Muscle2002

There are 2-3 folks slated for USNTPS

Basically, it boils down to "Complete", "Select" or nothing are the only things that show on your OSB at a promotion board, thus giving credit is not as important now as it used to be. At least, that was how it was explained during my own experience with gaining credit out of cycle.

Unknown. Are the flight controls different? Have there been considerable mods to the aircraft structure? Are the avionics completely new? I think the fact that Boeing thought the first flight merited high speed taxi tests (potentially looked at Mcg) and then a chase for the first flight indicates that the airplane is different enough.

They're typically not test pilots.

MyPers is clean wrt to ASG results. Any updates?

It's up on MyPers; PSDM 14-115

Since this thread is already derailed... Folks should sport the T-38 watch. Why? You keep company with one TPS "Commandant" whose distinctive accomplishments include only flying the T-38 post-UPT and being one of two non-graduate Commandants, the other being Buzz Aldrin. Seriously, Cap-10, it's a cool watch...hopefully, you alternate it with the F-15E Breitling.

How long after the agreement effective date did folks receive their payment this year?

That's true at least dating back to the 2000 YG.

Concur with the above. Paid ~2.3k for a TPS version in 2013. Also, why not go for the Chronospace? At ~4k directly from Breitling, you get an awesome mechanical watch.

Seriously? You spoke about how the pilot has horrible vis and doesn't know what the gunner is aiming at and then said that's like the E-model...are you drinking?

Would five years of seniority actually be worth more than the pension? Apples to apples, it does not seem likely. Assumptions: if you leave the AF at 15, you leave it completely and don't go to AFRC or ANG. Let's also assume, for the sake of argument, that the amount of time it takes to upgrade to airline Captain is the same for the guy who left the AF at 15 and the guy who stayed until retirement (I realize this is a big assumption). My back of the napkin math suggests that pre-tax pension for a person who lives another 30 years is approximately $1.5M. Will an airline pilot be able to pull in $1.5M in five years (not counting 401K and other company retirement contributions)? Unless I'm missing something, it seems unlikely. Now if you factor in someone who goes AFRC/ANG at year 15, then the calculus differs considerably. My point was not that seniority is not valuable...it is, but from a tangible compensation standpoint, I think the 15 year person, when faced with quitting the AF cold turkey for the airlines or sticking it out for five more years stands to benefit more by sticking it out. I have not delved into higher order equations to sort this out, but I did not posit the previous post based solely off a gut feeling either.

I think you're right about the 10 year point not being break-even. However, as has been pointed out before, many who accept the ARP do so not necessarily because they were staying to 20 anyway, but because non-UPT commitments took them to 14-16 TAFSCD. Unless you land a highly lucrative job (FO with a major does not count), then you're better off taking the bonus and hacking through the last 5 years of the AF grind to garner a pension.

You keep mentioning next FY. I honestly don't know everything in the NDAA, so what leads you to think they may increase the amount?

Motherfucker please. Not everything is binary. I agree the bonus, financially, is not the great enticement it once was, but if someone was already going to stay, then it is a great deal. I know there are lucrative opportunities out there, but if you already have an ADSC that takes you to 16-17 YIS, the data do not support the notion that one could leave then and make enough in 3-4 years to account for the difference of 3-4 years of O-5 pay and the military retirement. Nearly all folks in that situation would stay the extra 3-4 years to earn the retirement--might as well receive an extra $225K for doing what you were going to do already.

For once Butters is right. Lots of civilian test pilot (and non-test) jobs require (some highly desire) that you have an ATP. I cannot speak to which company is better than another, but it seems likely the flying is better.

It was pretty awesome...they can emulate all sorts of other aircraft FCS. They allowed us to see an alpha-command aircraft...after seeing that, I'm surprised the designers went with pitch-rate and G-command in the Viper during landing. It is much easier to land well when the airplane flies like a normal airplane.

A MiG-21...sweet. Although, I would be quite nervous flying in the back with an unqualified dude up front. The visibility is horrendous and those mirrors used to view the runway seem sketchy.

Actually, it's the MiG-15 and the trainer version at that. All pilots fly in the front with the safety pilot in the back to provide a safety backup. In almost all cases, the student does everything with the safety pilot instructing as required. In my class, we flew the following contracted aircraft: AN-2, MiG-15, CM-170, T-6 SNJ, HU-16, Extra 300, LJ-25 (Calspan Testbed), NF-16 VISTA, Grob 103, ASK-21, SGS 2-33. There was also a large number of military aircraft (USAF, USN, Canadian, Italian, Spanish and British) that we flew.

Cannot get out yet, but this makes the decision easier when the time comes: https://www.holloman.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123412964

Are they increasing the number of seats to make this happen?

I've had good luck with AMEX, but Citi will not grant SCRA benefits if you were on AD prior to opening an account with them.

Border Patrol agents must have called in a TIC.

This! Especially at a base like Eglin where the GS and Contract civilians have an inordinate amount of reserved parking spots.