KennyB

Any upcoming capability for multiple destination TDYs? It looked like it only supported a single stop TDY; makes the app usable for heavy transport aircraft that typically RON @ multiple destinations in a given TDY.

Glad I found this. I've got Buckley info in for my gaining PAS code, although that not correct. Thanks answering that question. BODN is the shit, once again.

This statement is confusing. When you leave Active Duty, you can 'buy back' all that time to then count toward your civilian federal retirement. Example, you had 12 years on Active Duty and you buy that time back, it will now count simultaneously for the civilian ART/GS job, and for the traditional military job. The time automatically counts toward your military Reserve retirement, but you have to 'buy back' the time in order for it to count for a second federal service retirement (GS/ART). You have to serve as an ART for a minimum of 5 years in order to qualify for retirement. This makes a bit of sense to me. Or else I'd buy back 19 years and 11 mos, serve as an ART for 1 month, then laugh all the way to the bank. The 5-year min allows me to give them some work, and pay the nominal amount into FEHRS during that time. But I guess the above statement IS technically correct. You can only buy back Federal Service time before you started the ART job. Obviously you're getting credit for serving as an ART. jcollins, care to expand?

Closer, I see that point. For a pure Reserve baby who will take X number of actual years to get 20 years of points, that is a valid argument. For a guy coming off active duty who will buy back a number of years, it might make more sense as a short term solution to knock out a 'quick' retirement. For any AFA grads, that time counts as federal service, so there's 4 more years of potential buyback credit. And to make it even more like stealing, the pay calculation is something like 3% per year based on the actual pay table you experienced during that time. Don't know if I remember this correctly, but I think AFA cadets get some percentage of an E-5's salary while going to school there. So you're paying peanuts to get huge credit for 4 years that would otherwise be lost time. Anybody with experience care to shed some light on those numbers? Another perspective from a guy coming off active duty: I've been doing involuntary (with one exception) PCSs my entire career. Doing 4-5 years of technician right off the bat as I transition to the ARC is just another PCS to me; doesn't seem like a huge deal. I'm used to getting shit on by AD leadership & assignments anyway. I've now chosen my final base because it's a place I WANT to be, not a trudge induced by the faceless AFPC machine. Shit, there's an outside chance I might enjoy doing the job that I CHOSE in the location I CHOSE. It's a foreign concept for active duty guys. For the longest time, I niavely put my financial future into two basic tracks: Stick it out on AD and get the magical AD/AGR retirement, or just give up on a pension entirely and move in a different direction, hoping my investment decisions were adequate. I thought that because I was ignorant of the ways of the ARC. Every time some Reserve or Guard guy took time to explain the pay and retirement system to me, it was overwhelming and it looked like a whole lot of work and a lot of extra years (compared to AD) to successfully get the pension. Glad I stopped thinking like a third grader and started examining the options in detail. Still confusing as hell, but I'm a slow learner, so I'm used to it. Just give me a 1% grade on the ole learning curve, and I'll stay happy. I'm hearing/seeing the same absorption rate. However, I'm absolutely done making decisions in the constant fear of deceleration. Active Duty over the years has shown me that leadership wants me to think that I'm always on the cusp of being the next big thing, always about to be a big deal. The shit sickens me looking back, because my dumb ass totally bought it for a number of years. Jumping into the airlines for fear that my yet to be determined line number will never be high enough falls into that category for me. I will not make decisions today because I might miss out on some unseen promotion, or some uncalculated amount of future earnings. That doesn't mean that I'll live in squalor with my morals intact. It means I might actually be able to slow down, be happy, have a family life and see what develops vice forcing every new situation like it's the only possible scenario where I will be rich, famous, and happy. I speak only for myself of course. The last couple years on AD have harshly taught me some difficult truths.

