nsplayr

Yes, new guts...meant to replace the PC-12 based U-28s. TBD on timeframe and final decision being made/money available to go through with it is the latest intel I have. Lots of moving parts associated with the future of manned tactical ISR both in AFSOC and the Air Force more broadly. Also TBD on CVS vs HRT for the first MC-12s if we end up getting and moding them.

Nope, not yet at least.

Combat Platypus was suggested to LtGen Fiel...just sayin'...

Truth.

Give this man a medal. The location and people bitching about Cannon gets all the press, when in reality the dudes I know are punching because they're stuck in the black hole of the same highly-deployed MDS with absolutely zero hope of being released for anything unless they're a school-select, pinned-on major. For all the talk of cross-flow and "other opportunities in the Air Force," it hasn't panned out for the vast majority of folks. Many guys who have dropped papers would love to continue serving but are fed up with the groundhog's day effect of the same deployments, the same 1-to-1, the same mission year after year after year and are looking for something, anything, different but who are "100% not releasable." It's not about "service before self" because there is no consideration for letting someone continue service in other ways (even in the same MAJCOM). There's a small-minded attitude that you either serve your particular tribe until there is no more juice to be squeezed or fuck you, get out. I'd love the have the career some of my leadership had; multiple platforms, school, green door opportunities, overseas, etc. That sounds fucking great. The stark reality though is that my MDS in particular (as well as others in the command) has been so poorly mismanaged that at the current trajectory, a pilot getting this assignment out of UPT will not be released for anything else until, with good luck and timing, he's been doing this for literally 6-9 years, has probably 3-4K hours (mostly combat), more than 20 air medals, and is thoroughly burned out and jaded. All that being said, other guys just plain wanna get out for any number of other reasons and ya know what, that's fine too, there should be absolutely no judgement for a dude who honorably served out his commitment.

Correction, you'll be an LT and CSO candidate until the day you pin on wings. Don't get ahead of yourself too much. F-15s have WSOs. There are multiple 12XX positions on several aircraft. AC-130H and U models have a Nav, an EWO, and a FCO, all of whom have 12XX wings. An AC-130W has a 1x Nav and 1x CSO, again, same wings. Based on my incomplete knowledge (others feel free to make corrections as necessary), here's a cliff notes version: AC-130H & U - 1x Nav, 1x EWO, 1x FCO (FCO not usually available out of nav school) AC-130J - ??, still being developed. I think the plan is 2x CSO. AC-130W - 1x Nav, 1x CSO (CSO not usually available out of nav school) B-1 - 2x WSO (OSO/DSO but dual qual'd) B-52 - 1x Nav, 1x Radar Nav, 1x EWO (Nav/Radar Nav now dual-qual'd, not a different position you get out of nav school) C-130E/H - 1x Nav (doesn't seem to be dropping from nav school much anymore due to airframe retirement) E-3 AWACS - 1x Nav E-8 JSTARs - 1x Nav EC-130 - 1x Nav, 1-2x EWO mission-dependent F-15E - 1x WSO HC-130J - 1x CSO KC-135 - 1x Nav MC-130H - 1x Nav, 1x EWO (Nav not usually available out of nav school) MC-130P - 1x Nav, (doesn't seem to be dropping from nav school much anymore due to airframe retirement) MC-130J - 1x CSO RC-135 - 1x Nav, several EWOs U-28 - 1x CSO In broad terms, Nav positions navigate and do timing/fuel/airdrop depending on airframe, EWO positions defend the airplane or do electronic attack, WSO/FCO/Radar Nav positions employ ordanance and manage weapons, CSO positions (as listed...everyone's technically a CSO) operate sensors, manage mission systems, etc. Many positions overlap or blur or mix these duties depending on what aircraft you're on. Totally depends on the person. My personal pick is the U-28 but then again that's the only one I've flown so YMMV. What makes you want AC-130s? Think about that, talk to instructors who fly the aircraft you think you want once you get to nav school, do as well as you can, and when it comes to making your dream sheet determine what mission you want to do and put that #1. After that bloom where you're planted even if you don't get your first choice. If being a pilot someday is your goal keep that in mind but work hard to earn your CSO wing and then be the best CSO you can possibly be. If you're at the top of your CC's rack and stack and have a good reputation among the people in your squadron, doors will open themselves with a little luck and timing. Nav/CSO/whatever -> pilot will almost always be an option if that's what you want and you do the above. Edit to add: Forgot the RJ and HC-130, corrected MC-J, thanks bronx

