MEM -

I think I have finally lost my patience with the whole "I am better than you" argument. IF you REALLY believe that the best way to support our troops on the ground is to have the best of the best right there to support them, then I challenge you to come back to AD, pickup a weapon (whatever it may be, desk, M-16, F-15) and get you ass in the fight. Don't sit there and tell me that I need to pay my dues, while you sit there and enjoy being able to accept or decline a mission based on YOUR availability.

If you are on orders and are flying the line in support of our troops, then I apologize, but I don't see that to be the case. By your own definition, you are a more highly experienced officer than I, so how come you are not leading this new group of UAS aviators?

"I was a UPT instructor for a few years a while back - want to know the most often asked question from USAF students? 'How many days a year does that MWS deploy?'"

I think it is shameful that you tell me that I shouldn't be concerned with how my family is going to be while I'm gone. Yeah, I asked the question, but you know what, I've done the EXACT same thing as the USMC pilot and gone wherever Uncle Sam has told me to go, and I do it willingly. Because I care to ask questions doesn't make me any less of a professional than the Marine.

I also find it humorous that you seem to forget that when the CAF was training to fight a war, the MAF was 24/7/365 flying cargo around the world in support of every situation and in this age of war, we do the same thing day in and day out. When the Vipers, UCAVs, A-10s and F-15s leave the AOR, C-5s, C-17s and C-130s will still be flying in all day everyday. My good buddy flying C models will probably NEVER see combat, because there is no need, so by your definition, he provides nothing to the war and is expendable to the UAS service.

This rant may seem over the top, but that is how I feel. I have seen to many people get grounded because their OPR was due and the OG was screaming for it. Really? Are you kidding me? Where does the priority lay? I think this highlights the fundamental problem with leadership, don't you?

Thank you for your service. You have been there done that and I'm sure you have the t-shirt.