waveshaper

I copied this from another site and have not fact checked the material. I am somewhat skeptical but if true then the first stop for cuts/reductions needs to be by eliminating some of these smoke blowing (O7-O10) force managers. When comparing stats from SEP2001 (War on Terror starts) to SEP2013 (most recent available), I found only one category that showed growth: General Officers (O7-O10): +33 Field Grade Officers (O4-O6): -1030 Company Grade Officers (O1-O3): -3067 Sr NCO (E7-E9): -3146 NCO (E4-E6): -833 AMN (E1-E3): -14,656 Source: Defense Manpower Data Center I wonder what the future holds for the stars.

15-year retirement and much more, etc. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131211/CAREERS/312110025/15-year-retirements-enlisted-retention-boards-coming-next-year

This may be a little out of my lane, very narrowly focused, somewhat different point of view, and not official in any capacity but it does relate to ejection seats. Also, I do have a very simple question at the end. During my career I participated, down in the muck, in way to many aircraft/helicopter crash response recovery efforts and even directly assisted the accident investigation board a time or two. One particular aircraft crash that I supported late in my career has always bothered me and I believe the aircrew may have survived if the aircraft had upgraded MB ejection seats installed. This particular crash happened in Feb 2002, involved a T-37, and resulted in the lose of two fine young officers (Historical note; one of these young officers father was a USAF Colonel and the first American jet ACE during the Korean War). The location of the crash site was near Spofford Aux Field and the T-37 aircraft was based out of Laughlin AFB. My understanding of what happened is that something caused the T-37 to stall at a very low AGL. By the time the T-37 stalled it was to low and did not have enough airspeed (outside the safe ejection envelope) for the aircrew to eject. The T-37 pancaked into the ground and apparently the aircrew never attempted to eject. During the crash recovery effort the scuttlebutt from some of the folks far more knowledgeable then me (pilots/egress techs, etc) was that the pilots knew they were outside the ejection envelope and never attempted to eject. Also, it was suggested that if the T-37 had been equipped with the upgraded MB ejection seats then the aircrew may have been able to safely eject. This was one of those YGTBFSM moments for me. Some T-37/A-37 MB ejection seat minimum ejection envelope data. 1. T-37 (AETC); F1-B Timer (1 sec chute) 200ft AGL/120 KIAS or F1-B Zero Delay Lanyard 100ft/120KIAS. 2. A-37 (Foreign Sales); Upgraded MB ejection seat, 0ft AGL/70 KIAS. Later I did some research on my own and found out that none of the T-37 MB ejection seats in AETC had been upgraded. I also found out that there was a program in place (for a very long time) that upgraded the MB seats in all exported A-37 dragonfly's. Question; Why didn't AETC upgraded the T-37 MB ejection seats?

NVG's? Ejection Seat Safety: Senators Push for Review. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131129/NEWS05/311290014/Ejection-seat-safety-Senators-push-review

Every once in a blue moon these little territorial disputes/dick measuring contests spiral out of control. Just a few examples; Gulf of Tonkin Incident 1 and 2 = Gulf of Tonkin Resolution = History https://www.vietvet.org/thewall.htm Also, KAL Flight 007 is another example of a SNAFU by all parties involved. Occasionally stupid stuff happens when tensions are high.

The East-West Center.org is a decent source for current/background information on most on-going activities/issues in East/Southeast Asia, Pacific Region and some of the on-going activities/issues in South Asia/Central Asia. Lots of information and worth a look if you can find the time. https://www.eastwestcenter.org/about-ewc/mission-and-organization This center was established in 1960 by Congress and is located in Honolulu. Some of the products they routinely publish are; Policy Studies, Asia Pacific Issues, Pacific Islands Policy, Asia Pacific Bulletins, East-West Center Working Papers, etc. I am not sure if this agency has an agenda or not, so like any source take the information presented with a little skepticism. Everyone seems to have a somewhat different opinion on what China's intentions are and that's a good thing. Also, its never to early or late to start to try and understand what our current and future adversaries may be up to. This normally requires a little look into the shadows of history to better understand unfolding present day events and may also give you a glimpse into future possibilities. Conflict Prevention Urgent for the Senkaku Conundrum; Asia Pacific Bulletin, Number 212; Somewhat long; https://www.eastwestcenter.org/sites/default/files/private/apb212.pdf

