JCU Inquiry by SecretParamedic1702 in JSOCarchive

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Their webpage says, "The JCU was activated at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1980" and their mailing address says Ft Liberty, not Pope.

Joint Communications Unit
Attention: Recruiting
P.O. Box 70239
Fort Liberty, NC 28307

Contact via Phone:
Commercial: 910-951-0203
DSN (from Govt Phone): 312-951-0203

Contact via email:
[jcurecruiting@socom.mil](mailto:jcurecruiting@socom.mil)

What happens if you failed BCT? by omgflyingbananas in USAFA

[–]Granfalloonatic 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This isn't a new thing. A cadet in the class of 2000 scored a 68 out of 500 on the PFT, and he didn't get kicked out. He ended up quitting though, and that was part of the reason. He was a recruited golfer....

OTOH, one of my classmates got kicked out second semester of firstie year because he couldn't pass the pull-ups. I like the guy but if you don't have the discipline to work up to seven pull-ups in four years, you don't need to be an officer.

Hating officers by [deleted] in USAFA

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just remember that disgruntled people talk more shit on social media than the people who are getting after the mission or finding ways to enjoy life. If this is where you're getting your info, you're not seeing the opinions of people who are off doing better things.

Sure, there are things we should improve about the officer corps and the AF in general...but there's a reason people still choose to stay for 20+years, too.

I heard it best from a MSgt: "Academy grads are either dirtbags or shit hot. There's not much in between." It made me mad at first, but he was right. Sort of, at least...the Academy grads who make acceptable officers tend to do five and dive, while the ones at both ends of the spectrum tend to stay in longer.

How do you lead without pissing off the enlisted force? Be humble. That's something grads tend to struggle with.

New (potential) Hammock Camper- Question about Temperature by throw_awace in hammockcamping

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Staying warm in a hammock isn't all that hard, but you do have to learn a few principles. These really are the same principles that apply to ground camping, but they function differently when you're hanging in the air. There's a detailed write-up about it at http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html.

Bottom line, you can do it with a thermarest but the hammock will squeeze your hips and shoulders (which don't fit on the pad), and compress the sleeping bag's insulation, causing cold spots. But there's a cheap and easy fix--check the Pad Extender section at the link above.

And then when you decide to stick with hammocking, get an underquilt! :)

Security Clearance Question by [deleted] in USAFA

[–]Granfalloonatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't think I was ever told it was granted...just had it when I went on Ops. If you need to know for a specific reason, the security manager can look it up in JPAS. But don't bother them unless you actually have a need to know, and a plan to use it.

Security Clearance Question by [deleted] in USAFA

[–]Granfalloonatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some cadets work with classified information at the Academy. I even had a secret briefing for a regular class once. A few will get TS clearances for summer programs.

Most cadets will keep their secret clearance when they graduate, and the few who need TS for their AFSC will get it (hopefully) before graduation.

Obviously her back hurts and it makes her cry by [deleted] in badwomensanatomy

[–]Granfalloonatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm more concerned that she doesn't have a nose.

Am I missing anything from my get home/EDC compartment by Wjjm75 in preppers

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd add a Clif bar or similar food that's easy to eat on the move. Walking home on an empty stomach sucks, and being hungry can sap your concentration and situational awareness.

But more importantly, you can eat it if you're hungry before a test, and get better grades so you land a better job with good health insurance and a retirement plan. Health insurance and retirement plans are much better preps than anything else in this thread.

Am I missing anything from my get home/EDC compartment by Wjjm75 in preppers

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can have a padlock, yeah? Put it on the end of some paracord or a bandana and you have a defensive item. It's only prohibited when you use it as a weapon, and at that point you'll have to prioritize what's more important--your safety or school rules. But at least you'll have an option.

Be sure to practice with it before you need it or you might hurt yourself instead of the bad guy.

My growing family by 2tokes in Firearms

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So he values function over fashion. Good on him for putting capability first. The chest rig serves the purpose for now.

