<p>what do you guys think about him?</p>
<p>I think we should keep this forum open to usafa related questions hehe</p>
<p>Although, its easy to see the majority opinion based on last nights reactions :D</p>
<p>Just because they were louder doesn't make them the majority!</p>
<p>I don't fear the new guy being prez. I fear a dominated congress being dem with someone like Berney Frank calling for a 25% reduction in DoD funding. Will be an interesting 2-4 years.</p>
<p>lol okay, well we all know the opinions of the majority of the louder people :)</p>
<p>okay then</p>
<p>how do you think the new guy and his administration will affect the military, the AF, and USAFA?</p>
<p>well here at the P school I know of quite a few guys, including other prioirs, looking into other schools since they fear a RIF soon. In other words we are a little afraid that the normal entering class number will be significantly reduced.</p>
<p>Well the new guy has mentioned a decrease (even getting rid of all together) nuclear arms upon other things. Doesn't the new guy decide if we will build more Raptors also, with congress's approval? It appears he might have an easier time getting things approved with both the house and senate on his side.</p>
<p>World events have a nasty habit of getting in the way of Presidential or Congressional ambitions and agendas….the world did not suddenly become a kinder gentler place today, still the same mess it was yesterday. </p>
<p>Bareny fa fa fa Frank can talk about a 25% reduction in DoD, given the present condition of the men and women that make up our Armed Services as well as the equipment that has not be repaired or replaced it may end up costing 25% more than we are spending now just to maintain something close to the status quo even as we draw down from Iraq... </p>
<p>As far as Raptors and other new toys, so long as the major defense contractors continue to distribute the financial impact of defense spending in as many Congressional districts as possible I suspect we will continue to buy weapons on the basis of jobs and votes rather than against what might be a somewhat more appropriate and rational tactical and strategic defense initiative..</p>
<p>rjrzoom hits a good point. Boeing alone is a major player in CA, NE, WA, IL (HQ in CHICAGO!), etc.</p>
<p>Employment By Location
Alabama 3,256
Arizona 4,611
California 27,434
Kansas 2,950
Missouri 15,693
Pennsylvania 5,281
Texas 5,390
Washington 76,234
Other Locations 23,002
Total Company 163,851</p>
<p>Still have Northrop-Grumman, Lockheed-Martin, and Booz-Allen-Hamilton among other players. Look at articles about the KC-X issues. You see senators and congress(wo)men from these places dueling over defense contracts for these companies!</p>
<p>Potter asked me last night what would happen if half of 2011 chose not to commit. I told her that would likely fit right in the "New Guy's" plan. Less people he would have to let go in the RIF that Bluesuiter was talking about. Yes Cadets you will have fewer opportunities. Yes prospective cadets fewer of you will be accepted. Sorry AC but like the military you will enter 68-70% supported the other guy. Even the ones in Va who were not allowed to vote.</p>
<p>Veterans</a> Solidly Back McCain
Gallup polling put 56% military veterans backing McCain not 68-70%.<br>
[quote]
Yes prospective cadets fewer of you will be accepted.
[/quote]
Any proof at all for this statement?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yes prospective cadets fewer of you will be accepted.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The number of cadets at the AFA is strictly controlled by Congress. As long as the AF is in existence I don't see that number being drastically reduced. When Congress proposes the AFA become USMA-West then we can revisit this.</p>
<p>We will always need a military. If half of the class of 2011 will refuse to commit because Mr Obama will be our next president they should just resign now. </p>
<p>ds52262 - you should know better. When you serve in the military you serve at the pleasure of the Commander in Chief. Whomever that may be.</p>
<p>FWIW - Mr Obama has indicated that he will keep General Petraeus in CentCom (what else can he do really?) and will probably keep Gates as Sec of Defense.</p>
<p>dont think this is appropriate for the forum.. but anyways</p>
<p>he'll be our commander in chief. we have to respect him, we have to obey him. period.</p>
<p>You are right JAM it is controlled by congress. A new congress that has already stated it's desire to reduce the military. I lived through the Bathtub years. I know what happened then and what will happen again very soon. Take a good look at what happened to the classes of 93 to 96 JAM. The number of rated officers was dramatically reduced. This was in line with force shaping. </p>
<p>The number of appointments will reduce they may not go below 1000 by law right now, but admissions may only offer 1000 instead of say 1400. The number who graduate will reduce in direct proportion to the number they off admission.</p>
<p>AC military times did the polling and it was 68% to 29%. I respect your opinion differs, but I assure you it is and will continue to be a minority opinion of the people you seek to lead.</p>
<p>Oh and I recognize he will be the Commander in Chief and all lawfull orders given by him must be followed by anyone who wears the uniform. I do not approve of anyone offering public disrespect to him or the office. I would suggest that if you are unable to adhere to that it is your obligation to separate becuase you do not serve a man or political party but a nation.</p>
<p>The sky is not falling, people.</p>
<p>If anyone is planning to not commit to the AF due to the election, they should admit they are partisan cowards and resign now. The entire premise of that line of thought is revolting. We have sworn to protect and defend the Constitution, period, end of story.</p>
<p>It is not likely that anyone will fail to commit because of the election, and potter is hardly that politically committed. She was expressing her concern with the emotions she observed last night. The majority opinion of the nation was expressed last night, and it was not the majority opinion of those serving in the military or attending the Academy. That is a fact not an opinion. </p>
<p>As for Gen Patreaus there isn't a lot of choice JAM. He has demonstrated success in an areana where our own politicians were rooting for failure (see my Sen. Harry Reid's comment "The war in Iraq is lost"). Those succesess may well be reversed onlt time will tell.</p>
<p>Sec Gates is no hero in my opinion and keeping him in place does nothing to convince me our nation will be a stronger, safer place.</p>
<p>O.K. I'll show you how naive I am. Or am I? </p>
<p>JAM, in light of the content of the beginning of the post, I thought maybe potterfan was asking her question because some cadets thought they may not have a future in the military due to possible impending RIF's for whatever reason. And, then, that ds was answering as such. </p>
<p>I would suspect that most, seriously most, of all our kids are not going to opt out of serving their country because of the election results. I would like to give them more credit than that.</p>
<p>Okay - I get it, I think-</p>
<p>Do they think they may not even be commissioned? Has that ever happened - even during the RIF in the 90's?</p>
<p>Raimius - I agree, the sky is not falling. This is not the end of the world, the USA or the US Military. (Sometimes the Republican propaganda goes a little overboard.)</p>
<p>I hope all of you listened or at least read John McCains gracious concession speech last night. Please take heed to his words - he is a Great American.
Here is the last paragraph:
[quote]
Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.</p>
<p>And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.</p>
<p>Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>here is the link in case you missed it:
JohnMcCain.com</a> - McCain-Palin 2008</p>
<p>Well said Raimus.
I have only heard the "new guy" say on many occasions that he wishes to grow and strengthen our military, not cut it. He has also called upon all our young people to step up and serve our country, either in the military, peace corp or city year.
Obama has said the United States needs to renew its global leadership position through skillful diplomacy, a revitalized military, and by confronting nuclear proliferation, which he calls "the most urgent threat to the security of America and the world." That does not sound like making cuts to me.
Also, he has been an advocate for providing better health care and benefits for our military and veterans. Providing additional assistance to our returning soldiers and combating homelessness among veterans.</p>