Another strange twist, if true; These disputed island up until 1978 (?) had been designated as an active US bombing and gunnery range. The range utilization is covered under the US/Japan SOFA Agreement, the range use appears to still be a valid/active agreement item as of this year. Highlights of article; The Japanese Ministry of Defense, since 1972, has been leasing Kuba to the US military as a bombing range along with Taisho. Although both islands have not been used by the US military since 1978, and Article II (3) of SOFA states that “The facilities and areas used by the United States armed forces shall be returned to Japan whenever they are no longer needed for purposes of this Agreement”, they have not yet been returned to Japan. Neither Tokyo nor Washington has explained the reason why the islands are still allocated for use by the US military. Japanese citizens cannot land on either island without first obtaining permission from the US military. The fact that the United States still manages the two islands implies that the United States itself is another actor in the Senkaku dispute. https://www.eastwestcenter.org/sites/default/files/private/apb205.pdf

Some history on these disputed islands. China had historical sovereignty over the Penghu Islands (Pescadores) and Taiwan, along with the nearby Diaoyu Islands, before losing them to Japan during the 1894 Sino-Japanese War, which saw the Qing fleet annihilated by Japans navy. Japan brought these annexed territories under the jurisdiction of Okinawa Prefecture, where they remained until the Empire of Japan was defeated by the Allies in 1945. The Potsdam Declaration determining the terms of Japans surrender signed by the Allies in July 1945, reiterated as binding the terms set in Cairo. China believes that the Diaoyu Islands should automatically have been restored to China, and the Japanese occupation of Diaoyu Islands since 1895 was nothing but a robbery.

Proceed with caution. I seem to remember (way back when) the USAF pushing to remove gun systems from fighter aircraft in the late 1950's/1960's. Who needs guns for air to air combat when we have all these new advanced air to air missiles. A famous quote from one of the USAF finest and most respected aviators; Quote "A fighter without a gun is like an airplane without a wing".

First and foremost I am an amateur at investing and always will be, I came to that conclusion long ago. I believe that current asset prices are higher than they should be based on flawed fundamentals. The fundamentals (EPS, P/E, PEG, SH&A, Growth, Margins, Revenues, etc) at this stage of the game are not very credible and getting worse (smoke and mirrors). This is mostly a result of QE3 pumping 85 billion a month into the market since December of 2012. Once the Fed start tapering QE3 you will eventually see a recalibration of asset fundamentals once again, just like what happened after the last bubble burst and that can't be good for the market. Also, 40 billion a month of free QE3 money is going right back into mortgage backed securities, imagine that. The market has had a great year so far and most of the gains can directly be attributed to QE3; as of 22 Nov - DOW +22.5%, S&P +26.5%, NASDAQ +32.2%, RUSSEL 2000 32.5+, etc. The DOW and the S&P both are at +40 record closings for the year. I would expect the Wall Street wizards (talking heads,) to be out in force in the coming weeks talking a good game and trying to convince Fund Managers and average investors to pump new money into the market. Last week 548 million in new money was put in play. At moments like this I like to sit back and watch those around me that are even more clueless than I am about the stock market. If they start pumping vast amounts of money into the market at times like this, then that may be another good indicator its time to take some profits. You must also keep in mind that these Wall Street wizards are also the fast movers and when things tank they always cash in, don't blink or you will miss their move, and leave the average investors holding the empty bag. This is just my amateurish opinion on how I currently see things and I very well could be completely wrong. Always seek professional financial advice before making a move.

I am a long term investor but I always keep 25% of my portfolio available for buy/sell opportunities. I rarely use it, maybe once or twice a year and I spread it out in about 5% buy/sell increments. This type strategy is not for the faint of heart. In my opinion this may be a good time to start thinking about some profit taking based on the market run-up we've had, looking at the futures markets, and pure speculation on my part. You can never pick bottoms or tops of the market and my goal with this in flux 25% is to sell high, not highest and buy low, not lowest and its worked for me so far (20 plus years). I may up my 25% target flux fund amount when it becomes clear that the Fed is going to stop pumping free play into the Wall Street casino.

