Wing Sweep

5k installment (minus 25% tax) paid today, two weeks after the first installment. 35 days to receive both installments (21+14) from the day I hit submit.

Something to do with the pay systems. There was a blurb in the message I received...words, words, words. I didn't care enough to research it.

I'll be posting again if that happens to warn the masses.

Active duty

I took the one year bonus, $30k. Paid in two installments: 25+5. First installment paid today: $18.75k, so taxed at a 25% rate. Second install should arrive in the next few weeks. 18 months left before I hit 20 years, so it was a no-brainer. From submitting my app to the first chunk of money in the bank was 21 days.

If AF leadership is so concerned about pilot retention, why don't they do two things: (1) fix the real problems and (2) make the new congressionally approved flight pay/ACP bonus limits a reality? Both need to happen right now! That being said, money is only 1 of 69,000 problems the AF has. Furthermore, there should be zero talk about stop loss from AF leadership until they, at a minimum, implement dollar values congress has authorized. That being said, the extra money won't do anything for retention unles the other 69,000 problems are fixed too. The AF has one choice. They must pay pilots more, bring basic functions back to the squadrons, reduce queep 100% (if it's queep, it's not required), and change the mentality of the AF at large from shoe clerk geekery back to what it should be---violently murdering our enemies and/or aiding those who do. Leadership has failed, as evidenced by the lack of trust in the O-5 through O-10 levels across our AF. It's very sad...and I do hope that among the new breed of FNGs, there are warrior-minded future leaders that turn this thing around for the better. It will take at least one generation of "leadership cleansing" in order to get rid of the spineless, yes man "leadership" currently embedded at all levels of our AF. As a data point, I planned to stay in the AF until they dragged me out. I had this mindset for a long time. Around 2012, I started to question my plans. By 2016, my decision was clear---move on to greener pastures as soon as I hit 20 years versus staying to 28, 30 or more. It really kills me because I know what the AF is capable of being, but it's not going to get there any time soon. For those of you stayinglong-term, fight the good fight and make this place better. As for me, I will do what can to improve my very small piece of the AF for the next 1 year, 6 months and 5 days.

Prior ALOs or those in the know... Has there ever been any thought to embedding USAF OA-X type aircraft into ASOS units? TACPs as enlisted aircrew?

The AF expects you to do this on your own time; you know, family time, weekends, take leave to get it done, etc...

$.05 Shooter!

I will scoff it all day long. Patches should never ever be exec; period, dot. Its only part of the Air Force game because retard Wg/CCs are too dumb to think outside the container...they can #1 strat whoever the frick they want, not just execs. Then we have people justifying it for all sorts of dumb reasons. CCs who make patches execs (i.e. secretaries) should be fired for wasting government resources! I hope you will reconsider your thoughts on this because patches need to be in the squadrons making crew dogs killers, not giving advice to the wing commander. If the wing commander wants advice from a patch he can stop by the squadron, look him in the eye and say, "hey captain, I'd like your advice on x, y, z..." That type of leadership is rarely seen anymore. WTF is happening! Seriously, are we that far off track as a fighting force that we can't even get the basic stuff right like letting a patch be a patch. You, my friend, do have the power to change it. You mentor the young dudes in the squadron about the way things should be and set the example. If you continue the status quo, nothing changes. Sad to hear this is happening and fellow officers are actually okay with this.

Standard answer.

Just finished my ATP today at Tulsa Community College. Overall, it's a great program! Overall cost (including checkride) was $3k. This did not include the cost of hotel and food. I studied the prep material one full weekend prior to showing up. The first day was an hour of admin queep followed by about 5 hours of academics. The second day was a Wx CNX for 40-50 knot winds. The third day was two flights, 2.4 and 1.7 hr sorties. The fourth day was the checkride; 30 mins admin, 1 hour of GK, a 1.9 hr sortie, then a debrief. TCC has a brand new building...it literally smelled like a new car walking in the front door. I would say "best seen to date" for a community college flight program with regard to their aircraft, student area, computer availability, overall newness and cleanliness. Their Seminole is 5 years old and hangared daily. The instructors are up to speed and know what to teach you to pass your ATP. I felt confident after my 2nd flight. The examiner is very pleasant and professional...unfortunately, booked for checkrides through July.

Have any of you seen the AFRC bonus programs online for FY16? Is the $10k affiliation bonus still available? Is the $25k pilot bonus available to those with more than 16 years of active service (like it is for active duty bubbas starting this year)? Can these two bonuses be received concurrently? This is specifically in reference to an AGR opportunity I may or may not be looking into. Thanks for the help.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'm hoping there's no stop loss over the next few years.

Skywarriors has 5 and 6 hour programs. What's the ASD and do any of you feel it is worthwhile getting the extra hour? Thanks!