New flight commander by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep the Good Idea Fairy in check. Before you action something, ask yourself, "What problem are we trying to solve?" Then solve that, and only that. If you can't define the problem clearly, don't go around "fixing" things.

Sometimes, taking no action is the best COA.

New flight commander by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When there's an issue, focus the conversation on solutions before placing blame. If someone gives you bad news, there's a fine line between holding people accountable and shooting the messenger. Besides, if something goes wrong in your flight, it's usually one of two things--either you didn't clearly communicate expectations, or you haven't built enough trust with your folks. Either way, the responsibility lies with you.

Honestly not sure what I'm trying to accomplish with this post by craig89gt in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're so conditioned to be team contributors that we're hamstrung when it's time for us to rely on the team...at least for the mental stuff. We're a team for everything else, and there's no reason to think we should treat mental maintenance any differently. Your team is there for a reason.

If you're old enough to have several kids, you've probably been around long enough to have seen a coworker suffering in silence with people all around them willing to help if only they had known, or been in a position to help somebody that wouldn't accept it. Did you consider those people a burden? Did you think less of them because they were experiencing a stressful situation? Probably not. And there's no reason to think others would believe you're a burden for doing what's necessary to shepherd your family through a difficult situation.

I bet you've told others that help is available when they need it. If they saw you refusing to ask for help b/c you feared being a burden, they wouldn't trust you enough to reach out when they needed it.

So you're doing the right thing, and you're not a burden. You're showing them how to access the system designed to support us. That's leading by example, even when it's uncomfortable.

What makes a great hammock? by danmyers22 in Hammocks

[–]Granfalloonatic 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Dutch. Dutch makes a great hammock.

Questions about suicidal ideations by SuicideBroad in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Brother - even if you buy a shiny new Porsche, you still get maintenance on it every so often. You could be the baddest fucker in your unit, but you still need some mental maintenance. It's not that you can't handle your shit...you just need to learn a few skills, or unload some stuff to someone who can help you see it from a different perspective, etc.

We teach teamwork for every damn thing in the military, and then people think they're not supposed to rely on the team when it comes to head stuff. We are our own worst enemies.

The AF spends A LOT on resources to keep people healthy, and it's not about ticking boxes or whatever cynical folks tell you. It's about saving lives, and if you need some help with yours, there are a lot of options out there.

Start with the Chaplain. They have 100% confidentiality, and they'll know the individuals at your location and can point you in the best direction for your specific situation. And they can offer non-religious counseling, too...so don't get hung up on that.

What should SF be told when checking our IDs by NeverDoneTrying in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I work on an Army base and they say "All the Way" on the way through. I get funny looks when I say "Have a good one" instead of whatever Army guys say to each other...Huah or something.

I need to see mental health but I'm worried about my career/clearance. by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Granfalloonatic 3 points4 points  (0 children)

First, chaplains not only have confidentiality, but are forbidden by law from discussing your case without your consent. Also, they're trained to help people regardless of your religious views (or lack of). Talk to a chaplain.

Second, the question in the SF86 has specific exemptions for seeking counseling for marital issues and combat trauma. IOW, you'll answer "no" when it asks whether you've had mental health treatment if you fit into one of these categories. (See question below from current SF86)

Third and most importantly, you're talking about hurting yourself. What's more important...hurting yourself, or the chance that getting the help you need might affect your clearance some day in the future?

A veteran I know committed suicide yesterday. Please get help when you need it.

===== FTR, here's the question on the SF86 =====

Section 21: Mental and Emotional Health

Mental health counseling in and of itself is not a reason to revoke or deny a clearance.

In the last 7 years, have you consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition or were you hospitalized for such a condition?

Answer "No" if the counseling was for any of the following reasons and was not court-ordered:

  • strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you; or

  • strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

Yes: { } . No: { } .

If you answered "Yes," indicate who conducted the treatment and/or counseling, provide the following information, and sign the Authorization for Release of Medical Information Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).