zach braff

Nor is the first sergeant in charge of have authority over enlisted members (other than as a SNCO). Not a fan of the new reg but I don't have any problem with this bit. In fact I like that it doesn't reference enlisted vs officer. His/her "authority" as the reg references isn't about being in charge of people, it's authority to manage certain commander programs. A good first sergeant is a link within the unit for all matters. Yes, his primary concern is as the link for enlisted folks, but as an officer I've benefitted on numerous occasions from the resources of a good first shirt. I'm sure there are a few bad apples out there, or maybe I've been lucky, but I've always enjoyed a great relationship with my units' shirts - it's the chiefs and hopeful chiefs you gotta watch out for! zb

On the comm side they're making a huge cut to the KMer AFSC and converting many of them back to Personnel to support this initiative. I think it makes sense - I don't think Knowledge Management quite worked out the way big blue intended it. zb

On Hold https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/27/gop-senator-holds-up-vote-on-air-force-nominee-over-sex-scandal-response/ So, instead of bringing in new leadership who might be able to tackle issues like this, congress will hold that leadership from stepping in. zb

I wrote the script for a 3-Star's retirement ceremony once and got his OPRs going all the way back to the 70s. It was pretty cool to see the progression of a GO going all the way back to his UPT training report. I expected to see stacks and stacks of #1s but it became obvious pretty quickly that at different points in time other things were important. There were strats but not all were like the ones we're told are important today. The officer was clearly always the superstar but you had to read the whole OPR to tell that. You could almost see the point where the real strat game started though. It appeared to me to be around the downsizing era of the 90s (from these records anyway). I wonder if that's it - we got too small and too busy for leadership to write and read the meat of an OPR so we turned to the topline/bottom line system that tells you in a 10 second glance whether someone's a dirtbag or superstar... zb

Am I reading this right? AF will no longer move your family when they tag you for a 365? zb https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123307526 6/26/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced a change to transportation and travel allowances for Airmen tasked with 365-day extended deployments, commonly referred to as an indeterminate TDY. Effective July 1, the Air Force will no longer refer to a 365-day extended deployment as an ITDY since there are definitive TDY tour lengths, officials explained. The policy change will better align the Air Force with the Joint Federal Travel Regulation guidelines regarding ITDYs. Previously, Airmen tasked for 365-day extended deployments received entitlements for dependent travel and transportation allowances. These allowances included dependent and household goods movement during the deployed period. Those entitlements will no longer be available effective July 1. "The use of the term 'indeterminate' when Airmen are tasked for a pre-determined maximum deployment does not meet the intent of the JFTR," said Col. Ken Sersun, the Air Force Military Force Policy Division chief. "We understand discontinuing dependent travel and transportation allowances may be perceived as the removal of entitlements; however, the Air Force must comply with existing JFTR guidelines." Airmen tasked before July 1 for future 365-day extended deployments will not be affected by the policy change. Other programs associated with 365-day extended deployments are not affected at this time, Sersun said. These programs include the "three-day option" that gives Airmen the option to either separate or retire in lieu of the deployment, as long as they make the decision within three days of assignment notification; "advanced assignment consideration," which gives deploying Airmen an opportunity to request advance assignment consideration upon selection; and "24-month assignment deferment," which gives deploying Airmen the option of requesting a 24-month assignment hold, following their return from deployment. For more information about assignments, deployments and other personnel issues, visit the myPers website athttps://mypers.af.mil.

Oops - my bad I didn't realize what the Warrior Games were and the PA article failed to mention anything about them being wounded warriors. In this case - go Air Force. I guess the WTF is on PA for not explaining that. zb

Air Force Takes Bronze in Sitting Volleyball Tournament https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123300727

I caught that too. If she was a dude and a bag wearer you guys would be singing praises about how she didn't play the game and still made it to the top. zb

Cute how they make it seem like a disgrace to retire as a four star general. Oh no! I wasn't successful, this scandal brought me down and I only achieved the HIGHEST RANK possible in the Air Force! zb

Hey dude, (self appointed) resident baseops 17D here. Sorry about your eyes, mine sucked too coming out of ROTC. I was at Keesler for Advanced Cyber O training last August and got a nice tour of the UCT schoolhouse. There are some really good things about the program now, and some pretty stinky things too - kinks that still need to be worked out (IMHO). The quick down and dirty is that it's a 6 month, PCS program at Keesler. And it's tough. You'll learn everything from phone and radio systems to some pretty nifty stuff I won't talk about here. At the end of the program, depending on how many slots are available, the top students (usually 1-2 out of a class of 20 or so) who want it will get the coveted "A-Shred" and possibly some follow on training at Hurlburt or Lackland depending on their assignment. The A-Shreds are the dudes doing the geeked out stuff we don't talk about. Follow ons might include Hurlburt, Lackland, or Ft Meade to do secret cyber stuff. For those that enjoy the bits and bytes, this is the place to be. The drawback is the limited leadership, fewer assignment opportunities and the fact that we haven't done the best job (yet) of translating what these guys do to the rest of the AF. The B-Shreds are everyone else (me included). You could go standard base-comm, combat-comm, specops support, space comm, etc. which opens up pretty much anywhere. The good news is the program is merit based, so your performance will increase your opportunites. If you're more into the Air & Space part of the AF mission this is the way to go. I've got a combat comm background and absolutely loved it. You'll have more leadership opportunities and will develop more breadth - you could handle anything from base networks to phones to ATCALS to radios to who knows what else... The drawback here is when you find something you really like you'll PCS right when you get good at. PM me and I'm happy to give you any more info you'd like I've got some more details I won't more the baseops audience with. Congrats. zb

