I don't mean to violate opsec, but as someone who believes our budget cutting should not occur in the military, but somewhere else (well, I don't know if we need the F-35, but...) , I wanted to ask how is Sequestration affecting military flying hours/etc these days.

Thanks

 

It's starting to affect a lot of flying.
Also,... while no one wants the important military items to get cut, believe me that there is a TON of waste that needs to get cut, and that would trim a lot of cost. No one will do it, though.

 

While I hate to see the flying hours get cut, cuts to wasteful military spending MUST be made. Some of us military folks are all about cutting other government spending, as long as it doesn't hurt our fund trough. Unfortunately, the time of budgets past is over. This issue of wasteful spending, especially in the military, is like eating an elephant. So, let's start tail first and grab a spoon! The sooner we get realistic about cuts that can and must be made, maybe the higher ups can re-allocate funds to nessecary spending, not pet projects.

 

The sad part is more dudes are worried about Tuition Assistance being cut making it harder for them to get a Masters degree to make Major than they are worried about flying hours being cut. We have completely lost focus of what's important in the Air Force. The Air Force has breed this culture that it is more important to get a BS Masters degree to check a box and plan the Air Force ball than it is to become the absolute best pilot you can be.

I am a Distinguished Graduate out of UPT, volunteered to FAIP regardless of the fact that I was number 1 in my class and could have chosen anything else, I have flown and worked my ass off since I've been in the Air Force, have received all Q1's with zero downgrades and over a dozen commendables on all my checkrides, but according to the latest Major board results I have a 21% chance of making Major because I do not have a Masters degree in basket weaving from Phoenix University.

 

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amazing. good luck to you

 

Welcome to AFRC/ANG

 

I completely agree: the whole Masters thing is a waste of time and money. But I'm curious why you didn't do it, when you knew you had to have it to get promoted. Not trying to poke you in the eye.
Also,... why was FAIP your #1 choice? (I, too, was a FAIP. Loved it).

 

I guess I just knew that one day I would probably much rather go to the Guard/Reserves when the chance came and why would I take away from my already limited time with my family to get a BS Masters degree that would serve me no purpose if I knew I never really saw myself sticking it out 20 years on AD anyways. I did always say that if I ever had the chance to get a real Masters degree that I would be happy to do so, but I was not interested in getting a BS Masters just to check a box.

As far as why I choose to FAIP there were actually multiple reasons that led me to that choice. First off I was one of those guys that went through T-6's when classes were receiving two T-38's a class and I just happened to be number 3 even though I had busted my ass and had solid scores that would lock me in for a 38 today, but I didn't let that get me down though and went to T-1's motivated and with a great attitude and I ended up graduating number 1 out of T-1's. At the time I just wasn't ready to fly something heavy and I actually really thought I wanted to fly U-2's. Everyone told me that FAIPing to the T-6 was my best chance at getting to the U-2 and having enjoyed every second I had flying the T-6 as a student I went against the advice and jaw dropping reactions I got from all of my IP's in T-1's and I decided to take a T-6 FAIP on assignment night.

I had a blast in the T-6, learned a lot, but didn't exactly become the best of friends with my Squadron Commander and I never really saw myself getting a great letter of recommendation from my Wing Leadership for my U-2 packet so I decided to hold off on that because I know you only have once chance at the U-2. So now I'm in ACC, but flying something with 4 engines . I also had some family health issues that has forced me to stay in the Southeast, but depending on what happens the next couple years I still may put in a U-2 packet. I will be honest though, if I have a chance at getting off AD at a time that I can get picked up by a Major at the beginning of a hiring wave, securing a good seniority number and stable lifestyle for my family then I will forgo my desire to fly something at 80,000ft one day and something with a pointy nose the next day.

I never thought I'd say this, but as the years have gone by my desire to spend time with my family and provide them with a stable lifestyle has outgrown my desire to fly what I want.

 

Good for you. The sooner guys figure this out, the happier they are.

Also, good luck with the O-4 board. I made it without a master's but that was when they were accelerating the boards to two a year so I met mine at the ten-year point. I could also fog a mirror, had pilot wings and no DUI so I was golden.

 

It needs to be done, but sure is a shame.