Whinging aircrew!
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Admin Guru
Just come on over to the USAF, about ten years ago we figured out we could "improve" morale by giving everyone an occupational badge. Not wings, mind you, but a badge indicating the career field a person was in. (We later tried the same thing with leather jackets for aircrew, anyone want to comment on if it worked or not??)
The admin (oops, "Information Management" to use the politically correct term) badge is a nice scroll with a feather pen on top of a globe surrounded by a wreath. Just go to <a href="http://www.af.mil/photos/art_badges03.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.af.mil/photos/art_badges03.shtml</a> and look at the top center. Lovely, isn't it? If you want I'll send you one. And it sits right next to the Intelligence badge, which we all argued should be a DMPI (a red triangle with a dot in the middle, indicates the Desired Mean Point of Impact, or the best place to drop the bombs, on a target graphic) as by wearing it we are a walking target.
Yep, I'm intel <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> , probably loathed as much as admin (and I've done that job too <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> , so I can expect full laughter from this list, but to be honest I really didn't like it). Before I became an officer I worked in aircraft maintenance. So I've worked in quite a lot of career fields, and guess what I've learned, EVERYBODY complains! I have yet to find an apathetic soul in the bunch. But as a person who has had a nice, cushy office job, let me tell you, a lot of admin folks don't realize there is a big difference in the level of importance of getting a form filled out correctly (using regulation-approved punctuation, of course) and moving an aircraft (possibly with cargo and passengers) from one place to another. I've yet to see an incorrect form kill anyone, mistakes in the admin field are rarely fatal (just annoying). All jobs can be tough, it is just the consequences of some may be significantly higher than others. One of the most dullest jobs around that I can figure, being a missile launch officer, can be catastrophic if you screw up!
Probably the best advice given to you during this thread was to go out and make friends with some of the aircrew. I've done so throughout my career and it has made a big difference. Yes, some were complete idiots, but most were friendly chaps and a lot of fun. If you ever get a chance to deploy with a flying squadron (or even just go to Nellis AFB for RED FLAG), do it, as you’ll have the time of your life. You’ll never work as hard or play as hard as you will then. Plus you’ll have great stories you can tell (and some you can’t!) for the rest of your life. The flying side of the house is not the enemy, and you don’t have to wear a bag (flight suit) to be a part of the fun, but I can tell you the standards area high and they expect the same hard work and dedication out of you as they expect out of themselves.
I give you credit for fueling such a great thread, I got a good chuckle out of a lot of the responses, and wonder how all these eternally busy folks find time to post them (I for one find time to check out PPRuNe at work, and I am sure some others out there do the same). I strongly suspect you are an ingenious aircrew having a go at the list, things were getting a bit boring and you've definitely brought it back to life. And if you are really an admin troopie, credit for poking everyone with a stick. We all need some prodding once and a while.
Just my two euros...
Cheers!
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: MajorMadMax ]
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: MajorMadMax ]</p>
Just come on over to the USAF, about ten years ago we figured out we could "improve" morale by giving everyone an occupational badge. Not wings, mind you, but a badge indicating the career field a person was in. (We later tried the same thing with leather jackets for aircrew, anyone want to comment on if it worked or not??)
The admin (oops, "Information Management" to use the politically correct term) badge is a nice scroll with a feather pen on top of a globe surrounded by a wreath. Just go to <a href="http://www.af.mil/photos/art_badges03.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.af.mil/photos/art_badges03.shtml</a> and look at the top center. Lovely, isn't it? If you want I'll send you one. And it sits right next to the Intelligence badge, which we all argued should be a DMPI (a red triangle with a dot in the middle, indicates the Desired Mean Point of Impact, or the best place to drop the bombs, on a target graphic) as by wearing it we are a walking target.
Yep, I'm intel <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> , probably loathed as much as admin (and I've done that job too <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> , so I can expect full laughter from this list, but to be honest I really didn't like it). Before I became an officer I worked in aircraft maintenance. So I've worked in quite a lot of career fields, and guess what I've learned, EVERYBODY complains! I have yet to find an apathetic soul in the bunch. But as a person who has had a nice, cushy office job, let me tell you, a lot of admin folks don't realize there is a big difference in the level of importance of getting a form filled out correctly (using regulation-approved punctuation, of course) and moving an aircraft (possibly with cargo and passengers) from one place to another. I've yet to see an incorrect form kill anyone, mistakes in the admin field are rarely fatal (just annoying). All jobs can be tough, it is just the consequences of some may be significantly higher than others. One of the most dullest jobs around that I can figure, being a missile launch officer, can be catastrophic if you screw up!
