Track Selects and Assignment Nights

[Seriously]

10 hours ago, YoungnDumb said:

How are things going to be in the CAF when all these Viper dudes show up at the same time?  Will there be a shortage of cockpits/flight hours?  How does the CAF plan to deal with such a massive in flux of young wingman all at the same time?

A rare glimpse into the AFPC offices in San Antonio:

 

[SocialD]

16 hours ago, YoungnDumb said:

How are things going to be in the CAF when all these Viper dudes show up at the same time?  Will there be a shortage of cockpits/flight hours?  How does the CAF plan to deal with such a massive in flux of young wingman all at the same time?

They'll start farming more out to Guard squadrons and put the burden on us to get them experienced.  We already have one AD guy and I expect we'll see more in the near future.  Problem is, all our IPs, and flight leads are going to the airlines too.  Oh and I'm sure we'll get the mx guys, to help with sortie generation, any day now.  Check is in the mail...

Edited November 8, 2016 by SocialD

[mp5g]

9 hours ago, SocialD said:

They'll start farming more out to Guard squadrons and put the burden on us to get them experienced.  We already have one AD guy and I expect we'll see more in the near future.  Problem is, all our IPs, and flight leads are going to the airlines too.  Oh and I'm sure we'll get the mx guys, to help with sortie generation, any day now.  Check is in the mail...

Shack. Not to mention the 10 RAP counters that every TFI guy needs when the rest of the squadron makes due with 6-8 sorties a month. 

[ColoradoAviator]

On 11/7/2016 at 8:40 PM, Spaceballs said:

Anyone know what the last ENJPPT class dropped? I heard there were 16 F-16s dropped.

EN 17-01 was previously covered here:

https://www.flyingsquadron.com/forums/topic/4486-track-selects-and-assignment-nights/?do=findComment&comment=416551

EN 17-02 drops in a couple of weeks.

Side note: I could not have run my T-6 student flight without the outstanding efforts of a cadre of T-6 FAIPs -- God bless 'em all.  It's difficult to differentiate performance at at the Lieutenant level regardless of MWS/white jet.  Some people will get their dream follow-on and others with get the opposite.  Welcome to Big Blue.

 

[Uncle]

does anyone know how many extra weeks are added typically due to weather at Vance?  Also how long is it between drop night and the RNLTD to your first base?  I know these numbers will vary I am just trying to estimate how long I will be at Vance.

[YoungnDumb]

29 minutes ago, Uncle said:

does anyone know how many extra weeks are added typically due to weather at Vance?  Also how long is it between drop night and the RNLTD to your first base?  I know these numbers will vary I am just trying to estimate how long I will be at Vance.

It depends.  The weather at Vance is usually decent, and there hasn't been a class washed back in years so the odds are pretty good you'll graduate on time (roughly 54 weeks).  As for your report date, it all depends on what you drop.  It could be 3 weeks, it could be 9 months (buddy of mine was here almost a year awaiting his F-22 start date).  So it depends.

Edited November 15, 2016 by YoungnDumb
Words are tough

[11F]

It depends. Line of sight rate.

[WishfulPlinking]

CBM 17-10 Track 

8 T-38

2 Intl T-38

Rest T1, no helos

 

[BashiChuni]

On 11/15/2016 at 7:26 AM, Uncle said:

does anyone know how many extra weeks are added typically due to weather at Vance?  Also how long is it between drop night and the RNLTD to your first base?  I know these numbers will vary I am just trying to estimate how long I will be at Vance.

6-9 weeks typically

look forward to watching your progress!!!

[viperdriver1313]

Looks like I'm going to be out of the CAF (Viper) after my next assignment. Going to have to go to white jets to make room for all of these viper babies.

In addition..the CAF sends my buddy-only 2 years in the viper-to white jets to make room for newbies (while he was still an inexperienced 4-FL).

makes no sense...

[Sprkt69]

3 hours ago, viperdriver1313 said:

Looks like I'm going to be out of the CAF (Viper) after my next assignment. Going to have to go to white jets to make room for all of these viper babies.

In addition..the CAF sends my buddy-only 2 years in the viper-to white jets to make room for newbies (while he was still an inexperienced 4-FL).

makes no sense...

Sounds so 2007 and the shit show that era was

[SurelySerious]

Sounds so 2007 and the shit show that era was

And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed

[Ram]

It's easier to understand once you realize that A1 doesn't worry about combat capability. They have to produce "experienced" 11Fs that can fill their manning needs.

If that means guys get ripped out of the cockpit the minute they're technically "experienced," so be it. A1 has bills to pay.

So now you have a shortened B-course to increase RTU throughput, which means more dudes in MQT in CAF squadrons...which can be a burden to the CAF training programs. All this effort, then you gotta kick that young newly-minted 4FL out the door to go do something else and make room for the next round of LTs.

