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Gad. Weenie, personnel, 1 ea.

By The Armorer on February 15, 2011 | | Comments (22)
And ya wanna bet he feels abused and misunderstood?

Classy move, Major.

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22 Comments

By BillT on February 15, 2011 1:04 PM
Heh.

That's how NJHRO announced their original plan to get rid of "retire" me -- in an e-mail.

On a Friday afternoon at 1530.

"Report to Fort Dix at 0730 on Monday for retirement outprocessing."

It didn't work out like they'd planned...
 
By BloodSpite on February 15, 2011 1:11 PM
It just gives Gates and Co idea's on how to start the RIF process for the AF
 
By Old Scout on February 15, 2011 1:44 PM
I was thinking along similar lines.  I'm sure if the 1971 RIF had occurred today we would all have gotten our notices by E-Mail, not those oh-so-nice gov'ment letters.
 
By Boquisucio on February 15, 2011 1:48 PM
As always, the Brits are ahead of the curve from us.  When our economy seizes to a grinding halt, in a monetary collapse, the exact same thing will happen to us.

Mark my words.
 
By John of Argghhh! on February 15, 2011 2:03 PM
I remember the '71 RIF, from a "old enough to be aware of what was going on" perspective. 

People would go to lunch and come back to find a (literal, I believe) pink envelope on their desk.

Half the Auld Soldier's ROTC detachment cadre got RIF'd that year.  The Auld Soldier of course, did it the right way, alone, with them, in his office. I've got pictures of their last party, somewhere.  There were some sad and angry faces at the Auld Soldier's house that day.

I thought about putting that stuff in the post up front, but I thought it would be better to let you guys bring it up.
 
By MikeD on February 15, 2011 2:27 PM
My dad was a 71' RIF as a Major.  Still managed to retire as a Bird from the reserves.
 
By htom on February 15, 2011 3:21 PM
Always did it in person, and without the company "guards" at hand, who I thought were more likely to cause trouble. I really want to see the Major's next fitness report, if he has one. He'd have to, now that I think about it. Just one of those giving scum a bad name.
 
By HH on February 15, 2011 5:13 PM
I served with a Pharmacy technician who was an E-7 until the day he retired.  At the ceremony he surprised a bunch of folks by holding the rank of Major.  He had been a B-52 navigator, Major, until the end of the Vietnam War, and dropped in rank and retrained in the Pharmacy field to stay in the Air Force. He retired at the highest rank he had ever held, Major, with over 20 years of service.
 
By Mark Matis on February 15, 2011 6:03 PM
For htom:
What makes you think the Major's next fitness report will be ANYTHING less than a stellar "Walks on Water"?  Or do you think the British actually treat their Perfumed Princes differently than the US military treats ours?
 
By R Jewell on February 15, 2011 6:26 PM
The '71 RIF cost us some of the finest rotor wing avaitors we had........
 
By Skip on February 15, 2011 7:15 PM
Bill,
Did you ever run across a Walt Wosicki? Grad of the Point '59.
I think he took the first buncha Cobras over. Maybe not.
My half brother.
 
By BillT on February 15, 2011 7:30 PM
The '71 RIF cost us some of the finest rotor wing avaitors we had........

As evidenced by the accident rate.

Fewer hours flown in '72 and '73, fewer helicopters flying, and Class A accidents killing people almost every week.

In '72, the only aviator left on Ft. Hood was the CG.

 
By htom on February 15, 2011 9:34 PM
Mark -- he may walk on water, but he made the MoD apologise for his having done so. The Colonel will be pleased, the four-stars not so much.
 
By Attila on February 15, 2011 9:56 PM
Reminds me of the RAF 3-star I worked with in Brunssum, NL on my NATO tour. He was the principal architect of the post-Cold War downsizing of the RAF and had the poor manners to enjoy what he did a little too much. He, of course, retired as a 4-star.

The best way to end up buying a round for the entire Mess was to mention the man's actual name...sort of the British version of being the last man standing after someone shouts, "DECEASED INSECT!" (I paraphrase) in a fighter bar.

To avoid this faux pas, you merely referred to him as the "Scottish Group Captain"...and EVERYONE (RAF) knew who you were referring to.

Maybe he's back as a consultant in the MOD...
 
By BillT on February 16, 2011 6:01 AM
Skip -- No, never ran across him in my travels. I was strictly Loach and Hubert until '87, then added the Cobra to the (expanding) list of fling-wings in which the Army expected me to maintain proficiency.

Which included being able to spout operating limitations and emergency procedures verbatim for any one of 'em at any time.

Go ahead -- ask me the MilSpec number for the tranny fluid in the UH-1M or the Vne for the OH-23G with externally-mounted litter kits...
 
By John of Argghhh! on February 16, 2011 8:57 AM
Heh.  Under the new regime, tranny fluid is going to have multiple meanings...
 
By Grumpy on February 16, 2011 11:54 AM
I know this is an "All Volunteer Force", does that mean these people, all volunteered to be screwed?

I was just thinking, I do believe there are some "old timers" reading here. I knew men who were planning on making a career in the Military, after almost 15 years. The Military had a different point of view, RIF. They always described it this way, "RIF = Draft in Reverse".

 
 
By WereKitten on February 16, 2011 12:14 PM

*perk*
We have tranny's at The Castle??  Since when?  Why wasn't I informed?  They will all need chandelier training pronto.  Or maybe I should say "lickity-split".

 
By Mike L on February 16, 2011 2:02 PM
Okay, Bill - what is the "the MilSpec number for the tranny fluid in the UH-1M or the Vne for the OH-23G with externally-mounted litter kits..."   :)
 
By Grumpy on February 16, 2011 5:42 PM
 John, I ain't touching some of your lines. They are hotter than a “3 Dollar Bill”. I am learning more and more about The Castle. It does appear that I am not the only one. I just didn't know that you were so “politically correct”, I stand corrected! I must admit that, considering all of the variables, this has been a great post! I just hope you keep everything in working order, after hearing about Defense Budget, worst of just might get drafted back into “active duty”. During the day, I kept thinking about your Dad. I just wonder, “Would he be thinking about all of this?” I don't mean that in a bad way. Best way to describe it, would be this, I almost feel like a little kid with a pain in the butt type of curiosity. The great thing is this, in my minds eye, it's like he's singing the corner and just observing.  The big thing is the enjoyment of the whole place, the blog, The Castle with all of the nonsense but all in good  fun. John, you were so right, I'll never have your arsenal, but that's the way the Docs want it. I have learned to accept it.  You have given me a place to go, virtually, and it had been a lot of fun. THANK YOU.   
 
By BillT on February 16, 2011 8:29 PM
Mike -- in order, MIL-L-23699 and 65 knots.
 
By Janessa Kenik on February 17, 2011 10:11 PM
Hey, that's a very helpful post. I wonder if you can follow up on this post! I would love to hear what you think of it now.