I started a new career... now Ukraine.. F#%&

So I took a new job, and started a new career at 49 years old submitted my paperwork for retirement the USAFR refused to accept a retirement date earlier than 6 months out so I chose April 1. (seemed appropriate for military Retirment.) My unit excused me from everything while the paperwork processes, but at the time nobody saw this mess with Ukraine on the horizon.

I previously worked on the A-10, so if the world gets a case of the stupids and we start fighting over ukraine decent chance my unit will be activated, I am not officially retired. (from a mission essential job)

Up in Alaska I am loving it, bit of cabin fever right now but thats ok less intense workload, good co-workers, good boss and its a non-combat mission essential position. (new boss is the USAF)

So couple things, I have emailed the people that should be able to answer that, initial feedback is of course, you stay where you are but nobody can show me in black and white yet which mission essential job would take precedence, which knowing the USAF the way I do both jobs will say they take priority.

ARPC the people processing my retirement have a manpower shortage, so little to no chance that my stuff is done sooner rather than later.

Now my disability paperwork is creeping into the mix as well.

My fat ass (I put on 15 lbs this winter, rowing machine arrives tuesday so I can start addressing that) doesn't need to be deploying as a maintainer, and I know if the right decision gets made and I stay where I am at now, Ill get the I didn't go funk feeling that I let my comrades down.

*bangs head on desk* why cant anything ever go smoothly, thats all I want just one time in my professional career for everything to go the way it is supposed to.

a reply to: Irishhaf

I previously worked on the A-10, so if the world gets a case of the stupids and we start fighting over ukraine decent chance my unit will be activated, I am not officially retired. (from a mission essential job)

There's a lot of shield bashing going on right now but what will happen if Russia make a move on Ukraine is Sanctions not an immediate war, I'm not convinced that Putin intends to make that move and the show of strength is purely to advance his point in a serious manner , if you look at a map of NATO expansion to the East since 97 it's hard to disagree with his point.

It would be a mistake to attack Ukraine and Vladimir Putin is not known for making political mistakes , even I can see that it would be a no win situation and bad for Russia.

Don't give up hope just yet.

a reply to: Irishhaf

Don't think you owe the USAF anything, you have given more than most and they will crap on you if that's what best for them. Do what's best for you 100%. A non deployment job (If that's the goal) would be best. Congrats on retirement. Good luck on the next step.

a reply to: gortex

Yea my gut says he is just pushing to see how weak the response will be, in all honesty my fear comes from our side.

Getting a conflict going when one is weak politically is kind of a time-honored tactic to deflect from failures at home and considering Russia has been the boogeyman for 70 odd years how hard would it be to whip up a frenzy.

I am probably just over thinking it.

a reply to: network dude

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't want to wear the uniform again my time is over in uniform, I would not be effective and would even worse probably be a detriment on deployment in my old job.

my new career is the best route forward for my family, and that is my driving force moving forward.

I'd go along with Goretex. Talks are going to resume next week and were still some way off from reactivation of units and reserve at the moment. War is not in anyone's national interest. That could change, but the Ruskies are famously slow at mobilisation.

I think you should just stay in Alaska if you can. Maybe toss that exercise equipment in the closet so you won't qualify to be stationed in the Ukraine.

Although, overweight people may be expendible so they may send them to get shot at to lessen costs of healthcare in the future.

a reply to: Irishhaf

You’re going to go fight the russians in a-10, I’m going in an F-22, I’ll be in my stealth fighter 🥷 and I’ll see you going down in flames. My Call Sign is Black Viper, I graduated 1st in Top Gun ‘class of ‘91, I have 13 unconfirmed kills, and have personally fought in the battle of Mariana Trench a highly classified engagement with UFOs, in which they used a magnetic electron gravitational field accelerator to part the seas like God, and suck the water to the side, exposing the trench to a deep underground UFO base, using reverse engineering, we managed to used special forces to activate the shield, exposing themselves allowing our planes and missiles to destroy the base, i shot down 360 UFO 🛸 drones the size of cars designed to cause mass confusion as they escape in stealth vehicles, I shot down one, that managed to be exposed for a brief second by the glow a drone, allowing a lock, thus becoming the first naval aviator to get a confirmed UFO alien kill, earning the Title Super Top Gun Inter Galactic Ace. My patch is being designed by Gucci, and Nike I’m awaiting official confirmation. I’m also on the call up list, so I hope this all goes away, I’m “officially” retired, with the rank of Captain, but if called up I’ll be demoted to my retirement rank of Lt. Commander, either way I’m your superior officer and I’m having you card pulled by the Brass, as you will be charged under the stolen valour act, if not, welcome aboard, I like my coffee double double with a bagel and cream cheese, a breakfast sausage sandwich, an orange, and some some lemonade, wait.

I just got an email alert on may iPad, I ve been ordered to tell you we just sent code red Red Tango, InShAlla, communications hacked, this….is…..the blood of the Arab, rising to warn you, the real threat is underground, Alla Ackbar!

Man, that was weird, that’s what the email said, so I guess we are tango red, wait another email, you’ve been ordered to go in full gear to Langley, an Uber will be at your door in 7 minutes.

Guys this is real, get your fat ass in to gear specialist. You are now promoted to Lt. You will now fly the A 10 and not be in the rear with gear.

Well, good luck because if you lost to mountain people, imagine what a state of the art military will do to your airbase.

a reply to: Irishhaf

Getting a conflict going when one is weak politically is kind of a time-honored tactic to deflect from failures at home and considering Russia has been the boogeyman for 70 odd years how hard would it be to whip up a frenzy.

Some would argue that the Falklands war was one example of a failing leader creating a crisis , Thatcher was heading for election defeat in the early 80s until the Falklands.

a reply to: gortex

Yea I never understood what that one was about, and manufacture of a crisis makes a lot more sense than the "offical" history of it.

Dang , good thing you were not with the old SAC.
You don't retire , you got placed on "inactive duty" until you are of age to retire .

a reply to: gortex

And in many way we are still paying the price for that today.

She was masterful at recognising opportunities to manipulate and exploit to further her own political career and agenda, regardless of the cost to others.

a reply to: Irishhaf

I sincerely hope you get to see out your time in peace before moving on to a new and successful career whilst enjoying some quality time with your family etc.👍🍺

a reply to: Freeborn

Yea I am to old for this #, time for the young bucks to carry it forward did the best I could to get them ready.

a reply to: Gothmog

SAC might have been done before I served, but all of my bosses when I came in were born and raised in SAC so I got blooded in the same way.

More than once had 30 mins to be at the sq with a bag for deployment.

Ill freely admit that fire which made it a fun and interesting time, is no longer in the same place now it burns for my family.

a reply to: Randomname2

a reply to: Freeborn

Crikey, Freeborn, for a moment I thought your comments were about Merkel!

Cheers