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Gil Bang

By 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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T-shirt Sip

T-shirt Sip 2103

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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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BillyGoatHill

BillyGoatHill 4312

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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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BillyGoatHill

BillyGoatHill 4312

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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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T-shirt Sip

T-shirt Sip 2103

Posted
Posted (edited)
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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UpperWestside

UpperWestside 6163

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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. 

Edited by Gil Bang
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BearSchlong

BearSchlong 8094

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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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orange dream

orange dream 1251

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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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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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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BearSchlong

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“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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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25957

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Somebody that I know recently told me that Jordan is a nice place, the weather is good, and the Jordanians are terrific people.

 

I understand that there are joint maneuvers going on these days.

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YGIFS

YGIFS 19450

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The Jordanians have been quietly a tight ally of ours in the Middle East for the last few decades.  My younger cousin is still USMC Force Recon and has worked with them frequently, picking up both Arabic and Farsi along the way.  Has good things to say about them, for the most part.  

I wish all currently serving men and women, a blessed U.S. Armed Forces Day today.  I still have three blood relatives serving, so may God keep his watchful eye over them.  One of them even had bone spurs but managed somehow to do a few tours with the USAF.  God Bless all of 'em.  We may be headed back as a country to some shit again...

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InkaUtexas

InkaUtexas 25939

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15 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

Somebody that I know recently told me that Jordan is a nice place, the weather is good, and the Jordanians are terrific people.

 

I understand that there are joint maneuvers going on these days.

We have worked closely with Jordan since the 1970's, just quietly. Their Special forces was with our kids in Mogadishu. Damn fine people and good soldiers. Still built on the English model, but they are building a solid NCO core.

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YGIFS

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36 minutes ago, InkaUtexas said:
2 hours ago, YGIFS said:

I love Jordan. Great food and history. But um, yeah, they don't speak Farsi. So boy was a bit to east.

I am truncating, for once Lobo, that during deployments and language school-he learned both Arabic and Farsi.  Plus some associated Portuguese.  

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InkaUtexas

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4 hours ago, YGIFS said:

I am truncating, for once Lobo, that during deployments and language school-he learned both Arabic and Farsi.  Plus some associated Portuguese.  

I am not lobo.

Tells me he was 3rd or 5th group. How did he like Mozambique?

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Guadaloopy

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6 hours ago, YGIFS said:

The Jordanians have been quietly a tight ally of ours in the Middle East for the last few decades. 

Almost 30 years ago now, I was part of an amphibious readiness group that participated in a combined force exercise with the Jordanians.  We pulled in to Aqaba for three weeks.   The Marines went ashore for exercises, and the ships’ crews got to hang out in port for the entire time.  
 

The Jordanians treated us right.  The visit fell over the 4th of July, so they lent us the use of the picnic grounds at the Royal Jordanian Dive Center to have an Independence Day barbecue bash.  They didn’t even flinch when we busted out the whole suckling pigs to cook over their pits.  For the full three weeks, they allowed Sailors full access to the dive club and free use of snorkeling gear.   I’ve dove and snorkeled all over the world, and the Gulf of Aqaba has some of the most beautiful water and reefs I’ve ever seen.  The Jordanians also organized multiple trips to Petra for the crews.  That was a truly surreal experience.  
 

Jordan is a solid ally and they walk the walk. 
 

 

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InkaUtexas

InkaUtexas 25939

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34 minutes ago, Guadaloopy said:

Almost 30 years ago now, I was part of an amphibious readiness group that participated in a combined force exercise with the Jordanians.  We pulled in to Aqaba for three weeks.   The Marines went ashore for exercises, and the ships’ crews got to hang out in port for the entire time.  
 

The Jordanians treated us right.  The visit fell over the 4th of July, so they lent us the use of the picnic grounds at the Royal Jordanian Dive Center to have an Independence Day barbecue bash.  They didn’t even flinch when we busted out the whole suckling pigs to cook over their pits.  For the full three weeks, they allowed Sailors full access to the dive club and free use of snorkeling gear.   I’ve dove and snorkeled all over the world, and the Gulf of Aqaba has some of the most beautiful water and reefs I’ve ever seen.  The Jordanians also organized multiple trips to Petra for the crews.  That was a truly surreal experience.  
 

Jordan is a solid ally and they walk the walk. 
 

 

Dad was with them in Mog and spent some time in country. I worked with them in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Solid dudes and they do it right.

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Thetexashammer

Thetexashammer 1062

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35 minutes ago, Guadaloopy said:

Almost 30 years ago now, I was part of an amphibious readiness group that participated in a combined force exercise with the Jordanians.  We pulled in to Aqaba for three weeks.   The Marines went ashore for exercises, and the ships’ crews got to hang out in port for the entire time.  
 

The Jordanians treated us right.  The visit fell over the 4th of July, so they lent us the use of the picnic grounds at the Royal Jordanian Dive Center to have an Independence Day barbecue bash.  They didn’t even flinch when we busted out the whole suckling pigs to cook over their pits.  For the full three weeks, they allowed Sailors full access to the dive club and free use of snorkeling gear.   I’ve dove and snorkeled all over the world, and the Gulf of Aqaba has some of the most beautiful water and reefs I’ve ever seen.  The Jordanians also organized multiple trips to Petra for the crews.  That was a truly surreal experience.  
 

Jordan is a solid ally and they walk the walk. 
 

 

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F250

F250 28775

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I'm currently planning a trip to visit my oldest at Fort Meade. It's been awhile since I've seen him. Since his graduation and commission his adventures have taken him to Mississippi and Maryland.

I want to see Gettysburg and possibly Fredericksburg and tour D.C. and finish up at Virginia Beach. Plans are to fly into Philadelphia and hit up Gettysburg and Fredericksburg and D.C. then my son join us at Virginia Beach.

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