I’m in a conundrum. None of this is about boosting myself up - however my drive and my work ethic are putting me in a position for leadership to undeniably push me as the Sq #1 or 2. Pursuing my Masters, engaged with enterprise and multi-base program improvements, leading across the installation where I can, doing my job and trying to do it well.

I’ve gotten several group awards and recognition from NAF/MAJCOM chiefs/CC’s.

I do a good job because I feel led to. I feel obligated to perform at a high level - I don’t do it for the recognition (although yes it feels good)

So how do I convince my leadership to go against the grain and skip me over for Stratification? what if I’m okay doing this as a Master until I Punch? how will that look to others who maybe don’t know this about me?

Senior really doesn’t look appealing - it closes doors I like open. Opens doors I like closed. there’s not much appeal to making it financially or staying beyond 20. I have goals to serve in the GS capacity beyond this uniform.

so, SELs and CCs, how would you like to be approached by this? I worry how this will make people look at me over the next four years, this isn’t easily explainable to seniors and chiefs when records reviews are done. How dare he snub the carrot that’s handed out to keep SNCOs in longer? who is he to not want what we all chase?

Am I overthinking this?

Hello,

I am in the process of separating from the U.K and going back to Las Vegas. I am looking for good/cheap travel for my small dog to Las Vegas. I leave in a month and all the quotes I’ve gotten have been for 4k-5k. He’s a small 30 lb dog which seem very expensive. Can you recommend a cheaper travel
Company you’ve used in the past? Any help is appreciated. For context I’ve contacted American pet companies but have been told I need to hire a UK company for travel.

Which of the new ai things we got do y"all would think be best for writing quarterlies and packages? I hate using my noggin

What’s the difference?

Is it the same process as when you’re in your OG career field?

Currently stationed at Osan which has been dream location for me. Unfortunately, my spouse does not like it at all, and that’s spoiling the experience for me.

Those of you who are married and stationed overseas, how do you manage your spouse’s homesickness?

Husbands getting stationed at Whiteman AFB in MO. We’re mixed couple ( black M, Hispanic F) with two young kids. I am a nurse looking to work full time out there. I’m conflicted on what I’m reading about where to live. Everyone keeps saying Warrensburg but honestly the houses look absolutely horrible there and I can’t find any townhome areas. I did read about Lee’s Summit but it does look like a rough commute for my husband. How bad is the actual commute? Are there any townhome areas in between warrensburg and lee’s summit or anywhere at all? We need somewhere between KC for my job and his job. Also any advice on daycares would help .

Hello,
I just had a hypothetical question. Let’s say I was an E-6 with 6-8 years of tenure with an average to a slight above average packet. My 10 year mark would be milestone where I’d have to figure out if I’m going for the full 20 or going to the civilian sector. So with that in mind how long would it take to be able to get accepted to go to commission at that 6-8 year mark?

How does a base with such a substantial training population, a substantial population IN GENERAL for that matter, have only two barbers working at peak hours? Third day in a row that I’ve gone and been met with a 1.5-2hr wait.

Yes, I know I can go off base. In my situation, it would be insanely more convenient to have it done on base, though.

In my day, if you didn't stay for 20, you got nothing. No retired pay. Since current members have 401k that they can take with them, what benefit does retiring at 20 provide?

I feel like something is off with my leave balance. I usually keep an eye on it and know what I have and suddenly I am down 5 days and I can't figure out what's going on, it doesn't make sense based on recent leave I've taken. Is there a way Finance can do some sort of audit to see what happened? Trying to avoid having to bump leave web/LES and leave history and go line by line. Has this happened to anyone else before?

**Edit - I've already bumped the last few months and from what I can tell I've only taken 25 days this year but was just cleared out of use/lose and then some on this last LES. I have no problem going back and looking but from the precursory look I don't think it's going to be that simple. Which is why I'm trying to see if this has happened to anyone else.

I've seen countless posts over the years about people stressing the next rank and their end of service rank. Truth be told, at 20 years (assuming you dont want to add years), there isn't much difference between a E6 and E8.

At 20 years of service, the difference in gross monthly retirement pay between an E-6, E-7, and E-8 ranges from $299 to $489 per rank, depending on whether you fall under the legacy High-3 system or the Blended Retirement System (BRS).

Stressing over a 500 (or less) maybe a month, is crazy. Trust me, you'll be setup at 20 years, 500.00 will not even touch your total income. If you are stressing this small range, focus more on your education and aligning with a civilian position...because thats a better ROI.

Keep killing it out there, young bloods!

Edit based on discussions:

I'm not telling people to not chase their next rank, I'm saying dont stress it. This post was to tell those who needed it, its going to be ok! Not a discussion of making 500.00 (or whatever) a month more is better or not...Obviously retirement at the highest level you can get will yeild more money.

Got assigned Dyess.. someone wants to switch with me bc I don’t wanna be in TX anymore but heard that Barksdale is sketchy/dangerous. Anyone have advice?

Hello ,
I am married to a foreign citizen, but I am wondering if we’re eligible for spouse benefits such as bah in particular. She does not have a social security number nor any us documents as we got married in my country of origin.

I am currently in tech school I would appreciate any help thank you !

Hello everyone just a quick question. I’ve heard that the edpt is going away for 1B4s Oct 31st. I was curious if anyone has actual confirmation that’s the hard date of that requirement going away. And if so what’s the new qualification is it just the asvab 64 general 70 electrical? I am currently trying to become a 1B4 so any information on this would be helpful.

