The new guy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Air Force Academy - Colorado Springs
21

<p>He has stated his desire to drastically reduce our nuclear stockpile. Unless there is info on our ICBM success rate I am unaware of, cutting our stockpile would not drastically reduce our nuclear deterrence force. He also stated a desire to change "wasteful military spending." What exactly that entails could be good or bad. The DoD is a huge organization, and a lot of waste occurs. </p>

<p>Nothing in those positions is necessarily threatening to the military or national security (except for the people working with stockpiled nukes). Depending on how those issues are addressed, it could be a positive for the military.</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
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.

[/quote]

That is NOT fact. Have you ever done a poll of the cadets at the Academy? To say that, oh well the military at large was 56% for McCain so obviously the majority of cadets wanted McCain to win is just plain wrong.</p>

23

<p>Think about how many people, including many of those self anointed political savants we normally refer to as actors/entertainers threatened to move to Canada after Bush won...it's all just background noise. </p>

<p>You need to take a longer view; in any given year with changes in administration the pendulum may swing to the right and then back to the left. (if we are lucky it actually spends a little time in the middle)</p>

<p>I pinned my bars on in ’79. When I started the process in ’75 the Air Force was looking for engineers which worked for me, could care less about bringing any new pilots in, the post Vietnam RIF was in full swing. Unfortunately the pendulum didn’t swing to the middle, so between ’75 and ’79 they lost so many pilots with voluntary and “involuntary” separations the situation flipped around to the point they were begging us to switch….stuck us in a T-38 and said “sign here”. </p>

<p>Some of these comments reminded about a brief I sat in on about the B-1 front a very disgusted program officer; a full Colonel that couldn’t restrain himself. President Carter had just canceled the program so this guy wasn’t a happy camper and he did nothing to contain his disgust, some might have characterized it as contempt for his new Commander and Chief. While we understood and appreciated his position; the years he spent on a program that he obviously felt very strongly about, many of us in the audience felt his conduct crossed the line. He had a right, maybe even an obligation to express his concerns and to say some of the things he did. The problem was he made it about the Commander and Chief and did it in public while in uniform as a representative of the United States Air Force. You can’t and shouldn’t go there. You cannot expect to gain respect if you do not act to earn it. </p>

<p>Our place in the world and the importance of what we do hasn’t changed overnight, nor do I expect it to. As an officer as in life there will always be challenges and even adversity to over come, the one constant in your life as a citizen and as an officer is that document already referenced; our Constitution</p>

24

<p>In either case, good or bad, the military will keep running. The military has been around since before the United States became a country. It has survived over 40 presidents, each with a different view on how the military should function. It survived being torn apart during the civil war and being put back together after it. The next four or even eight years will not be the end.</p>

25

<p>AC I am sorry you do not agree. That said the election is over. I have no desire to argue, and only this small piece of advice from someone who wore the uniform. If you wish to have a career in the AF do the best job you can, in class, and as a leader. The AF will need good leaders in ways I never thought I would have to see again. That is experience speaking not politics.</p>

26

<p>AC - while no polls have been done here, I cannot see ANYWHERE where a majority, or close, supported President-elect Obama over Senator McCain. While the whole military it not the best percentage to show our numbers, I can guarantee its over 50%. </p>

<p>A friend of mine made a good point I had forgotten about. Generally, under Democratic regimes, the military members have been given better programs (healthcare, housing, etc.) whereas Republican regimes tended to bolster more general programs like weapon systems or broader areas. </p>

<p>As I've been telling people online and when having conversations with my 4-digs, its not the 'new guy' we should fear with regards to budget cuts, but the dem run congress. Even then, with so much political capital in many dem districts and states, I don't see a vast reduction, like what Berney Frank wants, happening. </p>

<p>I don't see Academy numbers dropping either, I don't think they could even rally enough people to drop it. </p>

<p>Overall, I think we'll probably be better off. You look at the reactions in Europe, Africa, and many parts of Asia, you'll see a world ready to help out with an America they see as revitalizing hope and taking a new turn.</p>

