http://defensetech.org/2010/12/28/chinas-carrier-killer-ballistic-missiles-are-operational/ Can anyone tell me just how real this threat is? This isn't the first I've heard of China's so-called "Carrier Killers", but I've heard from a few people that it's no more a threat than any other anti-ship missile. I'm curious as to what those of you in the know think about this.
I'm hoping there's someone around here that can help me out with this. I separated from the Air Force back in November Honorably. Over the course of my four year enlistment I was put in for a few awards, excelled in all aspects of my job, deployed to Afghanistan, made E-5, had all firewall 5 EPR's and never got it any trouble (save for a few ass chewings, but I'm talking LOC/LOR/Art 15). Basically I feel like I was an above average Airman. Anyway, here is the problem. I wrote my squadron an e-mail asking the status on my medal package. (I'm joining the guard and the recruiter was asking about medals/awards). I was shocked to find out that my flight chief put me in as a non-rec for an award. Keep in mind I have friends who received Art 15's who weren't even non-rec'd. Usually that is reserved for shit bags, people who are getting kicked out, people with UCMJ charges, etc. I'm confident that the only reason I wasn't put in for a medal is because my supervisor was too lazy to do his job and write me a medal package. There is no reason, what so ever, that I should have been denied. Anyway my question is this. Is there any way I can appeal this? I emailed my old chief and he hasn't answered me as to why I was considered a non-rec. *I am by no means a ribbon chaser. I feel like I rightfully earned an award, not to mention I'm more pissed off about the principal of the whole situation more than anything. Lazy people who don't give a fuck about anyone but themselves is one of the main reasons I got out of the military.
You might not have a very enjoyable time in the military. I was in the Army for six years, and it seemed like there were three types of people: 1. Normal people that you would work hard with and hang out with after work. 2. Shitbags you wouldn't associate in any walk of life. 3. People who live for the military 24/7. We get it, you love the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/whatever. Don't shove everything down my throats. Just because I don't iron my uniform while I'm wearing it doesn't mean I don't work hard.
All carriers have a certain wondrous thing called CWIS (Close-in Weapons System). It's basically a radar-operated gatling gun that can be used to shoot missiles out of the sky. In tests, it's been accurate enough to shoot down seagulls. I would love to see ANYTHING get through a 20mm Gatling gun.
I'm familiar with the CIWS. It's truly a wonderful system, but one of the big things I've heard about this missile is it can apparently fly low enough that the CIWS can't accurately target it.
Figured I'd toss this up to you guys. I'm a senior in college, getting a mechanical engineering degree. I'm looking at some civilian jobs at the Aberdeen testing ground, but I'm having trouble understanding some of the job postings. I'll read a description, think "hey, that sounds interesting and I seem qualified" but it pays 150k. For example. What does the "equivalent to the GS-11 grade level" mean? I've worked paid internships, and have been working part time for the past year and half-ish doing design and R&D work. Thanks for any insight.
The GS pay scale is used for federal employees like FBI agents, not military people. I think the scale goes from 1-15 so the equivalent of a GS-11 is probably someone with some management/leadership experience.
GS-11 is equivalent to 1LT, if I recall correctly. Have you been doing something that's roughly equivalent to what a 1st Lieutenant should be doing, in terms of general levels of ability and not-fucking-things-up?
If you have no idea what a 1stLT does, I can give you some insight as I am one. A 1LT is, for the most part, a 'store manager'. We are put in charge of the small stuff like organization, the way a place is run in general, ordering supplies, handling Intel and distributing it to who we deem necessary, being in charge of the workers, writing a schedule, etc. Manager duties. Not very high up, but we have the ability to make decisions and implement them on the small level. Usually we'd have around 40 'workers' who do our bidding as we get orders from the high up brass guys. We advise the E-dogs on any problems they may have work related or personal from our wealth of knowledge...slight sarcasm, but we try. That's the gist of our jobs right now. A 2ndLt, one rank lower, is like a manager in training, and a captain, who is one rank higher, is like a district manager. Hope that gives you perspective. Oh and for anyone who is curious, I passed my helo systems test yesterday and move on to aerodynamics. Let me tell you, by every aero physics concept, a helicopter should flip itself over and burn to the ground every time it takes off. These things weren't meant to fly, but they do because of fucking magic. First flight should be in a couple weeks, can't wait!!!
