What red blooded male is interested in joining the AF based on the rubbish videos shown. I will give the USMC mad props for hitting the market with their recruiting vis. Now for the AF, try this on for size
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The AF is currently having a major identity crisis. They were on top during the cold war and let it slip away after Gulf War 1. They allowed a lax, undisciplined business culture take hold and slowly eroded the authority and prestige of the NCO. They doubled the Officer corp and made enlisted promotion more about volunteerism & school vs. the ability to lead. The AF is playing "Catch Up" they have ramped up PT, and attempting a "Back to Basics" program, but they are woefully behind the Army & Marines in terms of discipline & leadership ability. While there are certain exceptions in some specialized career fields, the great majority of the force is still trying to find their way.
Spend some time over on the AF Times Forum's and you will see a very different view of our Air Force.
The USAF, like the USAAF and the AAC has never "been about" individual member combat skills. Recently the USAF has incorporated some "trooper" skills into BMT to set the stage for its personnel to comprehend that they may become "boots on the ground" in addition to their technical skills in acft maintenane, weapons systems, electronic maintenance, communications, engineering, medical, dental, logistics, sheet-metal, pneudralic, CAS, forward air control, medevac, pararescue and multiple other primary skills in the current war-time scenario and more than a few USAF "technicians" have paid the ultimate price right along with their USA and USMC compatriots and with far less combat-skills training and expertise in individual arms. The USAF has always "been about" a force of skilled technicians providing the overhead air support capability for the USA and the USMC and it has performed that function superbly. USAF recruiting videos may be "wimpy" but the young men and women who answer the call are as dedicated as any soldier, sailor or marine.
It sounds very similar to the RAF, we (I'm serving) have been told standards have dropped and that we are war fighters first, technicians second. The only problem is, we do 10 times more than we did 10-15 years back. I'm a Weapons Technician by trade, I've worked on front line Jet fighters, second line Harriers, First Line Bombers, Bomb Disposal, a stint in Small Arms, a stint in Mauser cannons and a stint in second line Aircraft maintenance. Obviously I only did one of these at one time (Except Bomb disposal which stays with me forever), however, I now have to service my own AGSE (Aircraft Ground Servicing Equipment), do my own admin, de-ice our own roads and carpark, fix the building we work in, do a 1 week in 4 standby duty, keep fit to pass the Bi-anual fitness test and much more.
On a night shift, I leave home at 1420 and get to the gym at 1500 (I live that far away as the RAF has no accomodation available as they sold it off), do an Hour in the gym, start work at 1630, finish work at approx 0300-0400 approx and get home normally about 0430. And they want me to be a warfighter first, I wouldn't mind, but I'd like to shoot more than 15 rounds every 18 months for training.
Oh, I forgot to mention, a Squadron Armourer in the RAF looks after the Ejection seat and associated components (Includes canopy on some A/C types), fuel tanks, Cannon, Short range Air to Air Missile, Long Range Air to Air missiles, Missile Launchers, Pylons, Flares, Chaff, Bombs and the system that controls the weapons. Its the only technical trade in the RAF that is trained and authorised to work on Aircraft and non Aircraft items. I can only speak from my point of view but I know the other technical trades do a similar amount of work.
I suppose what I'm saying is, I don't get the time to do all the work required of me, keep fit, and be a soldier. We dont appear well disiplined to the outsider, but in our work environment, we are. With the amount of work we have to complete in a shift, and with a pilots life on the line, we have to remain profesional.
My apologies to the thepriapus, as this post is slightly off-topic for the subject of this thread, but I thought it was interesting ....
Sent to us my a member via email ....
The red smoke coming from the wing tips is only there to demonstrate to spectators on the ground the direction the plane is actually moving through the air. Normally the smoke wouldn't be there. When the smoke is streaming behind, the airplane is moving fast forward etc. When the airplane is engulfed in smoke, it means the airplane is almost stopped in mid-air. The maneuverability of this plane is incredible. This plane would be nearly impossible to defeat in a dogfight.
Russia may now have the #1 fighter plane in the world ... SU-30-Vectored Thrust with Canards. As you watch this airplane, look at the canards moving along side of, and just below the canopy rail. The "canards" are the small wings forward of the main wings. The smoke and contrails provide a sense of the actual flight path, sometimes in reverse direction.
This video is of an in-flight demonstration flown by the Russian's-30MK fighter aircraft.
The fighter can stall from high speed, stopping forward motion in seconds. (full stall).
Then it demonstrates an ability to descend tail first without causing a compressor stall. It can also recover from a flat spin in less than a minute. These maneuver capabilities don't exist in any other aircraft in the world today.
In 1966, two US Air Force Public Relations officers made a spoof interview of an American F-4 Phantom fighter pilot. A humorous piece of history. (Profanities spoken: listen at your own risk)
I find the posting by 'thepriapus' inflammatory and demeaning in character. The USAF recruits to fill its needs, not to satisfy the needs of a "red blooded male". Service, not ego. Badger's post is not funny and has no bearing on the initiated topic other than to add to a demeaning of the USAF history. Thank you, Brit Plumber from a retired USAF MSgt.
Badger's post is not funny and has no bearing on the initiated topic other than to add to a demeaning of the USAF history.
Demeaning ...
Odd turn of phrase considering the video was originally posted on the U.S. Air Force Academy's web site ....
Lighten up partner .. it's humor and for those of us (and I assume you?) who have been up the sharp end, often it's the self deprecating (sometimes black) humor that got us through some very tough times ..
As a veteran well into my 60's and a pilot, as well as a Ranger jumping out of them, I think I get it ....
We used to have an an expression we passed onto young warriors when the SH$$ hit the fan ... If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined ... ...
Anyway, loosen your tie and don't take it so seriously, or you'll give yourself an ulcer ...
Had my gastric ulcer in '83 but thanks for the advice. I did "pop off" on the "wimpy.." issue and should have held my tongue/fingers. And, by the way, the USAF consistently meets its recruiting quotas and has folks standing in line. The video - the USAF Academy does not always make what I consider appropriate choices. I am 67 years of age, served 25 years in the USAF, first 14 as enlisted, last eleven commissioned. Just did my job but always proud - and maybe a little too defensive - of my branch of service.
Old Crow, I just left the USAF after a long and rewarding career. I can tell you, it's not the same Air Force. The last 10 years have been very difficult and dysfunctional. They currently have major issues in terms of morale, eroding enlisted heritage and an overall lack of leadership and direction.
Like I said above, lurk a little on Air Force Times Forums and you will see what I mean.
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Originally Posted by old crow
