BitteEinBit

Oh, believe me, I took advantage...

I guarantee you this kind of shit is going on ALL OVER DoD. GUARANTEE it. Sometimes it is intentional, sometimes not, but the loopholes people jump through to make a little extra money on behalf of big Uncle is amazing. Not the same thing, but I put it in the same "gaming the system" category as the penguins at USAFE staff who only make themselves available fly that once a month good deal 2-day mission to Turkey so they can fly over the Adriatic to get tax free for the month...otherwise they aren't available to fly those training lines to Bunker for one night. Not saying these guys are guilty or not, but if they willingly defrauded the government, they need to pay. If what they did was a just gaming a loophole, then DoD needs to fix the loophole and move on.

Nicely played.... I hear you HOSS, and I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but the bottom line is sexual (gender) preference (and yes I understand the word sexuality and didn't mean the act itself) is the only thing that makes a homosexual a homosexual. I'm not trying to be condescending here, but by definition It means that you have (according to Webster) a 1. Sexual desire or behavior directed toward a person or persons of one's own sex (gender). The good Webster also defines sexuality as 1. sexual character, possession of the structural and functional traits of sex. 2. Recognition of or emphasis on sexual matters 3. involvement in sexual activity 4. an organisms preparedness for engaging in sexual activity. While I wasn't talking about the physical act of sex, I'm talking about celebrating a characteristic that is defined only by such sexual acts and desires. I'm pretty sure 99.69% of all living organisms engage in sexual activity whether it is asexual or with a partner. To focus on one group's pride with whom they prefer (sexually or emotionally...it is really irrelevant) is the double standard to which I am referring. Everyone has their own sexual preferences. I'll bet my next year's paycheck that there is a current commander out there who does enjoy S&M and probably has a basement full of toys. That is a valid point, but not the point I'm trying to make with a "Pride" month being inappropriate. No I don't think the Air Force is endorsing sexual acts, just like I don't think the number 69 or a rape song is endorsing sexual misconduct or rape. I understand diversity and overcoming bigotry. If pride month means being proud of your life choices, then it should include EVERYONE...including heterosexuals. But it doesn't and it is not the intent of DoD to celebrate it that way.... So, Charlie Pride gets two months.... :)

I hear you brother! I don't have a problem with gay pride month either...it is the double standard I have a problem with. On one hand we get our offices purged of Hooter's calendars, men's magazines, etc because they are materials of a sexual nature, yet we celebrate the sexuality of a small group of people. Either you let sexuality in the workplace or you don't. I'm sorry, I just don't think anyone's sexual preference should draw any extra attention in the workplace unless EVERYONE's sexual preference is celebrated in the workplace. I take pride in the fact that I love boobs...but for some reason, I'm not allowed to express that at work. Explain why pride month is ok, but my Hooters calendar girl of the month isn't? I know, I'll never get a real explanation that makes any sense. By the way, I think at least cultural awareness months can be observed by everyone. I'm not Asian, but I can enjoy some Asian culture and food and even a sudsy booth....what does a heterosexual get out of gay pride month? What does ANYONE get out of gay pride month? Ok, rant off. I know I won't win this battle...

Ok, no shit, when I saw the title to this thread I was thinking something along the lines of "Heritage" or "Air Force Pride" month...not sexual preference pride month. This is out of control. Please, Liquid, someone explain to me how the Air Force intends to rid the service of inappropriate sexual talk and behavior in the workplace when we now have an entire month celebrating someone's SEXual preference. I don't care if anyone is gay...I don't have to know it. They can do their jobs just fine without me knowing their sexual preference. If you're celebrating your sexuality at the workplace AND the Air Force or DoD is sanctioning it, then you are in fact endorsing inappropriate sexual talk and behavior at the workplace. There are no exceptions to those who prefer the homosexual lifestyle. 69 is not ok but 66 is? I'm sure 69 happens to be a sexual preference to a lot of people...but we don't have to express it at work an entire month out of the year. UFB!

What does that have to do with anything? It is just a number....

THIS! I'm all for the random visits. The problem with planned CSAF visits is that all the CCs pick their "best and brightest" whom they know won't say negative shit, to meet with the CSAF. He needs to be talking to the dudes on the fence, the lower performers (not necessarily dirtbags), or the average Joe, at work, dirty, greasy and tired with no CC or E-9 in tow with the intimidating eye fuck in the background to make Joe say the "right" things. Yes, that would be awesome.

