OL Patch

A big 2 on that one. Every msn ck I gave at Nellis was an EQ...every Inst Ck was a qual. Also made it easy that I flew everyday with the same IPs and knew that they were exceptional. Not that damn hard of a concept.

Never deemed you lame...just the analogy. Getting grumpy in my old age, but that comes from a guy who thinks the Zamboni/Light Grey linkage will always be hilarious....no worries!

Damn...we've been found out. Lame analogy but understand the intent. Here's your new lifeline number (lame humor is us): 1-869-696-969 In the word's of George Costanza--"OL Patch is getting frustrated!"

Are there really self respecting squadrons out there that do skit's?? Only one's I ever heard about were somewhere out in the far east, and it always started with "It wasn't my squadron!" But of course, that was when most of you were in grade school.

Could not agree more...took a two year hiatus...may have to take off again. Where's scoobs when you need entertainment. Or actual discussions about flying, the big house, etc. etc. Feels more like a philosophy class at a second rate community college sometimes....rant off...good to see ya Beaver OL patch edited for scoobs linkage to actual discussions of anything...grammar

Skitzo, we live in a world that has checkrides, and those checkrides have to be guarded by SEFEs with red pens. Who's gonna do it? You? You, BQZip01? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for downgrades, and you curse the FORM 8. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Alarm Red's downgrade, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves useless careers. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at CGO meetings, you want me giving that checkride, you need me giving that checkride. We use words like how many feet off altitude, how many knots off airspeed. We use these words as the backbone of a life being tactically useless. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who steps and starts engines under the blanket of the checkrides I give, and then questions the manner in which I ask general knowledge questions. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Master Question File, and run as fast as you can from the weapons officer. Either way, I don't give a damn what Q-1 no downgrade you think you are entitled to.

Careful with the generalization...not every viewpoint is valid...everyone is not a winner/deserving of a trophy. But of course--everyone in the AF is a warrior (sarcasm) Not picking on you personnally...just an old guy observation. OL Patch

First rule I learned a long time ago from the closest combat vet I know (my Dad)...if they always are the first to bring up their accomplishments of great daring and covert ops--beware. Its amazing with all the emphasis (Stolen Valor, FakeSeals, POWnet, etc.) trying to squash this BS that these idiots still revel in their delusions. Maybe not enough hugs when they were children--or they were the last one picked for dodgeball (Always remember--Dodge, Dip, Dive, Duck, and Dodge!) Have to find something funny to make up for this crap. Edit for old guy spelling issues. You know I once was a Special Ops F-15C Fighter Pilot..but of course, it wasn't my squadron!!

Also should read (you probably have) The Ravens by Christopher Robbins. OL Patch

It does have the ping...as my Dad relates....what's interesting to me is a rifle he carried in the Korean War...probably had an earlier history. He was just here for Christmas...have to ask him about his personal connection with the M1...probably be like squeezing blood from a turnip though...took til I was off flying fighters before he would tell me Korea stories...most started with "It was frickin COLD"..."don't ever be a gravel agitator--fly planes, drink at the club, that's the life"...and....."don't ever try to wake me up with a touch--stand 10feet away and yell DAD!" Learned that one the hard way at 12.....once you're in a foxhole in Korea, asleep, "DON'T TOUCH!" He'll come up swingin. OL Patch Missed an "...should have put in ppt for BQZip01..sorry...not really!

Let me go look....after I get done watching your Avatar...again, and again, and again...... Top stamp says: U.S. RIFLE Cal .30 M1 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 2551503 What's cool is I have his original ammo sling with clips and ammo...don't think I'll be firing those...but still nice to have. If you've never handled an M1...WATCH your thumb...it'll take it off when you slam a new clip in.....

Only ever made one comment in Gun Talk..and it was a smartass remark against USAFcrypto and Pancake...however thought I'd relate a story...last spring during my 13yr old's spring break...took a trip back to Oklahoma (born and raised) to pick up a 1966 Chevy C-10 pickup my dad bought off the showroom floor (picture of me sitting in it when he brought it home). He drove it into the barn, turned off the key, and walked away back in '93. This is the truck I drove in HS and College (GO POKES). We trailered her back, and been restoring over the last 10mos. As well as the truck, brought home a Korean era M1 Garand with bayonet--Dad was 45th Infranty Division during the Korean War--as well as a Marlin Model '94 sn#435433, and a couple of old late 1800/early 1900 shotguns. New guns are nice....old guns "in working order" are cool! OL Patch

Scoobs....Scoobs...is that you Scoobs (I can wile away the hours, smelling all the flowers, if I only had a brain). Where you been? SiG that is an inside joke for Toro, Hacker, M2, Rainman, Cleared Hot, etc. Back to your "I've seen Red Flag...I've known a guy who knew a girl who knew a dude who's brother's cousin's best friend's history teacher's nephew read about UAVs...or "how to make UAV friends and piss off everyone else thread...." OL Patch Edited for failing to remember one each gunship brother in the inside joke.....

