General Chang

Busted, not true for a simple overseas PCS. Notice all of the qualifiers throughout the regulation (always includes the statement, "...and was assigned to a U.S. Armed Forces operation..."). Don't count on this regulation saving you unless you've deployed from an overseas assignment.

And you all wonder why there is a rift between those who fly and those who don't. Hmmmm.....

It will come...probably same time frame as last year. Perhaps expanded # of "take" years for RPAs (same as 11Fs).

Don't worry, hardly any of them are cleared for staff duty.

I appreciate your post and recognize some communities face assignment difficulties that others do not. It is unfortunate, but I don't anticipate key strategic personnel decisions being made divorced from the spreadsheets and the numbers. It's the ultimate Moneyball. How can we retain just enough talent for the cheapest price to get the win? Tough, tough questions with tough answers. However, it's what our bosses, the taxpayers, expect us to do.

Yes, the morale problem in some communities is understood and being watched. Not all RPA communities are having morale issues (see Global Hawk). Gen Carlisle is an awesome advocate for the RPA community and will continue to be. Also, UNTIL multiple years of research conclude the opposite of what we know to be true (throw enough money at a problem and you will fix it), we will continue to fix our issues with money. It's easy, it's proven, and it doesn't fail. And, as I've posted before...it's cheap! Bonuses and special pays are so inexpensive for the return that we get. We could spend quadruple on bonuses and special pays, and they would be cheap. (Enough) people's time can be bought for cheap to keep the meat machine going. I know that I rub some of you raw dealing in black-and-white, 1's-and-0's, but that's how sausage is made. If you get away from the facts and start making policy based on emotion, we'll end up so far off-track we won't be able to recover. That's the stark truth, ladies and gentlemen. Is A1 a meat factory? From a certain perspective, the answer must be yes, all day, every day. I don't doubt you are pissed. Unfortunately, in this life, you are not "owed" anything, and I believe that to be the basis of your anger. Nobody thinks they are an underperformer; however, in the overage year groups and communities, we cut the bottom of the eligibles. Again, facts are facts. Don't get caught-up in the emotion of the right-sizing efforts or you will go insane.

Things are constantly changing, but as of right now there are no plans to bring back opportunities like last year. We are just about right-sized (with a few minor balancing issues), and we anticipate sequestration will go away. If it doesn't go away...you will likely see more "opportunities," and quickly.

'Sigh'. We can debate the resources aspect, but non-stop ops? Really? The numbers simply do not back that up, my friend. Dwell times continue to get better and better. I'm rooting for you to get a Pentagon job out of ACSC this summer, hopefully here in A1. It will really open you aperture.

Point taken. The 365 non-vols are a function of the computer algorithm. The slots are a function of overseas & Pentagon GOs, and yes, work continues to make sure the numbers are right.

No system is going to nail the perfect solution, and despite the botched information flow from A1 in 2014...I'd say we hit a homerun on the non-voluntary reductions.

On the contrary, while I acknowledge we are always a work-in-progress, I offer the voice of optimism to the young officers who read the daily sadness that BODN has become. The opportunity to serve in the Blue is a fantastic honor and responsibility...I want our young guys to take pride in that, not become disillusioned and bitter. We are a long, long, LONG way from the problems of the mid-to-late 1990's, and most of the bloggers here weren't around then to even understand how good things are now.

I know you meant this tongue-in-cheek, but to answer your question, no, I did not wash out of pilot training. I have an admiration for our rated force. I also appreciate the support force and recognize their value. As few support officers peruse the BODN blogs (compared to operators), I want to make sure they understand the importance of their contributions. As for those working tirelessly on staffs, thank you, thank you, thank you for what you do.

Agree...trying to head off a "rated v. non-rated" argument at the pass by conceding we are an AF run by pilots (as we should be...it is the Air Force, after all). Distinguishing Line AFSCs at promotion boards is a discussion that continues and is worth considering, although I don't think you would see a drastic difference in the promotion rates if it were to occur. Promoting more pilots simply because they passed through a screening when the majority of them were 21-22 years-old is not (and actually 16-17 years-old based on your USAFA argument). Goodness, most of you complain that we identify our "high speeders" too early...now you want to give certain people an asterisk at the Board because they competed for pilot slots when they were still kids? I'm sorry...that one is a non-starter. I'm a lucky man to have your vast expertise fixing all of my daily mistakes. Thank you sir.