Thanks a ton Hindsight. That makes a lot of sense to me. If you're still willing to keep schooling... why do I always hear that the sweetspot for retiring as both a TR and GS is age 57? From everything I've read on opm.gov, age 60 is the starting point for those retirements. I've seen the memo where Reservists on Active Duty man days can draw that age down in 90 day increments to a minimum of age 50. I've also read that if you draw your min retirement age (MRA) down to somewhere in your 50s, that the medical portion of the retirement always begins as age 60. So why wouldn't it be better to just draw that MRA down as low as possible and start collecting money for doing nothing?

Hindsight, Thanks for the breakdown. The details are about as clear as mud, but the overall logic and the breakdown of your thoughts is appreciated. So in the scenario I'm considering, I'd be starting an ART job with the ability to buy back 16 years and 3 mos of federal service. Although I'd need less than 5 years to get to 20 good years, I'd have to serve as an ART for the 5-year federal minimum after buying my time back, then proceed to airlines and continue as TR until age 57. My basic fork in the road is this: work the ART job for the 5 year min to qual for the GS retirement, then proceed to airlines while working TR; or just stay TR and get into the airlines 5 years earlier. Good problems for me to have, I'm not complaining. Seems like both can be great in their own way. The overall financial analysis clearly states that going to the airlines early is always more profitable. But I'm leaving active duty to stop chasing the dollar sign. I will not stay on AD simply to slug out a shitty QOL to get to that LtC retirement. I can't buy happiness. I can only make decisions that put me in a position that makes sense; hence, leaving AD as soon as possible. I figure if I continue to make decisions purely based on making the most money, that just puts me in the mercenary category. I know there are different 'right' decisions for each guy, his family, and his respective situation. I don't think there is a one size fits all great answer to the dream job or the dream life. Thanks for sharing your take on the whole thing. This Reserve/Guard/Fed Service maze is a difficult one to navigate. Maybe I should have searched for a thread to start this conversation... there are definitely some nuggets that need to get pinned at the top of the forum. I'm not the first and certainly won't be the last guy to ask these questions.

Trying to understand all these numbers. I read this on View less This is a provision that allows you to retire with benefits beginning immediately if you have ten years of service and have reached the Minimum Retirement Age (at least 55). However, the annuity is reduced for each month you are under age 62. The reduction equals five percent per year (or 5/12 of one percent per month). To avoid the reduction, you can postpone payment. You can later apply for the benefit by writing to us or filing an "Application for Deferred or Postponed Retirement," Form RI 92-19. You should submit the form two months before you want the benefit to begin. ------------------ So I'm guessing you're speaking from the perspective of being a Reserve baby who didn't buy back any Active Duty time? I don't know anything about your background, but from where I'm standing, there are scenarios where the ART job might make sense. Guaranteeing one retirement early in my career before pursuing airlines might be important later if I don't end up passing a flight physical all the way to age 65. I do agree that starting an ART retirement with less than 20 years of credit, and starting that retirement earlier than age 60 incurs huge penalties. But for a guy with 20 years of federal service, I'm missing why you think it's obviously such a bad deal. School me, because all these rules confuse the shit out of me.

37' ain't a whole lot of room. Fox News video

also for ROUGH muffin top & padunkadunk ass crack.

Has anyone tracked down exactly how many Post 9/11 GI Bill months will be charged for the Higher Power Aviation 737 type course? If you complete the ATP written prior to showing up for the 13-day type program, they will combo check you ATP & 737 at no extra charge. So how many GI Bill months equates to $7380 HPA charge? The VA is still 'working out' how they will justify paying for the full course. I'm asking if anyone has first hand knowledge since the 1 October when the fine print changed. Thanks.

Airdrop HUAH.

New level... Bakersfield. Get the update.

I wrote the letter last night. I came home, starting reading online news sources and realized this retirement proposal had made it to Fox News, got all pissed off, and then got onto my Senators and Congressman's website. Hacker, totally agree with the 'now' fix analysis... that's why I think the DBB hiding behind all this 'fairness' talk is a bunch of bullshit! There's nothing romantic about the prosposal... it's not about equality for all who serve, it's about $$$.