Probably the best advice given to you during this thread was to go out and make friends with some of the aircrew. I've done so throughout my career and it has made a big difference. Yes, some were complete idiots, but most were friendly chaps and a lot of fun. If you ever get a chance to deploy with a flying squadron (or even just go to Nellis AFB for RED FLAG), do it, as you’ll have the time of your life. You’ll never work as hard or play as hard as you will then. Plus you’ll have great stories you can tell (and some you can’t!) for the rest of your life. The flying side of the house is not the enemy, and you don’t have to wear a bag (flight suit) to be a part of the fun, but I can tell you the standards area high and they expect the same hard work and dedication out of you as they expect out of themselves.
I give you credit for fueling such a great thread, I got a good chuckle out of a lot of the responses, and wonder how all these eternally busy folks find time to post them (I for one find time to check out PPRuNe at work, and I am sure some others out there do the same). I strongly suspect you are an ingenious aircrew having a go at the list, things were getting a bit boring and you've definitely brought it back to life. And if you are really an admin troopie, credit for poking everyone with a stick. We all need some prodding once and a while.
Just my two euros...
Cheers!
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: MajorMadMax ]
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: MajorMadMax ]</p>
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Hey Tonks. Sorry about taking so long to reply. I've been taking a break as I've had a ton of work to do for the exams. And I believe Flipper is still on his "break" from Pprune <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Admin Guru:- I am indeed a UAS stude, and I make no shame in expressing this fact. I never have, and never will pretend to be anything other than this, and I am proud of it too. I worked hard to be here, and I continue to work hard to ensure I stay here (both at uni and on the UAS).
I will also pi$$ on your bonfire of your civvy hours. I have some civvy hours (and your will almost certainly have more hours than me, but hey, we didn't all start life with 1000 hours), but as I myself found, this counts for nothing in the military world. To say military flying is a more exacting skill is only the beginning...
I would also like to ask why you have such a negative attitude towards aircrew? I have met some idiots in my limited time, but you just get on with it. Its like every occupation in life. There seem to be twats in them all. I hear Admin has a few...
<Edited for poor spelling!>
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: Spacer ]</p>
Admin Guru:- I am indeed a UAS stude, and I make no shame in expressing this fact. I never have, and never will pretend to be anything other than this, and I am proud of it too. I worked hard to be here, and I continue to work hard to ensure I stay here (both at uni and on the UAS).
I will also pi$$ on your bonfire of your civvy hours. I have some civvy hours (and your will almost certainly have more hours than me, but hey, we didn't all start life with 1000 hours), but as I myself found, this counts for nothing in the military world. To say military flying is a more exacting skill is only the beginning...
I would also like to ask why you have such a negative attitude towards aircrew? I have met some idiots in my limited time, but you just get on with it. Its like every occupation in life. There seem to be twats in them all. I hear Admin has a few...
<Edited for poor spelling!>
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: Spacer ]</p>
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Well, quite frankly I am disgusted by AG's comments. I'm not aircrew but as you will see from my profile I am one of those who directly support flying ops (400 days away in 30 months and still going...) and cannot believe anyone in today's RAF (even in Admin) can be so blinkered in their viewpoint. To the aviators, please don't let one idiot's views colour your persective of the rest of us who remain ground-bound!
Cheers
CV
Cheers
CV
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What a laugh!
Admin Guru... if all of this was actually your aim all along, then to you I tip my hat.
Sadly, I fear that your post was in earnest, and heartfelt rather than a sly cast with an expertly chosen fly. For me, the giveaway was in your unsubtle backpedalling from good old fashioned slanging and slagging to the childrens school of mass debate and parliamentary logic.
That said, it did pull even the most cautious stallwarts into the melee. Interesting reading though the debate is, I won't get too involved. Probably another 45 hours plus flying and 70 hours plus at work to do next week from my noisy base at dusty tent city. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
But just for the record, I stand by my earlier assessment, irrespective. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Admin Guru... if all of this was actually your aim all along, then to you I tip my hat.
