RTB

I retired a year ago so my data is a year old. That said, and despite the incredible amount of queep that defines the modern Air Force, I would absolutely do it again. As a kid I dreamed of flying fighters and I was lucky enough to live that dream for a large portion of my career. I HATED the queep, begrudgingly went to school when asked, trudged through a year long remote, deployed several times, and even did a short staff gig, but for me, the squadron life, the bros, and the multiple flying assignments were well worth it. The RPA thing wasn't a UPT option when I went through but I'd tell you that it wouldn't have made a difference. I just would have used it as motivation to do as well as I possibly could in UPT. Admittedly, the fun factor declined as I got older because I was given more queep and less flying (as was everyone else), but when that started happening, it was about the same time I was given the options of moving over the ANG or AFRC. At the time, I chose to stay AD for various reasons but my point is, there were TONS of options to either stay flying exclusively (going Guard/Reserve) or keep pressing in the AD AF. Everyone's situation is different and some have had bad experiences but my recommendation is don't let that scare you. Very few will ever have the chance to fly an Air Force aircraft. Go for it.

No way Chang is anyone other than an O-3/4 trolling the shit out of this board. His statements are so outlandish there's no way it's legit inside info. He does a pretty good job of using targeted statements that he knows will get everyone way spun up. Ignore him, he's just having a good time watching everyone freak out.

Saw a story about a fatal ATP checkride accident yesterday near Little Rock. DPE killed, student (also a C-130 pilot?) apparently survived with injuries. Any KLIT bros have any other info on the examinee's condition? Hoping for a quick recovery... Story Link: https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/may/05/small-plane-crashes-north-little-rock/

I had about $3000 in fraud on an AMEX in Florida while I was TDY in Germany. Long story short, they caught the dudes who had tried to buy a bunch of TVs at Walmart. I was sent regular updates on the status of their case from the prosecutor's office, ultimately ending in multi-year prison sentences for all 3 of the dudes in the crime ring. It was pretty sweet justice. Of course a year later I also got the notice that they'd been let out on parole but at least they spent some time for it.

Absolutely. Do NOT let someone trying to hit their numbers guilt you into a life changing decision. If it's allowed to just apply for pilot, find a recruiter who will "allow" you to do that.

We just moved to Georgia from Florida and we were expecting our insurance to go down a little. In fact, the USAA rep I was talking to was certain the rate would be lower in Georgia but no, when she submitted the quote, it actually increased. And we haven't had an auto insurance claim in over 15 years. Decided to shop around a little with a few other companies and on a straight apples to apples comparison of coverages and deductibles, USAA was about the same as the others. Cheaper than some by a couple bucks, more than others by a couple bucks. Geico was appreciably cheaper but after some terrible experiences with them in the past, I didn't want to give them my business. USAA is certainly not the big savings I remember from years ago, but for now I'll stay with them.

Full On Badassery! Respect!

Congrats DFRESH!

That text, to me, is publicly F'ing a goat. How many people were on that group text? Surprised it isn't making more noise for her in a very BAD way!

Lawman, so she actually texted "thank the ass holes killing themselves" about fellow pilots recently killed in a crash when she was complaining about not flying? UFB. I'd say your baseball bunt reference is about spot on.

So this would appear to be a problem... "In the latest hurdle for the Pentagon’s F-35 joint strike fighter, testers this summer discovered that a lightweight pilot’s neck could snap during a low-speed ejection." https://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2015/10/14/f-35s-heavier-helmet-complicates-ejection-risks/73922710/

I'll add my 2 cents.... 1. Depends on the class I'm sure. If there are no F-22s and someone really wants one, they frequently take the T-38 adversary assignment. I'd definitely recommend contacting some Lts in the 2 FTS (Tyndall) or 71 FTS (Langley) to get their take but I can tell you from personal observation that they tend to really enjoy the assignment. 2. They were as of early this year. Not sure about current ROE. So far none have lost their F-22, several are already through the B-course, several more are currently in training, and many more are fragged against upcoming classes. 3. Yes, the F-22 track. If you want more info or contact info, PM me.

"A man who is good enough to shed blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards" - Theodore Roosevelt or another famous quote: "Not using benefits that you've earned and are entitled to is crazy"- RTB

Exactly.

Agreed, reform is definitely needed. The sleep apnea 50% thing is pretty ridiculous.

Why would you find it difficult? If you have neck or back issues as a result of flying fighters, you have a "service connected disability". Flying fighters was the answer to a life long dream and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But it definitely left some physical chaos in it's wake for me and many others. I'm not advocating lying about it or making it out to be worse than it is, but the system is there for a reason. Even if you only get a 10% rating because your neck is jacked up and your hearing sucks now, that's a huge benefit when you go for a VA home loan (funding fee waived) and it's a completely legitimate claim.

For those that are currently wondering who to use for CFI refresher, I'll offer a strong endorsement for American Flyers. Their Flight Instructor Online Refresher Course and optional application processing are awesome. I realized a couple days ago (Saturday the 26th) that my CFI certificate was set to expire on the 30th of this month. Low SA on my part! With only 4 days left to get it all done, I signed up for their lifetime refresher course ($99), took the quick online course in a couple hours while on a layover, and then opted for their assisted processing ($25) to get it all done. As of today (Monday the 28th), I have my new temporary CFI certificate and it couldn't have been easier. Great customer service too as most of it was done over a weekend. Highly recommend!

Take the UPT slot and don't think twice about it.

Working! Thanks DFRESH.

DFRESH, I keep getting this same error when trying to use the new posts since last visit filter. Doesn't matter how long I wait, it comes up with new but varying amounts of time I have to wait. Please wait 15 seconds before attempting another searchError code: 1C205/3

I keep getting this error when trying to see "only items I have not read" using the filters on the left. Not trying to search for anything, just want to see unreads... Please wait 15 seconds before attempting another searchError code: 1C205/3

I know guys who got PC approved despite BOTH Wing/CC and functional disapproval. Edit to add: Wing and functional don't technically "disapprove", they simply recommended disapproval but the applications of the guys I'm talking about were subsequently approved at SAF level, despite the recommendations from lower levels. SAF looks at the big picture apparently.

Just to be clear, I was not an RPA dude before I went to UPT. Didn't exist back then AFAIK. Not sure if that was misunderstood or not. My point is simply that you can be late in rank to your first squadron by several years and still do well as long as you show up with a good attitude. Herk Driver and I are not anomalies. I know several other guys who also went on to at least flying Sq/CC (and some beyond that) after showing up as a Capt to their first flying squadron.

Let me start by saying I am in no way advocating for this RPA drop out of UPT - I think it's a travesty that it's happening again and a total waste of time and money. That said, I don't think it's the end of the world for their careers, assuming they get back to a manned aircraft in 3-4 years. I speak from experience. I was late rated because I was too dumb in college to get a pilot slot. I didn't get picked up for pilot training until I was almost a Captain - pinned on during Tweets. So I was a similar age when I got to my first squadron. Went on to a decent fighter career (silence HossHarris and Danny Noonan!) as an IP/EP and eventually a squadron commander. And I'm not a unique case, I know plenty of dudes with similar experiences. For these poor bastards who get an RPA on drop night, I think their success totally depends on what they do, and how good their attitude is, when they get to their manned squadron.

Damn. Those are downright terrible stats. Anyone know the number or percentage of non-flying "11F required" billets vs. 11F flying billets? Seems like the ratio just keeps getting worse...