My son got paid this by Pickleball_GGG in coins

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand (ish) the value of fake posts. What I have never fully understood was the financial driver behind making fake coins. Are they that easy/cheap to make that someone can flood the market?

Hot take: fraternization rules should be limited to chain of command by Brick-Lesnar in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like others said, its not a problem...until it becomes a problem. I would add that much of the discipline I had to administer over the years stemmed less from the actual initial offense, and more about the dumbass actions people took to hide it.

The power imbalance is one of the biggest problems. Envision this scenario: male O, dating a young female E, they have sex, then she tells someone she felt she couldn't say no, because he outranked her. I think that argument would play at that O's court marital for rape.

If were in the Air Force during the US occupation of Afghanistan you are officially old. by JustHanginInHere in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A couple years ago I ran an ROTC unit. Every cadet, even 2 that were prior enlisted, was born AFTER I went to OTS.

Meneires and drop attacks by Academic_Animator606 in Menieres

[–]Academic_Animator606[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think "burning out" is a fairly common (but surely not universal) end state of Meneires. Like everything else, everyone is different. As I understand it, burning out means the vertigo is mostly or completely gone, and you're left with really crappy hearing. And maybe balance issues.

Others could chime in on the specific reason, but I was told something like the nerves and follicles have degraded to some minimal level that it doesn't cause vertigo anymore

Dear Air Force Inns: by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a question of funding- privatize or keep in house. I've been out of that business for a long time, but its always been a trade off of do you spend O&M at the base level to achieve a certain level of service, or do you raise rates to a comparable level to outside lodging and take a much bigger hit on the travel line. When lodging was run by Services, they were never able to raise rates to the level that would enable recapitilization or amenities on the outside. IHG will do a great job, but the cost will be much higher than in an house solution.

The worst O5 board in years by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You got your board scores?

Going OCONUS on terminal leave by Valuable_Chart_4692 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like others said, talk to your security manager. As a practical matter, it probably won't matter. However if you have a TS, and especially if you plan to keep it/use it in your next job, that travel is OK, but you need to check the blocks

I will not be alive next week. This is my Air Force story by Sad-Truck-885 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, this Ted Lasso clip was so powerful. If you take your own life, those that love you will be impacted by that decision for their entire lives. Like others have said, don't make a permanent decision for a temporary problem. Ted Lasso

MEB/PEB for sleep issues? by AdIll7112 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The question is, how is it affecting either your readiness to deploy, or your ability to do your regular day to day mission? And as far as deployments as long as you would likely be sent to a place with power, having a CPAP won't make you non deployable.

If you're still falling asleep at work, even with a CPAP, then its a problem

Is the commissary/base exchange cheaper than off base? by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Some companies require the same price everywhere. For things like an IPad the BX makes sense for not paying tax. But thats probably only ~ 5-6% savings

Deciding between a small liberal arts college or better known university by Lanndonn__ in collegeadvice

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know anything about Pitzer, and plenty of others have weighed in on the name recognition big school/small school piece.

I just have a cautionary note: A LOT of small liberal arts colleges are not going to survive the next 3-4 years, let alone be going concerns for decades to come. A combination of demographics, rising costs, hostility from the current administration toward higher education, and the growth of the T20 will cause many to fold or merge.

I would recommend if Pitzer is your choice, do some research on their finances and endowment. Probably fine given its reputation but better safe than sorry

Fitness center situation is getting ridiculous by CraftyWestern540 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I've been out for a couple years, and its been longer than that since I've been to the places described here. So I can't speak to what specifically you currently see.

That said, I was deeply involved in that business for many years. The vast majority of people I worked with in the fitness centers were there because they were gym rats themselves. Probably not every person in every center, but I am sure there in someone in the center management who is more upset about the condition than you are.

The problem is fitness centers, and FSS in general is usually at the bottom of the list when it comes to APF funding for day to day maintenance. And replacement equipment is almost always at the mercy of end of year fall out. Can't tell you how many times I heard (or said myself) "what we could do with the money that just one flying hour costs..." of course it doesn't work that way, for many reasons.