For the masses... a sample letter to your Senator/Congressman. A place to start... change it up/write your own, but take the time to make your voice heard. We can't bitch about how little Congress does if we didn't attempt to suggest some changes. ------------------------------------------- My name is Ken Blankenship. I'm a Texas resident and a registered voter in XXXX county. I'm married with XXX small children. I'm also an X-year combat veteran who has served in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, and UNIFIED PROTECTOR, piloting both the C-130 and KC-135. With regard to the pending military retirement change proposed by the Defense Business Board, I can assure you that it will be a game changer for myself and my family if implemented. From my earliest years at <XX COLLEGE>, I've mentally and physically prepared myself to become a useful instrument of national policy, ready for my country's call to arms. After the completion of various training programs over the years, I've signed multiple military service commitments extending my active duty contract. I've deployed XX times in support of global contingency operations and dealt with extended time away from my family. We know that military service is a life of sacrifice so our great country can continue to prosper and act in our defense and the defense of our allies. In XX years, my family has moved XX times to support my training and duty assignment changes. During this time, my wife has held several part-time jobs, as very few companies are willing to support military spouses long-term. She has been unable to establish a successful career using he rBachelor's degree due to the uncertainty of our frequent moves. Last year, we were finally able to purchase our first home, which we will live in for three years and then sell (if able) because our budget can't support multiple mortgages. This constant cycle of moving has created instability with my wife's potential income and will result in a constant regeneration of a mortgage payment for the duration of my military career, resulting in restarting a final 30-year mortgage when we're finally able to settle down in one location. If the current 20-year cliff-vested retirement is traded for a 401k style traditional IRA with income matching, it will significantly affect my family's decision to continue to serve our great country on active duty. Like many military officers, I have marketable career options in the public and private sector based on a resume highlighting years of leadership experience and multiple advanced academic degrees paid for by the military. As a pilot, I'm also aware of the massive commercial airline hiring boom that will occur in the next five years. The military has paid for all of my academic degrees and aviation certifications, and for that I am grateful. That gratefulness will only go so far as I weigh options for my family's future. All these factors are included in my long-term family planning. Despite the draw to the civilian sector, my family has thus far chosen to stay the course with the military because we understand that our sacrifice will be recognized financially at the end of my career. Military life is inherently volatile, but the stability of the military paycheck and eventual pension has made our decision to stay an easy one. If we continue to soldier through the rough times, we will eventually reach the 20-year retirement which would offset the financial reality that my spouse has been unable to start a career and we are just beginning a 30-year mortgage in our 40s. I've signed commitments that I've upheld throughout my career; if the Department of Defense can change its financial commitment to my family at a moment's notice, there is little difference between military service and a career in the civilian sector. I can get a 401k with income matching as a private citizen. By design, the military life is different from the private sector, and the notion that we should be treated the same is ludicrous. If the Department of Defense wants to align its business practices with Fortune 500 companies, the end result will be a mass exodus of highly qualified service members to those same companies from which the model was created. The cliff-vested retirement is not about being 'fair' to the 83% of service members who do not serve 20 years (as stated in the Defense Business Board's brief); it practically functions as a retention tool to keep highly qualified individuals in the service when years of patriotism and service does not balance with family planning and stability. Senator/Congressman XXXXX, I urge you to consider this letter when the Defense Business Board's proposal makes its way to your desk. I realize budgets cuts need to be made, but gutting the current military retirement system will result in many potential future leaders of the this great country taking their experience and government sponsored educations to the public and private sector. The end goal should not be to align the military with civilian companies; the service requires a greater amount of danger, dedication, and sacrifice. Those individuals who dedicate 20 years to that cause should be able to count on the U.S. Government to repay that debt. Sincerely, Ken Blankenship -------------------------------- Edit: Bureau for Board

Solution: Everyone who signs up for the service starting tomorrow will be under the new system. Everyone who signed up yesterday will be under the old system. Problem solved.

