What's wrong with the Air Force?

[panchbarnes]

So I read Brig Gen Olds' memoir from a while back. Great book front to back, but the part that made a lasting impression to me was the advice from Gen Spaatz to then Maj Olds. This time-tested wisdom still holds true today. I get it, nobody is perfect, but it's about which category you strive to be. It is evident (to me at least) that what's wrong with the AF is the dedicated leaders are way outnumbered by the other categories of people. I sincerely hope Gen Welsh sees this and is successful in putting more "dedicated" people in the positions of leadership. Until then, expect to see more buffonery in the AF Times.

“Now, I know advice is cheap and often suspect, but here goes. You’ve had a good start and there’s a long road in front of you, but always remember this: Your most difficult problem will be the people. In the military, they mostly divide themselves into four major categories: There are the ‘me-firsters’, the ‘me-tooers’ the ‘deadwood,’ and the ‘dedicated.’ You are among the minority, the ‘dedicated.’ Stick with them, search them out, and work hard to be worthy of their company. You won’t be popular with a lot of your bosses who act dedicated but really aren’t, and that can make life difficult at times. Beware of the ‘deadwood.’ Most of them mean well and, in their own way, try hard, are loyal, and even useful. But too often they’ll botch things up and get you and your outfit in trouble.

Watch out for the ‘me-tooers.’ These guys will tell you whatever they think you want to hear. They borrow thoughts and ideas from others and present them to you as though they were their own. They are opportunists who look for every avenue to advance themselves, without sticking their own necks out. They ride someone’s coattails and try to make themselves indispensible to the boss. Believe me, they are not to be trusted. You don’t want yes-men around you. But you can’t always avoid them.

The worst and the most dangerous are the ‘me-firsters.’ Most of them are intelligent and totally ruthless. They use the service for their own gain and will not hesitate to stick a knife in your back at the slightest indication you might stand in their way. They seem arrogant, but don’t be fooled; they are really completely lacking in true self-confidence. Do you understand that?”

Edited March 8, 2014 by PanchBarnes

[FallingOsh]

That Wing Commander should be fired. Not kidding.

[Champ Kind]

Anyone know if the "strategic delay" had anything to do with the massive quantity of applicants for the various voluntary sep programs (to the tune of tens of thousands...)? That's what I'm hearing...

[Jaded]

Champ, being serious or cheeky?

[Fuzz]

Anyone know if the "strategic delay" had anything to do with the massive quantity of applicants for the various voluntary sep programs (to the tune of tens of thousands...)? That's what I'm hearing...

I've heard a rumor from a good source of the same thing, they said 50k+.

[Karl Hungus]

I've heard a rumor from a good source of the same thing, they said 50k+.

I wonder what number that got lowered to before it made it to Welsh, given that he had no clue how fucked up the FY14 Force Management process was until a week ago and all.

[MooseAg03]

I've heard a rumor from a good source of the same thing, they said 50k+.

Great, with 5 years UPT ADSC left, I have no hope if there are that many applicants.

[FBomb]

Anyone know if the "strategic delay" had anything to do with the massive quantity of applicants for the various voluntary sep programs (to the tune of tens of thousands...)? That's what I'm hearing...

I've heard its a combination of things:

1. Big blue realized that the FY restrictions imposed by congress on reducing the size of the force include all voluntary and involuntary measures, not simply the RIF board, and thus needed to spread actions across FY14 and FY15.

2. Only pilots were applying for VSP, virtually no non-rated line officers did.

3. The numbers of pilots were so overwhelming (i.e. far more applied than there were VSP slots) that AFPC had no criteria or rules established to decide who stays and who goes.

[Skitzo]

So if there are enough pilots volunteering to leave would they remove AFSCs from meeting the RIF or is it statutory requirement to RIF entire compcats together.

Maybe they need to offer a more enticing package to the non rated line officers. 2 x Sep Pay.

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[Warrior]

No offense to Popeye's employees, but how the ###### do they have anything to do with "Combat Airlift"? How does a civilian fast-food manager become the "Combat Airlifter of the Week"?

I get it...eating fried chicken is probably #15 on the list of priorities, thus beating out #18, flying the mission.

Edit to add: OK, yes she's technically an AAFES employee, but I'm staring right at the title of the award and can't seem to connect the two.

I think I went a little cross eyed trying to make the connection as well.

I guess when a c17/tanker/B1 guy is running the base, it is more important to recognize Popeyes management than the maintainers out fixing the planes or the crews who are deployed right now....it's Saturday and I'm just getting angry. F it. I'm out.

