BitteEinBit

I really want to be positive and say things are going to change for the better soon (soon being a year or two). I just think it is a little too late for dudes on the fence. Nothing against Gen Schwartz personally....he is a brilliant man... but he's a manager at a time we need leadership. By leadership, I don't mean managing beans, running marathons and showing how many Master's degrees you can accumulate. There is a distinct difference between management and leadership and right now we need good leadership at the top because morale is shit right now across the board...and anyone who doesn't see it is probably part of the problem. It just seems to me that people tolerate it because there is a golden egg (plated, not solid) at the end of 20 years of service and people are just in job preservation mode right now. No one can offer any degree of change or logical thought without sacrificing job security. The priority has been all beans and bullets and less people. We need a better mix to genuinely focus a little more on people.. Hopefully, that is about to change...and just to try to keep it on topic...it will get better for the non-vol RPA guys. Cheers! Sorry for e thread hijack and ramble...I'm already sailing with the capt and his tennissee cousin jack...I'll fix my incomplete thoughts tomorrow. Sail on!

I would never do that...it is against the regulations. (checking calendar...when is my next TDY)

I'll take one underage, enlisted to go....f*ck it, make it two.

WTF is right...where in the Air Force are there hot chicks like that??

Now all we need are black people or Mexicans offended over the Browns and we will have come full circle. Sensitivity....it is the American way. We can't even play the fart game anymore without offending someone...

Two chicks at the same time....

That's right! Leave the teats to us dirty old men!

I'm happy to see Gen Welsh as the next CSAF...at least we'll have someone in that position who I can trust and believe genuinely cares about the people he's charged to lead. I'm not saying Schwartz doesn't care, but that is the impression I get (my opinion from the outside). I feel Schwartz is a brilliant man, but more of a bean counter and political pleaser who even when he says he cares, you can tell he's reading from a script. Kind of hard to see the sincerity in that. Every time I interact with Gen Welsh, I get a sense of sincerity...and I know he's not just playing they baby-kissing politician. He's very personable. Do I expect to see massive changes in the way we operate day to day in the AF? No. But I see someone a lot of people trust to balance the people/mission mix instead of telling the masses to suck it up with some new AF buzzword like 'resiliency.' If anyone can bring morale up in today's environment, Gen Mark Welsh can do it. Anyone who has spent any time with him will tell you the same thing. Just sit back and enjoy the ride...I expect good things to happen. I'll be the first to admit I was fooled if it doesn't.

Very well put. I remember that Air Force and when people ask when I was having the most fun, those are exactly the times I talk about. For any commander to just say 'suck it up' as an answer to the suck, has obviously failed at leadership and is certainly well on his/her way to the top of this organization. The WG/CC in Splash's post will definitely go far...and continue to give that same speech following the next group of increased suicide rates. And speaking of Splash's post, that itinerary alone is enough to make me want to kill myself, if not slowly jam an ice pick into my eye. Their answer to 'suck' is a day full of more suck followed by CBTs? Really? They just don't 'get it.' 'Suck it up' today really equates to "you're just going to have to put up with it because Big Blue owns you bitches!" Take advantage while you can AF, the economy will recover.

Shortbus, there are at least 500 BO.net bubbas who care about you in addition to your 250 FB friends...you're covered. Now go do this CBT and bring me the certificate so we can document it and show that you won't kill yourself.....

I'm pretty sure you'll get to fly again. The AF knows current rated UAS bubbas won't be competitive for the airlines and that when the airline industry starts hiring, UAS bubbas will be less likely to go. They also know that when the airlines start taking all the active duty pilots they will need to backfill those cockpits. Yes, these wars will eventually end and the UAS requirements will decrease. Yes, the Air Force will have to figure out what to do with all of those underemployed UAS pilots. Yes, there will be an increasing number of bubbas leaving for the airlines and Guard/Reserves creating slots to fill (sts). Yes, the Air Force will try to encourage those UAS bubbas to stick around by offering nice shiny brand new jets to fly. While some of us still believe the AF mismanaged the rated force and we just starting to see the beginning of that mismanagement, I think they are still set up for success as long as these wars really end when they are supposed to, we aren't pulled into another regional conflict, and the exodus of pilots to the airlines arent as massive as everyone likes to believe. Otherwise, it will be a good time to be the underemployed pilots looking for jets to fly.

Pretty sure this program is designed for prior E O-5s over 20 years but less than 3 TIG....a traditional O-5 pins on at 15.5-16 years and would have 3 years TIG by 20....anyone willing to retire earlier than that would in fact take a penalty under the new temporary early retirement authority (15-year retirement). I can't really imagine why anyone would take that option when they can retire at 20 years +1 day as a LtCol and normal retirement. That is why it doesn't seem to make sense if you're talking about a traditional O-5.

