panchbarnes

Different Service, same shit show. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/12/08/defense-bill-would-pause-army-combat-fitness-test-roll-out-pending-an-independent-study/

The whole thing was nothing but a typical AF good idea fairy experiment that does more bad than good. The Lackland GS-13 who invented the program was able to persuade the GOs to go along with this thing that morphed into a promotion and force shaping discriminator. Let's not forget the birth of the FACs who are made up of unqualified GS-6s that had more power over an airman's career based on how tight they want to pull on the tape or the visual inspection of the elbow angles. It was never about health, everything we do in the Air Force is about promotion first and foremost. How can I get promoted from this?

The drawback is the Dems might lose a Senate seat if she leaves for the Pentagon.

The RIF was set in motion when the USG decided to cut FY21 DoD budget in 2019. Then in Summer 2020 we announced we are pulling out (STS) of Germany and sending some folks back to CONUS while starbursting then rest all over Europe. We are also pulling chock on AFG. With the AFG troops coming home, what will they be doing? You factor in COVID, no one is leaving the military. We don't have another war to replace AFG (yet) to keep everyone gainfully employed. Also this: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063718995 https://federalnewsnetwork.com/defense-main/2020/11/focus-on-military-families-defense-strategy-changes-likely-coming-under-biden-administration/ My bet is on Tammy Duckworth to be the next SecDef.

Let's see Big Blue's manning plan. New article https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/11/24/big-navy-plans-to-offer-early-out-options-for-certain-enlisted-sailors/ Older article https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2020/02/10/corps-looks-to-cut-more-than-2000-active-duty-marines-in-2021/

Shaazam, did you used to write for "Dear Penthouse Forum"?

So what did you do to piss off your Wing King? Did you used to go by the username Shazaam?

You may be right, I don't have the answer to your question. I did find the below article just now... '“For the Air Force, I would expect trims in the F-35 buy in the outyears, slower bomber progress, [intercontinental ballistic missile] cuts,” he said. It’s also possible Democrats could try to scale back ambitious plans for the Space Force, such as growing it into a separate department like the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Harrison cautioned against pulling back investment in military space as a “knee-jerk reaction” to undo the Trump administration’s work. He expects the Space Force is here to stay, but that other pieces of the military space enterprise could face more scrutiny.' Overall, an interesting article. https://www.airforcemag.com/what-a-biden-administration-means-for-defense/

Don't worry, the GOs believe AI, 5G, Cloud, IoT, UPT Next, optionally-manned and other buzzwords will enhance warfighters lethality and efficiency, while allowing the DoD to right size manning structure and reduce financial obligations. I wouldn't be surprised if A1 is searching on the shared drive for the 2014 Force Shaping AFSC/YG matrix spreadsheet as we speak... /s

In the run-up to the election, there were speculations of the new Space Force going away under the Biden administration. Wouldn't surprise me as it's an easy target. Just like the previous Democrat administrations, the Biden administration will be face significant pressure from the Left to reallocate DOD funding to social programs. This administration will face bigger internal pressure than previous Presidents because of the recent civil unrest, the economy, and the proliferation of "social media as a weapon system©". I think we will see an amplified version of the Obama era foreign policy to contain our "adversaries" (JCPOA), lots of coalition building around the world. Pure speculation on my part.

So whatever happened with that innovative program to promote officers only focused on the flying track and not command track? Has it yielded in any meaningful results?

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS SUBJECT: Promotion Selection Board Guidance This memorandum provides guidance for your use in preparing instructions (precepts) for promotion selection boards convened under your authority in accordance with title 10, United States Code. As indicated in the National Defense Strategy, China is leveraging military modernization and predatory economics to coerce neighboring countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region to their advantage. As China continues to seek economic and military ascendance, it will continue to pursue a military modernization program that tries to displace the United States to achieve global preeminence in the future. Recognizing this challenge to U.S. National Security interests, the Department must grow an officer corps that includes strategists and leaders who excel in their knowledge of the political-military affairs and U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. You are directed to review and revise promotion selection board precepts and convening orders, as applicable, to emphasize the importance of having senior leaders with Indo-Pacific region experiences. Provide copies of the revised documents to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. This memorandum will be effective for promotion selection boards convened on or after January 1, 2021.

"The Outpost" is now on Netflix. Based on the Battle of Kamdesh that resulted in 2 living MOH recipients.. Highly recommend it. The Outpost on Netflix

It's been a while since I was there, but off-base many people live in Tehachapi. Lancaster and Antelope Valley is just a big crime infested shit hole. Criminals and dirtbags who can't afford living in LA lives in Lancaster/Palmdale. So you see a lot of crazy crime in the area. But there is a small pocket of decent neighborhood in Lancaster west of the Antelope Valley Freeway. Rosamond and Cal City are both right outside the base (~30 min drive I think) but are really small *towns*. I'm guessing on-base schools are the best but there isn't much to do on-base for fun. There used to be a mobile home park on base when I was around but that sweet deal is no longer available. Personally, stay away from Lancaster, it's a shithole. For fun, plenty of outdoor activities especially in Tehachapi. You can also drive to LA or Vegas for the weekend.

Them leg presses finally paid off!

Speaking as neutral observer: The fact that the general consensus is and all of the YouTube video highlights showed that both men were equally as bad is a win for Trump. You kind of expected Trump to be who he is in this kind of environment, but the general public didn't expect Biden to be part of the "Shit Show". So now you've plant the idea in everyone's mind that Biden is just/kind of like Trump, then the advantage goes to Trump.

Congrats and thank you for your service!

You already know the answer to that question...

I think this is a step in the right direction, let's how the execution plays out ‘We’re not going back,’ Air Force leadership says telework is here to stay I think they are looking at the model of going into the office a couple of days a week and the rest work from home, something to that effect... Obviously, ops will have a tougher time to execute this. I see this more beneficial for staff weenies.

Must be OPR time... My #1/200 Colonel; top Innvtr/tech Disrptr/True vsnry--Instgrm Sr Exec flwshp & CHKMATE CEO next!

My point was I don't think COVID has an impact to this year's promotion number; however, there is a lot of uncertainties right now with COVID and the election that may affect future boards and end strengths. I should have been more concise. I don't have inside knowledge on the promotion numbers.

Doubt this is a valid statement since the Army just released their O6 list after Duckworth's hold. However, been hearing rumbling of funny stuff with end of year funding and GS employees are anticipating mass early retirements (due to funding) come next summer.

*AHEM*