Sadly, I fear that your post was in earnest, and heartfelt rather than a sly cast with an expertly chosen fly. For me, the giveaway was in your unsubtle backpedalling from good old fashioned slanging and slagging to the childrens school of mass debate and parliamentary logic.
That said, it did pull even the most cautious stallwarts into the melee. Interesting reading though the debate is, I won't get too involved. Probably another 45 hours plus flying and 70 hours plus at work to do next week from my noisy base at dusty tent city. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
But just for the record, I stand by my earlier assessment, irrespective. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
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This is making me laugh...alot..so much so I can hardly type for giggling...the fisherman has caught the behemoth of all splendid catches with this one...well done whoever you are!
Scarlet Pimps...you should not be here...get changing those nappies you slacker!
FDJ. Dep OC D of where..not IOT I take it?
Shalom u.s.W
BGA <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: Big Green Arrow ]</p>
Scarlet Pimps...you should not be here...get changing those nappies you slacker!
FDJ. Dep OC D of where..not IOT I take it?
Shalom u.s.W
BGA <img src="eek.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: Big Green Arrow ]</p>
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This gets better and better....
I hav'nt seen a funnier thread in a while.
Reminds me of a similar argument at Chiv a few years back. OC Admin wanted flying pay equivalent - OC OPs agreed, as long as, each year, all admin staff were lined up at SHQ and one of them was shot.
Harsh but fair, doncha think.... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
I hav'nt seen a funnier thread in a while.
Reminds me of a similar argument at Chiv a few years back. OC Admin wanted flying pay equivalent - OC OPs agreed, as long as, each year, all admin staff were lined up at SHQ and one of them was shot.
Harsh but fair, doncha think.... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
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Chinese Vic,. .good to see some constructive comments. Are you the same Chinese Vic who made me supper in Gioia? If so, the lanky boozer says hello.
"We might go up-diddly-up, but we're still gits!"
[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: Tamaze Man ]</p>
"We might go up-diddly-up, but we're still gits!"
[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: Tamaze Man ]</p>
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Friends and QFIs,
I'm sorry to report that AG didn't 'phone me today, but the offer still stands.
Can the nice chap who 'phoned long distace for a chat please post a message here so that I know it wasn't AG in disguise. I wouldn't unmask anyone, I'm just curious.
If it was AG 'phoning, you sounded like a decent chap and since where you are is a large place, I guess we'll never know who you are. Besides, I agree that it's all been very entertaining.
FDJ
I'm sorry to report that AG didn't 'phone me today, but the offer still stands.
Can the nice chap who 'phoned long distace for a chat please post a message here so that I know it wasn't AG in disguise. I wouldn't unmask anyone, I'm just curious.
If it was AG 'phoning, you sounded like a decent chap and since where you are is a large place, I guess we'll never know who you are. Besides, I agree that it's all been very entertaining.
FDJ
Well bug ger me with a fish fork, my blunt admin guru, but your supply chums have extracted the digit! Barely had I asked you to find out why my new SD hat still hadn't arrived at stores after nearly 3 months than the thing turned up today! Thank you indeed - it was down to you, mate, wasn't it.....??
V cheap too!!
V cheap too!!
Avoid imitations
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Chaps,
Admin Guru seems to have gone awol. Perhaps he has fallen into his empty in-tray.
Admin Guru seems to have gone awol. Perhaps he has fallen into his empty in-tray.
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Gainesy
Not guilty.
I say again for the benefit of hard of hearing people with ecclesiastical names. NOT GUILTY <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Keep scooping the poop Mike <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Love. .TM
Not guilty.
I say again for the benefit of hard of hearing people with ecclesiastical names. NOT GUILTY <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
Keep scooping the poop Mike <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Love. .TM
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"When was the last time any non-aircrew person was put in that position".. .very embarassing statement CJS, myself and multitudes of others unfortunately have "been put in that position", or did I spend 25 years in a different air force to you ?.. .on average I spent 5/6 months trailing aound the world in the back of an albert going to far flung places for 6-9 weeks at a time, for a holiday by the pool ? I THINK NOT !!
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Listen you lot, you r all destined for the bottom of the seniority list once you r on civy street.
On second thoughts don't bother leaving everyone hates you anyway. Just ask your colleagues that left recently..... and r now trying to rejoin that warm comfy place called the MILLITARY
On second thoughts don't bother leaving everyone hates you anyway. Just ask your colleagues that left recently..... and r now trying to rejoin that warm comfy place called the MILLITARY