Wow, a lot of you guys are dicks. Can't let go of AAD and PT bitching for one thread and show some respect to a guy who served our nation for 46 years? Congrats and thank you Maj Gen Flowers! ZB

It's on youtube here (sorry don't know or want to figure out how embed vids in the new layout): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B81KaCZtBiQ I taught a course on the Air Force and National Security to a "Lifelong Learning" association (translation: retirees & older folks) recently consisting of numerous veterans. I opened the presentation with this video and it was a grand slam. It immediately connected my generation with theirs. Best Air Force Video ever, too bad it's not the Air Force's. zb

75% was the DR allocation. An R generally puts you in the bottom 25%. So assuming all the DRs get retained, if you have an R you're sitting at up to a 20% chance of getting cut, however it's likely less as there will be a few DNRs and Rs with negative info. If you've got your basic boxes checked (PME & AAD/BACH+) and no derogatory information you needn't be too worried I'd think, even with an R. Without the boxes I'd hope you've got a couple strats or awards because you could be set up for a pink slip. zb

Current Netflix situation aside, this is good. My favorite part? "No ranking against other employees. We avoid "top 30%" type rankings amongst employees. We don't want employees to feel competitive against each other"

No Changes to Military Retirement Any Time Soon, Officials Say zb

I live by the UofA and love it. Definitely recommend renting unless you plan to be here for the long term. Sam Hughes or Blenman Elm neighborhoods are your best bet. Right by the UofA but out of the "student ghetto." 1) You can get some great deals on some beautiful houses that would probably be out of your price range to buy (you're not an O-6 I assume). 2) While the houses are great, these are historic neighborhoods so most of the houses are old. Old house = occasional old house problem. Much easier just to call the landlord/agency... I rent a 1940s era 3 BR that also includes an attached guest house just a half mile from UofA and love it. Walking distance to plenty of bars, restaurants, and of course football games. Rent is under BAH, though I do pay a little out of pocket after utilities. Easy 15 minute commute to base. Worth every penny. PM me if you have questions. zb

Demand for airline pilots set to soar

#2 at JSOC. Bio: https://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=12900 zb

REVIVAL - Got a bud with orders to Lakenheath. He's got all the quarantine/vaccine info and is taking care of it, but is getting nowhere with TMO on the actual process of shipping the animal (cat) overseas. Anyone know what companies/airlines are best? Approximate cost? Thanks in advance. zb

That is awesome. Mox, can you bring a flipcam with you when you show this to housing? One question - if they don't know who's funding it, I'm guessing nobody's budgeted for it. Will any general officers be reprimanded by CSAF when this shows up against that LOA? zb edited for "didn't proofread before hitting POST"

I wondered how long it would take for this topic to start. I along with a couple thousand comm guys became a 17D Cyber Operator on 1 May... Fought the wings as best I could; but it is what it is and I'm sporting them now. No problems here if you keep calling us comm guys. I joined up to be a comm guy, not a cyber guy. Personally, I like airplanes and being closer to that mission, which I've been lucky to be so far in my short career. I actually know very little about the "base" network world. I've done more tactical, deployed & comm-maintenance type stuff... There's actually quite a bit to this comm field. That said, it is a whole new world in that cyber domain, much of which I don't even have the clearance to know about. What little I do know is that they do some serious business that could very well win future battles without a shot fired or American life lost - and I'm 100% good with that. Is every comm guy a real "operator" now? Nope - but like someone above me said, somebody made the call for the new AFSC and wings... I signed on the line so I'll roll with it. I'll miss my Freddy Krueger badge, but in the end I'll keep doing what I do to keep the mission moving, regardless of what device I wear. zb

Can someone help me out? I remember reading a bullet proof mustache story a while back about a pilot in Vietnam who shaved his stache for some R&R in Thailand and then was shot down on his next mission. Said pilot was then ordered never to shave it again... Anybody else familiar with this or know where I can find it? I thought I remembered someone from baseops posting it but I can't find it searching. Thanks. zb

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! As sickening as it was, I couldn't help but watch the whole clip. My favorite bits: 1) "It is tough - and the hardest work you will ever do in your life..." 2) Seeing the lackland lasers waving back and forth in the audience towards the end. This is proof that don't ask don't tell is still in full effect. zb

Sounds super cool. I'm TDY out of country right now but I'll definitely DL it when I get back next week. Is it free? Just need to keep this from the wives, they'll know exactly how much to spend while we're away. :) zb

so I will. Happy Birthday Air Force. The guys on this board (and the SECDEF) give you a lot of sh-t but you keep me employed and my nation safe. So thanks Big Blue and keep on keepin' on! ZB edited for admitted oops - looking at AM/PM clock...