date of retirement which means your BAH stays. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That sounds about how the T-6 GPS acquisition process is going to work....now that we can’t fly GPS approaches expect a ridiculous contract for an inferior product, all in the name of mission essential. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think there is a massive 3 green suit wearing T-1 drivers at Pcola, so probability is not good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why does it not make any sense? I know quite a few who never flew the T-1 in training that are back to it now. Same with the T-6 and there are/were a select few in the T-38 as well. It makes sense when we need instructors in UPT, experienced instructors. Not just FAIP types, although I do love the FAIP motivation. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You will have side effects.... Side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine means 'your body responded the way it's supposed to,' experts say https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/12/04/covid-vaccine-side-effects-fatigue-aches-normal/3813934001/ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am a perfect example of COVID induced retention. I created over 20 YOS this fall and planned to retire this month. Obviously, for a guy who wants to fly still the job market is bleak. Now I’m trying to decide if I should take another assignment to get into multi engine aircraft before the airlines start hiring, whenever the hell that might be. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was at Spangdahlem. Younger pilot drug in on final. Home station so he should have been familiar, but the south flow runway could give a visual illusion with rapidly rising terrain near the approach end. Yes he ended up doing a controlled ejection. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Trying to put it down without hitting anything specifically. Really what keeps going through my mind is incapacitation due to OBOGS issues (a lengthy discussion could be had about the CO2 levels below 8k) or ejection seat malfunctions (a discussion the entire systems and the extensions in place to keep the Texan flying). Being a T-6 guy for the last 7 years, it keeps rolling through my mind. I know there is more and I’m not trying to speculate much. I was also at DLF when we lost both 38s and watching people Monday morning quarterback pissed me off when it’s bros you know. In the end, because Texans are still flying, I’m assuming they haven’t found anything indicating a fleet health issue. And as always, ~90% of mishaps are human error so probably is on that end. Any way it ends, if f-ing sucks for the Navy, Coast Guard, and the entire flying community. A toast to them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That’s probably the most interesting part to me, I see this two ways. 1 - no attempt or 2 - non-successful attempt. Either way, it’s a sad situation for their families and the Whiting Field team. The IP’s truck at VT-2, as it currently sits.

Sad to see. [emoji481] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk