Originally Posted by asupilot

Spartan07, it is my own humble opinion that the Air Force started down the precipitous slope when the dual track career options disappeared. We only have one career path these days...the command track. Gone are the days were a guy could fly for 20 years and retire happy as a Major. Now it's nothing more than an ass-kissing, back-stabbing political game. Oh, and if you just want to fly you’re an ********* to your commander (“you mean you don’t want to be just like me?”). No I don’t want to be like you…I want to be an expert aviator. Look at the bios of some of these guys…gone are the days where a commander had thousands of hours. They’re too busy climbing the “ladder.” I’ve grown very tired of “leaders” telling me what’s “good for my career.” How about you let me decide what’s good for me…there’s a novel idea. Everyone knows that if you fly for 20 straight years the likelihood of making O-5 is greatly decreased. And you know what…some dudes are actually OKAY with that. With few exceptions, you know what the bros and I call O-5s and above...POLITICIANS. People would rather send a ****ing e-mail than get up, walk five feet, and have a face-to-face. I guess it's easier to be a prick in an e-mail. The whole experience is shaping up to be BS...and I'm not just a complaining b!tch because I didn't "get my way." Dudes are BAILING at record numbers, especially now as some airlines begin to move. And yes, even patches. There is no 100% solution in life, but SWA sure seems better than this. In 6 years in I have never seen morale this low. Of course when we fly its all business and EVERYONE gets the job done. But when you land, dudes are despondent at best. No one seems to be able to make any sense of it. People in positions of influence acknowledge a problem, but never do anything to really fix it...they're too worried about that next promotion or assignment. I have yet to see an O-5 or above make any move that wasn't the "safe" play, regardless of whether it was good for the unit or dudes. Military flying is a dream if you get to, however, Guard or Reserves...Guard or Reserves...that's all I'm going to say about that.

Originally Posted by USAFAviator

Be careful!! As a former Group exec I can tell you first hand that some shady stuff can happen when you show your cards. Anything from packages being slow rolled(over two months) with the worst push letter you could imagine accompanying it to DPs (Definately Promote) on PRFs for a Majors board suddenly disappearing after dropping VSP paperwork even though the Sq/CC had already been notified this guy got a DP.

My advice: Do not show your cards, unless you are absolutely positive that you no longer want to make the AF a career. My suggestion: HAND CARRY your paperwork thru!! Your leadership does not have to concur with your decision to get out, but they CAN NOT sit on it. It is up to AFPC to determine whether you get approved or not...NOT YOUR BASE LEADERSHIP.

Pirate PM me for details, I'm having difficulty getting PM to work.

Originally Posted by TankerDriver

If leadership gives you a problem, go to the MPF and get a copy of the guidance and make sure they know that you know they're not supposed to jerk you around.