White jets (i.e. P-cola instructor), ALO, 6th SOS and green door are all possible in theory for a 12S. In theory being the key part. In reality we're even more stuck than the 11Ss since they can at least go for RPAs or -328s or the extremely occasional -130. Affirm. My squadron DO, who is my deployed CC right now, did my 7-day opt counseling and basically agreed that based on what I was looking to do and the future of our community, the best option would be for me to get out. He also has good people skills, doesn't blow smoke up people's asses, and has a fair and frank assessment about some of the high-level decisions being made. So basically he is The Man...almost restores my faith in humanity WRT AFSOC leadership. I hope he continues to climb the ladder and is able to begin righting the ship. Looking forward to it. Parts of what you say are definitely true...the range issues we have with Eglin do not exist at Cannon and the WX should be better for the type of training our community needs too. I'll believe the rosy housing forecasts when I see them, because right now the rent people are asking there is out of control based both on the BAH people receive and also the true value of the property in Clovis, NM. Free markets don't work so well when there's a central planning mechanism that's feeding a large number of people into an area all at the same time. Here's to hoping that privatized housing helps ease the burden but I'm not holding my breath nor does it help the 69 U-28 families moving out there in the next 3-4 months. Regarding your above statement, how did they 7-day opt again? Or are you talking about people just running their mouths about their intentions of getting out ASAP. If it's the later, sorry, I know plenty of dudes who don't mind showing their cards because they have no chance at winning the hand either way, it's either all-in and accept the beatings until morale improves or fold when able. When the house has a straight-flush on your career and you have a pair of deuces, showing your cards doesn't really matter so much. Still not my preferred technique but to each his own when it comes to how you "manage your career" I guess. In theory I agree it's dumb for young pilots especially to express the desire to get out when they have IVO 6-7 years remaining on their commitment, but then again, the fact that they are speaking out tells you something about the state of the community doesn't it?

Dropped my papers about a week and a half ago; 15 months left on active duty. Not out of bitterness or hatred of my job or leadership or even PCSing to a "bad" location...out of desire to do something different. I love my job and the guys in my unit and our mission, but I've done it and am ready for a new challenge. Staying in the same heavily deployed airframe for 8-9 years without any options isn't what I was looking for, and until we can get the 3rd unit stood up and we get "healthy" on manning, "You are 100% not releasable" to anything else. Straight from the CC. And I don't blame him, it's true. There's a sh*t sandwich being handed down to the units from senior leadership and the SQ/CCs get to spoon it out to each of us in turn without any ability to do anything about it. You want to continue serving by going to TPS/U-2/B-2/white jet/ALO/6th SOS/green door/etc.? Too bad...staying put or punching out are your only two options at this point. Very few have escaped the black hole of AFSOC while staying on active duty and good on them, they deserve it. Even the dudes who stayed AFSOC but went Do-328s or MC-Js about a year ago and accepted Cannon as inevitable look like geniuses now. My count's a little higher but yea, pretty rough so far. Agreed...the house of cards is swaying in the breeze and because the move out West seems like it's too big to fail I'm not sure what the bailout plan is going to be... //continue AFSOC derail//

CSOs are even more stuck than pilots...can't RPA your way out even if you wanted to. I can literally think of less than 10 CSOs who have left the community since they started having AD AF CSOs many moons ago. A few to UPT, 1 to U model gunships, 1 to W model gunships, 1 to nav school...everyone else is still here. Don't be fat and you'll be fine.

May I remind you of... Obviously you're cool with participating in the knife fighting, which is fine, although not always the most effective strategy if trying to impart wisdom. Take it or leave it from someone who is likely in the target audience you're trying to influence by posting your thoughts here. If you're not trying to influence us and rather just coming here to BS cool, it just doesn't seem that way.

Valid WRT random poster, although that particular "compliment" about service has been levied on the regular to people adding valuable content. It's extremely condescending, which I'm sure is the point. When a Commander tells someone retiring or separating "Thank you for your service," it should be heartfelt and true, not some pseudo-insult you throw around on the internet. Just my opinion.

Dude, if it's not clear at all you can take your backhanded "compliments" and cram them up your ass. You can either stick to the facts, give people a little knowledge and continue "keeping the faith" or you can get down in the mud and start slinging personal rants back and forth. You can't do both. I'm guessing if you are some type of senior leader you can recognize which of those two COAs is more valuable to both BO.net and as a measure of how you spend your own time. So by all means, continue posting your insights on the problems people bitch about here, but if those insights are continually laced with a sarcastic, high-horse, aristocratic attitude about how awesome the AF is and how thankful everyone should be, you will make little to no progress in helping anyone and you might as well save the effort.

