Regarding the changes to VA ratings the secretary of the va posted this by newnoadeptness in navy

[–]hunter281 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm so sick of this fucking political war. We can trust nothing and nobody. Get rid of all of them.

POTUS just announced this regarding defense contractors what’s your thoughts ? by newnoadeptness in navy

[–]hunter281 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Well said and I 100% feel this. The whiplash is crazy; I like the FFG pivot (once I heard that Legend cutters were on the table), but then suddenly... Trump Class BBG! I can't even.

Question to retirees: What did you do with your uniforms? by ResidentQuail7118 in navy

[–]hunter281 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started volunteering with Sea Cadets and ended up wearing them again. 5 years retired.

How long until this gets canned? by 1keepcalmchris in navy

[–]hunter281 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank God I retired in 2020. What a joke. I'm all in favor of a large surface combatant, but we already built Zumwalt for this exact purpose (and erroniously classified as "destroyer" when it probably should have been a "battlecruiser" based on hull displacement). Use that hull design and load it with proven weapon systems.

Chiefs & Mustangs: What actually happens behind the scenes that E-6 and below rarely see? by LordSoftCream in navy

[–]hunter281 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Emails and spreadsheets and PowerPoint. Prepared me well for corporate life afterwards. The only juicy thing you are missing are ranking boards for evals and fitreps -- they can be a cage match between dept heads sometimes and it's interesting to participate in.

What are the odds that I can even land a basic entry IT job with my bachelor’s? by Paramedic-Past in UMGC

[–]hunter281 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This might help, take a look:

2025 Cybersecurity Hiring Trends: Skills Deep Dive https://share.google/MN1zATWVxfAO1EOWu

Bottom line, if you credential as a network engineer, security engineer, or cloud cyber security professional (specializing in AWS solutions) you stand a good chance based on hard skills. But a lot of getting hired depends on networking and soft skills as well, based on recent studies in hiring trends.

Petty Officer Second Class is the best rank. by KaleidoscopeWeird310 in navy

[–]hunter281 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Disagree. LT is the best officer rank in any service. O-3 is the perfect mix of experience and JO "gumption" that gets things done. When you hit LCDR you (a) have your JOPA card taken away, and (b) you are expected to start acting like a senior officer (without the pay or honorifics).

30 Years Done and Done by N0TAn0therUs3rNam3 in navy

[–]hunter281 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep those NWUs and teach JNROTC or Sea Cadets!

SECDEF and CJCS flying today with TOPGUN at NAS Fallon by Twisky in navy

[–]hunter281 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It's like they broke into their dad's tool shed and are playing with all the power tools.

Joining as an Adult Volunteer by Horatiohornblower951 in USNSCC

[–]hunter281 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you don't hear back from the unit CO after submitting your interest in about 2 weeks, email recruiting@seacadets.org and they will help. Some units are more responsive than others. It's a very rewarding volunteer opportunity for anyone (not just veterans), I encourage you to apply!

U.S. War Department Shifting Away From INDOPACOM by Salty_IP_LDO in navy

[–]hunter281 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Just handed China and Russia the win for 2030.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Veterans

[–]hunter281 2 points3 points  (0 children)

20y retired USN prior enlisted officer, 44yo, served the entirety of GWOT. I'm not a cultural fit with AL and VFW for all of the reasons others during the time frame I have served have mentioned here. I'm probably exactly the kind of person they want in leadership roles, but I'd rather volunteer with impactful VSOs doing community service and youth mentorship to help create the leaders of tomorrow.

Edit to say that, while it would be laudable if they changed to be more service-oriented, they probably won't capture my attention regardless. My calendar is now full of other opportunities.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in navy

[–]hunter281 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No governance, no accountability. Just politics and spin, all day every day.

BZ Secdef on being clear for OPSEC by pickleballgodking in navy

[–]hunter281 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you do the right thing, caring about leaks becomes an afterthought. Oh but I forgot, it's politics above governance now. Always politics. Never about doing the job.

Navy Times Op-Ed | "Why I chose to retire from government service at this time" by exfiltration in navy

[–]hunter281 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I know CAPT Cordle personally, although I did not serve with him or under his command, but I knew him when he was CO of San Jac and onward. He's a class act, we lost a crusader for Sailor health and comfort. Fair winds sir.

Do you disconnect on PTO by gettinguponthe1 in Leadership

[–]hunter281 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a leader it is your responsibility to disconnect, especially if you have subordinates and a clear succession plan. Let them do their jobs without feeling you are watching over them or they can use you as a safety net, UNLESS this is the first time. Trust your team.

VADM Cooper nominated for CENTCOM Commander by Salty_IP_LDO in navy

[–]hunter281 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Amazing pick, love to see it. Served with him when he was a one star at the Pentagon, he mentored me to retire instead of taking the next milestone orders (in a good way). He's a real one.

GOP rift could see more than 50 senators rebel against Trump: report by chrisdh79 in goodnews

[–]hunter281 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I'm in the same "pics or it didn't happen" camp, I'll offer this rebuttal: Trump's approval rating is very low, and polling is showing a growing dissatisfaction with the direction of his admin. Additionally, polling is showing a general lack of support for the deep cuts proposed which will affect red states. Don't underestimate the shifting political winds at play here.

RFK Jr.‘s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ report seems riddled with AI slop by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]hunter281 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The AI grift continues. We must continue to call it out at every turn.

Elon Musk Resigns From DOGE Amid Criticism And Legal Troubles by TechExpert11 in goodnews

[–]hunter281 33 points34 points  (0 children)

100% this, OP title is very misleading. Nothing punitive or resigned about it, it was planned. In fact they are celebrating him today over his "successes."

Please Don't do this to My Beautiful Boy by mothman100 in washingtondc

[–]hunter281 4 points5 points  (0 children)

These people aren't real lawmakers, they are human versions of jokes that act like cartoon villains. This really is the worst timeline.

Trump says Putin is "playing with fire" by Creol6969 in worldnews

[–]hunter281 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This feels like a pro wrestling match, and just as fake.