The sad thing is, most leadership has grown up in this culture, so they think that's how it's always been, or should be. They've also grown up with the non-flying culture of the past 15-20 years ushered in by the AF trying to be like a corporation.

Flying hours should be the last thing cut. The reality is, many units have already been living with about a 25-30% reduction in flying hours since 9/11 (which had been cut from pre-GW1 levels) and it's the new normal. Consequently, further cuts to flying hours will move us ever closer to a third-world status. But there is no commander that values his career that will report a drop in SORTS due to these flying hour reductions. They'll moan a little in the staff meetings and then tell the OG/WG that they'll get the job done.

In many cases, the sim will be held up as a panacea for all our challenges. But the sim, as useful a training tool as it can be, will never replace flying hours on a one-for-one basis. No matter the fidelity of a simulator, it will only ever be 1g feel and 2D vision (well, 3D vision may come someday) and can never replicate the sinks, slips, skids or G-feel, nor does it have the depth perception for many of the skills that need to be developed and maintained. The sim is a great tool, but the AF is using it for the wrong things and the wrong reasons...

I'm sure we'll still see EOY spending stupidity because of the way the military (mis)manages its budget which, is in no small part, due to the way the government spends. There will still be new desks and projectors for HQ.

...and I need to quit saying 'we' - I retired last year. Still passionate about it though...

The original purpose of the "GI Bill" was to help veterans transition back to the civilian world after WWII. Over the years it really got screwed up as more and more of the senior leadership placed emphasis on an officer and enlisted corps with undergraduate and advanced degrees. Then the diploma mills opened up on just about every base as the program gained traction (like Weber State and USC).
I made 0-4 without the masters but that was the end of the promotions. I stood on my principles that the money should be used to transition you to the outside world after you seperated or retired. I was fortunate enough to get hired by a major airline right after I retired, so I never used any of my GI Bill money. Didn't need it, didn't use it, saved the US some money.
I would be interested to know the statistics on how many of the young enlisted in all services came in because of the tuition assistance. Does it really help recruiting? What is the return on the investment? What type of education are they getting? Is it helping to ease them into the civilian world?

The Maj's board just came out a few days ago and one of my friends didnt get picked up for Maj. 3 OPS assignments, multiple deployments but no Masters. Good dude and never did anything wrong. So he's now passed over for Maj. His career is over.

On another note. We didnt fly at all this week here due to Sequestration. I did fly in the SIM 3 times though and the base has been working their ass off pulling weeds and such to get ready for a DV visit next week. Aside from all of that I decided to throttle back a little and only work 10 hour days this week.

FML

Sorry to hear...........

Shaquille O'neal is my hero. He completes a long term goal. Four more years of part time schooling through evening classes and online courses and he gets a PHD in education!

Tuition Assistance is a huge recruiting tool for the enlisted force. It also helps them get the education they need for a job on the outside. My last bit of tuition assistance used was 2001; I think back then the USAF paid 100% up to $250 per credit hour at the time; the difference from the actual tuition cost was my responsibility.

Regarding the Master's Degree, you knew the statistics as you moved up and made a choice knowing it reduced your chances for promotion. Not saying it's right or wrong; it is what it is.

I do know that some companies require advanced degrees before you can be upwardly mobile in executive leadership. My sister works for Geico and had to complete an advanced degree before she could be moved up to an Assistant VP position.

As a line pilot, I flew about once a month before the cuts. With the sequestration I fly once every 2 months at home station. But I can do useless paper shuffling like a boss!

Mission accomplishment should be the #1 priority over education or anything else. Look at the leaders in WWII and you'll find many of our great leaders didn't deal with this academic nonsense. Leadership and innovation were the most important qualities.

There's got to be more the story. How is that possible?! At least perfect timing for him to get an airline job.
Really?? There's got to be more the story too. Like your wife wanted you home. I guess...lots of flying time.

Our FHP will be complete in Jun. No flying after that until Oct. Kind of hard to get AFTPS without flying. We have no sims either!