This is the truest statement in the entire thread. If I can get this new military "retirement" at most any job a college grad would get in the public/private sector, why would I stick around for the most taxing final decade? Sorry AF, you no longer have me over the barrel for a 365... I'll take my TSP and 7-day opt. It's not like anything significant happens at 20 years anymore. My patriotism will only get me so far with ditching my family for months at a time EVERY YEAR. I don't want to hear that anymore. If I served out my commitment, I'm a patriot. If I'm a 4-year one-term airman, I'm a patriot. The DBB needs to stop hiding behind this recurring "fairness" theme... we don't need to be fair to the 83% who don't stick it out for 20 years... we need a retention tool to keep people from turning down shitty deals between 15-20 years. Get real, the DBB has never been about fairness... it's a cadre of Bob Slydells from Office Space.

Global Hawk to replace U-2 spy plane in 2015 “No U-2s in the Air Force in fiscal year ’15,” said Lt. Col. Rick Thomas, the Air Force’s Global Hawk functional manager -------------------- That's a bold statement when "the [Global Chicken] has had some teething problems where it failed its operational test due to poor reliability and mediocre sensor performance" and "The sensors provide less range, less resolution and less collection capability than existing intelligence gathering aircraft".

Sweet, so if the military retirement is close to identical to the civilian 401k matching system, then that variable in my equation to punch early or retire just zeroed itself out. If I can get the same benefit from the military that I can build with a civilian company, what would be my financial carrot/stick to put up with TDYs/deployments/365s for 20 years? I guess healthcare would be the obvious answer there, but I'm referring specifically to the pension. My friends and family in the public & private sector have all repeatedly told me that the military-style pension does not exist anywhere else in the civilian world... it might be worth waiting for. But if that isn't at the end of the tunnel, is healthcare alone worth it?

So, if you're only using one month of Post 9/11 GI Bill, you should have 35 months remaining to pass onto the kids. "This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits, generally benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty." Not a bad deal to steal only one month of school from your kid when you consider that you'll be front loading the FAA certificate required for your civilian transition.

Has anyone attempted to get the Education Office to pay for your ATP test/flight via the 1-time $4500 certification? There is some verbiage about $250/credit hour, and that doesn't directly translate to an FAA certificate program. The Ed Office explained to me that if I can show where the school is accredited, they would pay for the cert. I explained that the AllATP course is only 3 days long, and she said in non-standard courses, they'll pay $250 for every 15 hours of instruction. So in the case of the 3-day course at AllATP, the AF would pay up to $750 of the total $2500 bill (and a $300 evaluator charge on top of that)... but they'll pay nothing unless I can prove the school's accreditation. Anyone already fought/won this battle?

The voice in the last 7 seconds was reminiscent of The Grudge... that chick will be a full fledged serial killer in a few years.

F-22 grounding continues...

I guess when you're Trump, it really doesn't matter if you're adding gold plated weight to the airplane. I realize he doesn't give a shit about the fuel economy, but I would think the range would be affected, which might limit his business trips. So... 80k of fuel for 10 hours, figure his pilots wants to land with no less than 10k (and that's probably way too low)... 7k an hour average with only 2 engines? Am I doing my math wrong to think she's a pig?

Why the Army's best officers are leaving... because you can't break into an adult store and bang a blow-up doll in the closet anymore. Also, you apparently have 4 names. WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A Woodbridge man has been charged with burglary and destruction of property after he was arrested in the closet of an adult video store with a blowup doll. Prince William County police say the man, 28-year-old Justin Dale Little Jim, is an officer in the Army. Police responded to a burglary at the MVC Late Night adult store in Woodbridge about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday and found the glass front door shattered and unlocked. A police dog was sent in and led officers to a closet. Prosecutors told the News & Messenger of Manassas that Little Jim was attempting to have sexual relations with the doll. An initial court appearance was continued Wednesday. Court records show that Little Jim remained in custody Wednesday and did not list a lawyer.

Good for you guys! Sounds like a couple Lts with a rough ass life right there. Sorry to break to you to you boys, but your precious time will only get less with every year you're in the AF. Wake up, manage your own training (and I guess I need to add promotion in there!) and stop whining. Good to hear how rough you guys have it. It must only be sunshine and roses once you get past SUPT. Shack.