LKampa

Application package completed, physical completed and passed. Wednesday, May 20th, talking about possible flying assignments. Later that day, received a message saying

"... giving us further instructions on how to proceed with RTAD packages as directed by Gen McClain. We are currently unable to match anyone to a flying assignment who has been out of a military cockpit more than 8 years. This decision was made based on the possibility of people washing out of PIT training and losing a potential instructor. I apologize for this change of direction, but it is what it is. I cannot offer you any flying positions, whether in the CONUS or in a deployed location."

"Another part of today's meeting required that I get an answer in the next 72 hours on whether you are willing to accept a position at any of the AOC's. Please think it over and let me know."

I reviewed the application documents and saw nothing about being out of the cockpit in excess of a certain period of time as a reason not to assigned a flying position.

Anyone else have this happen to them?

Here is a copy of my response this morning ...

I think my case has been handled very poorly, as you obviously did not expect me to make it this far through the program. 72 hours ago we were discussing flying assignments. Suddenly there is concern about the possibility of washing out of the PIT program and yes a new restriction for aviation assignments only to those who have been out of a military cockpit less than 8 years. You gotta be kidding me was my initial reaction. Please pass along to General McClain I did consider a trip to Randolph to prove I can still fly, instruct and breathe, even though I had already completed this requirement with the Air Force medical staff.

I am not interested in pulling 6 g's in a fighter type aicraft and would not even consider being competitive for a T-38 assignment. However I am not too old to complete a training program in a transport category aircraft and I submit with my age, training and experience could make a positive contribution to the mission of the Air Force.

I remain not interested in non-flying (staff) positions.

I remain interested in, and a volunteer for, rated flying positions and deployment assignments.

Please pass along to the Senior Staff my apologies for applying for a program for which I know I am qualified. I await General McClain's response.

Larry Kampa

Kikuchiyo

Congrats to you, Snacks! In an earlier post, you said you asked for Ramstein. Is that still what you wanted, or did that change? You say you requested a specific "AOC." I guess I've been out too long (2 whole years!), but what's an AOC? Did you ask for 31 Aug, or is that just the current timeline for AFPC?

Thanks, and congrats again.

Snacks

Kikuchiyo,
I was still asking for Ramstein. The AOC (Air Operations Center) is where all of the air planning goes on (in a nutshell). There are two at Ramstein, 17th AF, the air component of AFRICOM, and 3rd AF, responsible for the rest of EUCOM. He asked when we wanted to report. .We had been thinking that moving in August was good for us all along and he just said that he would suggest NLT 31 Aug, but we could adjust to later if we needed to or travel anytime in Aug. I still have to attend AOC training at Hurlburt (3-4 weeks long)before we leave and don't know the class dates yet, so I don't know when in Aug we'll be PCSing. Hopefully the orders process moves quickly and they put me back on active duty soon so we can start the processing (passports, HHG's, etc...). So much to do!!

Thanks for the congrats...looking forward to getting back in the fight.

cficpilot

Snacks
Congrats on the news. Sounds like it will work out for you. Looks like they are moving along. Since my paperwork was mid March I am hoping for some words soon. Still nothing back not even my medical which has been over 30 days.
cficpilot

Snacks

cfic,
I heard from my assigments guy 4 weeks after my physical was approved by the SG. They may still be waiting for your physical.

Good Luck

Thunder1

EARLY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PRESENT:

Friday, 22 May 1724 CST: Received email from AFPC (CJ) with my return to AD orders attached as a PDF file. Report to assigned base and unit on Monday, 1 June 2009.

By the way for those of us returning to AD after being retired your report date is NOT a RNLTD it is a no-kidding report on that day, no earlier, no later.

They asked me on Monday, 18 May what I wanted my report date to be and I said 1 June 09. Orders arrived today --not bad I thought. Just shy of 4 months since I submitted my application.

Glad to be back in a USAF flying billet as of 1 June! Best wishes to all.

Thunder1

"Back in the saddle"

WarEagle28

Congratulations and Good Luck!

Thunder1

War Eagle,

Thanks and best wishes on your return to AD.

Thunder1

Snacks

T1,
Ditto!!

cficpilot

Thunder1
Congrats and have a good weekend.
cficpilot