Pilot Shortage Deepens, USAF is SCREWED.

[LookieRookie]

38 minutes ago, Guardian said:

Just heard AFRC/CC is implementing a stop loss for the reserves for the rest of the year. Anyone heard this? I saw a signed letter. Don’t know if it’s a joke or not.

Wouldn't be surprised. Especially with the involuntary mobilizations dropping to UPT TRs.

[Duck]

Wouldn't be surprised. Especially with the involuntary mobilizations dropping to UPT TRs.

WTF? They are deploying Reserve UPT TRs now?

[BashiChuni]

oh my

[DirtyFlightSuit]

17 minutes ago, Duck said:

WTF? They are deploying Reserve UPT TRs now?

Pilot Production is an absolute #1 priority, and to effect this we must deploy all UPT TR's immediately to Al Udied or some other worthless staff job...  Because you know that's clearly related to pilot production.

 

[ClearedHot]

1 hour ago, Guardian said:

Just heard AFRC/CC is implementing a stop loss for the reserves for the rest of the year. Anyone heard this? I saw a signed letter. Don’t know if it’s a joke or not.

Search AFRC Stop Loss on this forum standard measure they do every year...

[ColoradoAviator]

Pilot Production is an absolute #1 priority, and to effect this we must deploy all UPT TR's immediately to Al Udied or some other worthless staff job...  Because you know that's clearly related to pilot production.
 

Last rumor I heard was that two reservists from the 70th FTS @ USAFA soaked up said deployments. Not UPT (TR) IPs. Have any UPT IPs from the 340th FTG been tagged with 179s?

[Trogdor]

Recent experience that validated my soon to be separation... 

One last short notice TDY for mother Air Force: Called preferred hotel and asked if they have availability at gov per diem rate for the short notice TDY, they don't but another very suitable option exists down the road.  Do I want to reserve said rooms on my GTC and then even it out between everyone's GTC once we check in?  I say no and think I will try and do the right thing according to mother Air Force.  I call the gov contract travel agent.......WHAT, I cant reserve the rooms without the GTC number, DOD ID number, birth date, phone number, address, and email of every person on my TDY? 

What I could accomplish in a literal three minutes the Air Force turned into a two hour plus ordeal...... 

All I'm saying, it's not just additional duties that are driving people to leave.  I would just reserve the rooms..... but you know, some GS-11 RA at the group will threaten the wrath of an irate O-6 down onto my O-5 and me for not following Air Force protocol for government mandated travel...... oh cant forget the threat of footing me with the bill on top of that.  

If the guard is anything like this...I may just say see ya for good....  

[hindsight2020]

26 minutes ago, Guardian said:

Just heard AFRC/CC is implementing a stop loss for the reserves for the rest of the year. Anyone heard this? I saw a signed letter. Don’t know if it’s a joke or not.

 

It's not a joke, and it's not new. We had it a year or two so back as well. AFRC calls it loss management. It's essentially a freeze from moving to IRR or retirement until 1 OCT 18. 4 April or earlier signed will be honored. Beyond that, sorry johnny, you wait til October.

It's a shell game. Yeah, it sucks for that guy trying to cut ties completely, but there's ways of min runnning the snot out of the rest of the year. Now, if they invol IA ya on top of that, yeah that's a cold dagger to the back; I'd prob be pulling some TR shenanigans too if that were the case. The trick is to have that IRR/retirement request in and approved before the IA drops; then you'll be alright, even if you have to wait until November to quit. People can still 1288 internally within the SELRES.

8 minutes ago, Duck said:

WTF? They are deploying Reserve UPT TRs now?

What do you mean "now"? It's been on since last Fall; we've already filled 2, and there's more to come I'm sure. I've been harping about it for the past 4 months on here. *snaps fingers* I keep telling y'all need to pay attention, shit's not blowjobs and unicorns anymore in the ARC. I'm in no way suggesting people stay in RegAF over it, but the Guard/Reserve party was OVER on 9/11/01 period dot. This is the culmination of more than a decade of ARC leadership top-cover erosion and regAF power grabs via the QOL concession we call "Total Force Enterprise", formerly Total Force Integration. Joint-basing initiatives, host wing functions dependence, proliferation of GSUs (geo-separated units) and classic associations (active associations are still considered a good deal...for the regAF member at least).

