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Gil Bang

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Congrats!!!
 

Got to go to our son’s promotion to Cpt.   Got to hear his boss make up all kinds of positive lies about his performance and leadership.😁

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11 hours ago, BearSchlong said:

The boy got his promotion board heads up, he's gonna be a Captain soon.

Kicking this to the top of the page,

 

Congrats again!

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  • 1 month later...

My son who’s in the USAF was involuntarily extended.  He was due to ETS in November but was just told he’s not getting out until at least March for nothing other than the USAF is broke. He’s devastated. He wanted to take a month off and start school in January so that’s on hold now. 
 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/10/politics/air-force-funding-personnel-moves-bonuses/index.html

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The GF's son is Air National Guard, former active USAF. 

He's been in the Guard several years.  His unit got called up and he's headed to Okinawa for 3 months.  He's got a great job, and this is going to cost him a ton of dough. 

Meanwhile, my kid is heading to the sandbox at the end of the month.  

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20 hours ago, T-shirt Sip said:

My son who’s in the USAF was involuntarily extended.  He was due to ETS in November but was just told he’s not getting out until at least March for nothing other than the USAF is broke. He’s devastated. He wanted to take a month off and start school in January so that’s on hold now. 
 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/10/politics/air-force-funding-personnel-moves-bonuses/index.html

First, hats off those that are still signing up and continuing/willing to serve.

But this just shows you how fucked up the military currently is. When the AIR FORCE (other branches too) ARE NOT meeting their recruiting goals (again), maybe a re-evaluation of policies, priorities, and motto .....FLY, FIGHT, and WIN needs to be looked at. 

Curious as to what your son's career field is?

I was in a critical career field (with quite a bit of money and training invested) in the 80's, a time somewhat similar to now with a lot of sabre rattling going on and when I told them I was done, ....OK., See ya later.  

 

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1 hour ago, BillyGoatHill said:

First, hats off those that are still signing up and continuing/willing to serve.

But this just shows you how fucked up the military currently is. When the AIR FORCE (other branches too) ARE NOT meeting their recruiting goals (again), maybe a re-evaluation of policies, priorities, and motto .....FLY, FIGHT, and WIN needs to be looked at. 

Curious as to what your son's career field is?

I was in a critical career field (with quite a bit of money and training invested) in the 80's, a time somewhat similar to now with a lot of sabre rattling going on and when I told them I was done, ....OK., See ya later.  

 

Counterpoint:  unemployment is very low in this country.   Lots of young folks, like my son, join because they want to serve their country.

 

But, lots also join because it's the best job that they have any hope of getting.    A couple grand a month, 3 meals a day, and a roof over your head looks pretty good to somebody from an economically depressed area.     And, as much complaining as there is about military housing, for some folks, military housing is the nicest house that they've ever lived in 

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Counterpoint:  unemployment is very low in this country.   Lots of young folks, like my son, join because they want to serve their country.
 
But, lots also join because it's the best job that they have any hope of getting.    A couple grand a month, 3 meals a day, and a roof over your head looks pretty good to somebody from an economically depressed area.     And, as much complaining as there is about military housing, for some folks, military housing is the nicest house that they've ever lived in 

Not really sure how you thought or think I am disparaging ANYONE that chooses to join the military.
What you wrote above I experienced for 5 years and it was great. I’m Still reaping benefits from that brief period of my life.
My post had to do with military brass and the policies/politics in play that can deter those that would maybe otherwise join.

I responded to someone stating that their son being stop-lossed while in the Air Force. The AIR FORCE not meeting their recruitment goals (whether good unemployment or bad) for 2 years running is an issue that needs some correction.
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6 hours ago, BillyGoatHill said:

First, hats off those that are still signing up and continuing/willing to serve.

But this just shows you how fucked up the military currently is. When the AIR FORCE (other branches too) ARE NOT meeting their recruiting goals (again), maybe a re-evaluation of policies, priorities, and motto .....FLY, FIGHT, and WIN needs to be looked at. 

Curious as to what your son's career field is?

