Learjetter

Well, Larry, as you probably know, the individual doesn't get a vote on the RRF. It's done like a PRF, and the senior rater (Wg/CC, usually) gets to mark DR, R, or DNR as he/she sees fit. There exists the possibility that a SQ/CC or OG/CC in the chain could recommend to the SR a certain rating, but he'd likely have to back that up with a face to face conversation with the Wing King. So if you asked your CC to get you a DNR rating on your RRF, you're guaranteed to highlight yourself as someone who wants to be paid to get out, and right freaking now, thank you. Some CCs will see that as "quitting." Better CCs will see that as "frustrated," and will try to alleviate some of that frustration. Other CCs will do what they can to ensure the "best guys" (as they define it) stay on active duty and the chaff gets, uh, dispensed. I would say your chances of "repercussions" if you ask for a DNR are about the same as when you applied for VSP. Same tone/tenor, just a slightly different song. If you ask to get out (via VSP or DNR on RRF), you will be seen by the majority of CCs as not wanting to continue service. That label has baggage: local awards, school slot apps, command board apps, "high vis" desirable assignments within the wing, ADP pushes to "cool/good" jobs on next PCS, etc. are normally meted out to they folks who can do them (1st) and need them (2nd) to improve that person's resume as they move up the big blue corporate ladder. CCs won't usually "waste" an opporunity like that on a guy who's stated intention is to get out at the earliest opportunity. There are exceptions, some commanders that'll do the opposite of what I wrote here, but I think the majority of CCs will not give apparent "good deals" in any way, shape, or form to a guy who has stated empatically, that he wants out. That's just one POV...

That would be awesome on a sq t-shirt.

Fuckin' A "2!"

You mean "since 1991"...

Found a local guy (IA) very familiar with the kind of airplane I'm looking at. I appreciate your words and PMs, all. Will post a photo of my aircraft once I fly it home...

I'm thinking twin because I'm flying precious pink bodies, may also do some part 135 work, and, while my chances of an engine failure double, my chances of a forced landing off airport decrease to almost zero. As for turbo, much of my anticipated/desired mission occurs at high DA airports. It's absolutely more expensive, no doubt.

**REVIVAL** I've made the decision to get an airplane. May have lost my AF Medical (but not FAA), and methinks it would be quite fun to fly myself and family around. As for what I'm looking at: IFR turbo twin. So---for those of you who've done this before--what is the process you used to buy your airplane? Escrow service or write-a-check? How did you obtain training in the aircraft you bought? If you were to write a "how to buy an airplane" checklist, what would you put on it? Did you have to travel to inspect it? What insurance company did you select? How did you pay for the airplane (loan? home mortgage?) How did you select a mechanic? Did you buy cheap and upgrade avoinics yourself, or spend more to get avoinics already installed? This won't be cheap, but it will be fun, I think. My kids don't like the idea as much as I do, since I'm spending their college funds, but that's what the GI Bill is for...Looking forward to hearing your aircraft acquisition stories.

TMO are real people too...my suggestion: go tell them the Reader's Digest version of your story (you're anticipating orders next week, need to set a pack date of 13-14 Jun and a pick up date of 15-16 June, you'll bring orders in the same day you get 'em...can they please set the appointments up?) If they balk, bring out a letter from the CO that says the same thing, if they balk at that, have the CO call or visit... Sometimes, just going in and explaining the situation and asking them to help you in the manner you describe works. Good luck.

If your cadre "knows they messed up" and will do everything to help, I would think the CoC and the PAS should write letters for you, describing their actions and how their actions contributed mightily to the disenrollement. Without those letters, you likely haven't a chance.

Recommend the following: make final "pre activation" med appts and scripts (90 days supply of meds/supplies) before you get activated using employers insurance. Once activated, enroll in Tricare prime, and stay on prime until you're released back to ANG and civ employer. The key is to be sure you have a 90 day supply of meds/supplies just before you activate--give you time to navigate Tricare and get established o. Mail order pharmacy, etc. Good luck!

That's some DAMN good camo, right there.

If you've seen terminal leave approvals greater than 20-30 days recently, good on that unit. Our last four E and O retirements we saw all took less than 30 and sold the rest. Not by choice.

Take the leave: there's no benefit to keeping 75 on the books anyway. If you're an "O", you can sell back leave once in your career. If you're planning on separating or retiring, it's not likely your command will permit 75+ days of terminal ( at least I haven't seen anything like that in recent years). So, take the leave or sell it back, and keep your balance in the 45-60 range, plan on 30 days terminal, and be stress free about leave balances. Technique only.

I actually prefer bowhunting, but with modern tech: Parker Hornet, 100 gr muzzys. Hunt whitetail in IL, muleys in MT, and CO elk everytime I'm not deployed in the fall. Hunt gobblers in the spring...again if not TDY. To stay on topic: I always carry a .38 Charter Arms revolver on said hunts...just in case.

Yes, they did. I volunteered, twice--maybe it takes three times before they believe you....or, they won't take me because to volunteer is crazy, and they don't want crazy in the container...

If that was jan 02, on a random sw heading about 50 nm or so W of Gardez, and the bone was tapping burner every 7-10 secs...we were in the block 13000-15000 MSL. ISYN.

Shit hot.

My guess to fix the apparent math problem is: accessions.

Disco...WTF are you doing adding page hit counts to TIB's facebook, twitter, and "official" sites? Just let TIB die and move along...move along...

UTSF. AFI 48-123 is the USAF medical reg. Get it at www.e-publishing.com.

Opinions noted. $5 says if we were at a range and we demonstrated what we are each talking about, and trying to teach, we'd be closer to full agreement than we can be here, without posting videos or typing for hours. I don't disagree with your last paragraph at all, and those skills are indeed important. Ultimately, without seeing each others techniques, it's probably a stretch to say you're wrong...so I'll just say I'm happy with what we're doing. /break break Anyone here watching the history channel's TOP SHOT competition? It's fun to watch!

Awesome "community organizing" right there. Damn shame it has to be done.

Our going in assumption in training is that we are surprised by the intruder(s). So only one of us gets a weapon during any one training session. The vocal warning has three purposes: 1) startle the intruder into departing the killzone post haste (desired outcome), 2) permit the shooter the knowledge that the intruder was warned before being shot, and 3) is as much a "war cry" as a warning--dispel enough stress to shoot straight and stop shaking, etc., in what will (hopefully) be a short, violent, stressful situation. In our scenarios, there's usually not much time between warning and trigger press. "stopped" or "down" or "neutralized"...all the same to me=no longer a threat. So, be Billy-Badass all you want, harp on my vocabulary if you choose, and insinuate your technique is better than anyone elses if you desire. I'm trying realistic scenario-based training designed to get my shooters focused on survival in very close quarters--the longest possible shot in my living room is less than 20 feet. I believe a close hold shot is the best way to keep hold of the gun and put lead on target at close range. YMMV, and I hope to God we never, ever have to put these techniques to the test.

One of my buddies shooting combatives has me teaching my wife/kids to shoot with a "close hold" on the pistols. Theory goes like this...we want to extend our arms to create distance between us and the scary thing (intruder & gun)...but law of levers sez bad guy can take away or slap down pistol if it's held at arms length, especially from a weaker grip. So we're learning to shoot with pistol held very close to the body, and shooting only as a last resort after one loud vocal warning, and not stopping until half the mag is gone or threat is down. God willing, we'll never have to use these skills.. Technique only...

Way true on the first statement. But, I bet it was worth every minute and every penny on the second, even if it didn't work out.