brabus

Just wondering, what's a T-ODP?

If they're not mandatory, then a lot of people need to learn some decision-making skills.

Getting married before UPT would be easier than getting married during UPT. I don't recommend the later, though it can be done. Being married while in UPT is a huge help...I really don't think I could have done so well w/o my wife's help. The days are long and sometimes there will be a strain, but that's just something you guys have to work through. She has to understand that in some ways you will have to put her on hold for studying, etc. That's just the way it is. But, being married and living together is still a lot easier than doing the long distance thing. I would suggest having the wedding prior to UPT or after UPT...during is just far too much headache, especially at a time you cannot afford to have any additional stress.

Deke nailed it (sts). I'm not going to tell you ERAU is a bad school or a bad ROTC program...neither are true. But what you said about face time w/ cadre is very true. At a very large Det, less face time means less "impress the Col" time, which can very well hurt you come pilot slot time. A smaller Det will give you much more face time, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on the person. Pilot slots are competed for NATIONALLY...where you go to school has absolutely nothing to do w/ getting a pilot slot. ROTC Det doesn't matter...some might say, "well ____ Det will prepare you for FT better." Who gives a shit, if you can't pass FT then you suck ass and shouldn't be commissioned, especially in a "rated" job. BL: Pick the school based on where you want to go (what's around there to do, you've always wanted to got California, whatever) and what major you like (maybe ____ school has a good basket weaving program or something). You'll be much happier and will inherently perform better, thus increasing your shot at a pilot slot. Anyone w/ 1/2 a brain will give you this advice. If ERAU fits the bill for you (Det aside), then go for it. If another school fits you better, do that...the ROTC crap will fall into place no matter where you go.

Got it S&C...at least you realized that. I have a ton of respect for what those guys do, but I joined the AF to fly b/c that's how I wanted to help fight. If I couldn't fly, I'd be out of the AF in a second and on the ground. In a way I do envy my classmates who are in the Marines/Navy...at least they're in a military service that acts like it's the military. I love the small part of the flying world I've been introduced to, but it's unfortunate that so much of the rest of the AF, and all the PC/BS rules and regs that go along w/ it, make me wish I had just wanted to fly for the Marines/Navy in the beginning. We all have our own reasons for joining one service or the other, but as you said, it's all one team in the end.

Brew...you got the point and learned, good job...seriously. I understand you not wanting to take a huge detour around a large MOA...what about altitude change...was the MOA to the dirt? It really pisses me off when some GA guy blows right through the MOA when he could just easily fly at 6500 or lower and avoid it. If it's so big you can't go around and it's too low to go below (and no way you're going over the top in a 172), then greasy made a very good point about talking w/ the controllers and helping them out as much as possible. If a GA guy does everything he can to stay out of your way, but just can't get around the MOA, then at least he's doing what he can...but just blowing through thinking just b/c you're a 172 it's not a big deal is not the right answer. I don't know what that B-1 dudes situation was, but I don't really blame him for getting pissed off, especially if he really got fvcked over on some quals or whatever. Just try to avoid MOAs all together, if you can't, realize yes you are "legal," but you really are causing a hell of a lot more trouble to the dudes in the MOA than you think, so get thru as fast as possible and help the controller out.

I would think along w/ the test you'd have to do at least one ride w/ a DE. Just b/c a guy flies _____ in the military doesn't mean he's a safe pilot in a 172 (i.e. exceeding it's limits b/c he's used to his plane's limits....reference those XL studs in the 172 a few years ago).

Exactly my thoughts. Someone needs to lock this crap. BL: He's a pvssy and anyone w/ that attitude in UPT does not deserve wings, does not deserve to be there and needs to get the fvck out and join the REMFs ASAFP. Point's been made...lock.

Troll. And if you're not by the off chance, holy shit, you gotta be the biggest pvssy ever. Go work in finance and demand the respect you "deserve."

