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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
(Post 1149898)
And there is a difference between being a LINE officer and a STAFF CORPS officer.
I wish I had known more about the Guard and Reserves as a young pup :) USMCFLYR As far as the guard goes, I was just lucky a bud clued me in. |
Originally Posted by Pakagecheck
(Post 1149919)
Medical officers are staff but JAG officers in the Air Force are line officers.
As far as the guard goes, I was just lucky a bud clued me in. I had my chance to go Active Reserve after my first tour (either Hornets in one of the Reserve Units or F-5s in our Aggressor squadron), but I chose one of those out-of-cockpit tours and spent a year with 1stBn/2dMar as an Air Officer. Looking at what some of my peers did who went AR and the time spent in flying billets for a majority of the time, if not the entire time I spend a lot of time doing the 'what-if' game, but I might also not be right where I am at this moment where I am very happy......so I can only say it all works out in the end (so far ;)) USMCFLYR |
Originally Posted by Flare
(Post 1149835)
The ENJJPT of today isn't the ENJJPT of 5 years ago. Everyone still flies T-38s, but you're just likely to end up in an tanker/transport aircraft as you are at any SUPT base.
Originally Posted by Dragon7
(Post 1149911)
Right now military aviation is as overmanned as it has ever been, civilian aviation is still waiting the mythical pilot shortage, and most Flag and General officers are as political as any time in history plus they are overeducated dreamers.
There is a fly-only track in the AF...don't do your PME and you won't get promoted to O5 and you won't go to school and you likely won't go to a staff job. You need to be in a specialized & small field so your talent is valued enough you're not sloughed off somewhere as a "slacker" and pursued for your experience. As for the commonwealth AFs - I agree. There are aspects of their system that I think are outstanding. I did an exchange with the RAF and loved most of their system...I abhored some of it too. Nothing is perfect. The Guard & Reserve of today is not the Guard & Reserve of a decade ago. Gone are the flying clubs and "big blue" has infiltrated them all. Regardless, I do wish I competed with other rated guys and my FEF was part of my evaluation instead of some ancillary duty.... |
Originally Posted by Pakagecheck
(Post 1149919)
Medical officers are staff but JAG officers in the Air Force are line officers.
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Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 1150793)
The two retired AF O6's who work for me said this is not the case, AF JAG's are staff. Did it change recently?
USMCFLYR |
Originally Posted by rickair7777
(Post 1150793)
The two retired AF O6's who work for me said this is not the case, AF JAG's are staff. Did it change recently?
LowSlow, I agree that the guard is a different beast from 10 yrs ago but I don't see non flying tours/assignments being passed out unless the individual is doing it for pay days. Correct me if I'm wrong but guys are still getting to fly the entire time there. I get the tempo is greater, but once again, the decision to stay or go is yours. Also, the fear of UAV is a unit thing not just an individual. Even then, you can decide to stay or go. Not the case in Big Blue. The guard is like pizza and ( ), even when it is bad, it is really good and normally beats the alternatives. Pakage |
Originally Posted by Moose
(Post 1149330)
I know this has been mentioned time and time again, but AD needs to develop a senior leadership track for those that desire and have shown promise of command. Develop them young and send them to appropriate schools instead of for-profit factory schools to check boxes. As for the rest, develop their combat effectiveness. These officers can run the squadron/group departments without PCS...kind of like ARTs and stay at the top of their game. They can deploy and do certain staff tours requiring expertise. Cap them at LtCol. The point is, we are in the business of logistics, breaking things and killing people. Combat effectiveness is not served by a graduate degree from some crap college or tour as wing exec pushing paper. Leave that for the guys who are selected for command and teach them to be good commanders. We are so broke right now with the system in place. The staff officers are running the show and not the warriors. Except for Gen Welch.
I've been lucky, only one non flying tour in my career but I dodged and weaved and it cost me rank...but that was my choice. I didn't make O-5 because of my decisions and that's fine as I've done what I wanted to do. |
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
(Post 1149240)
I wanted to fly as much as possible too - but in the end - you were commissioned as an officer in the USAF; not *just* a pilot. If all you wanted to do was fly - you should have gone the route of Army WO imo.
Who's laughing now? :D Flying is flying in my opinion. A good aviator will excel no matter what airframe or mission, tactical or garrison. |
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