Originally Posted by N9373M

Vietnam Ace Duke Cunningham's original CS was Yankee. Somehow he insisted and got it changed to "Duke". How common is that? I think he "changed' it before the Mig splashes.

I had tremendous respect for Randy, until he ran for congress, until he won a seat, until he used his congressional seat for a 2 million+ dollar bribe and tax evasion, et al.

Originally Posted by Slice

You can lobby for it. It's not super common but it does happen. It usually involves a bribe of copious amounts of high quality alcohol. Sad end for a 'legend' after an amazing military career. No one to blame but himself though.

Originally Posted by Grumble

You don't have to be gay to get a gay callsign. It's pretty standard that before you've ever stepped in the door the guys have already filled up a white board with possibilities based on 1.) plays on your name 2.) reputation showing up before you do or 3.) there's no gouge on you and no play on your name so we'll make up something like "Fagmeister" until you do something or we make up something better that better suits you.

He showed up to a Fighter Squadron. What did he expect? It may be a politically "sensitive" military, but pilots are still pilots, especially pointy nose guys. We make fun of each other, point out each others flaws, and constanlty ridicule. If you can't take it you'll never be accepted in the club. Above all that however we're professionals about what we do and take it very seriously... that will never change regardless of the political climate. In all reality if you're a good stick, smoke, drink, party and can take a joke no one really cares if you're gay, male, female, etc. Just don't be a turbodooshnozzle like this guy.

It is true however that in this day and age we need a lawyer to kill anyone and sensitivity training for others feelings. It's crap and as much as we try to say it's not, it is taking its toll on the guys morale and motivation.

Originally Posted by Slice

Tradition in the AF is you'll have a naming ceremony as a new guy to the squadron. If you were operational, not a newbie out of pilot training, odds are your renaming result would be to keep the old one, especially with a kickass bribe. So it is possible and I've seen it a few times. Henceforth, you'll be referred to as 'callsign' + first letter of last name when people speak of you or if you're both in the room together.

Originally Posted by Grumble

More than likely "Dukes" status is what allowed him to change it himself. I've never talked to a single person that flew with the dude that ever had anything good to say about him.

Originally Posted by Deuce130

I think you highlighted part of the problem - he's not a fighter pilot. I'm not sure why they gave him a nickname, especially one that was liable to cause trouble. Seriously..."Romo's B**ch?" That was an obvious attempt to sow dissension or cause problems. I know it's convenient to blame the "victim" in this case, but I think the blame lies with the morons who started this problem. He never should have been involved in a naming, and if he was, he shouldn't have been given this one. If you do something stupid you shouldn't be surprised when it blows up on you. You can control an 0-1 or 0-2 fighter pilot in your squadron, you cannot control a prior enlisted non-fighter pilot who doesn't understand what exactly it is he's getting himself into.

Originally Posted by Seaweed

Best one I ever heard was while I was instructing in the T-38. One of my students was a former Mud Hen WSO. Last name was "Blomme". Call sign "Just". I still chuckle at that today.

Originally Posted by Starlifter

Flew with a flight doc at Osan with the call sign "merkin." It just busted me up each time I heard his name called.

see definition at the below link:

Urban Dictionary: merkin

Lifter