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Choose Me, I will Volunteer!
Apr 18, 2023 19:19:31   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
I suppose it was two, perhaps three years ago I read in the Houston Chronicle that the U.S. Air Force was short on pilots to fly drones serving in the middle east, and there wasn’t any backlog of officers who were willing to volunteer. It seems that pilots who flew missions much more desired those jobs than those sitting behind an array of computers and managing them.

After thinking about this situation and from my point of view, it should not have ever become a problem. After all, there were thousands of ‘retreads’ who either had combat experience or were willing to mix it up with any military force we might encounter. In fact, I always wanted to fly since I was four years old and would gladly volunteer!

In about six weeks I got a response from a brigadier general explaining the Air Force would soon be able to fill all the training slots and would be up to their desired strength. He thanked me for my service and willingness to serve again. Think about it! Would you volunteer if the country needed you?

As for me, I have a very small scar on my left eye’s lens. When I was commissioned, I was refused a flying training contract due to that scar. Upon being commissioned and on active duty, I asked to be reexamined for flight. The Ophthalmologist who examined my eyes said, “Well, lieutenant, on average you have 20/20 vision. But they don’t need pilots, they don’t even need officers!”

Back on base, the commander of my unit offered me a six-month active duty and the rest in the reserves for seven and a half months in active reserves.

Now, just a few weeks before I had seen a captain who came to our mess hall. Then one day, I saw this guy with sergeant stirpes coming in. I finally stopped him and asked,” Say didn’t I see you as a captain, and now you are a sergeant? Or do you have a twin? He replied he had been enlisted before getting a commission, but riffed now. Since he had only a couple of years until retirement, he chose to hang on until he retired.

Now, I gave this some thought and recognized since I had no prior-enlisted rank, I could easily be “riffed”! It was a risk I could not evaluate nor wanted to leave to chance, which made the six months and the rest reserves make sense.

Again, it was only two or three years until Viet Nam raised its ugly head and the Air Force again needed pilots. One of my fellow classmates did go back and flew for around 12 years, then was washed out due to his hearing.

At the time I did not know about the changes, but by then I had two small children. I did not think going back to active duty life would be the best for them. Just Sayin…RJS

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Apr 19, 2023 08:08:53   #
Chuckay Loc: Central Florida
 
Robert J Samples wrote:
I suppose it was two, perhaps three years ago I read in the Houston Chronicle that the U.S. Air Force was short on pilots to fly drones serving in the middle east, and there wasn’t any backlog of officers who were willing to volunteer. It seems that pilots who flew missions much more desired those jobs than those sitting behind an array of computers and managing them.

After thinking about this situation and from my point of view, it should not have ever become a problem. After all, there were thousands of ‘retreads’ who either had combat experience or were willing to mix it up with any military force we might encounter. In fact, I always wanted to fly since I was four years old and would gladly volunteer!

In about six weeks I got a response from a brigadier general explaining the Air Force would soon be able to fill all the training slots and would be up to their desired strength. He thanked me for my service and willingness to serve again. Think about it! Would you volunteer if the country needed you?

As for me, I have a very small scar on my left eye’s lens. When I was commissioned, I was refused a flying training contract due to that scar. Upon being commissioned and on active duty, I asked to be reexamined for flight. The Ophthalmologist who examined my eyes said, “Well, lieutenant, on average you have 20/20 vision. But they don’t need pilots, they don’t even need officers!”

Back on base, the commander of my unit offered me a six-month active duty and the rest in the reserves for seven and a half months in active reserves.

Now, just a few weeks before I had seen a captain who came to our mess hall. Then one day, I saw this guy with sergeant stirpes coming in. I finally stopped him and asked,” Say didn’t I see you as a captain, and now you are a sergeant? Or do you have a twin? He replied he had been enlisted before getting a commission, but riffed now. Since he had only a couple of years until retirement, he chose to hang on until he retired.

Now, I gave this some thought and recognized since I had no prior-enlisted rank, I could easily be “riffed”! It was a risk I could not evaluate nor wanted to leave to chance, which made the six months and the rest reserves make sense.

Again, it was only two or three years until Viet Nam raised its ugly head and the Air Force again needed pilots. One of my fellow classmates did go back and flew for around 12 years, then was washed out due to his hearing.

At the time I did not know about the changes, but by then I had two small children. I did not think going back to active duty life would be the best for them. Just Sayin…RJS
I suppose it was two, perhaps three years ago I re... (show quote)

Thanks for your service, Mr James
It men like you that we still speak English today. God bless you
Chuck

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Apr 19, 2023 13:40:43   #
USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ
 
Difference in the 50s and 60s was whether you were a reserve officer on extended active duty or a regular AF officer. Many officers from WW 2 accepted MSgt stripes or less after the war. When Korea came along in the summer of 1950 they were recalled to commissioned status usually with a base transfer. By '55 or so those guys were no longer needed again and were 'riffed' once more unless they had 18 years active duty. The 18 years put them in a sanctuary zone which let them stay as an officer until they reached 20 years and retired. A lot of enlisted men would retire on say the last day of the month and the first day of the next month start drawing officers' retired pay. I personally knew an E-7 who retired as an O-6 (full colonel). It is all governed by the Reserve Officers Promotion Act and the luck of the draw. You made the right decision Bob.

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May 26, 2023 06:45:18   #
Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas
 
USAF Major: I am remiss in not saying "Thank You" for making the subject clear. Yes, I believe you are right in that I made the right choice. It is amazing just how fast things can change. Just Sayin...RJS

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