Muscle2002

Did they actually fail out or did they SIE? I've heard of the latter, never the former in terms of being billed for the education/training.

On the flip side, however, the timeline to garner the desired experience the board often seeks coupled with a Master's is rather short as well. Younger guys would fit the above build better, but there is a higher likelihood they'll show up to their first test assignment having never been an IP (which is not the end of the world), but does require more sorties to get them upgraded. The latest group of soon-to-be IPs at TPS were for the most part not IPs in their previous assignments; while not bad, having some seasoning before flying with students would probably help.

Except the one or two AD guys that get to go there only stay for one tour.

There have been some reductions in non-test flying (flying done to maintain currency or for upgrades), but the DT&E budget is different from CAF FHPs. They already reduced the class size from 24 to 20 starting with 13A. This was done largely because the throughput in many ways exceeded capacity. However, with the current budget issues, I would not be surprised if this continues as opposed to going back to 24 like there was a rumor of after 2-3 classes. Regarding the change to the AFI: even though the old version stated the TAFCS was 10.25 years, the last 3-4 boards all had the same restriction as the current AFI (the AFI revision process just took a while to catch up to reflect this reality). There is no published success rate. I can tell you that in my class, about half of the pilots were over the TAFCS limit, but that changes from year to year based on upcoming DT programs and the types of pilots they desire. Furthermore, it's not uncommon to have to apply more than once to get in. It really depends on what you fly. I know of one guy who was an alternate one year, then the next was denied a waiver for TAFCS. I surmise it was largely due to having enough heavy pilots apply. Generally, being an alternate one year can be viewed as a stepping stone to getting in the next.

All good words. I'm sure even the ops guys right now would love to fly in Red Flag again given the current budget reality.

I'll second that...there were at least three briefs given by current astronauts in addition to the NASA administrator's.

Another connection between Waco, Oklahoma City and Boston...the sun rose and set on those days. Coincidence? You tell me.

Don't you think that the folks writing the requirements (not usually DT folks) and those with constituencies standing to make a lot of money (i.e. politicians) should bear the brunt of blame for acquisitions failures? Yes, there's more to AFMC than just test pilots, but DT does the best it can with the stuff it inherits.

Concur, with one caveat. Our biggest problem is that our society, in general, is gullible/ignorant enough to keep electing the same politicians. It reeks of the definition of insanity...keep doing the same thing with the expectation of a different outcome.

Probably nothing, but there may be recourse in a civil lawsuit.

Next, the ranks will be changed accordingly to Airperson Basic, Senior Airperson, etc.

That's good to know.

3 same...although that version, I believe, is an updated version of the song based on the Thud vs. the Sabre being referenced, but I may be wrong.

The anonymous pilot does seem to have an axe to grind. I wonder if he spoke to his leadership first about the issue or went straight to the media.

I was disappointed they didn't award points for each Christmas party planned, CFC directed, or volunteer hours.

Sounds good to me. I've never come close to failing the waist measurement, but being a competitive powerlifter, I've also never come close to getting the maximum points. It pisses me off to no end when I can and have outrun pencil necks who cannot even squat their own bodyweight yet I score lower due to having a 37" waist.

Ah yes, we should most certainly adjust our regulations to meet the fickle opinion of the ignorant masses. Fitness tests should, wait for it, test fitness. If they truly care about body composition, then purchase hydrostatic weighing or electrical impedance machines; even body fat calipers are more accurate.

USAFA does not prevent cadets or officers from applying to top schools; it was encouraged when I went through, but you're right in that funds are limited. Many schools will supplement the $9K or whatever it is based on the academic acumen of the student and the unique perspective he/she brings as a military member. You asserted that you won't find AMU on any of the academic vitae of the USMA faculty (although I found Troy University)...the same holds true for USAFA instructors/professors. They actually require that they hold a graduate degree in the same field for which they instruct. This requirement precludes receiving an underwater basket weaving degree from AMU/ERAU/TUI.

The same holds true for USAFA and USNA.

Agreed. Also, the academic rigor of UPT is more akin to ERAU or TUI distance learning than other graduate programs. If they approved UPT for degree accreditation, then similarly long FTU courses might also...ultimately, some shoe would whine about it not being fair.

It's not a horrible idea, however, I wonder how difficult it would be to attain accreditation.

A casual observation of the above shows it's not the iPhone with the limited perspicacity.

Damn it...and still no word of TIB being cancelled.

EBO...that's why TIB and the bands have not been cut during the sequester. EBO for USAF Band Ops.pdf