I don't think the expectation is that GOs become drinking buddies with Capts, but when I first joined the Air Force there was this thing called mentorship (supposedly from GOs)...and well, we just don't have that anymore. Young Capts (future leaders) can certainly be shaped by GOs willing to have that occasional drink at the club. It used to work. That was my impression of the main jobs and lives of senior leaders (WG/CC and above). What I actually see are these senior leaders more involved than I would expect in relatively minor issues like (hate to bring it up) sock checks and mustaches. If you're ordering your GP/CCs to patrol the base DFACs looking for these violations, you're not focusing on the bigger institutional issues. MICROMANAGEMENT is what we like to call it. Quite honestly, SQ leadership should be fixing those "problems" if we have them, and the WG/CCs should trust that the issues are being squashed at the SQ level. Agree. Understandable. So let your junior leaders lead since they are in a better position to understand that Capt perspective...that is if they aren't too focused on their own progression. It appears to me (in my little corner of the AF) that commanders aren't being empowered to lead anymore. Gen Welsh brought it up at his All Call at Spang. The "mother may I mentality" I watched two of my last three SQ/CCs struggle through indecision because they weren't sure how the OG/CC or WG/CC would react to new ideas. It was more like "how can I keep my boss from firing me" rather than "how can I make my organization better." At least that was my impression. I've never seen more paperwork (LOAs, LOCs, LORs, etc) thrown at people for the smallest things, all to appease their boss. Yes, these had to deal with reflective belts and Friday retreats. LOCs and LOAs? Really? Yes men don't make good leaders. When you don't empower your people to make their own decisions and take their own actions, they'll wait for you to make it for them...and well, from what I see, they wait, and there is indecision because of it. Probably can be attributed to the risk aversion or "mother may I" mentality. Believe me, despite some of the name calling and accusations, your perspective is valued here. Hacker makes some excellent points, and I think he's spot on. I too hope you continue to engage on this forum and accept that risk. I think the payoff by understanding the young Capt's perspective will help you and other senior leaders realize the impact of some of these cancerous decisions (policies) being forced upon a "new generation" of leaders growing up in today's Air Force who are, as you mentioned from your response above, different than past warriors from the Gulf War I/ Cold War / Vietnam era.

It shows you how great things are! More than half the guys are staying in! We're good to go Boss!

I've seen so much of the opposite, I actually don't believe this happened....

There is no surprise here. These are the numbers we were expecting because of the late release...it was already part of our predictions (posted earlier in this thread). Our plan is to release next year's retention bonus late (even though it won't change) so we can expect the same numbers next year. Nothing to see here guys...we are on track!

This actually makes me happy knowing that we will not be spending $50,000+ on flat screen TVs this year, like we have for the past 10 years, that play those very same movies, TV programs, radios AT WORK. I'm a little upset, however, to hear senior leadership doesn't care if I get offended by these things...by the way, they play them at work, dental clinic, flight doc...etc. I'm sure morale would improve if we prohibited those kinds of things at work though. I don't want to hear ANYONE else's music unless it is the Air Force Song or something else patriotic! Lady GaGa offends me. Part of the answer is in your quoted paragraph below...we keep telling the "shoes" to stop sweating the little shit (socks) all the time...but for some reason that "little shit" becomes THE focus. You are spot on when you say "WE" have created a force that doesn't value service. When you put less emphasis and reward on the actual SERVICE itself (ie the MISSION, enhancing the ORGANIZATION) and reward self-serving actions such as "What can I do to make ME successful and to make ME stand out," you build a force who doesn't value service. I don't expect senior leaders to see it directly...everything looks good on paper by the time it gets to your level, but at the grassroots (WG and below) level, it is very apparent to those who choose not to ignore it. Hopefully this isn't a surprise to anyone... Plus: Shack to what HU&W said above! Good news is, yes, we are still the best at what we do....

Thanks ThreeHoler. While I actually laughed a little bit at that one....perfect example. A fighter pilot must be in command of that squadron....no way anyone in the MSG would tolerate that.