And now the no-shit, straight up NAVY RESERVE KOOL-AID, involuntary individual non-flying deployment of a billet that was sold to the member as a deployed-in-place-institutional in the first place. Unabated bait and switch. All for no other reason than 19th shielding their guys from it in order to fulfill the new bad idea of the year from the HAF:  the UPT production surge boondoggle. And hoo boy you guys should see the stuff they're doing to the syllabus. B-course IPs, lock your harness and stay on your Gs. All this of course, to distract from the retention blood bath they're not going to address in earnest, EVER.

It's all a trade, and precisely because 19th has more pull than 22nd. We all smile like we're friends, but all we are are competing fiefdoms, and that goes especially so for the architects of this blue falconry, the COCOMs. CENTCOM in particular.

 

7 minutes ago, DirtyFlightSuit said:

Pilot Production is an absolute #1 priority, and to effect this we must deploy all UPT TR's immediately to Al Udied or some other worthless staff job...  Because you know that's clearly related to pilot production.

 

Read above, just like I told @Duck, this is a robbing Peter to pay Paul dynamic. Of course they know the pilot production ruse is bullshit. You can't take what HAF edicts in official channels at face value, that's a checkers move. 

You guys are gonna absolutely love what's coming though. It's gonna be MAJCOM on MAJCOM crime, octagon style. Give you guys a hint. R_ _ _ _ _ A. And I fully welcome it; it's time to tell CENTCOM they're not special. They don't get to blow up the service just because they want to retain footprint while contractors rob the kitty blind. Meanwhile you spend another Xmas updating slides and meat gazing away from your kid and frau, just to incur requal expenses while a so-called production crisis is simultaneously ongoing mind you. And there's skydiving and a shopping mall outside "the wire" for the cherry on top. GTFOH with that rent-seeking nonsense. And they want to question my patriotism?¿! MF please. 

*mic drop*

 

2 minutes ago, ColoradoAviator said:

 

Last rumor I heard was that two reservists from the 70th FTS @ USAFA soaked up said deployments. Not UPT (TR) IPs. Have any UPT IPs from the 340th FTG been tagged with 179s?

 

It's not a rumor, and they are part of the same Group; that's not a distinction without difference either. For those who fell off the wagon early: These are Institutional Reserves tasked with COCOM BS rent-seek IA as TRs. It's the same pot brother. It affects us all the same. If you're asking that question because you still think this is a matter of if and not one of when for the UPT GSUs, you must not be part of the 340th, otherwise you wouldn't be making such a distinction. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on that one and assume you're not privy to what's going on. Now, let's reiterate: there's return fire coming. Suspense was this week, so sit back, grab a corn bag from the "heritage" room, and enjoy tonite's selection... they're about to dial up the drama to 11 at the MAJCOMs.

[ThreeHoler]

Recent experience that validated my soon to be separation... 
One last short notice TDY for mother Air Force: Called preferred hotel and asked if they have availability at gov per diem rate for the short notice TDY, they don't but another very suitable option exists down the road.  Do I want to reserve said rooms on my GTC and then even it out between everyone's GTC once we check in?  I say no and think I will try and do the right thing according to mother Air Force.  I call the gov contract travel agent.......WHAT, I cant reserve the rooms without the GTC number, DOD ID number, birth date, phone number, address, and email of every person on my TDY? 
What I could accomplish in a literal three minutes the Air Force turned into a two hour plus ordeal...... 
All I'm saying, it's not just additional duties that are driving people to leave.  I would just reserve the rooms..... but you know, some GS-11 RA at the group will threaten the wrath of an irate O-6 down onto my O-5 and me for not following Air Force protocol for government mandated travel...... oh cant forget the threat of footing me with the bill on top of that.  
If the guard is anything like this...I may just say see ya for good....  

Absolutely nothing wrong with reserving the whole block of rooms with your card. Each member of the crew just gives their card at check in time. It’s called being a ing AC...man the us and take care of your crew.

You can even pay for all travelers on one GTC if it comes down to it as an AC. There’s a finance form to claim airline tickets / hotels / expenses for a group in which you’re the “senior traveler.”

[Duck]

...

I am truthfully scared to death on the direction this train is headed, while the AF shovels more coal into the fire. I think when the time comes I’m bailing completely, I don’t think ANG/Reserves is worth it anymore. Which sucks because I actually still love military flying.

