Dogs-N-Guns

This is called the Kessler syndrome. Some already think we are there and just waiting for the trigger event to start the cascade. I don't know if current satellites can change there orbits enough to make a difference, and if they could, the expended fuel would severely shorten their lifespan. Once the cascade starts, I don't think there will be enough time to react. Getting a launch vehicle through the LEO trash cloud would be difficult (maybe impossible) after the cascade. Atmospheric drag would eventually clean things up, but that would take a very long time. There is a lot of research into how to de-orbit space trash without making things worse.

This was meant to inform. I had retirement orders before my promotion results were released. I did not bitch or complain, I looked at the system in place and decided it was time to retire. I was not aware of the O-6 assignment process until after my O-5 board, never bothered to read that part of the AFI since I never thought it would apply to me. I didn't threaten retirement if I didn't get the assignment I wanted. That seems disingenuous and if you need to play that card, maybe it's time to retire. I had no illusions of GO, I was bound for staff O-6 life (never an exec, never a commander, 3 flying deployments, no CAOC, and no short tour). Talked to all the staff O-6s around me, honestly they all seemed miserable and waiting for 3 yrs TIG to retire. None could give me a reason to stay beyond pension or the prestige of joining the “kiddie DV pool”. Most struggled to give an example of any positive impact or change they could make and were surprised how little influence they had beyond being a cheerleader for decision that was pushed on to them. This was a bleak outlook since I was hoping for more job satisfaction or sense of accomplishment, or baring all that more work/life balance. Based on my line number, it would be another 4.5-5 years to retire as an O-6. In the end I decided to not withdraw my retirement. Through all of this, there was zero communication from my chain of command or the Colonels group about my retirement or if I would consider continuing to serve. I did more to try to talk myself into staying than anyone else did, and I failed. All that said, if it wasn't for the rapid retirement for 7-day opt, I might have stayed to see the results of the gameplan, weighed my options and decided. Retirement process is fairly long and can be stressful even with 12-15 months, cramming that into less than 4 months seemed punitive. You seem understandably salty because I walked away from something you were actively pursuing.

It seems I did not get the VRRAD email because of my line number for O-6. After I retire in 2 weeks I assume I could come back as an O-5 minus my line number. There is zero effort at retention. They only want the bored and the desperate to comeback so they can be abused with crap assignments without repercussions. Rumor is 5% of my O-6 year group had retirement orders prior to the results and they lose even more from the O-6 gameplan involuntary PCS. This may not seem like a lot, but that is 15-50 fewer Colonels in an already undermanned AF. I'm sure the restructuring with a new MAJCOM and three more 3-star commands will help alleviate the staff shortage. If you think you have no control over your career, the O-6 assignment process and the Colonels group ramps that up to 11. PCS every 2 years with a 2-year ADSC. If you have a 90-day ADSC past assignment notification as a Col(S), you cannot 7-day opt out. If you 7-day opt an assignment mandatory retirement in 90-120 days. Once you accept a PCS as a Col(S), they only way off the train is to submit for retirement 1-year into your assignment before the next gameplan. Don't want to gamble your pension on a command tour, opting out requires deputy MAJCOM approval.

I missed flying. Starting flying paramotors 4 years ago. Love it. Low and slow.Virtually no rules, FAR 103 is less than 2 pages.

My math was 1 day commute there, 1 day commute home for each 7 day trip, two trips per month for a total of 4 days commuting. This is what I assumed as a FNG FO regional as the bad side of normal. I would assume it gets much better after 1-2 years. This was my conclusion after anecdotal conversations with my friends that went the airline route and reading multiple forums posts. There is only 1 legacy domicile within 2 hours of where I live, with no guarantees I would get that, so I assumed commuting (don't want to move), which really affected my decision. YMMV.

True, but I haven't flown anything with more that 40 hp in 10 years so a I assumed a regional tour would be required. Since the wife doesn't want to move (I don't really want to either), commuting is required. Assuming 14 days in two 7 day blocks plus 4 days for round trip commuting puts me at 18 days. Not really that much better than the normal 20 day (5x4) 9 to 5. When I did the math, it would take 3 years before I reach my current salary in the airlines with a break even point around 5 years. I started pretty high up the food chain in my current position, so I probably only cost of living raises and performance bonuses. In the long run, the pilot route would make more, assuming you get to a legacy and upgrade. I don't want to have to work past 50, so the long term potential earning didn't really factor in my decision. Still too early to tell if I like my new job, but so far no complaints. Realizing this got a little off topic...

Former 11X. Completed my ATP as part of pre-deployment training in another aircraft. Departed the fix during sequestration when they had too many pilots. Completed an AF funded STEM PhD. Current engineering job is roughly double new FO pay, no commuting, no bidding, home every night. Airline pay would probably catch up in 3-5 years, but my plan is to be fully retired by then and RVing around the country. I fly ultralights to scratch the flying itch.

'03 guy, had my board in Apr 23. Got my line number in July. Already had retirement orders and was not convinced to pull them. Regardless, I estimated 18 month pin-on wait, plus 3 year TIG to retire. Looking at 5 more years, likely geo-bachelor, for extra pension money I really didn't need. None of the full birds I talked to had a reason to stay in beyond more pension and it was easier than looking for a civilian job. My command didn't even talk to me about my decision let alone try to convince me to stay. Zero retention effort, if this is a common occurrence the military is in serious trouble. I'm about to get my first double paycheck on terminal leave.

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/wright-patterson-fired/

If you do not adhere to the Blackstone ratio as stated by Benjamin Franklin, I question your belief in the innocent until proven guilty jurisprudence.

Regardless of where you stand, Roe v Wade was poorly written with little constitutional support. It should have been returned to the states long ago. Even LA Time admitted it was legally shaky. https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-05-03/how-roe-vs-wade-went-wrong-broad-new-right-to-abortion-rested-on-a-shaky-legal-foundation The GOP neutered their own red wave. They spent millions on a R vs R senate race in Alaska to make sure RINO Murkowski was reelected and avoid another America First senator. That funding may have flipped AZ or MI senate seats, but the GOP would rather have uniparty dems than another anti-establishment conservative. Spending has to be controlled unless you are ready for hyper inflation. If we have to break the system to fix it, no time to start like the present. I am one of those dangerous MAGA republicans.

I retire in 5 months. Will there be a stop-loss before then or should I just plan on being recalled before the end of 2024?

It will take 5 -10 years to reach SCOTUS. A right delayed is a right denied. The process is the punishment.