From: 379LSSCC@strathost.stratcom.af.mil (379LSSCC)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.military
Subject: Re: Air Force Career Types
Date: 18 Dec 1992 20:35:38 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

I wanted to let this lie, but as an "Air Force Career Type", I'll make
one effort to input an active duty perspective to this (biased though
it may be).
 
"Mr" conan writes:
>No I am not in the services, but have family that is; AF(major), Navy
>(Adm lower half), and was.
 
Well, until you've "walked the walk and talked the talk", don't
characterize those who have, even for a "short" period.  I don't
know what you do, but I would be hard pressed to criticize it or
how well you have done.  I have family who are _not_ in the service,
and as sweet as they are and as well read as they may be, they haven't
a clue what it is like in the military.  I submit that what you may
believe you know about military service, based upon comments by, and
observation of, your family in the military, is incomplete at best.
 
>In AF good tactician, but poor manager will not get a position
>of responsibility of others (and rightly so), but they do like
>to keep good tactician on as instructors.
 
That's correct, the AF is as screwed up as any other corporate
entity.  Take the people who know what the hell is going on,
who know how to get the job done, and the ones who have the
respect of their peers and those younger than them, and "put
them in their place."  Instead, we'll make squadron commanders
of those who have spent half their career in some staff job some
place and because they impressed one of the generals.  I guess
things like that don't occur in academia.
 
>Most people in such situation leave for better money to airlines
>etc. I will get flamed for this, but pukes are dime a dozen (sorry
>but this is the official position). Nothing is 100% fair in life
>and there are a lot of losers with sob stories, blaming others
>left and right.
 
I don't know who is feeding you this BS, but I doubt it is the two
above recognized "Career Types."  The majority of the people (pilots,
since I think that's who we're slamming here) I know who have gotten
out have not gone to fly with the airlines, but have pursued other
interests they have.  But a whole lot have not gotten out, despite
being passed over for promotion because they felt what they were
doing was important!  Making sure the world is safer for people like
you.  And they didn't blame anyone, because they understood the system
and made conscious decisions to follow a particular path.
 
>I flamed Toby H. cause arrogant SOBs bring a bad name to service
>and to good people who are professionals. I have yet to meet a good
>professional that was as arrogant and loved to put people down.
 
And professional military people aren't supposed to speak out when
challenged.  One definition of arrogance is "a feeling of superiority."
Well, when you have to go "into the valley of death" you had better
feel superior.  And yes, we pilots do feel we are superior to the
masses.
 
>Lot of jerks around that feel secure by putting others down.
 
And you gave us a perfect example.
 
>I dont think we need any John Waynes in the services cause they are
>the ones who get friendlies killed, mess up things for the good guys,
>and live to brag.
 
I doubt very seriously the A-10 pilots in Desert Storm considered
themselves "John Waynes", or bragged about those missions.  They
were just some poor bastards who were in the wrong place at the
wrong time.  As far the "good guys" go, I'm sure someone is watching
their six!
 
The military is not perfect, but few organizations are.  Some people
thrive on the life, others don't.  Those who don't are not to be
condemned.  They served, and for that they deserve our thanks.  But,
they do have a greater right to comment on the inner workings of it.
 
*******************************************************************************
Bill Gillespie, LtCol, USAF   Anon.--"Finally, real men fly BOMBERS because
(ex-BUFF pilot)                        they understand the fundamentals of
379lsscc@strathost.stratcom.af.mil      wartime negotiations.  You negotiate
Wurtsmith (soon to be closed) AFB, MI    with the enemy with your knee in his
(( My words and thoughts ))               chest and your knife at his throat."
*******************************************************************************
 
 

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