AF needs fighter pilots....

[Devildoc]

...if they will take an almost-50 near-sighted former Sailor, I'm in....

Air Force faces shortage of drone and jet pilots - CNNPolitics.com

 

[AWP]

Per a "disseminate to all" email from our commander, pretty much every officer aviation field in the USAF is very undermanned. To add to the burden, the AF wants to double the number of UAV squadrons in the next few years. Some airframes are doing 6 months on/ 6 off rotations to various parts of the globe and others are 6 months on/ 12 months off; both still have their one-off deployments, schools, etc. to handle in the "off" period.

Some are whining about it, some are keeping it into perspective, but it drags everyone down at some point, even the latter group. The common refrain from just about everyone is "no end in sight." Sure, SOF has a much higher tempo, but they are specially selected and trained with high levels of motivation. The rank and file "warriors" are anything but and it shows...even if their "deployments" are to places like Al Udeid or other comfy bases.

 

[DA SWO]

Per a "disseminate to all" email from our commander, pretty much every officer aviation field in the USAF is very undermanned. To add to the burden, the AF wants to double the number of UAV squadrons in the next few years. Some airframes are doing 6 months on/ 6 off rotations to various parts of the globe and others are 6 months on/ 12 months off; both still have their one-off deployments, schools, etc. to handle in the "off" period.

Some are whining about it, some are keeping it into perspective, but it drags everyone down at some point, even the latter group. The common refrain from just about everyone is "no end in sight." Sure, SOF has a much higher tempo, but they are specially selected and trained with high levels of motivation. The rank and file "warriors" are anything but and it shows...even if their "deployments" are to places like Al Udeid or other comfy bases.

Add all the SHARP shit and other required training, and you run out of time to train.
AF Leadership has also jumped the shark, becoming mini-dictatorships at the O-6 (I refuse to call them Colonels) level and higher.
This weak managership will soon infest the rest of DoD, trust me.

 

[Gunz]

Here's where they should do as @Freefalling suggested in another thread...take a lesson from the IDF and hire handicapped former military or even civilians to fly drones.

 

[AWP]

AF Leadership has also jumped the shark, becoming mini-dictatorships at the O-6 (I refuse to call them Colonels) level and higher.

I think I mentioned the inability of a squadron CC to institute a "no hat, no salute" in his SCIF-like mini compound here on base. Today he was able to return the sign....because the base wide community standards were updated.

I totally agree with your views on O-6's.

 

[Red Flag 1]

Add all the SHARP shit and other required training, and you run out of time to train.
AF Leadership has also jumped the shark, becoming mini-dictatorships at the O-6 (I refuse to call them Colonels) level and higher.
This weak managership will soon infest the rest of DoD, trust me.

I came into the USAF near the start of the Management-v-Leadership skills shifting to the Managers. In the days of LeMay, the mission of the USAF was to, "Fly and Fight; and don't you ever forget that". I don't know if the Cold War, or political push, that infected the Military to seek thinkers over doers. When I left, it was clear that Managers, and Management skills on OER's decided officer retention and advancement.

 

[DA SWO]

I came into the USAF near the start of the Management-v-Leadership skills shifting to the Managers. In the days of LeMay, the mission of the USAF was to, "Fly and Fight; and don't you ever forget that". I don't know if the Cold War, or political push, that infected the Military to seek thinkers over doers. When I left, it was clear that Managers, and Management skills on OER's decided officer retention and advancement.

Clinton era saw the warriors booted out and managers take over.
Getting a slot into Covey's Class on base meant you were a mover and shaker (I will admit he has some good ideas though).
Current regeime is worse as far as ensuring warrior are muzzled, heaven forbid you insult our nation's enemies.