[Trogdor]

24 minutes ago, ThreeHoler said:

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with reserving the whole block of rooms with your card. Each member of the crew just gives their card at check in time. It’s called being a ing AC...man the us and take care of your crew.

You can even pay for all travelers on one GTC if it comes down to it as an AC. There’s a finance form to claim airline tickets / hotels / expenses for a group in which you’re the “senior traveler.”

 

That is what I ended up doing, after wasting some time, and I 100% agree... but in my little corner of the AF, just booking rooms without going through DTS or contacting the contract travel agents is one sure way to get yourself highlighted without letting your CC know what you are doing (non-AMC, so maybe we don't have the finer points figured out or the usual skids greased).  My CC was fine with it, but the power that is given to the group civ RA's is infuriating.  My main point is to highlight that the "official" process our group follows in order to honor the JTR makes life infinitely more difficult.   This process starts at the top, at the highest levels as far as I'm concerned.  Our group has had several emphasis item's and emails on using proper channels, using gov lodging, threats/instructions from the group Civ RA's to our CGO squad RA's, and general just making life difficult.  

I'm just upset the commonsense and easiest way will get you in trouble.  It just brings back memories of that stupid debit card thing they did back in 2012 or so.... The reg and process is built to the lowest common denominator of arm snuffy who goes TDY once every five years.  All of it in an effort to fight fraud/abuse for said lowest common denominator which makes the life of aircrew infinitely more difficult who has to deal with this on much more frequent basis. 

This might of been better for what's wrong with the AF, but thought it fit here as well. 

[Jaded]

2 hours ago, hindsight2020 said:

 

It's not a joke, and it's not new. We had it a year or two so back as well. AFRC calls it loss management. It's essentially a freeze from moving to IRR or retirement until 1 OCT 18. 4 April or earlier signed will be honored. Beyond that, sorry johnny, you wait til October.

Signed by whom? I have some skin in this fight, as my chain of command has been slow rolling my paperwork like nothing I've ever seen before.

[ThreeHoler]

Sucks to hear that Trogdor. At least on my little corner of the AF boondoggle we are actively working to reduce regulatory guidance smartly to let more people “do that pilot shit.” We will either be kings or crucified. Only time will tell.

[Guardian]

If the guard is anything like this...I may just say see ya for good....  

TFI Guard is like this.....

[Termy]

8 hours ago, Jaded said:

Signed by whom? I have some skin in this fight, as my chain of command has been slow rolling my paperwork like nothing I've ever seen before.

It is signed by MG Miller. 

 

 

[Bode]

Pilot Production is an absolute #1 priority, and to effect this we must deploy all UPT TR's immediately to Al Udied or some other worthless staff job...  Because you know that's clearly related to pilot production.
 

Is there any thing that states production is number 1? Not arguing but trying to find some justification for something.

[Gazmo]

I keep telling y'all need to pay attention, shit's not blowjobs and unicorns anymore in the ARC.

I don't know what you speak of. I've never been able to get my hands on a unicorn in the Guard.

[SocialD]

12 hours ago, Trogdor said:

 If the guard is anything like this...I may just say see ya for good....  

Stand alone Guard squadrons are your last bastion of hope.  We still have our issues, but nowhere near what AD/Reserves have.  I wouldn't even consider a Guard TFI squadron these days.    

11 hours ago, Duck said:

 I think when the time comes I’m bailing completely, I don’t think ANG/Reserves is worth it anymore. Which sucks because I actually still love military flying.

2020s comments above are why I keep telling all my AD bros to go to the Guard and NOT the Reserves.   Reserves are a totally different animal when compared to the Guard, and they seem to be AD lite.  I have yet to hear of any Guard guys being individually involuntarily mobilized for anything.  Im sure it's only a matter of time, but they're still not here for now.   Again, stand alone Guard squadrons are your best bet. 

[war007afa]

11 hours ago, Trogdor said:

My CC was fine with it, but the power that is given to the group civ RA's is infuriating.  My main point is to highlight that the "official" process our group follows in order to honor the JTR makes life infinitely more difficult.   This process starts at the top, at the highest levels as far as I'm concerned.  Our group has had several emphasis item's and emails on using proper channels, using gov lodging, threats/instructions from the group Civ RA's to our CGO squad RA's, and general just making life difficult.  