Bought a surplus Angle light today to throw onto my turnout gear at the firehouse. It's pretty water resistant, it fits perfectly on the jacket, and its tough for a plastic flashlight. I'm pretty happy with it, but I'm starting to have an issue with the switch. Its really tough to push back down into the off position. Anyone know a way I can loosen it up a bit without breaking it? It's no problem to turn on, just trying to switch it off is a challenge. Especially when I'm wearing the fire resistance gloves, I might as well be wearing kevlar mittens.
I didn't ask that. I needed a hands free light, so I got one, and for cheap. Surefire also didn't have an angle lights at any of the shops around me. I'm asking how to loosen the switch up. Do I bend the ends up? Maybe some WD-40?
So I put in for a deployment awhile ago and turns out it went through. So in May I'm heading out to Spangdahlem Germany for 4 to 6 Months. Any advice from people that have been to Germany or Europe for that matter.
Holy. Fucking. Shit. Spandghalem is not a deployment. Anyway the city of Bitburg, which is right outside Spangdahlem, is alright, albeit small. Head to Kaiserslautern (Ramstein. Also, they have a sweet BX) if you want to party with Americans. If not, you're within 5 hours of some pretty great European cities, so take advantage of that. Also, I hope you're black. If so, you'll be swimming in pussy. If you're white don't worry, German girls are really easy anyway. I was stationed in Germany for almost 3 years and did a lot of traveling, so PM me if you have more specific questions.
Ok guys, I'm considering taking the plunge on joining the Army and need some straight talk here. Here's my situation. I'm 24 and living in Florida and am not happy with the way my life is going. I originally wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement but I feel like I've just been spinning my wheels on that. Now, I have always been big into aviation, especially helicopters and after a couple heart to heart talks with family and friends, they (and myself) think I should look at going into the Army to pursue my childhood dream of flying Apache helicopters. Before I go any further, I thought I'd run it by the people here. A little background about me. I'm 24 with a perfectly clean criminal record who has never done any drugs, ever. The extent of my run ins with the law is limited to a speeding ticket from 2004. I do not have any college, and in high school I was...to be blunt...a poor student. I was going to come up a couple credits short of graduating and was voluntarily placed in this program where you make up credits and take the tests for the State Diploma/GED at the same time, essentially earning two diplomas. I took the tests and passed them with flying colors (even earning an "honors" designation, for what that's worth) and got the state diploma, but I was still about a credit short at my school when my senior year was over and since I already had the state diploma, I just never went back. One of my reasons for doing so was that my counselor at the time told me that the state diploma was exactly the same thing as one issues by the school and I realize now I was probably sold a bill of goods and didn't even realize it. Anyways, the reason that is all relevant is because my Google searches have turned up some conflicting information so I'm here looking for some no shitters. Question 1: Will my state diploma/GED prevent me from going into the Warrant Officer program with the Army? If so, is it possible to get a waiver? What other options might I have? Question 2: What are the realistic chances of achieving my dream? I've been told (secondhand) that the Army is in need of pilots but I'm sure the process is very competitive. Question 3: How does the process work? I know I need to take the ASVAB, get a high score (no problem for me) and go through the same process everyone else does, and then there is a flight aptitude test to take. Would I take that before or after basic training? How would it work with the Apache MOS? If there weren't any openings at the time, what would happen? Would I wait to begin basic until there is an opening, or would I proceed through? If I proceed through and there are still no open spots when basic is finished, what would happen to me? Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be somewhat thorough. Thank you, in advance, for any help and guidance you can provide!
Durej wrote: So I put in for a deployment awhile ago and turns out it went through. So in May I'm heading out to Spangdahlem Germany for 4 to 6 Months. Any advice from people that have been to Germany or Europe for that matter. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Spandghalem is not a deployment. Nope. Not in the least bit, more like vacation time. I wished like hell I could get stationed in Germany when I first joined, now they are deploying people there?
Nope. Not in the least bit. I wished like hell I could get stationed in Germany when I first joined, now they are deploying folks there?