I'm proud of the personnel work my FGOs and I have done on more issues than you could count. Deride it, doesn't matter...but I welcome positive, constructive thoughts, not the drivel you often post. You sound like a bitter squadron CGO that has never been exposed to complicated, strategic issues (hit the nail on the head, didn't I?).

Curious...compared to our brothers and sisters in other services, our personnel system is a bright light. We have cut our requisite bottom 10% performers (which became only the bottom 2% or so, thanks to voluntary separations) and are not facing involuntary separations in 2015. If sequestration hits again, thanks to last year's VSP, we can get rid of a few more underperformers without extreme stress on the system, but we're anticipating that will not be required. We revamped the EPR. Our list of stressed career fields is remarkably low, and we have a plan to retain our critical RPA officers by offering more money. Trust me, we are the envy of the other three services. Have some pride in your AF leadership, particularly in A1, because we've made remarkable strides shaping the force for the 2020s.

Very well. If you leave, I wish you well. If you stay, I hope you become an asset, not a hindrance, to your leaders who are doing their best to shape the future of the most lethal force on earth.

Affirmative. Commanders use this as a "tool in the kit," which will probably upset some people on this forum. However, you can have confidence in a system where commanders at the lowest levels are able to either "push" or "hold back" guys, depending on the situation, that they feel have future leadership potential. The "big hand in the sky" doesn't control your fate, your squadron commander does. Which means...ultimately, you control your own fate.

Champ, I normally don't quote from your posts because your thoughts are bitter and unhelpful. Today is no exception. Gentlemen, I truly believe you are not the heinous, bitter officers in real life that you appear to be on this blog, as you hide behind your avatars. If you are, then I ask that you really consider what comes out of your mouths as you "counsel" the next generation. The AF personnel system is not/has not ever been out to disadvantage rated officers (as is evidenced by the overwhelming number of rated Colonels who become Generals), nor are the tough personnel decisions over the last few years taken lightly or without a good deal of research. If the system and the leaders of that system bother you to the point of losing sleep, then get off of your computers and do something about it. Work your tails off and become senior leaders yourselves. Yes, it takes hard work and sacrifice, but if you feel so strongly that things are horrible, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I would welcome your fresh, positive ideas in the puzzle palace. When you complain every waking moment, you are of little value to your family, your unit, or the Air Force at large.

To each his own. Unlike you, I do not begrudge flyboys who take that career path. However, for the sake of any unfortunate souls that you lead, I hope that you do not present your anti-careerist thoughts to them (if you're even a flight commander, which I know, from an "opportunity for true leadership" perspective, doesn't mean as much in the rated community as it does the non-rated). Your hatred for those of us who were selected to "fill the leadership squares" is unbecoming and disturbing. If you have subordinates, do them a favor and "hide" your...brand...of leadership.

Thank you.

Thank you. I was beginning to think the only people who post on BODN are idiots who think a guy with experience only at the squadron-level should be the next CSAF, but am relieved to see voices of sanity like Ho are still posting. Exec, school, command, staff...they're ALL important to round-out our future GOs. Proficiency in the primary job is assumed once senior leaders push you for the "box-checking" opportunities. It's never going to change, because it never should. Thank heavens most of you on this forum aren't in KLPs. I thank my lucky stars. Go ahead and bash me. Deep down, you know I'm right.

Seriously??? Guys, keep your head down, do your absolute best where you're planted, and multiple exec jobs will seek you out. Keep doing well, and you'll continue on to higher-level exec and aide jobs over multiple years. And yes, schools and promotions will follow. The AF only sends their best to these jobs; hence, the rewards at the end of the rainbow.

Guys, I have clearly failed to properly communicate here, and for that, I apologize. I do not, in any way, begrudge Vetter or anyone else who leaves the service; on the contrary, I salute them. My frustration is with the asinine posts on BODN that Vetter makes...it's enough to make a young guy question volunteering. Nothing Vetter has posted here in the last few days can be used to move the conversation forward. That's the kind of officer our young guys shouldn't emulate. Sorry for not being clear. GC Agree. di1630's post is ridiculous and bitter. THIS is what I was referring to...not leaving the Air Force.

Young guys reading these posts: this is the exact type of officer you do not want to be like. For every Vetter, there's 10 officers putting others ahead of themselves. Seek out those guys/gals for mentorship and avoid the "Vetters" of the Air Force like the plague.

Chip has my seal of approval: 2 thumbs-up!!