alwyn2d

It really doesn't matter. They are all cookie cutters. Follow the script and don't upset the apple cart.

He can always increase the pilot commitment to 15 or even 20 years. Enough kids will bite. AF pilot training commitment has gone from 3-10 years over time. They can milk it to 20 years.

Looks like the fighter MAFIA is still in business. He still won't stop the flow of pilots. When it comes to QOL, Locations & Money, the AF is not even in the ball game unfortunately.

The Army is pushing the envelope. They want light fixed wing attack aircraft and they are TIRED of the USAF in not making up it's mind in providing that mission. Hell, they would also like the A-10s as well if the USAF doesn't want them. I forgot, the AF doesn't want the A-10s.

Meant as a joke, ok. I'm officially un-confused now. What AF aircraft do you desired if selected for SUPT? Were you a Warrant or Commissioned? If Commissioned, I assume it's a more difficult in going AD AF vs ANG/Res. Best of luck in reaching your goals.

CharlieHotel47 I'm confused, aren't you the one that stated the AF thinks of your aviators as bastards? I don't. The Army has the best helo drivers. A few years ago, the Thunderbird Slot pilot was even a former Army Reserve UH-60 pilot.

CharlieHotel47 Why do you feel the AF looks down on Army aviators whether Warrant or Commission. Army flight training is not similar regarding fixed wing exposure. The AF recognizes the Army skill set in flying helos but fixed wing is not the case. Why did you decide on going Army aviation over the AF? Since the AF is never in the need for new flight students, Army aviators don't bring much to anything on the fixed wing side of the house. The AF produces approximately 1100-1200 fixed wing pilots annually vs 60-70 helo pilots. If the AF needs additional Helo pilots they know just where to get them. For those Army aviators selected and attend AF SUPT count your lucky stars.

It appears Gen Hyten will be confirmed as the next Vice Chief of Staff. If that is the case and the investigation of wrong doing is unfounded, should Col Spletstoser be charged for false accusations? Of course, her predicament has not gone to court. Should you be able to disparage a senior officer without consequences? I don't think so. Since she is Army, the Army most likely will back her. We shall see. Stay tune. Can men and women just get along? Your opinion. ADMIN NOTE: As this topic was already being discussed in this thread, your new thread was merged over. No need for two discussions on the same topic...

The verdict more than likely will come in his favor. 2 women, former Sec of the AF, and a former A-10 pilot now Senator of Arizona (claimed being assaulted as well) were apart of the hearing are on the record on pretty much saying the female Army Col was lying. If that is the case, why not bring her up on charges? I seen the movie a Few Good Men. She should have saved some of the special General sauce.

Guardian In the USAF, O-4 thru to O-10 service cap's brim have lightning bolts and clouds. Commonly called farts and darts. You are definitely not a shoe, they are tested on this as Lts.

I may not get a response to this question. Pilots normally don't give a sh t. Does the Major service cap have the farts and darts or is it for Lt Cols and above.

I believe the AF SUPT max age without a waiver is still 30. As of last month the Navy increased their age for pilots and NFOs training to the age of 32. For those AF SUPT applicants that were turned down for age consideration, the Navy may be an option. No word on USMC age changes. Remember in going Naval Air, approximately 50% are assigned helos as an initial assignment. But they do have P-8 (737s) waiting in the wings for all you future airline pilot hopefuls.

Attended the Travis AFB Thunderbird Airshow last weekend. I couldn't help but notice the wearing of 2 piece flight suits by more than a few AF crew members. Is the one piece flight suit being phased out? Which units are authorized in wearing the 2 piece? Is it optional or required? What are your feelings on the wearing of the 2 piece? I assume it's more functional but less appealing to me. I guess the AF is returning to its Army roots, with the OCPs and 2 piece flight suits. By the way, the female Thunderbird pilot's weekend performance was the best in the group while putting on her makeup in flight.

First off, the USAF NEVER has a problem in recruiting pilots. The problem is in retaining the ones they have, in the mist of airline hiring booms through the years. Your best chance of obtaining a SUPT slot would be going AFRes or AF ANG. That way, you can select your aircraft and location. Active duty would not be impossible but extremely difficult if doable as a previous non AF Commissioned Officer.