That is the exact same impression I got from my limited sample size too. Even before they asked what I thought, they didn't trust the AF answers. I don't think the AF is hiding anything...I know they want this fixed, but I think they are knowingly taking a calculated risk not keeping the aircraft grounded for this issue because they believe the odds of us having another Class A mishap are low enough to accept that risk...part of that reason IMO is to safe face on a (to use a sensational media phrase) 'overpriced and controversial weapon system.' I just don't think they factored in a couple of bubbas openly refusing to fly the jet. The AF stood its ground on the issue, but that will just make it a more costly decision if we are unfortunate enough to have another mishap linked to OBOGS and hypoxia.

Just saw the 60 Minutes piece...I don't think it made the Air Force look bad other than the fact that (according to 60 Minutes) it would be an embarrassment to the Air Force to ground the aircraft again. I hope that is not the stance of the Air Force...to not ground it to save face...because that is exactly one of the problems I have with some people in the AF (leadership) who are willing to let the organization fail to avoid saying they made a mistake (I'm referring to more than just the F-22 issue). I really hope that isn't the case here....the Air Force sacrificing safety for credibility. It will be a very costly mistake if something happens...again. Nice job Congressman! Those guys put their nuts on the chopping block...I hope they made the right choice for the right reason. I'm interested too. I wasn't aware of the breathing/coughing issues or the filter issues they discussed. I'm very curious now.

Not only do they 'say' things and not 'do' things, they say things they know will help them get promoted. They ignore the real problems because it isn't what they want to hear. They really want it to be something they can fix with a few CBTs and a CC call. Air Force management doesn't address the source of any admin issue...they throw paperwork at it and hope it goes away. I'm not saying the pressure of the one mistake Air Force is going to drive people to suicide, but the fact that the Air Force is quick to start paperwork on weak performers without addressing the source is a failure in leadership IMO. It isn't noticed because we have managers bean counting and managing paperwork and no leaders leading people. While management likes to say they provide avenues to talk to about personal problems, often times those individuals are 'labeled.' In today's AF, they are looking to get rid of the 'problem' children, and I believe people with personal issues that affect their work are inadvertently weeded out once they are identified as opposed to having their issues addressed. It is part of the reason people don't speak up or want to give their name when they see problems (refence the article). Overworked, over stressed, instability, the on-again-off-again, cuts, no-cuts, ok more cuts strategy seems to be wearing on the force. What is the Air Force doing to address these things other than talking out of two sides of their mouths? Do you really think any O-5 or above is going to report that things are not ok with the morale of their people? That their people are over worked and stressed? That the cuts we are getting ready to take arent healthy for the force? No..it is Yes Sir, everything is great Sir! Certainly a General whose predecessor was fired for not playing the game isn't going to tell his bosses these cuts this early are a bad idea. Until the AF invests in its people and no-shit addresses and fixes the route causes of people's stresses, we'll continue to see a rise in suicides, domestic violence, ARIs, and other administrative issues. Just my opinion...and at my rank, it doesn't matter.

I want my trophy! Speaking of trophy wives....I like the way you think... I still believe boobs can save the world!

Beastie Boys revisited. Typical SNL and Will Ferrell humor. Directed by MCA. Edited for my computer Illi...iliter....my lack of computer knowledge.

Those guys, MCA in particular, we're pioneers in changing the face of 'rap/rock' at that time. Techsan is right, HS and college wouldn't have been the same without the Beastie Boys. <---that's actually Brass Monkey...that funky monkey....

I'll replace the other one... More AF Crimes sensationalism. I think this story could have been titled "Raptor pilots frustrated with aircraft problems, miss flying normal sorties" The 'small number' of pilots referenced probably meant to say they just want the problems fixed so they can actually do their jobs. But I don't know...I don't fly them. On a related note, maybe this is just another reason to add to the many reasons to not cut corners when it comes to investing in our (the Air Force) future...That includes personnel. I'm just foreshadowing here....

Of course they do...I learned in SOS that is what makes moral decision-making leaders. I'd question anyone else's moral character as a leader if they didn't read it... I'd read a hustler if it was in there. In fact, I'm going to leave one in a drawer next time I am forced to stay on base during a TDY...

Aren't bibles free? You mean I have to pay to read it and be saved?

Nicely played...

Seriously...we have dudes out there making decisions to take home a "10" and then end up waking up with a "1" after a night of heavy drinking...does the Air Force really think someone that drunk is going to go through a "0-1-3 check" or 0-0-1-3 BS (or whatever the hell they are calling it these days) before driving home? I'm sorry, but if dudes can't have a plan to get home when they are sober and decide to drink and drive drunk, there is no checklist that is going to help them when they already have a "1" on their arm. Have a "get home" plan before you go out drinking. It really is that simple. If you make the mistake of drinking and getting drunk before you have a plan, you may have to get that "1" or "the fat chick" to take you home...you deserve it!

Why can't there ever be hot hippie chicks! I might be more sympathetic to her cause....