Depends on where you want to carry and what it is. Being in AR, I'm assuming you want the t-shirt/shorts option. Go to https://unclemikes.com/catfeatures.asp?catk...bcatky1=4548802 for a great array of products. I use the inside-the-pants kydex holster. Works really well for my glock, no leather to get chewed up and is cheap while lasting forever. A good leather holster will run you 70+ bucks, I got this one for like 20 bucks. Inside-the-pants is the only way to go unless you're wearing a jacket...or carry unconcealed. I put mine just behind my left hip (left handed)...it's a quick draw and stays out of my way for daily moving around and what not...it's not even that bad for shorter car rides, but I'll just stick it in the door pocket thing for car rides over 20-30 min or so.

I've got a Glock 23 also and love it. Very accurate, durable and after several thousand rounds through it...no problems whatsoever. I've also shot my friend's USP .40 and loved it. Same as the glock...very accurate and I don't think he's had a single problem w/ it. B/w the two I went for the glock b/c it was 300 bucks cheaper and yet performed almost identical to the USP, so I didn't feel the $ was worth it. The Sig is also a nice shooting gun, but I don't like it as much as the previous two b/c it feels too "thick" in my hand. Not necessarily shooting it was uncomfortable, but there was no way I would ever carry that thing. It's just too bulky for a conceal carry (which is the real reason I bought a pistol in the first place). The glock is much slimmer and fits very well w/ my inside-the-pants holster. I shot the S&W a few years ago and don't remember anything bad about it, but I don't remember anything great about it. S&W is a great company, just nothing really sticks in my mind about that pistol, good or bad. I haven't shot an XD, but I haven't heard anything bad about them. Everyone who owns one seems to love it. Personally, if you have the opportunity, I would try to shoot every pistol in your "wish list" and then decide. USPs are super sweet and they're in Counter Strike so they've gotta be cool...then you shoot one for real and you hate it (I seriously doubt that happening, but just an example). Point being, don't buy a pistol based on name recognition solely (if you can help it). Some people massively hate Glocks and think they're POS, ok fine that's they're opinion. We can give you OUR opinions on pistols, but the only real way you can know if you'll like something is if you shoot it. The feel is important...a Glock could be really uncomfortable in your hand while the USP fits perfectly or vice versa...you won't know until you at least hold them. If you don't have the opportunity to shoot each one, then at least go hold each one and see how it feels...that is important. If it's uncomfortable to shoot, you eventually will not shoot it enough/as much as you like. That's just natural. Shooting should be enjoyable, not an ass pain.

First off, make sure you know what she wants. My wife has small hands and cannot stand over-sized jewelry. I guarantee it's not one of those "she would be glad down the road" kind of things. My mom has a huge diamond worth more than my car, she loves it, that's great. You're fiancee could be somewhere around the small-medium area like my wife or at the big area like my mom. Just make sure you know her. Just my opinion, but I don't agree w/ CXH's order here. IMO, quality is much more important than quantity (unless your chick truly just cares about size (sts)). What's the point of a big rock if you can see the flaws and lower quality immediately. Maybe you're looking at a 1.5 CT...you can find a 1.25 CT w/ much higher quality for about the same price. I'm glad I went down .25 CT to have a much higher quality rock. The clarity and color is important...what's the point of having a 2.0 CT diamond when it's got yellow and flaws all over it. It does not look as good and the size does not make up for the other fallacies. Just my opinion...the best thing you can do is go compare a good amount of rings side by side. Even you're completely untrained, know nothing about diamonds, eye can see a big difference b/w a big "meh" quality diamond and a good quality diamond that's .25 smaller. And also, definitely take a woman w/ you...they help a lot and make things easier.

It's a small plane, it'll be pretty damn tight (sts) in there, but it's doable. Bring a shoehorn.

As AFwife said, you should be able to find a no interest for a year type deal. I got the ring at Zales w/ a 1 yr no interest, then you just pay off the ring w/ 12 monthly payments, zero interest. Any major place like Zales or Kays WILL have something like this w/in the time frame you want to buy. If they don't, ask them when they will. If they say it'll be a while, tell them you've got a while. They want to make a G or two, so they'll be willing (although probably not up front) to give you a zero interest thing. You'll probably need to get a Zales card, but that's not a big deal, since you obviously won't use it for other purchases.