Straight from the AFSOC/CC's mouth, his vision is 4 relatively equal-capability Wings (352nd, 353rd, 27th, 1st) within AD AFSOC. "Relatively equal-capability" means MCs, ACs & CVs, STS and manned ISR of some flavor at all 4. Unmanned and mobility-NSAV are obviously also in the picture but he didn't mention sending them to Kadena or Mildenhall. Whether that vision actually happens after being staffed, the money is worked out, and the platforms/people are even capable of supporting it is another matter entirely. Certainly wouldn't plan my career or drop night wish list on it. Take it FWIW based on what Gen. Fiel personally briefed group of us about 80 of us IVO 1 month ago.

69 hotdogs for the win...new record. Coincidence? I think not. America, fuck yeah!

Ready, Fire!, Aim...

I was medically GTG with all paperwork ready to submit 1 month post-LASIK. However, the med clinic's goal for my return to fly was 3 months based on averages and paperwork processes and voodoo. Guess how long my DNIF period was? 91 days. YMMV.

Good job nerd...you'll be at home in many 12XX communities Seriously, thanks for the data.

Saw that the guys at DM did a piano burn for Reid...classy. :beer: :beer: to the crew.

It's not basic math...there are a whole host of factors you're potentially not considering, which airdawg is trying to point out. You may be absolutely correct in that gender is a statistically significant factor in AF promotion, but you have no way of knowing that for certain without more data. I would even tend to agree that gender plays a factor in promotion due to the political nature of promotion at the senior leader level. However, playing devil's advocate... What percentage of eligibles are female? If say it's 19% for instance...the data for that 19% is less telling than the data for the other 81% of officers who are male because of the differences in raw numbers. Raw numbers matter when considering whether something is statistically significant or not. What career fields are we talking? I'm sure you're aware that promotion percentages vary sometimes widely among career fields. Follow up to that... What percentage of female officers are line officers vs non-line? Let's say for instance that 45% of female officers are non-line, don't you think that would significantly alter their promotion figures due to differences in line vs non-line career fields and the way and rate at which they promote? What percentage of officers were essentially self-eliminators for the next rank due to UIF? You'll probably never know this data-point, but even just look at the DUI delta between genders...how many of those non-promoted Majors or Lt Colonels for example weren't promoted because they got a career-ending DUI? And that's only only such factor that can take you out of the running for more rank. These are all questions that would go into a details analysis of the question, "Does gender affect promotion among AF officers?" Maybe some shoe or pissed off pilot for that matter, can write an ACSC thesis on it. We have very little of the necessary data, have not put a lot of actual thought into this, and are pretty much basing our opinions (including my own) on speculation. My closing argument, your honor, is who the F cares? Be a strong swimmer, have a touch of good luck and timing, bloom where you're planted, don't worry about the rest. If you really think having a different gender will help you on a badly-needed promotion I hear there is surgery for that type of thing... I find it hilarious that some Colonel is bitching about how a diversity AFI is taking focus off the mission and blaming leadership for that loss of focus, and even further that one of his underlings thinks its important enough to start a thread about it on BO.net. If an O-6 is taking time out of everyone's day to have meetings saying "senior leadership has lost focus on the mission" and uses as evidence the existence of an obscure diversity AFI, he is literally part of the exact problem he is supposedly concerned with. Edit to add: 3300 posts is a nice round number...back to my sabbatical

I just got issued a clarity aloft with a mil plug standard (i.e. no adapter). Can't say I liked it very much but have only flown with it once. Miss my Bose already, it was mandated so obviously hope it grows on me.

Average PFT in one of the two U-28 ops squadrons (~150 people) is 94. Average. The other squadron is right behind us (sts). Don't be fat. Whether you like it or think it's dumb, it's definitely a thing that will get noticed.

If you're allergic to Cannon you don't want MC-Js or U-28s on your ADP. FYI Cannon is the first location for MC-Js and U-28s are in the process of moving there now. Honestly trying to join AFSOC and trying to avoid Cannon are kinda mutually exclusive at this point...if you don't want one you don't want the other. Not that base location should drive your decision...get in the vault, learn about each of those missions, figure out what you want to do, then press.

Bag was snapped up by a gunship dude down here. Sorry dudes, thanks for the interest, I'm sure brightline is happy to hear it

Hell, we did this in my flying squadron when we had about 12 LTs put on Captain in the same week. You can through a pretty blow-out party with 11 people chipping in even a couple hundred bucks from their raise each. Good times were had by all.