nunya

Depends. I'm doing it. Lots of others do, too. I don't plan to do it for years, but many do and even get an active retirement doing it. My opinion: If you can be happy driving a 10 year old truck, eating at home more than out, and not paying hundreds a month for gyms, HBO, and pedicures, then you'll be ok.

Gives maintenance time to work, technicians often work different schedules (i.e. 4x10) and take Monday or Friday off, etc. Varies by unit - not meant to be a broad brush statement.

Yes, there's local flying. Usually 1-4 locals/day. Maybe nothing on Monday or Friday, and maybe less if your tails are deployed or on trips. Either way, you'll need to fly a good bit to get all your currencies done. We have more beans than some (all?) other heavies. It's work to keep current and mission ready, especially if you're new (and therefore have more requirements) and non-airline. Only you know how much you can do without causing issues with your civ employer.

I don't have CAC access for a few days to check for you, but look on the portal for "books24x7". It's somewhere in that learning section of the portal. I think that database has it. Amazon has it for Kindle (or the app) for $38. I just passed my PMP last weekend without the actual PMBOK. However, I don't think the Syracuse/Skillsoft coursework would have been enough to pass. I googled and took every practice test I could find. I found those very helpful. I also recommend at least browsing an ITTO graphic/spreadsheet. Don't memorize it, but look for patterns where they exist. More than a few questions will be answered by that ITTO chart.

Same - left USAA when I got smart on fees.

I think you overestimate basic financial education and properly-placed values among Americans. Members of my own extended family spend $300 on a hockey jersey, yet have 0 savings or investments. Comes down to values, and values are hard to change in adulthood.

I can't give you much help, but I can tell you our EFBs are in a stand-alone network. They're not part of the base or .mil network at all. We have a short range wireless router in the flight planning room that we use to sync our docs via Goodreader. Works good lasts long time. Trying to get them onto the CAC-controlled network sounds like an enormous pain.

Mine's vanished, too. It was there a couple days ago, but it's gone now. Ironically my Travel W2s are there a week early.

They might figure it out whether you mention it or not. Just maybe.

Bravo... only problem is that Amex closed that loophole now by limiting cash back to the first $6K in groceries.

I've got Logbook Pro. Works good, lasts long time.

Assuming your goal is only 4 years to 20, I'd say the outlook is pretty good. Every H unit out there is asking for Js, but unless they already have a very solid plan to transition, it's not going to happen in 4 years. My opinion only: Look for units with newer Hs - namely H3s. Logically, they should be some of the last to switch. Obviously the political might of their reps outweighs logic.

https://www.e-publishing.af.mil/index.asp Search for HC-130. Read. (Especially the one marked HC-130JV3).

Good enough shot to pop 2 dudes threatening his boss. Works for me.

They just changed policy on permissive TDY at separation, too. Palace Chasers last FY got 20 days permissive. Now, no soup for you. So no, I'm not shocked that they screwed up. edit: And no, I don't mean the FY14 PC... just normal PC guys were approved Permissive because those with approval authority didn't know the rules. Now, they've fixed the glitch.

Shhhhh! Don't tell Delta! If they realize that, they won't hire any of us! Get your PPL.

I heard it was gonna be McDew.

They will be if AD starts to mobilize them to teach the Afghans and other such wastes of time.

Vanguard for investments. Personal Capital if you like to see all your investments in one place. I use Barclays for my emergency fund. I'm getting 0.9% (terrible, but 9x better than USAA savings was). Other banks have topped Barclays since I joined, but only by a little bit...not enough to switch yet. Search here. For checking, you can get some pretty great rates if you're willing to look and jump through some hoops. Look here. I still have USAA checking, but once I'm off AD, I'll look around for better deals.

Nope. I know two guys - one pilot and one FE that retired and joined the ARC. FE retired at 20+ and went Guard. Pilot retired via TERA and went reserves. When they work at the Guard/Reserve, they get their drill pay for that day. When they don't, they get their retired pay for that day. Just need a unit that will accept you.

Seems pretty clear. Call your local ESGR office. https://www.esgr.mil/USERRA/USERRA-Contact.aspx If the employer has half a brain, a simple call from the ESGR rep will fix anything before it gets big.

Haha. Either locked or epic by Monday. I vote epic. mar69, I tried to warn you after one of your other 3 posts.

Step 1. Graduate High School Step 2. Get into an Academy, college, OTS and/or ROTC Step 3. Finish top of your class so you earn a pilot slot Step 4. Pass API and IFS Step 5. Pass ground school Step 6. Don't puke your brains out pre-solo ... ... ... ... Step 69. Worry about F-35s, Hornets, and NSS scores Really man, don't post again about anything else until you are a few more steps down the road. Focus, my friend. It's a long road.

In Alabama? Or on base?

No way I can cover them all, but from this page: IFS: Introductory Flight Screening - flying a DA-20 at Pueblo for a few rides. GCS: Ground Control Station - the box you'll sit in HO: Holloman AFB, NM UDM: Unit Deployment Manager - responsible for getting deployers ready and out the door LRE: Launch and Recovery Element - the guys at the deployed location that land and takeoff the RPA FTU: Flying Training Unit - your schoolhouse to learn to fly your RPA MCE: Mission Control Element - the guys back in the US that fly the mission portion of the RPA flight That'll get you started.