[Champ Kind]

"B-1" guy?

[ElLoco]

"B-1" guy?

Apparently he was a real asset to the crew..according to him...

[Skitzo]

Asset as in he didn't try to pull the cabin dump handlep because he thought it was the AR door?

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Edited March 8, 2014 by Skitzo

[ElLoco]

Asset as in he didn't try to pull the cabin dump handlep because he thought it was the AR door?

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Do tell

[Fuzz]

Apparently he was a real asset to the crew..according to him...

Can't find the video, but reminded me of M*A*S*H:

Frank Burns: I know I'm a real asset.

Hawkeye: You're only off by two letters.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Fuzz

[Warrior]

"B-1" guy?

"He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours in the KC-135, C-12, C-21, C-141, C-17, B-1, and C-130J."

Source:

https://www.littlerock.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=17011

[WeatherManC130]

[Bender]

"He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours in the KC-135, C-12, C-21, C-141, C-17, B-1, and C-130J."

Source:

https://www.littlerock.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=17011

His "more than 5,000 hours" produced 2 Air Medals and an Aerial Achievement Medal. Impressive.

Bendy

[StrokerAce]

He's the real deal:

"Rhatigan, who piloted bombing missions over Afghanistan, pointed to a framed photo on the wall showing several planes on a flightline in southwest Asia representing the Air Force’s three missions: RC-135 and E-8 intelligence planes (global vigilance or “see it and hear it”); C-21 and C-130 cargo planes and a KC-135 refueling plane (global reach) and a sleek B-1 bomber (global power)."

"He has flown them all, including the B-1 bomber, on missions in Afghanistan, where he dropped bombs on enemy convoys. He has also flown C-12, C-141 and C-17 cargo planes."

Source: The Arkansas Leader

"In 2007, Rhatigan was deployed to Manas Air Force Base in Kyrgyzstan.

'I was the commander of combat there,' he said."

Source: ArkansasOnline.com

Inspirational folks!

[StoleIt]

"He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 hours in the KC-135, C-12, C-21, C-141, C-17, B-1, and C-130J."

Source:

https://www.littlerock.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=17011

Holy crap that is a pretty awesome/diverse list of assignments (jets). Wish it still was that way...

Edited March 8, 2014 by StoleIt

[LookieRookie]

Holy crap that is a pretty awesome/diverse list of assignments (jets). Wish it still was that way...

I think someone mentioned earlier that he was just sand bagging in the B1. AKA other time.

[Skitzo]

No he would be taking a copilots place.

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[hindsight2020]

Yeah, one my greater disillusionments with my Air Force "career" is the engrained airframe stovepiping handed down upon you on drop night. It's like fucking AIDS, one bad night and you're fucked for life. I figure it would do a lot for people's retention if you could experience a lot more airframe mobility in one's career. I about got cured from flying for the military altogether after 4 years of BUFFoonery; that airplane/mission put me to sleep. If it wasn't for the trainer I'm flying now I'd probably would have quit. Once they baptize you with an AFSC and you want to fly something else people act like you're asking for a goddamn Constitutional Amendment. I hear the Navy is a little better in this regard, but have no concrete proof of it. Special flying programs would be cool too. Catching the 3 wire on a carrier would be a sweet entry on the ol logbook.

I know, it's not supposed to be Burger King. But 10 years of the same 3 day-old microwaved Whopper Jr. you didn't order would make anyone crazy though. LOL

Edited March 9, 2014 by hindsight2020

[Fatsalmon]

If you like the leadership at LRAFB, you will love this. Musta been a slow week in tactical airlifting.

https://www.littlerock.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123401734

Once a year, they give this "award" to AAFES. Otherwise, they just rotate it between squadrons. I've always been against it on the grounds that it should go to someone wearing the uniform as opposed to someone who supports it. This circus is absurd at KLRF....that this is who they picked this one time of year? WTF ever.

[Lawman]

Once a year, they give this "award" to AAFES. Otherwise, they just rotate it between squadrons. I've always been against it on the grounds that it should go to someone wearing the uniform as opposed to someone who supports it. This circus is absurd at KLRF....that this is who they picked this one time of year? WTF ever.

In all fairness it's not just you guys in Blue.

The Doner stand in Bad Windsheim has a whole wall of awards from every Brigade and Battalion commander going back 15 years..... But it is a really fuckin good Doner.