If China's intentions are to eventually completely dominate East/Southeast Asia and the West Pac both economically and militarily they will require a very large modern Navy, Air Force, and expeditionary ground forces (by sea/air). These type forces would have to be 10 fold larger and/or more capable then they are today to completely control that entire region. I personally do not believe that China is trying to completely dominate the region, at this time, but of course things change and strategic plan evolve. I would not be surprised that if China ever decides to go this route (they are already well on their way) that they would use Japan as a model and try to somewhat emulate Imperial Japan's rapid industrialization, modern militarization, and empire expansionism (late 1860's to WW2). Just a FEW of Imperial Japan's lessons taught/early warnings leading up to WW2. 1894 - 1941 - First Sino- Japanese War. - Russo-Japanese War. - Annexation of Korea. - WW1 (they were on our side in this one). - Siberian Intervention. - Manchuria Expansionism. - Second Sino-Japanese War. - WW2.

112 retired AF Generals oppose Gillibrand Bill to change UCMJ. First I agree with the good Generals on this particular subject. I did a quick review of the listed names and recognized about 30 Generals, all white males. The list only contains the name of one female General and I guess there could be some Generals that are possible LGBT members. In an odd but somewhat humorous way could this list of Generals be an example of a exclusive USAF White Male Club if they all end up being White Males (minus one white female General)? And yes I have been drinking. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131122/NEWS05/311220036/112-retired-AF-generals-oppose-Gillibrand-bill-change-UCMJ

That picture "hot or not" for some reason makes me want a cold San Miguel.

Crotch Grab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzrE8lGJds

Sorry, I am not the best at sexual connotations and word games. On the enlisted side of the house we normally get right to the point. What/how much is the fine for this transgression?

I hope this good CO of the USS Nimitz was sharing his hornswaggled, ill-gotten booty with his crew and if he was I am sure the morale of his shipmates was extremely high during Asian Port of Call stops "so to speak".

Two more rouge seafarers may end up having to walk the plank. .https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/09/two-admirals-caught-in-widening-bribery-scandal.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1

USAF conducts first SAPR orchestrated mock Court-Martial trial. Again I would expect to see more of this type training/exercises/experiments. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/05/sex-assault-trial-gives-airmen-perspective.html?comp=1199436026997&rank=1

Sexual Assault Summit. I can see the USAF trying some of these techniques and I also would expect more exercises/experiments to be conducted. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/06/the-militarys-struggles-against-sex-assault.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1

That just wrong. The only thing that would of made it worse is a bikini.

I seem to remember that during President Clintons term in office there was a big crackdown by DoD leadership on things like contemptuous language toward the President. Basically we were told by USAF leadership to keep our pie holes shut. Things like UCMJ violations of Article 88, 92, 133, 134, etc. were on the table, I think. https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/pdf/07-1999.pdf

Back in the 1970's/80's when the Air Force/EOT were trying to squash racism I don't remember any similar type experiments/exercises. This latest experiment/exercise would have been close to the equivalent, back then, of having an officer (or anybody) drop a racial slur like the "N word" to gage the enlisted folks response/reaction. I think these type exercises are WAY out of line.

If the Air Force is going to conduct these type exercises then they needs to be done right and everyone should play. Think along the lines of how we do UEI's, ORE's, ORI's, NSI's, etc. Also, we already have FPCON's, ALARM levels, and MOPP levels and we may need to develop some new social type warning/protection/prevention protocols for these new exercise/evaluation/inspection programs. Examples; Sexual Assault Prevention Conditions (SAPCON's): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Protection Conditions (LBGT-PCON's or FAB-PCON's could also be used): etc.

Yes, Men Really do Ogle Women's Bodies. I can see some motivated commanders and SARP leadership conducting exercises using this technology to highlight/spot potential sexual offenders/rapist. The geniuses running the SAPR program could even take this technology to the next level by setting up a USAF wide, random sexual offender/rapist identification program, similar to how the USAF accomplishes random urinalysis testing. This type of program would certainly reduce the likelihood of a hostile work environment. In my case, if I was ever randomly picked to take this type test, I would request that my commander not waste every ones time and I would accept my LOR/ART 15 and UIF up-front. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/29/body-shape-objectification-technology/3287287/