What's wrong with the Air Force?

[BFM this]

I read the new "RPA talking points" the other day and all I saw was 30 "traditional" pilots being extended 1 year. I'm assuming that meant extend from return to manned flying, but I'll try and get them to post tomorrow. It was the cliff notes of "we have a problem"... "its big"... "here's what we're doing in the short term to fix this, but its not a long term solution"... words words words, sounds right, words words, but we don't believe it, word words, stop the paper before we have to talk about what we won't sacrifice (F-35, all desired future war capabilities... let's stop loss instead)

There were several initiatives outlined in those "RPA talking points" that had me scratching my head. If you noticed, it also said they were exploring the idea of UPT direct… Again.

Learning is hard.

[Karl Hungus]

Learning is hard.

Leading is hard. Hence, we have managers.

[Sim]

I'm actually dreading checking my email tomorrow morning. ###### my life.

ing eh! I just got out of that shit-hole. While leaving, they promised that they will recall dudes that left if something comes up. Is there any more info?

[guineapigfury]

Fucking eh! I just got out of that shit-hole. While leaving, they promised that they will recall dudes that left if something comes up. Is there any more info?

Nothing yet. I think if i'm going to get stop-lossed, then I deserve the courtesy of there being a declared war.

[Bender]

Nothing yet. I think if i'm going to get stop-lossed, then I deserve the courtesy of there being a declared war.

That's cute; maybe if things worked they way they should. The "must move" suck is in full effect, I believe stop loss is not here, yet.

We're forced into sending our good guys to RPAs, but they "spare" the "stratified" guys/gals for the other assignments. Who's going to fix this? We've sent top people, well AFPC has, but we spared our leaders at all opportunity.

Who's going to fix this? Me? I volunteered to go to this shit at a point in my career where this should be fun (mostly). [i'm a major now, believe that shit?] I'll take it on, but as a DO or SQ/CC, you aren't doing anything beyond mitigation here with the authority I've seen to date. Whose is going to fix this? If I try, will I just end up fired?

I've seen #1/150 go to RPAs without a notice or a complaint...

I've seen a guy get "protected" because we happened to send him to the wing...

I've seen us take a "as #1/731" and give them a bomber...

#1/731...young captain too...if that person shouldn't lead our UAV core, who should? Me?

I'll do my best. The deck is stack against us...by us.

Weird,

Bendy

Edited May 28, 2015 by Bender

[scoobs]

Are the guys who signed up for this happier than the guys coming from manned cockpits?

[lloyd christmas]

Are the guys who signed up for this happier than the guys coming from manned cockpits?

Quiet Scoobs.

[12xu2a3x3]

it also said they were exploring the idea of UPT direct… Again.

ing awesome. my timing is impeciable

[guineapigfury]

Are the guys who signed up for this happier than the guys coming from manned cockpits?

Slightly, but I suspect most of that is a function of not knowing what they're missing. Based on my conversations with the dudes at my last squadron, I expect most of the 18X Lt's to separate at the end of their 6 years. The prior enlisted and late-rate dudes are a different animal, but they're significantly closer to 20.

[scoobs]

If the AF made it more family friendly by increasing Qol and decreasing hours would people stay?

[sky_king]

https://militaryadvantage.military.com/2015/05/dual-service-couples-could-see-housing-allowances-slashed/

Are you a mil-to-mil couple? You could be losing half of your BAH. No, it's not Obama stealing your cash, it's McCain's idea. As a mil-to-civ guy who gets jealous of two married captains raking in the cash, I think this is a ridiculous idea.

It's like the congressmen were sitting around the table saying, "How can we reduce retention even more? Hmmm, how about cutting the salary of much of our force by upwards of $15k a year?"

[guineapigfury]

If the AF made it more family friendly by increasing Qol and decreasing hours would people stay?

You'd see some improvement in retention, but not much I think. The plan right now is to double output here at Holloman. We're about to cannibalize ops squadrons for dozens of their instructors to increase FTU manning. So ops manning will take a nasty hit the next year, and it's going to be the experienced dudes and dudettes squadrons can least afford to lose, especially en masse. So in the medium term, you'll have ops squadrons flooded with Lt's and not enough IPs to teach them MQT. It is going to be a very rough 2017 for dudes flying the line. To compound the problem, the current bottom of the barrel for 18Xers is terrifying. We had several dudes at my last squadron who I wouldn't trust to tie their own shoes. When we double the number of 18Xers, we're going to see the average quality go down. In the long term, perhaps increased manning will alleviate some issues, but I think we're 4 years out on that, best case. Either way, I don't plan on sticking around to find out. Bottom line: there's a hole in the bucket and the planned repair is to pour twice as much water in.