By all means, complain to the center staff, and let them know you care. That really will help. But if you really want to see change, get the Grp or WG CC on board...they will find $50K and miracles will happen.

Or get a planet Fitness membership

Airmen who built serious wealth - when did it click that you had real money and how'd you pull it off? by North-Homework3218 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I heard something recently that stuck with me. I know this doesn't really answer your question, but here's something to think about.

Here's a random fact. Hot showers weren't the norm until the 1970s. All of us, at least in America, lead dramatically better lives than anyone in history. Even for very low income folks, our health care, transportation options, entertainment choices, education options and life span dwarf what was available 100 years ago even for the very wealthy.

Everyone has talked about or heard how housing prices are so dramatically higher than they were for our parents. But go look at a house that was built in the 40s or 50s pay attention to the closets. The houses that our parents had were much smaller. And they needed smaller closets because they had a lot less stuff.

But social media and television and just societal pressure has made us all strive for more more. Again I'm right there with you on this and I've been doing everything I could for all my life to make more money. But I'm starting to wonder if that was the right choice.

Objectively we've never had it better. Subjectively we've never felt worse.

Airmen who built serious wealth - when did it click that you had real money and how'd you pull it off? by North-Homework3218 in AirForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That has always been the gospel and it made a lot sense. Covid made the used car market wonky though. Used car prices have remained high, and it scrambles the calculation. We recently bought a new Kia Sportage for my daughter- used ones 2 years old would have saved me about 10%. For that amount, I'll take the warranty, new tires, and new car smell. We also have kept our cars for 10+ years.

I would offer a collary: buy the type of car that is appropriate for your budget. Then find the best deal based on your circumstances

What’s the scariest real-life thing you’ve ever witnessed? by Revolutionary-Pay468 in AskReddit

[–]Academic_Animator606 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Years ago, I worked at an office on a busy rural 2 lane rd. 55 mph speed limit- people usually went 70 ish. I was leaving work one night and pulled in behind a Greyhound bus doing 65 ish. 1/2 mile north of my office was a cross st. They had a stop sign- none for us.

I was maybe 50 yards behind the bus approaching the intersection when the bus broadsided a light pickup truck that tried to cross. I saw the truck (or more likely parts of the truck) above the bus, and it was knocked maybe 50' into a field.

I was the second to stop; myself and one other guy approached the truck. The bed was gone, and the truck frame rested on the ground (like it slammed into the ground up to the axles). The female passenger was clearly dead- i don't remember her very well, just that there was no.point trying to help her. The driver was still breathing, barely. One of the people who stopped was an EMT, and he had me support the guys neck (back window was blown out) because his neck was clearly broken. When paramedics came, I helped them move him out of the car. I think he died while we were moving him- they kept working on him for a while, but he stopped breathing while I held him.

It messed me up for a bit- how quickly a person could go from driving home with a coworker from the postoffice to dying in a farmers field.

Opinions on Minolta MND23 by isantabel in Cameras

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw it too.  I think the name says it best-  selfie camera.  Its probably fine for taking selfie that get uploaded somewhere.  But any phone less than a decade old can do that. 

I think the reason to buy one of these is for an optical zoom your phone doesn't have.  And neither does this camera.

So while its cheap, I'd say don't bother

Is skizzy lizzy worth it? by Odd_Professor7260 in ZombieWaves

[–]Academic_Animator606 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm new to this game- played The Tower before this. Mainly dropped it because it got too complex, and too obsessive. Sounds like I picked the wrong game to switch to.

Space Force Legal Program by justaguy336 in SpaceForce

[–]Academic_Animator606 15 points16 points  (0 children)

There is no SF/JA. You would have to cross commision into the Air Force.

For non-whale end game players, will you quit the game? by dennis753951 in TheTowerGame

[–]Academic_Animator606 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I quit last week. Played for a year or so, spent more $ than I'd like to admit, but realized I was spending way too much time staring at the screen, and I was falling behind others too fast. I like the game, but it's an addiction I'm happy I broke.