We are getting abused in the tanker world and it's not getting any better (both operations and maintenance). Just wait until they start shutting down the -135 units that got selected for the KC-46. Just wait until they realize they're only retaining 30% of bonus eligible tanker pilots. Just wait until they get rid of the -10's. We are flying record setting sortie counts/flight hours out of a certain base. More sorties/hours than the good old OIF/OEF days and yet, we see NOTHING about what we are doing on the news. The average American hasn't got a clue what we're doing over there. Now I didn't join the military to make headline news or get a pat on the back, but *** are we really doing? What we're doing is burning our people and equipment out.

Our options for CENTCOM rotations are to take invol mob for 60 days and get protected by a 1 to 5 dwell after coming off orders or roll the dice with a 30 day MPA tour and get mob'd 5 or 6 months after you get back when the unit is about to short-fall (this has been happening).

It is hard to keep a good attitude. We've got some FNG's running around the Sq fresh out of school and I try not to be the crusty old FG'er who *****es about things I'll never be able change.