No worries here, everyone. As you can clearly see, all the slides have green stop light charts. Press!




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[GKinnear]

9 hours ago, Ram said:

No worries here, everyone. As you can clearly see, all the slides have green stop light charts. Press!


 

 

Office Space and this web-comic explain the AF more and more the older I get...

[viperdriver1313]

19 hours ago, Ram said:

I
So now you have a shortened B-course to increase RTU throughput, which means more dudes in MQT in CAF squadrons...which can be a burden to the CAF training programs. All this effort, then you gotta kick that young newly-minted 4FL out the door to go do something else and make room for the next round of LTs.
 

So is the B course really being shortened? That's a shame.

Last base I left had 1 IP assigned to the Sq that wasn't either the SQ/CC-DO-or Patch.  No way the CAF is going to be able to do MQT upgrades requiring the standard + SEAD + sh** that the B-course cuts out.  Not enough IP's for that....

[matmacwc]

Luke and Holloman are being cut, Tucson and Kelly thought it was a bad idea and didn't follow suit.   You will see a marked difference in the product.

[Sprkt69]

22 hours ago, Ram said:

It's easier to understand once you realize that A1 doesn't worry about combat capability. They have to produce "experienced" 11Fs that can fill their manning needs.

If that means guys get ripped out of the cockpit the minute they're technically "experienced," so be it. A1 has bills to pay.

So now you have a shortened B-course to increase RTU throughput, which means more dudes in MQT in CAF squadrons...which can be a burden to the CAF training programs. All this effort, then you gotta kick that young newly-minted 4FL out the door to go do something else and make room for the next round of LTs.

No worries here, everyone. As you can clearly see, all the slides have green stop light charts. Press!




Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

It's truly sad when you see a squadron send out 8 different single ships of wingmen because there are no flight leads available to lead or IPs to instruct. Risk accepted by the CAF right?

[Ram]

Hey folks, don't confuse my sarcastic and pessimistic posts for the voice of a dude who's going to give up and watch the house burn down around him.

(Although it's probably easy to think that way...which is why I'm writing again.)

 

Take my posts and combine them with the knowledge that I took the bonus and plan to stay until 20+ to try my best to keep my little corner of the USAF as lethal and relevant as I can.  I still think that we're the best airpower organization the world has ever seen, and I still think we can beat any challenger.  I'm just concerned about the margins, which I see as shrinking by the second.

 

We are a volunteer service.  That means that, while you're still wearing that uniform, you have no choice but to go out and do your 100% to keep the organization successful and ensure YOUR personal corner of the USAF is lethal and relevant.  You are bound by that duty, and it's the expectation of ALL of our citizens (crazy SJWs, red-hat wearing Trump fanatics, and everyone in between) that you're out there every day EARNING the right to hear "thank you for your service."

 

The CAF is in for a hard decade...and I think it's already started.  I won't question the decision of anyone who decides to stay or anyone who decides to leave...it's their choice.  But those of you who decide to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and the rest of us CAF bros:  We're going to have to work.  

Hard.

1.  Every single training sortie needs to be maximized.

2.  No slack for those who don't show their commitment in their daily effort.

3.  Every teachable moment has to be caught, and those lessons need to be TALKED ABOUT in the squadron.  

4.  Guys with leaves and eagles on their shoulders need to screen the BS from those with bars.  Young LTs and Capts need time in the vault/sim/jet as much as possible.

 

Take the resources we are given, find a way forward, and work hard to produce the very best you can with those resources.  That's our job.  We need to keep voicing our complaints to "the Bobs" around the USAF so they know not everything is rainbows, unicorns, and sprinkles...but that's secondary to our #1 concern:  KILL AND SURVIVE.

 

Bitching on the internet, like all other forms of sport-bitching, is not only fun, it's your God-given right as servicemember.  Throwing your hands in the air and yelling that the sky is falling -- if you're not giving 100%+ and working your ass off to be lethal -- is the biggest SNAP-bullshit act you could possibly commit.

 

Those newly joining, about to join, or aspiring to join the CAF:  Get ready to work.  You're not the reason for this problem, but we don't have time for any bullshit.  

 

Be prepared.

Edited November 20, 2016 by Ram

[tk1313]

2 minutes ago, Ram said:

Hey folks, don't confuse my sarcastic and pessimistic posts for the voice of a dude who's going to give up and watch the house burn down around him.

(Although it's probably easy to think that way...which is why I'm writing again.)

 

Take my posts and combine them with the knowledge that I took the bonus and plan to stay until 20+ to try my best to keep my little corner of the USAF as lethal and relevant as I can.  I still think that we're the best airpower organization the world has ever seen, and I still think we can beat any challenger.  I'm just concerned about the margins, which I see as shrinking by the second.