I have a pretty good feeling that the second you get into the air and fly the T-6 for the first time, you're going to regret not trying for pilot. It'll probably be one of the coolest things you've done in your life, to realize you're getting paid to do it, and then 6 rides later it's taken from you. I don't see how that couldn't affect you. I agree that being a WSO in a strike eagle is an awesome job and much better than any other non-rated job, but like others have said here before, regardless of what you fly, you'll love it (majority speaking)...and in most of our opinions, flying anything is better than being in the backseat of anything, regardless if it's a strike eagle. You say you want to command, well go for pilot, become an aircraft commander...sounds like it's right up your alley. As Hoser said, you fail 100% at the things you don't try.

Ha, nice list wombat. That about sums it up. Man that last one must have been pretty damn awkward. The area thing seems to be IP-dependent. I've heard of a couple studs getting away w/ a slight area bust, but I've heard from most IPs that there's no tolerance for that, so guess it's just the couple "easy" IPs that decide not to hook you for that.

What sweet days those were...damn the market.

That's the easy solution right there. You can get 6 GB USB thumb drives for 30 bucks, should be enough space to hold raw HUD videos.

What kind of video out do the tape players have? It's gotta plug into a TV, so I would assume RCA/S-video cable? If that's the case, you could just plug it in to a DVD/VHS recorder. But, that all depends on the output.

Tell your cadre what happened and that you were in YOUR room and your roommate, not you, was drinking a beer...he got caught and you got a citation or whatever. It shouldn't be a big deal. They should know that though you "shouldn't" be going to parties w/ alcohol and what not, it's not like you can just stay away from your own "home." That's two different things IMO. What do they expect you to do, go sleep out on the lawn? But, if you choose not to tell them and somehow this gets out several months down the road, you could be really screwed, b/c then they'll wonder what you're hiding, if you really were drinking, etc. If you tell them now rather then them finding out later down the road, it will look much better on you and they'll be much more understanding of your position. That's just my opinion though...there's probably a descent possibility they'd never find out, but your taking a chance that they do.

True words Rainman...maybe I was just too tired when I wrote that, or just one of those nights where I wasn't thinking. Shit, he could've been a recruiter for all I know and that's why he was wearing his uniform. Either way, I stand corrected...next time I'll just ask the guy and have a drink.

Alright, so what I said came off a little wrong. You and Stiffler are correct...he deserves a lot of respect for what he does/has done. I'm not arguing against that. I'm not saying I'm better than him...he's most likely done far more than I have (I only assumed he had been to Iraq b/c he had more ribbons and shit then I would expect a guy out of basic to have). I'm sure he's a good guy and obviously a great American. However, none of that makes me change my mind that putting on your "most dressed up" uniform solely to go out to a club at 130-300 is a "cool idea." I just think a bar/club in THIS situation is not the right place to be putting on your dress uniform. Stopping for beer after work, no problem. Going to something formal and you want to wear your dress uniform instead of a suit/tux, that's totally fine. Throwing on your dress uniform to go to a college bar/club...gay. It doesn't change the fact that he's probably done a lot of good things for this country, but that doesn't mean he's superman and doesn't do something retarded on occasion. Everyone's entitled to low SA situations...the post was more of just wondering how much others have seen this type of thing.

He was a 2 stripe...whatever that is in the marines. So yeah younger, but he had enough ribbons and shit that I'm pretty sure he was further than just out of basic. He just didn't have that "new guy" look. Seemed like maybe he's been in 1.5 yrs, went and did 6 months in Iraq and now is billy badass. At least that's my guess. Either way, what a tool.

Verizon was actually a huge PITA for me...they fought tooth and nail for about 6-9 calls before finally giving in. And even then still sent me a 300 bucks cancellation statement in the mail, leading to another 2 calls to get it fixed. But yes, cellphone companies HAVE TO let you out of your service contract if you can't get service in your new area...and that's a general law, applicable to everyone, not just military. It's also a law that they have to release your phone number...i.e. if you switch services and want to keep your verizon number but on a Tmobile account. It's called "porting," so bring that up if/when this situation comes up.

I saw a marine in his dress choker black uniform (think they call them blues) at a bar/club last night in Texas. Obviously he thought it was a cool idea to go out to a bar in his dress uniform...b/c the chick he was with was just wearing jeans, so it's not like they came from something formal. And he obviously didn't just get off work or something. This was also at 130 am. WTFO on that one.