I was in a critical career field (with quite a bit of money and training invested) in the 80's, a time somewhat similar to now with a lot of sabre rattling going on and when I told them I was done, ....OK., See ya later.  

 

My son is a jet engine mechanic. He repairs F-16 engines. The main reason why he chose to get out is that they have been working six (days a week) - 12 hours days for about 10 months. He’s just tired of it. He would rather get Overtime if he’s working long hours. 

Edited by T-shirt Sip
Clarifying the hours a week worked.
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On 9/5/2023 at 8:59 PM, Gil Bang said:

The GF's son is Air National Guard, former active USAF. 

He's been in the Guard several years.  His unit got called up and he's headed to Okinawa for 3 months.  He's got a great job, and this is going to cost him a ton of dough. 

Meanwhile, my kid is heading to the sandbox at the end of the month.  

One of my good friends is in the Air Force and is stationed in Okinawa. He absolutely loves it there and has told me to come visit while he is there. His wife also is really enjoying the deployment as well. He works on one of the planes and there are only a few people who are specialists on the one he keeps running. I wish I could remember exactly which one, but it escapes my memory at the moment. Perhaps they will cross paths while he is there. I can give my friend a heads up if you want. He is a really good guy who does a lot of good for the people he is there with on base in Okinawa.

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1 hour ago, UpperWestside said:

One of my good friends is in the Air Force and is stationed in Okinawa. He absolutely loves it there and has told me to come visit while he is there. His wife also is really enjoying the deployment as well. He works on one of the planes and there are only a few people who are specialists on the one he keeps running. I wish I could remember exactly which one, but it escapes my memory at the moment. Perhaps they will cross paths while he is there. I can give my friend a heads up if you want. He is a really good guy who does a lot of good for the people he is there with on base in Okinawa.

Tom was previously at Kadena for 4 years, so he's very familiar and has friends there.  He got married there, and we went to the wedding.  It's a nice spot. 

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...

Mine got home yesterday for three weeks, as he's got a new baby coming tomorrow.  My DIL has a lot on her plate; alone for another 5 months with an newborn and a 4 year old.  I live on the opposite coast, so I'm not much help.    But, her folks are retired and live in TN now, so I'm sure that they will be with her quite a bit. 

Edited by Gil Bang
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Mine got home yesterday for three weeks, as he's got a new baby coming tomorrow.  My DIL has a lot on her plate; alone for another 5 months with an newborn and a 4 year old.  I live on the opposite coast, so I'm not much help.    But, her folks are retired and live in TN now, so I'm sure that they will be with her quite a bit. 

Congratulations!
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Counter to the tenor of  some of the other postings on here-  Monday will be my youngest son's last day in the Navy.  Given the situation around the globe, I am grateful for that.  It has been an experience for him and it is time to move on from it.  He is ready.  I wouldn't have said that 4 years ago.

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  • 1 month later...

A USMC Super Stallion Helo went down yesterday after leaving Nevada for Miramar.    

The wreckage was located in East San Diego this morning, WITH NO MARINES INSIDE!

So, there's a high probability that these guys survived.  There's a shitload of assets looking for them right now, but the weather really sucks. 

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7 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

A USMC Super Stallion Helo went down yesterday after leaving Nevada for Miramar.    

The wreckage was located in East San Diego this morning, WITH NO MARINES INSIDE!

So, there's a high probability that these guys survived.  There's a shitload of assets looking for them right now, but the weather really sucks. 

What is the typical crew / capacity of one of those?

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I think the "no marines inside" was bullshit intended to give the Corps adequate time to make the personal notifications.   If they had said "bodies were found", there's a really good chance that at least some of the family members would have known it was their loved ones aboard.   I'm sure that there are wives and girlfriends that were waiting for their Marines to arrive yesterday AM, and knew that bad news was coming. 

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...

“So Dad, I've been flying around in Chinooks a lot. Do you know what that is? Anyway, it is fucking HOT here and the turbines are attached to the ceiling so we fly guns out with the ramp down for ventilation.”

Sends him pic of his grandfather flying in a Chinook in SE Asia 56 years ago.

“Yeah son, I do”

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