 

We are a volunteer service.  That means that, while you're still wearing that uniform, you have no choice but to go out and do your 100% to keep the organization successful and ensure YOUR personal corner of the USAF is lethal and relevant.  You are bound by that duty, and it's the expectation of ALL of our citizens (crazy SJWs, red-hat wearing Trump fanatics, and everyone in between) that you're out there every day EARNING the right to hear "thank you for your service."

 

The CAF is in for a hard decade...and I think it's already started.  I won't question the decision of anyone who decides to stay or anyone who decides to leave...it's their choice.  But those of you who decide to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and the rest of us CAF bros:  We're going to have to work.  Hard.

1.  Every single training sortie needs to be maximized.

2.  No slack for those who don't show their commitment in their daily effort.

3.  Every teachable moment has to be caught, and those lessons need to be TALKED ABOUT in the squadron.  

4.  Guys with leaves and eagles on their shoulders need to screen the BS from those with bars.  Young LTs and Capts need time in the vault/sim/jet as much as possible.

 

Take the resources we are given, find a way forward, and work hard to produce the very best you can with those resources.  That's our job.  We need to keep voicing our complaints to "the Bobs" around the USAF so they know not everything is rainbows, unicorns, and sprinkles...but that's secondary to our #1 concern:  KILL AND SURVIVE.

 

Bitching on the internet, like all other forms of sport-bitching, is not only fun, it's your God-given right as servicemember.  Throwing your hands in the air and yelling that the sky is falling -- if you're not giving 100%+ and working your ass off to be lethal -- is the biggest SNAP-bullshit act you could possibly commit.

 

Those newly joining, about to join, or aspiring to join the CAF:  Get ready to work.  You're not the reason for this problem, but we don't have time for any bullshit.  Be prepared.

I hope my IP has this mindset. I just want to work my ass off so I can kill as many bad guys as possible when the need arises.

[Ram]

2 minutes ago, tk1313 said:

I hope my IP has this mindset. I just want to work my ass off so I can kill as many bad guys as possible when the need arises.

The good ones will, because -- like me -- they will also be fvcking awesome.

[Seriously]

You guys done circle jerking yet?

[Ram]

1 hour ago, Seriously said:

You guys done circle jerking yet?

[Jaded]

Ram, 

Something that I think the reserves does very well is take the long view on things - they'll gladly sacrifice training opportunities for quality of life sometimes because they know they have to keep guys around for 10+ years. Your philosophy:

Quote

 

1.  Every single training sortie needs to be maximized.

2.  No slack for those who don't show their commitment in their daily effort.

3.  Every teachable moment has to be caught, and those lessons need to be TALKED ABOUT in the squadron. 

It sounds great and probably maximizes the short term combat capability of a squadron. However, These types of priorities drive people out of the service completely and created the situation we're in today. The unintended consequences of your list read like this:

1. No cross countries, low levels, or taking students up to 50,000 feet. All gas must be used for maximum training. 

2. Commitment is measured by metrics like time spent at the squadron, at squadron events, and early PME/masters completion. No slack will be given to those who "self select" themselves as non competitive. 

3. Debrief until crew rest for the next day to catch all of the lessons. Friday pilot meetings begin at the end of the last debrief and last until every person has had a chance to tell us everything they possibly can. 

I know you didn't necessarily mean any of what I wrote, but I would suggest that you are not the first soon-to-be DO with that sort of philosophy, and look where that's got us.

The paradigm needs to shift from crushing people for short term goals to creating a sustainable method to maintain a healthy fighter force. I do not think your path is the way.

Edited November 20, 2016 by Jaded

[Ram]

9 hours ago, Jaded said:

Ram, 

Something that I think the reserves does very well is take the long view on things - they'll gladly sacrifice training opportunities for quality of life sometimes because they know they have to keep guys around for 10+ years. Your philosophy:

It sounds great and probably maximizes the short term combat capability of a squadron. However, These types of priorities drive people out of the service completely and created the situation we're in today. The unintended consequences of your list read like this:

1. No cross countries, low levels, or taking students up to 50,000 feet. All gas must be used for maximum training. 

2. Commitment is measured by metrics like time spent at the squadron, at squadron events, and early PME/masters completion. No slack will be given to those who "self select" themselves as non competitive. 

3. Debrief until crew rest for the next day to catch all of the lessons. Friday pilot meetings begin at the end of the last debrief and last until every person has had a chance to tell us everything they possibly can. 

I know you didn't necessarily mean any of what I wrote, but I would suggest that you are not the first soon-to-be DO with that sort of philosophy, and look where that's got us.

The paradigm needs to shift from crushing people for short term goals to creating a sustainable method to maintain a healthy fighter force. I do not think your path is the way.

There's a boring, effortless, and family-taxing way of maximizing training given the resources we have.  There are also ways to keep the CAF FHP exciting, well-organized, and inclusive of innovative training opportunities without putting undue cost on the lives of the bros in the SQ.  