For whatever reason, I never hear the proposal of increasing the pilot commitment. Let's say we move it to 15 years or even 20. Of course a number of people will say hell no but I wouldn't be surprised if the AF reached their SUPT recruiting goals. In the 1950s, it was 3 yrs and a degree wasn't a requirement. Then in the 60s, a degree requirement was established and 4 yrs for SUPT. In 70s to 5yrs then to 6yrs. 80s went to 8yrs and in the 90s to 10 years. The AF NEVER has a problem of recruiting pilots. Keeping them in during an airline hiring boom is the primary issue. One other major problem in keeping pilots is that most are single when joining and marry during their commitment. The spouse becomes a key player in their decision making, and the family comes in second place during his/her military career development unfortunately. In addition to a number of changes in the near future in helping retention, they need to seriously consider increasing the pilot commitment even to 20 years. You can't logically compete with the airline industry in quality of life and income for pilots. If the USAF wants to meet their pilot numbers, increase the commitment. Enough young people will bite on the increased SUPT commitment especially after viewing Top Gun 2 Maverick.

A few questions regarding the rotary wing world. Firstly, does the 23d Sq have their full complement of TH-1H aircraft at Ft Rucker? Lastly, must ALL AF CV-22A pilots attend the Helo pipeline?

She was recently promoted to 4 stars and will be the next commander of the Pacific Combat Air Command. What's interesting, her career started as a ABM and never piloted an aircraft. She should be in the running in being the 1st CoSAF without being a pilot. Interesting times for the future of the AF.

Xcraftllc There's a possibility of you serving on AF active duty as a rotary wing aviator. AF OTS is an option if you are selected and attend OTS before your 35th B'day. Since you are a rated aviator, off you go to Kirkland AFB for upgrade training. In the past, before FWQ was cancelled you could attend the fixed wing transition course. But it is what it is. The AF could possibility use your talents in the CV-22 flying special ops.

FWIW, few AF pilots realize the making of a career as an Army aviation Warrant Officer in this peace time environment on ACTIVE DUTY. For the last several years, the promotion rates have been hovering around 60% for CW3 and CW4s. If passed over twice, out you go before the 18 year point, sound familiar. The Army promotion board explains in great detail your flying only skills will not get you promoted. You need PME, additional duties that may not be aviation related and a 4 year degree in being competitive, sound familiar again. Plus you get to do all the exciting Army stuff like mandatory PT daily perhaps when not flying, over looking crew rest and the lack of per diem in the rotary wing world for the most part. But most of you only trained AF pilots would complain a helleva lot less if you experienced the Army way of life as an aviator. Sometimes you don't know how good you got it until it's gone. If unsatisfied in the AF as pilot, serve your time professionally, leave and have great success in the private/gov't sector. You all knew about the AF BS even before you joined. You thought that would be a very small price to pay in going through flight school. Did you actually think the BS would change once serving. The Master Degree requirement became the norm after the Vietnam conflict and that's over 40 years ago.

Hell, we need to go to one armed forces. Why have 2 Armies, 3 Navies and 5 Air Forces. The Air Force should have total control of all air operations even the painful deployments on carriers and sleeping by helicopters in the field. It's the perfect time to do it since we have no major threat on the horizon for now anyway. By the way, close down the academies as well and give the future cadets full scholarships to IVY league schools. Use the former academies as your air universities, OTS/OCS and anything else in filling the dorms. Thinking outside the box before they bury me in one.

bb17 Army flight school max age is no older than 33.

You just can't make this sh*t up. He would have been the one sexually assaulted if he was a PILOT instead of just being a non rated academy grad. I guess he waited to May since April was Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Perhaps the military court will be somewhat easy on him due to the woman being a civilian and he got his ass kicked. He best not take the stand until his injuries heal. By the way, does anybody know if he's married? Since he works in the Pentagon, I wonder if he will just walk down to Gen Welsh office and pay him a friendly visit or have the Gen come down to his because he'll be packing. His immediate boss is a 1 star general. Oh, I forgot, it's a SHE. Anyone know the phone number of Lt Gen Craig Franklin in case he needs a character reference/witness? Hopefully the Lt Col has a 401K plan in case his retirement package goes out the window. Once again, you can't make this shi*t up.

Well, it's the first day for command for General Welsh as the new CoS. What are the wishes of you daring young junior aviators? No more power point presentations, no PME, and no silly Master degree requirement just let me fly and go home. If extra duties do not specificially pertain to flying, it's not my concern, I'm just a Commissioned Officer. By the way, my flight pay should be more than my base pay. One last biggie, no layoffs due to being a non select? We'll see if your dreams come true. But don't hold your breath, business as usual. The airlines await you and the AF will survive with or without you.

It's just a matter of time when there will be a non pilot as the Chief of Staff of the AF. In the recent bombings in Libya the General in command was a tanker pilot and female. In the next Lt Col promotion board, there will be more passed over Major pilots released from active duty before retirement. Time to play the game for real or dust off your resume. Either way, the AF could care less. Pilot wings will only take you so far.

Getting back to Gen Welsh, he's lowering the hammer on sexual assults during his confirmation hearing. Protecting female airman will be high on his bucket list. It will be interesting when he takes over. More careers will be destroyed, get ready.