I disagree. I worked at MSG and Wing staff and: YES, there was drinking at work after hours; YES, there were people saying "that's what she said"; and NO, it did not lead to sexual assaults or harassment while I was there. Perhaps in your corner of the world, it is not allowed, but in other corners of the world it is allowed in the MSG and Wing Staff. Certain organizations have traditions, others don't. Why are we trying to end squadron bars when it has not been shown to increase DUIs any more than drinking downtown? I'm not a fighter pilot so I don't "get" the "cranium" and "container" thing, but I don't have to...that is not my work environment. They do "get it" and having "traditions" like that helps their morale, so be it. I'm pretty sure people aren't groping and raping women because of it. The people who have and will grope women are going to do it whether I say "69" or not. I'm sure in some COMM Sq somewhere in the world, there are jokes about Bytes and RAM and those guys think it is funny, while in my community we won't "get it." That is what we do, we try to have fun at work believe it or not. Studies have shown that productivity is directly tied to job satisfaction. When morale is high, productivity is high. Yes, I agree that degrading women (or men for that matter), discrimination, etc have no place ANYWHERE (not just work), but I just don't see how anything in that memo is offensive. I guess I have different standards of offensive material. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have "fun" at work if while flying an 8-hour oceanic crossing, all I had to talk about were AFIs, PME, and sock checks. Perhaps we can start to attribute CLASS A mishaps to the types of conversations we have in the cockpit...excuse me...flight deck...if we really want to drive the point home. Seriously, what is the ultimate goal here? Are we trying to create a workplace environment where everyone goes to work and just talks about work, PME, AFIs and rules and then goes home for the day never to discuss anything from outside of work that could potentially offend someone? Good luck with that. I don't think you'll find that ANYWHERE in the world...except maybe Chinese or N Korean work camps. Sexual harassment and assault are very distinct entities than from what we are talking about here. I don't see a cause and effect connection between the two. I'm sure that 96.9% (actual made-up statistic)posters on this board believe sexual assault and harassment are wrong and will never do it...yes, even with the Squadron Bar Photo of the day thread. I'm also sure that 99.6% of those who will commit some kind of sexual assault or harassment in the workplace will probably do it regardless of what is discussed at work.

Yes, MSG and MSG don't tolerate this! There are no sexual assault or sexual harassment issues in those groups. You bring up a great point...we should immediately stop using fighter pilots to train new recruits at basic training, since those issues are what put us in the spotlight in the first place. You fighter pilots can no longer be drill instructors....you're fucking fired! The MSG and MXG don't need to release MFRs because their E and Os dont tolerate it??? Are you fucking serious?!?! Yeah, they may not tolerate it, but it is apparent to me that maybe they should put out memos that say don't use sexual innuendos because this 'problem' is force wide...not just the small group of pilots. I think the CSAF realizes that too which is why he directed a force wide workplace clean up... By the way, I can't put pictures of this year's summer family vacation on my desk because someone is offended at my wife's bikini. Then stop fucking looking at my wife and stop going to the beach. I use pictures of my family at work to remind me that there is still some form of normalcy in my life. So she's wearing a bikini...that is normal to me. Focusing on one group of people because they have 'traditions' that can be visibly eliminated and reported as 'action taken' is not going to fix the problem. No...not as long as you still sell those magazines in the BX that have women in bikinis and sell 'sexuality.' Not as long as you play sexually explicit movies at base movie theaters, not as long as you play sexually suggestive programs on AFN TV and radio (by the way, I learned 'that's what she said' on a program I watch on AFN). It is difficult to take leadership seriously when they selectively target eliminating sexuality in one place, but promote sexuality (ie sexual preference) in another place. I think you know why we don't eliminate the magazines, TV programming, etc....because it would hurt morale. Morale of your people is what makes them more productive. The politicians who have never served a day in combat don't understand 'morale' in a war zone...nor do I expect them to. What helps MY morale in a potentially hostile, stressful situation like a combat zone are things like humor and jokes that lighten the situation. It may be a David Chappelle skit that makes jokes about race, it could be a movie like The Hangover that is sexually charged Vegas buffoonery. I'm not a fighter pilot, but I imagine those avenues of stress relief help relax at least one fighter pilot, and thus could potentiall make them better at their stressful job. I don't expect a REMF desk jockey in the MSG to understand that (not that their job is any less important...they just have a different type/level of stress). Just like I don't know what the snake eater SOF guy on the ground does to relieve his stress. I'm not expected to. Take away avenues of stress relief among your personnel, and you WILL see a drop in productivity....period. Does it make anyone a better pilot?? That kind of motivation is up to the individual. I would bet that in some cases it does. No one is suggesting that we pat Airman Yummy Britches on the ass every time we see her at work. There is a great distinction between sexual harassment/assault in the workplace and the use of 69 or that's what she said. Sure, 69 could be offensive, but so are a lot of other things that aren't getting attention. You will offend at least one person 100% of the time in any given situation. ** sorry for long winded response...

