Dupe

A really good WG/CC told me this about how he picks his exec: "I solicit for volunteers and I ask the SQ/CCs who they think should be sent up. I then ignore all that crap and interview the top 3-5 guys on the rack and stack. I find the best exec is usually someone who didn't volunteer and a guy who the SQ/CC was trying to hide from exec duty. I always give my exec a 1, 2, or 3 strat."

It's funny: most retired 4-stars go on to become board members at defense firms, lobbyists for the defense industry, etc. This guy was fired as president from Mississippi State College after not long in the position. I think many retired GOs and defense execs know about his shenanigans, but don't have any gain in saying so publicly.

Haven't we at least halved the numbers of airframes at this point?

EW capability is important.... but I can't see how keeping any type of xC-130H variant around makes sense with the bulk of the C-130H slick fleet in the trash heap already.

This is like writing about a stone that got passed 10 years ago. It wasn't any fun then and I don't want to relive it now.

Number one for a reason. I'm glad the study recognized the immense retention power of the active duty retirement. Additionally, retaining those in demanding career fields will be come a big issue... not just for pilots. I have no idea how we're going to keep cyber operators (the 17D A-shreds or whatever they're called now). Those types easily command $150K+ in very nice places to live.

My experience with contract MX: it's tough for the contractors to get a solid workforce in the areas where we have contract MX at (rural training bases). Figure out which contractors are at which bases, and you may have luck.

The ability to feel like you're part of a group is a big deal. It doesn't matter if its a letter for varsity athletes, a lab coat for med students, or fighter dudes cutting off the pencil tab from their bag -there's been numerous studies in the psychology/organizational behavior areas that show that making members feel like they are part of a group improves performance. The Army ACUs may not be the best uniform ever, but the idea of having the division patch from your current division and the one you went on your first deployment with is a good one.

Though Gen Post certainly said the wrong thing, there isn't any evidence that he's actually restricted any member's communications with Congress.

For some, I think so. A good example are fighter and RPA pilots. Pipelines are maxed: a loss of a person early costs far more than the $1M-$2M outlay we'd face for the pension. Agree 100%. It's more than just officers as well. I have no idea how we are going to attract smart IT or cybersecurity engineers into civilian government service with the AF.

In the outside world, its far cheaper to keep your current employees/customers than it is to get new ones. The same is true for all of you.

Besides adding CGO & FGO numbers to support strats of WIC instructors, 422 dudes, and T-birds, I'm not sure I understand why aggressors must be military. Contracting out, creating more technician spots, or making GS positions all seem like valid ways to fill the aggressor need while mitigating the very real 11F manpower problem.

My impression of the article was that this was GOCO: Government-owned, contractor operated. A contractor would operate AF-owned F-16s over a two week period. Here's what came out of ACC: I don't see how industry would spin-up for a two week push, then spin down again. There needs to be the promise of on-going work.

I think it would. Every mil that you flip over to a contractor means less base-support needed. Let the contractor handle dental plans, flight records, HR, etc. Not only are our long-term costs expensive, the AF's "overhead rate" is wildly expensive. The real problem comes in the colors of money. We'll be asking ACC to pay up as part of their operations bill as opposed to having some of the costs hidden deep in the MilPers fund or base operating support costs. The funding levers just don't shift that easily, so likely ACC is eating it somewhere else. *This conversation is a sign that I've been in the AF for way too long....

Seems like a good idea to me to partially solve the 11F mess. I'm not sure why contractor-flown red air has to be "underwhelming."

One guy I know who was there left in the middle of his class to go to Compass. My view: if you're breathing and have your ATP written complete, you'll qualify.

If you're in the upper right-hand quadrant of our country, you may also want to look at Acton Multi in Groton, CT and Dash Aviation in Sanford, ME.

I'd like to see more discussion on the pros/cons of bringing federal charges against a man who was one of the most important/influencial military members of the decade.

I personally feel that government members who release classified documents to the press should be ruthlessly flogged.

No more Bird in Hand? Horrible...

Scary thought: he could still be on a furlough list somewhere and be well ahead of some of y'all in seniority if he decides to go back. Sorry for ruining your Sunday.

They did cover my wife's breast reduction. I suppose that's not what most guys are looking for....

I think there's a fair number who stay because the military BS may actually be less than the BS of running an office, dealing with insurance, and trying to grind out 14-16 hour days to make a profit. There are many good physicians who like the military because it offers decent pay while having reasonable hours.

But there's a 100% chance that some of the good people of Missouri will continue to be employed.