HU&W

Recommend scroll bar ops check.

Interesting slideshow of North Korean military. Their uniforms appear to be nearly as good as ABU's for concealment and their fighters are almost as new as our KC-135's.

So let me get this straight. You think this medal, which is supposed to be awarded on a very limited and selective basis, for actions that would a approximate a DFC if the person was actually in the aircraft, should rank below the Air Medal (which we all know the criteria for) and the bronze star (deployed MSM). You do realize that the Aerial Achievement Medal, which is already routinely awarded for RPA operations already ranks directly below the Air Medal, right? Note: I did read that you don't want to add any additional medals, and I agree with that sentiment. I posted somewhere in this convoluted mash of 6 threads on the same topic that I think these outstanding combat actions from remote locations can be appropriately recognized within our existing medal structure. If, however, they insist on creating a 'special' medal for these kind of remote combat achievements, my opinion is that the placement is appropriate. It just needs to be awarded at least as selectively and rarely as a Distinguished Flying Cross. ETA: I agree with it being right below the Purple Heart, but above DMSM and especially MSM. It is a little strange since it's flight but not anywhere near the airplane, it's combat but dislocated from the combat zone, it's vanilla but at the same time chocolate...

I've heard great things first hand about GE's Junior Officer Leadership Program. If I were to get out now, it would be high on my list.

I tried a few months ago. They told me RWQ is almost nonexistent for FW guys right now.

No. There is a difference between getting something for doing something and getting something for being something. What you are talking about is the expectation that people have that they will get something, free healthcare, welfare, etc for just being an American citizen. Or worse, just being located in the United States. The 'entitlement generation' expects to get something for nothing. TA, as badly as it has been implemented and with all the previously discussed negative effects, is part of something called a total compensation package. Compensation is something you get in return for something you do. Our military compensation package includes numerous compensatory benefits above our arguably low base pay (especially for our junior enlisted). Some of those benefits are occasional use, and some are more valuable than others. This is no different than most decent jobs. Removing expected benefits from the total compensation package is indeed a pay cut and should be viewed as nothing else. It's disgusting that compensation to military for doing their JOB is politically optional when extending similar entitlements to people who do NOTHING but apply for them is mandatory.

One interesting note. Here's the actual guidance that was issued to the branches. I read it a little differently than what was implemented. Perhaps I'm reading this a little too literally. To me, new tuition assistance applicants would only be those not established in a TA supported degree plan. I understand why we chose to implement what we did, but it doesn't seem to meet the intent of the issued guidance.

If I had an OTS slot and was pending completion of my degree, I would let nothing stop me from completing it. Sure, it sucks. It sucks like when you're getting ready to reenlist and your bonus goes from $80K to zero. It sucks when you miss promotion by 1 point when you would have gotten it the year before or after. It sucks when you want a specific plane that doesn't show up in your drop. It sucks when you get RIF'd a few months after you volunteer for VSP and get turned down. It sucks when you deploy to a place with no internet numerous times and have to keep dropping your final masters class, and then get passed for major for not having a masters. Lots of things happen in the military that are out of our control, and they suck. That doesn't mean that when the bad stuff happens you just give up and stop progressing. You pick you self up, make a few small sacrifices now, and go to work. I certainly hope the 6-9 OTS selects who need a few more classes will figure it out. Or they won't.

Agreed. It's the actions that get you recommended and the writing that gets it awarded. For some, like the cited O4 above, the writing is the action.

Probably why he's got the peep sight flipped up. "Can't stand those guys. Make me put this stupid scope/sight thing on here and it never works right. I'm just going to use the iron sights."

Dude, you just got droned!

President to propose $2B diversion of funding from fuel producers to alternative energy research.

I know this is a Pepsi commercial, but with 10 million views in less than 72 hours, I'm sure the marketing folks at Chevrolet are pretty happy right now.

Sen Ted Cruz and Sen Dianne Feinstein argue over selective application of constitutional amendments.

How would the oil system know it is inverted in the absence of negative g flight?

David Wood's editorial on why the military has too generous of a pay and benefits package. He toned down the language a little by removing the word 'lavish' from the headline of an earlier copy of the article and editing out some references to military members living at a much higher standard than other welfare recipients. According to his bio, he's been writing on the US military since 1970 and has risked his life by taking rides on a B52 and a B1. I have very little regard for anti-military journalists who focus their writing on the military. There are numerous examples of bad statistics and false assumptions in his editorial. Here's an example of his shoddy writing.

"This man, a former Republican candidate from Oregon, now has to stand in line to get coffee made from snow." I'm confused. Was this video beamed back from the future? I know that this is the primary goal of the current administration, but I didn't think we were there yet.

In other news, I don't know if anyone out there still has AK74's after all the boating accidents, but Buds has 1080rd spam cans of Russian surplus 5.45x39 FMJ steel in stock for $230.

Perhaps you should start your new facebook page, or possibly blog if you really want to get promoted from heavy to fighter, with an autobiography. A few years ago, somebody in a similar situation to you found much success with his autobiography. I'll post it here for you to use as a template.

The F-35 was also designed with no internal gun in some cases for the same reason. Only the conventional A model has one. The B and C will both have to use a gun pod if BFM engagements are considered a risk.

No need, unless you're going to a plane where you can lose the centerline thrust restriction. After you get your wings, just go to sheppardair.com, study up, take the test, and get your license. Piece of cake and less than $200 total.

Depends. Do you plan to fly it into combat? A-29 Do you plan to fly from dirt runways? A-29 Do you prefer built-in guns over gun pods? A-29 Do you prefer a proven platform over a prototype design? A-29 Do you want something that's easy for T-6 FAIPs to transition to? AT-6 Are you a congressman who wants to funnel money to Beechcraft? AT-6 BL: The A-29 is a proven aircraft designed for light strike that you can do training in. The AT-6 is a developmental aircraft designed for training that you can do some light strike in. ETA: There's a 19 page thread on this topic.

I disagree completely. Even Army infantry sets you up with much more marketable skills than a high school grad or most liberal arts degrees. You just have to know how to use those skills. Pretty much all AF jobs set you up even better than that. GI bill exists for post service educational transition, and is an excellent benefit. I do hope, with TA going away, that more legitimate in residence masters opportunities are opened up for AD officers. I also see upcoming tremendous growth coming in AU OLMP masters. Edit: The easy fix, and what I expect to happen, is removing the 6yr CYS requirement for starting the AU masters.

RIP heroes. Prayers for the families.