RC-135 (Rivet Joint) Q&A

[Tank]

Yes, but none of it is for the internet.

343d sells zaps and the heritage patch. You can get other 343d patches at the Tiger Shop.

Since you posted in June that got a "last minute AF screw job" by getting assigned to the 343d, I'm going to assume you're new. Word of advice.....don't wear morale/TDY patches until you've actually been TDY and/or know what they mean. $.02

What are these moral/TDY patches you speak of? The Air Force shoe labotomy has completely made me forget already what these look like...

Edited September 3, 2011 by Tank

[Guest coydog5340]

Anyone know the current deployment rate for the RJ's? How about the wait at the 338th to start the copilot course?

[xaarman]

It's about one 3 month deployment a year, not including good deal trips/TDYs.

[Danny Noonin]

As an RC-135 pilot, are your shots at getting an intel/analyst gig in D.C. after retiring from the AF any better because of the sort of flying that was involved?

Absolutely. Auto-pilot flying is quite similar to intel analysis. It's an easy transition.

[afthunderchief16]

About the only thing you would retire with is a clearance that is still valid just like everyone else that retires from the AF.

[droptime]

Would anyone be able to talk to the current and forecast deployment rates, the good and bad of the RC as well as Omaha, and general info on the lifestyle for a guy with a family?

[afthunderchief16]

Would anyone be able to talk to the current and forecast deployment rates, the good and bad of the RC as well as Omaha, and general info on the lifestyle for a guy with a family?

Depends on the specific RC type and then further depends on crew position. You can expect at least one 3 month to the desert a year and then typically another 2-3 monther to a different part of the globe with plenty of TDY opportunities sprinkled in between.

Let me know if you want more specifics.

As for the Omaha portion, it's really not that bad of a place to be. Very family friendly. WX is tolerable but limited as far as outdoor activities if that's your thing. Home prices are pretty affordable but taxes are outrageous ($4500ish/year on a $200k house). Definitely worse places to be!

[JarheadBoom]

If $4500/yr is outrageous taxes to you, don't ever come to WRI. NJ property/school taxes are far worse than that; I know someone paying over $13k/yr on a modest home, on less than an acre of ground, in a not-"exclusive" town...

[xaarman]

If $4500/yr is outrageous taxes to you, don't ever come to WRI. NJ property/school taxes are far worse than that; I know someone paying over $13k/yr on a modest home, on less than an acre of ground, in a not-"exclusive" town...

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this specific RC-135 thread, Mr. One-Upper.

[17D_guy]

Would anyone be able to talk to the current and forecast deployment rates, the good and bad of the RC as well as Omaha, and general info on the lifestyle for a guy with a family?

Out here currently and wife is in the RJ. First year operational she was out 90, back 90, out 90, with other "reward" TDYs in between. That was 2011-2012 time frame. I don't know if it's the same now, she's clocked her first consecutive year at home last year. Come to find out they made all the (young, impressionable) Lts sign a waiver on dwell time.

I'm not going to speak specifically ill of the Sq's over there, but I know it's been a struggle for many of our friends for many different reasons. That said, I've met some really good dudes/chicks who wear bags.

The area is very nice. There's many things to do, almost year round. Winter, as expected, is tough to find things outside. There's good shows (Opera, Symphony, Plays, Hard Rock, and Rap over the river) for not too much. There's also a Casino across the river where you can get busted for fronting counterfeit chips (https://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140220/NEWS/140229924).

I'm from back West so I miss the mountains, but otherwise it's not too bad. PM me for any other questions about the area. We house-hunted for a couple of years, but couldn't find anything acceptable so I know some of the places pretty well.

[Tank]

I'm from the Omaha area and just moved from Omaha where I was in the NE ANG, don't know much about the AD life in the RJ but ask if any questions on Omaha and/or surrounding areas.

[VTguy]

I'm on my first deployment with the RJ (on the non-rated aircrew side).

What I can tell from the guys in our front end squadrons (pilots, navs, ravens)...married folks seem to really like the RJ more than others. Deployments are relatively short and predictable. And Omaha is a great town for a family.

Younger guys without families seem to prefer the other RC-135 variants. Less predictable, and you get to do some pretty fun TDYs.

[ERAU16]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to revive this awesome thread and ask a couple of questions if anyone is around. I'm currently in UCT, through a good chunk of the advanced side now, and starting to figure out my dream sheet. RCs are without a doubt up there on my list. My big question that hasn't been discussed in this thread yet is what are the differences in maybe quality of life, deployment schedules, and crew dynamics for an EWO vs. Nav on the jet? Just trying to see where I would be the best fit. Could someone also provide an update to the typical deployment/TDY rotations going on right now? Thank you!

[flyingbimmer]

I was a nav in the RC-135 for 6 years, and I don't think there was really a difference in QOL or deployment rotations between nav/EWO, or if there was then it was better for the navs because we never complained about it! Honestly the two jobs are very different so you should base your decision on which part of UCT you liked best: the instruments and navigation or the beeps and squeaks. Also, you need to consider how much you like Star Trek, and if you're willing to talk to the 2 other EWOs about it for 12 hours at a time.