It's up to the SQ leadership to find a way to keep the training maximized while not exhausting the bros.  The F-16 is a fantastic weapon system, but it is useless without an outstanding aviator sitting in that ACES-II.  Call it the human weapon system, if you will.

You gotta realize who I'm writing to in this thread...the thread about assignment night drops.  Lots of young LTs and Capts here...moreso than the other threads.  Too much negativity and doom/gloom, and they don't know how to temper it with experience.  Know your audience.

So yeah, I totally understand where you're coming from, and I know that your post is not a spear at me.  That said, I don't understand where you got your 3 points from what I said, and I'll discuss why I disagree one by one.

1.  I never said no XC, LOWAT, or 50k space rides.  Everyone has instrument beans, LOWAT, and red-air sorties they need to accomplish.  XC can be done.  Obviously we're not talking about a squadron $100,000 hamburger party once a month, but there are good deals that can be found.  I've seen it done several different ways, and here are a few:  Airshow static displays, out-and-backs to other bases to verify their ability to catch/service/turn jets for contingencies, training done on the way to a TDY at an outbase for some dissimilar A/A.  LOWAT is a no-brainer.  And anyone who's ever been fragged for the HFF while flying red-air doesn't have a hair on their ass if they're not going to 45k+ and seeing how fast they can go (within ops limits).  It can be done.  Seeing yourself on the schedule for an instrument ride or red-air doesn't mean you just sigh and accept that it's going to be a boring sortie.  FLs and IPs leading those rides need to be pushing their formations to ensure they're getting learning out of the sortie, instead of just being radar reflectors.  Wingmen need to demand the same out of their FL and IPs.

2.  In all my talk about putting KILLING AND SURVIVING as the #1 priority (and I also said that the FGOs need to screen the BS from the dudes with bars on their shoulders), I don't know how in the hell you plucked "masters/PME/bullshit events/etc" from my words.  I know you're a smart man, but this was a hiccup in your reading comprehension.  Effort put toward KILLING AND SURVIVING needs to be recognized.  FGOs around the squadron are the ones who need to demonstrate this balance to the younger pups.  Getting promoted can be important, but I'm sure my wife and kids would rather have me hit a merge as a Major and live to RTB than die as a Lt Col.  All of us need to realize that our own personal lethality and survivability is gained via a finite amount of man-hours and effort.  Spend it carefully.  Show others how they need to spend theirs.

3.  Not every day needs to feel like an episode of 24.  No one can live like that long-term.  Friday night pilot meetings before a roll call can be great if they're led well.  We don't need to have everyone give a 36' recap of their weeks' sorties to the peanut gallery.  What we NEED are regular pilot meetings with lessons learned.  What we NEED are bros on upgrade rides writing down their DFPs and associated fvck-ups/attaboys so others can learn from THEIR experience.  MQT/FLUG/IPUG aren't just for the upgradee...EVERYONE needs to be able to learn from the spent resources.  I've seen it done really well with a book of lessons learned kept in the vault.  Good patches know what I'm talking about.

 

Finally, don't speak too soon about me becoming a DO.  I'm neither an HPO or a Patch, and CAF DO jobs go to those dudes so they can get ready to be CAF SQ/CCs.  Maybe there are bros out there like me, but they think that being some attached FGO somewhere means that they can't affect anything in the CAF.  WRONG.  The young guys will listen.  Your voice might not be as loud or as frequent as the DO or the CC, but you need to be there speaking all the same.

1.  Don't be invisible.  Be in the vault as much as you can.  Just because you're not scheduled to teach academics doesn't mean you can't be there to answer questions, grab some pens, and impart some knowledge.

2.  Your AFSC says PILOT, not Wing (INSERT ATTACHED JOB HERE).  Take that for what it's worth.

3.  Don't suck in the jet.  It's harder when you're attached, but if you need extra sim time or study opportunities, you need to take care of you.  The young guys won't listen if you're not credible.  That's entirely within your control.

[Jaded]

Ram, 

I've been to that commander's call before. I understand the message you are trying to send to the young guys. Rather than just throwing more spears while we continue to talk past each other, let me just suggest an alternative message that OGs and commanders should be telling their guys:

"You guys are our biggest asset. Preserving the future human capital of the air force is our highest priority. Maximize your time with your family - the USAF will get its fair share of your time. We are here to remove obstacles that make your home or work life more difficult than it needs to be."

You'll have the tactical pilots you express a desire for because you will actually have IPs with more than 10 years of service. The USAF won't need to shorten b courses or send 2 year FLs to IFF. The unintended consequences of this "tactical proficiency first!" strategy is a CF in this whole DFP.  

Your lack of "pedigree" (lol) is why I have some faith that you can tread a different path. Don't fall into the same trap that your predecessors have fallen into.