Remember guys, the new focus is on "grading" commanders on how well they stop sexual harassment in the workplace. Banning the use of these terms is scoring this guy extra credit points. 4 stars for this guy! As long as we continue to openly celebrate sexuality in this service as a distinguishing characteristic (ie homosexuality), I will continue to publically voice the fact that I love boobs, women, 69, everything else that goes with it...I want to celebrate my heterosexuality! This thread needs boobs.

I believe it...especially if we are back to doing "sock checks." The war is over gents... ...oh, and Ladies too. I don't want to be fired for discrimination...

I wouldn't even be the second dude... I do think it is funny how these Jihadist nuts bend their own rules when it suits them. Fornication outside of marriage is ok if you're in a Jihad. Is that why they declared Jihad 15 years ago?

Tunisian women waging sex jihad in Syria Even the jihadists know how to bring up morale! BTW, what is the status of the "bonus" with hot strippers in each cockpit? If the jihadists can do it, so can we! Hookers for all my friends!! (Disclaimer: I do not encourage the practice of human trafficking, but if hot college chicks are willing to put out for the war effort...I approve)

Airmen "won't hang around long?" Isn't that what the Air Force wants? We don't have a retention problem...you said so just 6 short months ago when we talked about more personnel cuts.. Retention is the highest it has been in 16 years. Airmen will hang around...don't worry Air Force.

Not at all. I took the bonus when I had the chance. I was lucky though...didn't get a 365.

The Air Force will release the "goal" as soon as all applications have been received, processed, and paid. What ever that number is...that was the Air Force goal! The reason it will be lower than last year? Because we are in the middle of a drawdown...these were the numbers we were looking for. We don't even need the guys who didn't take the bonus to stay...we're good! No, really...my magic formula and the numbers don't lie. (sarcasm) Staffer: "WE MADE IT BOSS! Look at the power point briefing I put together with the perfect borders, font, and color combinations. We met our goal, Boss...there is no pilot shortage!" Boss: "Great work Major! Now give me a list of those suckers who took the bonus so I can sign them up for some 365s we need filled"

Maybe we can use that extra money to increase that "retention bonus" we don't really need because everyone is eager to stay in for free! So, fighting another war with someone else footing the bill...this might actually be a brilliant idea in this era of defense budget cuts. We can take advantage of force modernization as we occupy Syria for a few years while the Saudi's fund it. We might even be able to talk OPEC into lowering the price of their oil as part of the "funding." This is win win win for everyone! Can I get any volunteers for deployments? I have a few 365s I need to fill for this OP. (partial sarcasm)

So, POTUS talks tough, draws red line...Syria crosses red line. POTUS talks even more tough; says the use of WMD is a national security threat; makes a CINC-type call saying we have to act; allies not on board; backs self into corner, world watching; POTUS then asks congress for "permission" for a strike (kind of un-CINC-like compared to other POTUS, but his prerogative) to either get them to share the burden or deny him "permission" thus getting him out of the pickle he finds himself in....congress says yes, and now POTUS is again front stage with the world watching. Two weeks after said "incident" we are still talking limited strikes to make a point? It is like your dog taking a dump on your carpet one day, and then two weeks later you walk in the house and kick the dog for shitting on your carpet two weeks ago. Can't wait to see how this plays out....(que Michael Jackson eating popcorn gif) For the record, I think even conducting limited strikes is a bad idea...I can't think of anything good that comes out of it. Iranians/N Koreans...take note.

Do you play World of Warcraft?!?