Left baseops for about two years due to the previous week of Pancake/USAFcrypto/ad nauseum ramblings in multiple threads. Gentlemen, this is the Squadron bar, and honestly, if you had ever spewed in person the nonsense I've been reading in a real Sq Bar--I would have asked you to leave. Oh and yea...I know, I don't have to read it if I don't like it...blah...blah...blah. Agree again with Rainman.....your new Delta Chi name is SDA....pls---extreme lack of SA. You are 1 v many and losing, wasting our time, wasting our gas, and wasting precious oxygen. OL Patch

Important safety tip...never, ever (as I saw a young LT do) ask the 0-6 while in his office and pointing at his Citadel Shako (military headdress)--"Sir, didn't know you where a Drum Major, Cool!" Low, Low, Low SA. OL Patch

Had to park the car at a farm and ride the four wheeler up to the inlaws cabin in NC. Nothing like starting the new year with a stiff drink, ragin fire, and view of the snow covered Smokey Mountains. Hope you and yours the best in the coming year..and keep those young airman, soldiers, sailors and marines on the front lines in your thoughts and prayers (if so inclined). Happy New Year. OL Patch

Copy...will not stick my nose in the circle of Hogs over Belted...Rambo's out 090 for Texas Lake...debrief in one hour at the Hog Trough!!

nsplayr, I'll weigh in here but realize my diatribe is probably dated. In the community I grew up in (Light Grey or Light Gay if you want to go 90 left from your DADT expositions), most FWIC flow went like this: Wingman 2Ship Flight Lead 4Ship Flight Lead Mission Commander Instructor Pilot FWIC student and if you graduated from the "they eat there own" Barnyard Weapons Officer Along the way after becoming an IP, the SQ and WG leadership put you in Stan/Eval as a "check pilot". We normally hung there for about six months while the FWIC selection process was ongoing. On a daily basis, I still did way more instructing than giving check rides. In fact, checkrides were a pain in the ass. As someone also said earlier, I never busted a guy on a check or gave a downgrade--but I busted a ton of guys on upgrades and as a WIC IP. Don't know if it was a carnivore/herbivore cultural thing, but the old C model community viewed checkrides as a one time necessary evil that had no basis in reality for how the dude flew day to day (didn't need someone from Stan/Eval to tell anyone what the guys reputation/skills in the airplane were). I'm talking mission checks--instrument checks were a waste of JP4 and our time---go fly an approach (you name what kind) in the sim and if you can't do it real world, low gas, shitty weather, you probably shouldn't be in the airplane. As I said--old guy view. Take it for what its worth. OL Patch EDITed for clarity: The majority of us wanted to be in the bar/vault drinking beer/whiskey and talking tactics rather than sitting over in OV filling out fricking check ride forms. There were a few worthless dudes that enjoyed the whole Stan/Eval "evaluator" crap, but most of them wore the badge of a checkpilot to make up for their lack of any tactical ability. Sorry..every community has asshats and even carnivores have long memories!

Old guy spleen vent commencing: I saw plenty of patches who were crappy commanders at multiple levels from DO/CC on up....and also saw plenty of non-patches who were shit hot commanders. A generic policy like you mention is dumber than dirt! OL Patch Edit: Exhibit #1 is a former WS Commandant who's name shall not be mentioned.

While reading the post on civilian Mig-29 first flight in the flying videos thread, recognized Spanky Clifton's name.....went online and stumbled on this: https://www.incredible-adventures.com/jet-fighter2.html An all time favorite has got to be this one: "Gary’s L-39 knowledge and flying expertise led to his participation in a top-secret government research project." Sounds like the standard fake SEAL line of my BUD/S class was classified. Okie-Dokie there big guy. How bout just saying you know how to fly the L-39. OL Patch

Rainman, Looked at the Triumph seriously prior to purchasing a BMW K75RT (no longer own). Really liked the Triumph and BMW'r. Retguy

Don't post alot, but your statement above tells me you get it! I spent 20yrs preparing for a time to be useful (light grey guy)--happy I did, loved the majority of it, and it was worthwhile also--but never had the opportunity you describe. Always remember, its about the guys on the ground. Well Done--Bravo Zulu--and good on ya. Retguy

Gentlemen....you have an opportunity to exhibit class. Retguy

Damn..now I'll have nightmares. I've suppressed that memory for years. Here's a vignette for ya...Spring '96, standard light gray lunacy of a TI brief at 1530, T/O 1730, land 1900, start mass debrief 2000, finish stud debrief 0600--it was a bust. Two IPs standing in the barnyard at the bar drinking a beer and eating popcorn at 0630 when 8lettersword walks in with steaming cup of coffee..."What you guys doing?"...having a beer Sir...."It's 0630 in the morning!"....Roger that Sir, we just finished debriefing. Thank God I left a few months later and missed the WCL debacle. Go ahead....blame it on the eagle dudes! Retguy

Joe, I actually consider the last ten years some of the most rewarding of the career. I don't think you could get up every day for 10 years and do the job we're talking about if you're ONLY motivation was a retirement check. There are always two sides, but I know a lot buds with marketable skills that WERE employed (non-airlines)doing some 20/20 hindsight sole searching. I get it--follow your dreams, don't be scared of failure, etc. etc. etc.... retguy