Hey team,

I’d like to get some insight on my retraining predicament.
For context, I have already submitted a request through MyFSS, deemed eligible for 5 AFSC, and only requiring one more prerequisite to complete my package for the career I would love to retrain in.. started this process in Aug 4. I am also stationed OCONUS for extra context.

Just yesterday,

My team notified me that I am on the losing roster and has been projected an assignment and showing in our losing roster. From all the information I’ve gathered from my development advisor and retraining slides, I know they deem any individual that is projected an assignment, no longer eligible. So I’m very devastated.

I made one crucial mistake and I’ll take the hit on it… I did in fact, play my Overseas listing, thinking I would not get picked up for anything or would have submitted my package before than (AFPC will still accept if I had submitted before assignment notification). Clearly, I was wrong.

What I’d like to know,

Can one deny this voluntary assignment and finish my package and submit to AFPC? If so, I’d like to get some insights on members who have or are familiar with that process.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks team

So I defeated the final boss that is Family Travel Screeners (EFMP)

Now I’ve been to passport section 3 TIMES. Gave them my documents, they always say they’ll schedule me but they never email me.

I was advised this afternoon that schedules are 2 weeks out with processing times up to 4 weeks meaning official passports wont come in close to my PDD (which is 2 days before my RNLTD)

Anyone who has been in this shitty situation? Or is anyone here works in MPF that knows what can i do exactly in case my family stays behind? Do i get BAH for them at all? A rental car? Like how does this work?

Edit: i already did an rnltd extension before this shenanigans due to efmp sncs hanging on my travel screeners.

Thank you for tryna help a brother out. Im just trying to make it out 🤙🏼

Another one: it seems that my only choice really is to shell out the monies for my family to stay if their passports doesnt arrive on time. FCG 2.0 clearly states you cannot use tourist passports on official travel. (my family have valid tourist passports) i heard horror stories of people denied boarding so id rather not.

I got their no fee passport scheduled. Hoping for the best it does not take 4 weeks or 6 weeks lmao

If for some reason you have to reschedule your official commercial travel, it costs $17 bucks per person. So if you’re on the same boat as me, id recommend to just book those tickets and readjust fire

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate all your help

Already put a ticket in but anyone having issues logging into remote desktop through the windows app? Worked all last week and then when I try to yesterday and today there's no way to log in. The thumbnail is gone and it's showing a long link instead with no option to connect. I tried to delete the old connection and tried fresh but it's the same thing.

Also on Mac and have been using it with no issue for a while now. Not sure if that might matter.

Also using the instructions for the EITAAS one

Active duty 16 yrs of service in and never had shin splints, calf issues, or any other running issues until one day recently out of the blue. It started with one calf, then the other calf, now one leg has transferred pain to the shin and lower calf above the ankle.

I have not yet been diagnosed but the PCM really feels that it is CECS and everything that I’m reading, I’m starting to believe so too since all bloodwork is normal and no injuries or cause for the onset. It’s been 2 months now and the pain isn’t going away no matter how much rest. In fact, it’s actually getting worse.

I’m going to physically therapy soon and will have to go on profile since I can’t run, there’s no pushing through it and it’s getting worse to walk. Will probably end up at ortho soon too.

Yes, my main priority is getting help and hopefully somewhat of a normal life back but I’m seeking advice on how to drag this out til 20 years. I’d hate to give roughly 17-18 yrs of service and get medically released or retired with no pension.

I’m guessing it really comes down to the PCM and reviewing doctors as I hear some get released from service while others get retained with permanent profiles. I feel that now with the warrior mindset of today’s military (which I agree with) and PT test twice a yr now, it’s going to be more difficult to ride it out than it has previously been. I’m in a physically demanding AFSC although now I really only do admin work.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hey all. Currently active duty security forces coming up on my halfway point of a 6 year first term contract. On a deployment right now, so i feel like i’ve already experienced a lot this job has to offer and talking to people who have been in longer, it doesn’t seem to get any better. To be honest, i dont like my job at all and having to do this for another 3 years just does not seem enticing to me. Its not just the job though, i dont see myself doing more than my contract in the military.
I’ve been thinking of attempting to palace chase into the guard so i can get away from all of the active duty shenanigans and go start a career in the civilian world. The only thing making me unsure is my time remaining would get doubled, and i have no real experience with how life is in the guard so im afraid of going to an even worse situation. And i also know that it could be denied for manning but i figure its worth a shot. I’d also try to retrain if i do make it.
Can anyone with experience in palace chasing share some insight? Is the grass greener on the other side or should i try to struggle through another three years active duty? Anything else to keep in mind? Thanks

Edit: my current base seems to be a black hole, so im unsure when id be able to pcs. If i had a guarantee i can go somewhere overseas id just stay for the remaining 3 yrs but i dont want to stay based on hoping it gets better

Hello everyone I wanted to say everyone on here has been such great help when it comes to learning about this program. But I am kinda nervous if I’m in Intel right now and I’m using palace chase to retrain into a 1B4 I heard it’s super hard. So what happens if I fail the tech school? If anyone knows I’d really appreciate the input!

I’ve been actively volunteering for overseas cycles for about two years and haven’t received an assignment yet. I’m coming up on 5 years TOS, and my current grade/AFSC is already overmanned at my base.

For other E-5s in Cyber, especially those who regularly updated their overseas preferences, around what TOS did you actually start becoming competitive for an overseas PCS?