mudhen69

While I was scouring the AFI to see if I could wear these nice, moisture wicking black socks with my PT uniform (you can't) I found this... 2.4. Running in formation is highly discouraged as a form of unit PT. Formations runs are used for esprit de corps but are not compatible with PT requirements to meet the goal of improving physical fitness and can have negative training effect on both the very fit and poor fit members. Not that I mind running in formation but I just found this interesting. It makes sense since I usually get a mild yet annoying case of shin splints and chafe the crap out of my legs since we run so darn slow. It also kind of shuts down the "we all want you to look the same since we are in formation" argument. I actually like formation runs..especially when we all get together at the end for a rousing rendition of the Air Force song. Alas, I will form up with a smile and then when I am done I ll hit the gym for a workout.

"After extensive internal review, Air Force officials released Sept. 17 their basing criteria that will be used to determine the future basing of joint strike fighters. The basing criteria were approved by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The basing criteria are airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and cost factors." https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123168380 I am glad it took an "exhaustive internal review" for the Air Force to figure out the criteria for basing the JSF. I am waiting to see where this ground breaking discovery ranks in the history of air power...jet engines, stealth, radar... I could have come up with that on a bar napkin after drinking a half a bottle of weed. Good work!

Who cares? If somebody wants to wear their Mess Dress then let them. I do agree, however, that flight suits should be worn only by those who FLY! How rediculious would it look if I showed up to the Ops Desk at step time wearing Fire Fighting pro gear. I mean I've wanted to be a Fireman when I was little but I'm not, so I don't wear a Fireman suit.

Check with Carmax. I bought an 6 year old 325i with only 35,000 miles for about half what a brand new one would cost. My advice to you is if you have no credit card debt, are maxing out TSP/IRA, making your mortgage payments at least 1.5 times the min and have an emergency fund then go ahead and get a nice car. Until then, get something that is practical. For a LT, I would recommend a pickup truck (1/2 ton or smaller) since you will probably be either moving a lot, buying furniture/appliances and/or fixing up a house since you probably can’t afford a really nice one. Just some suggestions that most of which were learned the hard way by yours truly.

Yeah your life sucks. I mean living at a FOB or COP in Afghanistan for 15 months is way better than having to "drive 45 min uphill bothways" and "having to hug your wife" every night. I sure hope that you dont have to endure this pain too long. How's the buffet at that new casino in Aliente by the way? Its probably way worse than MRE's or the gorment food that KBR feeds us. I hear ya brother but before you start "complaining" think about how way worse your life could be.

Lets do some math...For every 1000 people at the base, there is going to be 10 PT tests PER DAY per 1000! (2 per year, 200 work days per year). Rain/Shine/Hot/Cold...Good luck getting your 69 signatures requried to schedule a test...Have you tired to schedule (or cancel) a dental appointment lately. I had to get a MFR from my SQ/CC to get out of a dental appt to go fly because someone kid was sick. This empire is going to get out of control So to me they are going to need to have at least 4 contractors per base per 1000 Airmen. 1 Supervisor, 1 Male, 1 Female and 1 spare, opposite gender as supervisor so someone can go on leave. Lets pay them on avg 30k per year so now we are up to 120k per base...just to supervise PT tests. And those numbers are per 1000 Airmen per base, so Nellis watch out! Assuming that there are only 50% new hires with 50% being already in place it is going to cost the Air Force $4.5mil to implement this program to test the 300k or so Airmen. Whats the number for the Fraud/Waste/Abuse hotline? Good on big blue for taking PT seriously, but I can think of 69 better ways to spend 4.5mil dollars. (How about buy my house so when I PCS so I dont have to live in a trailer park when I get to my new base!)

I think the biggest thing that is being missed here is the fact that we now have to go take our PT test with some contractor at the HAWC. This shows a lack of trust the AF senior leadership has in thier officers and SNCO's. I am getting tired of the lack of trust that exists in the AF. Why do I have to explain to the A1C in Comm that I need a NIPR net accout? I'm a freaking officer and if I need a NIPR net account, then I need one. But that is the culutre that the AF is breeding. These PT tests will be monitored to a higher standard than our Form 8 checkrides. Where is the common sense in that? Can you imagine if every check ride had to be given by NAF or Command level Stan/Eval. Better yet, if you needed on twice a year. Sure there are no notice, SAV's and UCI's. Those only check a percentage..a small one for that matter. I would be in favor of a random sample, say 10% of those PT tests due each month have to be monitored by an outside agency. I think that this would get the point across and at the same time show our officers and Sr. NCO's that we are trusted to run something as simple as a PT program