[dvlax40]

You'd see some improvement in retention, but not much I think. The plan right now is to double output here at Holloman. We're about to cannibalize ops squadrons for dozens of their instructors to increase FTU manning. So ops manning will take a nasty hit the next year, and it's going to be the experienced dudes and dudettes squadrons can least afford to lose, especially en masse. So in the medium term, you'll have ops squadrons flooded with Lt's and not enough IPs to teach them MQT. It is going to be a very rough 2017 for dudes flying the line. To compound the problem, the current bottom of the barrel for 18Xers is terrifying. We had several dudes at my last squadron who I wouldn't trust to tie their own shoes. When we double the number of 18Xers, we're going to see the average quality go down. In the long term, perhaps increased manning will alleviate some issues, but I think we're 4 years out on that, best case. Either way, I don't plan on sticking around to find out. Bottom line: there's a hole in the bucket and the planned repair is to pour twice as much water in.

if the quality is such shit on some of these pilots its about time they revisit the warrant officer solution

[Slander]

I think this is simple...Put the GCS at places people want to go and you'll get more volunteers. It's be said over and over again, but if you put those bad johnnies at MacDill, Eglin, Luke, McChord, Charleston, Hickham, Hanscom, Patrick, <insert sweet Navy coastal base here>, etc then I bet you'll see more people interested than if it's "wait, so I don't get to fly airplanes anymore AND you're sending me to Cannon? Sweet. I'm out."

[dvlax40]

I think this is simple...Put the GCS at places people want to go and you'll get more volunteers. It's be said over and over again, but if you put those bad johnnies at MacDill, Eglin, Luke, McChord, Charleston, Hickham, Hanscom, Patrick, <insert sweet Navy coastal base here>, etc then I bet you'll see more people interested than if it's "wait, so I don't get to fly airplanes anymore AND you're sending me to Cannon? Sweet. I'm out."

Lol Luke a sweet base? ;)

[Day Man]

Lol Luke a sweet base? ;)

Google "ASU coeds"

[Chaff]

To compound the problem, the current bottom of the barrel for 18Xers is terrifying.

You can say the same for bottom of the barrel AMC guys that are flying RPAs too. Every flying community has people who don't belong flying.

Any push for numbers is likely to decrease quality. Ask UPT instructors. They are being forced to push guys through that would have washed out not too long ago.

[guineapigfury]

You can say the same for bottom of the barrel AMC guys that are flying RPAs too. Every flying community has people who don't belong flying.

Any push for numbers is likely to decrease quality. Ask UPT instructors. They are being forced to push guys through that would have washed out not too long ago.

I know, but this is worse since in most cases we are starting with a lower baseline of talent(18s) and motivation(11s) than you see in UPT. Add to that we've been in push mode for years and we are about to go to double push mode.

[BFM this]

My grandad used to say "the world needs ditch-diggers too".

In this case, the world needs seat-meat for transit and ISR orbit management, too. MCC's know who they need to pay attention to more than others.

[FUEL]

My grandad used to say "the world needs ditch-diggers too".

In this case, the world needs seat-meat for transit and ISR orbit management, too. MCC's know who they need to pay attention to more than others.

Not getting too much into mission specifics, but with new AORs our squadron often doesn't have the manning to limit certain pilots to NSTR orbits/particular supported units and transit. It also isn't a way to develop said "talent," when there is limited time for training. Don't get me wrong, we do our best to put good pilots in the game when we know its playoff time... but the playoffs are becoming more and more random.

[BONE WSO]

The AF needs to open up more ANG units to fill these caps and make it easier for guys to transition into these roles. I think this is the perfect job for a part-time traditional guardsman.

I separated at 10+ years and have a lot of experience working a pod and dropping bombs in combat in the B-1 and I would love to do this in the Guard. I was interested in a position at Ellington Field but you had to be a fully-qualified pilot or current RPA guy. I was willing to go through the 18X training but that wasn't an option. The AF is losing a lot of valuable experience when guys separate that they could keep on board in the ANG.

[dvlax40]

Google "ASU coeds"

True. I guess compared to the other options it was the only one non costal so I was confused.

[HeloDude]

True. I guess compared to the other options it was the only one non costal so I was confused.

Not everyone wants to live on the coast...

[Azimuth]

True. I guess compared to the other options it was the only one non costal so I was confused.

Hollomon as well.

[12xu2a3x3]

My grandad used to say "the world needs ditch-diggers too".

grandad?

edit for better picture

Edited May 30, 2015 by 12xu2a3x3