Tally2

Liquid—seems like you are listening-truly appreciated. Pressing the “I believe” button that you have a chance to influence the next generation from the perch, I will add my .02. The culture is sadly changing, but I am not sure that isn’t by design. Even worse, when the battle ragged guys need “leadership” when it appears our senior leaders are stuck in a world of management…not entirely their fault. Civilian furloughs and budget choices that I wouldn’t envy seems to have us low on airspeed and altitude. That being said, rising to the top of an organization with talent like the AF is impressive and implies you guys will handle it . There are of ton of lurkers reading this I am sure. Thanks for not blowing it off because only a select few are posting. My first FLUG ride as a shiny new patch…as the story goes….Pumped for the opportunity mold a steely eyed killer from a bulldog on a leash to a young flight lead. I was already doing an upgrade the day before, but it was a retread. Fun flying, but not like the young guy entering a FLUG sortie. There are few sorties better than this. I walk out of the retread debrief looking to pass some early encouragement and answer what I assumed would be the same hundred questions I had the day before FLUG. In the back…nowhere to be found. I assumed the squadron bar, smiled, and thought….this is the world of fast jets. Old timers in the bar discussing BFM with the young ones while telling “Old Bull / Young Bull” for the 69th time. (yes I said 69). Nope not there. I actually found him in a common room with books open and papers about. Walked in, and as you have probably guessed…it wasn’t 3-1, 3-3, or the Wing Standards. Hell it wasn’t even one of someone else’s briefs…. The kid had a final that evening. He didn’t want to say anything and miss the opportunity for the FLUG ride and inevitably catch shit from the line IPs. PISSED is an understatement. I couldn’t believe it and walked out without a word. Then it hit me…things changed in a matter of a few years. I didn’t see it because I was head down in my own world. Kid was a hell of a stick and “apparently” working to be a helluva an officer. I realized then this is what the institution wanted. This is the guy that is bitching about having to do AADs over family time and tactical stuff. Then he hears it from his squadron patch/line IPs about “the important sh%t” while a well-meaning commander says—“do it so you can change it when you get there”. He is pissed, his tactical leaders are pissed, his commander’s can’t change it and he’s about to tell mama he got shacked for a 179 and told “suck it up, this ain’t IBM”. Yes, things are changing. RPA guys were TAMI’d and doing the J.O.B. They are dropping on bad guys, supporting the troops on the ground, going down town in the 21st Century, but they get shit on for it. The establishment passes blame for creating a culture where they are not valued. WTFO! A new capability requiring talent but a challenge for senior leadership to both manage and inspire and “THEY” blame the younger guys for a less than ideal culture? As Iaccoca said “Where have the leaders gone”? (I will save the story of a sim only 4-FLUG—this post is already not faster or funnier) The stories are large in number, but after all of these posts, WHAT is changing. If it’s not going to change…SAY IT. Those that embrace the new way…best of luck, kill bad guys, and lead those that follow. Those that don’t..thanks for your service. I am not disgruntled, I am truly just sad. I only speak for myself but I still believe.... I know … FNG post—let the spears fly edited: because obviously my AAD wasn't English Grammer