WARich

Wow...rough day?

Columbia

I'm gonna go call all my riddle bros and tell 'em the good news.

F15andMD11

Actually, that's exactly how it is. Probably why many try to get in "the club." Outsiders don't understand....

crewdawg

Yes.

No...the fact that I'm awesome, makes me cool

Do frat guys really talk like this? Did you go to college near a beach?

Righteous!

TOGAANG

Flybywire,

I don't know your background and I won't try to assume but if you are ever in Tucson, AZ feel free to stop by the 162FW. I'd be happy to show you around and let you judge for yourself.
See most of the guys are there 15+ years until 55 when they retire. Many have flown in war together, been on countless TDY's, been to every Holiday party since they joined and have been part of promotions, deaths and the birth of their children. So when I call a Lt Col, Maj, Capt or Col a bro that is exactly what I mean. He isn't a buddy but more of a brother in an extended family. Yes, we are professional when it is necessary but we are also family and that is what is great about the guard. I hope that Delta will be the same if I'm going to have a 30 year career there. Yes I know they have about 150 times more pilots but you know what I mean I hope.

So again, if you ever want to stop by and see what a fighter wing is like in the ANG I'd be happy to show you around and let you judge for yourself. Then maybe I could count that as my community service. Hmm.....
Cheers

DeadHead

I'm not sure about the usage of the word "bro", but adding the suffix "izzle" when using nouns will get you the secret wink, wink.

block30

There is something about the Guard that I don't think active duty understand so much less the public. A guard guy will serve 20-40 years with the same unit, same group of guys, with people who are your literal neighbors from child hood, and go into war zones together.....that super pyramid of military rank structure matters less than who you are working with. I firmly believe that is a *strength* of the guard, not a weakness. I think of other warrior cultures from back to cavemen....families and neighbors formed together to defend their community. There is a closeness and a brotherhood. A cohesion that transcends rigidity and doesn't necessarily make the movies.

I imagine the term "bro" seems casual for a military setting in the eyes of someone I'd guess has never served, or never been in the guard. Don't take this as a lack of professionalism. We are damn proud, and damn committed to serving those next to us. We have each others' back. We don't trample over each other in the name of career progression or self promotion. We take great pride in representing our hometown and our state as we accomplish missions ranging from local to national, to even global. Sorry for the rant.

FrankCobretti

Toga, I hate to disappoint you, but it just isn't like that.

Don't get me wrong: everyone's pleasant and professional, and you'll look forward to some trips when you see a particular name listed as the other pilot. However, there are so many of us, all on different schedules, that we just don't spend enough time together to develop the kind of camaraderie to which you've become accustomed.

I guess I'm saying that unlike in the Guard or Reserve, your fellow airline pilots aren't your family. Your family is your family.

newKnow

I fly with a lot of guys who participate in Delta ski stuff, boating, golf (??), and other activities where Delta crews and/or employees gather. The way they talk, they are pretty close with the others.

There are more than a few pilots at Delta that I would consider to be very good friends and I would have no problem calling them "bro."

TOGAANG

Well put. Just as you said, we don't walk around calling each other "bro" but we do have the camaraderie and sense that we are all an extended family. There is a time and place for everything as you we'll know.
I guess next time I'll be more careful with my word selection. I feel like this forum is part of the Delta interview the way people hang up on one word or phrase.