I'm just upset the commonsense and easiest way will get you in trouble.  It just brings back memories of that stupid debit card thing they did back in 2012 or so.... The reg and process is built to the lowest common denominator of arm snuffy who goes TDY once every five years.  All of it in an effort to fight fraud/abuse for said lowest common denominator which makes the life of aircrew infinitely more difficult who has to deal with this on much more frequent basis. 

This might of been better for what's wrong with the AF, but thought it fit here as well. 

Just wait until all of the additional duties and ancillary issues are "managed" by the hired civilians.  You think it's hard getting this shit done now?  Wait until someone who's paid by the hour starts working it.

[nunya]

5 hours ago, SocialD said:

I have yet to hear of any Guard guys being individually involuntarily mobilized for anything.  Im sure it's only a matter of time, but they're still not here for now.  

Don't get too comfy.  NGB has no problem throwing you under the bus to maintain "relevancy."  ANG guys teaching in-country C-130s today, A-29s or F-16s or C-208s tomorrow.

https://www.ang.af.mil/Media/Features/Article/863815/ang-air-advisors-building-afghanistan-air-force-one-flyer-at-a-time/

[DirtyFlightSuit]

8 hours ago, Bode said:

Is there any thing that states production is number 1? Not arguing but trying to find some justification for something.

19th AF/CC Stated that on multiple occasions during the stand down, as well as a few other references I can't remember.  But the context is with UPT instructors in general I don't see how any thing but pilot production/instruction can ever not being top priority so I am some what baffled by your question.  Especially given we are being asked to increase production from what 1200 to 1400 and what now 2000 a year?

[pawnman]

19 hours ago, hindsight2020 said:

Read above, just like I told @Duck, this is a robbing Peter to pay Paul dynamic. Of course they know the pilot production ruse is bullshit. You can't take what HAF edicts in official channels at face value, that's a checkers move. 

You guys are gonna absolutely love what's coming though. It's gonna be MAJCOM on MAJCOM crime, octagon style. Give you guys a hint. R_ _ _ _ _ A. And I fully welcome it; it's time to tell CENTCOM they're not special. They don't get to blow up the service just because they want to retain footprint while contractors rob the kitty blind. Meanwhile you spend another Xmas updating slides and meat gazing away from your kid and frau, just to incur requal expenses while a so-called production crisis is simultaneously ongoing mind you. And there's skydiving and a shopping mall outside "the wire" for the cherry on top. GTFOH with that rent-seeking nonsense. And they want to question my patriotism?¿! MF please. 

I'm curious why you think the reclamas are going to work any better now than they have for the past decade.

[SocialD]

On 3/29/2018 at 1:50 PM, nunya said:

Don't get too comfy.  NGB has no problem throwing you under the bus to maintain "relevancy."  ANG guys teaching in-country C-130s today, A-29s or F-16s or C-208s tomorrow.

https://www.ang.af.mil/Media/Features/Article/863815/ang-air-advisors-building-afghanistan-air-force-one-flyer-at-a-time/

My guess is those were all "volunteers," I still have yet to see an ANG pilot be involuntarily individually mobed.  The good will and volunteers will/are already drying up extremely fast.  We've been sent to multiple non-combat deployments (TSP) and have already lost guys who don't want to deploy to go fly CT...we'll lose more.  I've heard the same is happening in some of the tankers squadrons out there.  Having said that, I have no illusions that they're not feverishly trying to figure out the red tape to tap ANG guys for 365s!

At least they're trying to unfuck 12301d vs 12304b bullshit, so there's that...

Edited March 31, 2018 by SocialD

[Jaded]

On 3/28/2018 at 6:53 PM, Guardian said:

Just heard AFRC/CC is implementing a stop loss for the reserves for the rest of the year. Anyone heard this? I saw a signed letter. Don’t know if it’s a joke or not.

Update: just notified today that I'm stop lossed. Submitted for resignation last November. If anybody has any suggestions on how to fight this, I'd appreciate it. 

I'm a TR. 

[FUSEPLUG]

13 minutes ago, Jaded said:

Update: just notified today that I'm stop lossed. Submitted for resignation last November. If anybody has any suggestions on how to fight this, I'd appreciate it. 

I'm a TR. 

Whoa...