If you join active duty (or the ANG/Reserves, for that matter) in the middle of a war, you gotta be thinking to yourself, "Self...I'm probably gonna go to war at some point..." If not, then you should probably re-think the whole idea.

Which is why I admire the kids who signed up post-911. When I joined back in the 80's, war was a theoretical abstract, one that probably wouldn't happen. It did, of course, and I was prepared, but it's somehow different now. I always buy lunch if I see them ordering food in the terminal.

Even to y'all going back in after retiring...Thanks. I sleep well.

I just checked on the status of my package and the customer service person told me as of August 22nd I concurred with a UAV to Creech with a spring training date. The assignment was my first choice (I'm more than eight years out of the cockpit) but I never communicated with my AO. I'm happy with the assignment but it would be nice if someone had communicated with me. I assume I will get a SOI sometime in the near future. Did this happen to anyone else?

Yep, happened to me, too. My AO supposedly sent me an email, but I never got one, and they never called. I got my first choice, also, though. At least the Contact Center has figured out how to read the database, cause when I was calling, they couldn't even tell me what the assignment I had concurred with was.

Did they say if your package has gone to the panel yet? Once it does, the panel will take a few days, then you'll get an SOI shortly thereafter. After that, you should get an email asking you to send in another package of records and forms to get your aeronautical orders revalidated. That package goes to the gaining command then up to Air Staff then back to AFPC. After that, they'll cut orders, but cutting the orders is being prioritized based on your scheduled report date.

They did not say. I also asked about the status of my physical and they said I would have to call recall ops. Do you need aeronautical orders revalidated if your out of the cockpit more than eight years?

I actually returned to fly. For your AO you will need for your medical to come back approved. Once this occured recall ops informed me what I needed to submit to AMC A3 to get my AO approved. Most of the same paperwork that I used for my initial app plus an additional form. I sent my AO package directly to AMC and they approved it within 2 days. Once you leave AD your AO are canx so that is why you need to revalidate them. I think for some they go to Air Staff not sure who or why. For me it was my MAJCOM AMC.
I am back on active duty and my base had a hard time getting me back into the system. A few hints for others. Finance needs to rebuild your pay record. They finally figured that out after two weeks. Hopefully AFPC put you in the system, if not your MPF will need to talk with AFPC to get approval to manually put you in the system, (that also took them 2 weeks). Good Luck

I'm bewildered. I turned my package in almost 2 months before you with UAV's being my first choice since I've also been out of the cockpit over 8 years and when I checked with customer service last week they told me my package was still "in assignments." The AO emailed me two weeks ago that the UAV waiting list was out to the spring or summer and he couldn't make an assignment out that far.

I have been on active duty for almost a month now and it is strange to be wearing the bag again. It feels good and I'm sure it will grow on me as time goes by. Hopefully the ground I've broken while working through this process will make it easier for others. I was the first to have been retired for a long time (7 years) to go to an overseas assignment (603 AOC Ramstein) that had to attend a school enroute (Hurlburt--AOC IQT). Things to stay on top of...Clearance -- after 2 years it dies if you're not putting on a uniform any longer. Passports -- I fly on Monday (hopefully) and I still don't have all of the family passports. Work on your time -- AFPC will push you into a school slot if you are going overseas but it may not give you enough time to get everything done. Keep an open mind -- yes, things have changed and some things are still the same. Best of luck and see all of you later coming to Ramstein.

Snacks

This entire process has been strange. This web forum is the only source of information. I not sure that AFPC knows what the rules are from day to day. Until orders are in my hands I'm not believing anything!

You are right about AFPC and the process, it is all a bit nebulous. I am glad that there is a forum like this to discuss issues. I am in the app process, completed my medical and waiting for the endorsement letter process to flow through AFRC. I am interested in UAVs and AOC's, whichever will give me max time - I have exactly 14 years of active service and am hoping to get to the 18 year point and sanctuary. Anybody at UAV training at Beale or working at the AOC at Ramstein now? Those are at the top of my list right now.

That is exactly the way I feel.