27

<p>Just wanted to add that I also don't believe that support for Senator Obama was anywhere even remotely close to support for Senator McCain at the Academy. I don't believe I've spoken with a single cadet that voted for Obama. After the announcement last night, the repeated playing of "It's the End of the World as We Know It," "The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow," and the Soviet National Anthem in the quads, not to mention the tremendously popular new trend of referring to each other as "comrade," confirmed my suspicions.</p>

28

<p>Guys and gals, none of us have a crystal ball; we just don't know what we just don't know. After years deploying to gosh-foresaken places through-out the 90s, all in the name of National Diplomacy, I bought the "other guy's" line of "we hear you, and help is on the way", hook, line and sinker. Couldn't wait for a little respect, a little breath of fresh air without the taste of sand in it, and a little time with my family. And you know what? A little thing like 9/11 happened, and all those promises went out the window.</p>

<p>Like Mamboguy said, we are themilitary, and we just keep running. It doesn't matter to us the political affiliations of th epeople we salute (and NEVER should). all that matters is that the salute is sharp, and our intentions and commitmement to protect this remain steadfast. Woe unot those active in the military who start espousing political ideology. ALAWAYS remember, you are an officer (or will be), you set the example for the troops. And no matter who is in charge, it is usually the ENEMY who dictates what our military will do or look like.</p>

<p>But, now that my uniform is Beltway Bandit Grey, I will allow spome indulgence and actually give an OPINION! Lest everyone forget, the AF realy wasn't infor birthday cake and ice cream no matter who one. On one side, you had an ex-Navy man who, IMO, really had a distaste for the AF, especially after the way we handled some big-ticket items. On the other side, we had (and now have) someone who is calling for an increase in ground services, combined with decreases in big ticket items. Bad news for the boys (and gals) in blue for both cases. HOWEVER, does this mean you give up the calling or give up the dream? I hope your answer is a resounding no! Because, llike I said, you never know what tomorrow will bring. And if you DO KNOW, PM me -- I have some questions on th estock market and some future sporting events I would like you to answer....</p>

29

<p>I "do solemly swear to support and defend the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, against ALL ENEMIES foreign and domestic, to bear true faith and allegiance to the same... so help me God"</p>

30

<p>
[quote]
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.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not sure why you think that - perhaps this would interest you -
Barack's</a> Defense Secretary: Bob Gates? | Danger Room from Wired.com</p>

<p>Good post, Bullet.</p>

31

<p>My beef with some upper leadership (take with a grain of salt since I am only a 20 y/o USAFA cadet whereas they've been doing these jobs for 30 years....) is that they seem to concentrate TOO much on the present conditions. Going crazy on acquiring UAVs and claiming we have no need for new generation fighters. All well and good to take care of the situation we're in, but can we afford to slack on future tech if other nations are developing better aircraft than us?</p>

32

<p>I saw a poll taken of all military services, active and reserve in the AF Times... Right around 70% for Senator McCain... They broke it down into every category including enlisted and officer, male and female, age and all sorts... </p>

<p>The man I supported was defeated, that is life. Now I find myself falling back upon the values I have built since I have come here, and I have hope for Senator Obama... Maybe he is the answer we need while consumed by the current turmoil that plagues our nation... Only time will tell. Before the election I did some research on past elections and how our nation responded to past crisis to include the depression and the ensuing troubles following the first Gulf War. If you look, we always turned to the supposed Democratic party in a time of need. FDR, Clinton, even Kennedy in the 1960's... Everyone had their own agenda and their own plans for "change" and at the end of the day, when something went well they were our hero, but when something went awry, we as Americans are quick to point fingers...;) I say this because although President Bush has such a low rating as president, he did NOT do everything himself... I found folks so quick to play the party blame game when the truth is, we've had an imbalance of political power for the last few years. Republican president, with a Democratic majority Congress? It is a wonder why not a whole lot got done, when was the last time prior to this $700 billion dollar bail out, that anyone heard of a huge bill passing through Congress? Then look at this huge bailout and how it failed the first time... I dislike some politicians, my own Congressman being featured on SNL for his crude remarks about my states region, and yet he was reelected... The irony</p>

<p>As posted above, we cant tell the future, so I atleast have hope that it will be a great 4 years with Senator Obama as our new "head hancho". If not, well we can always look forward to the year I graduate, and the greatest year ever, ehh 2012...;)</p>

<p>The underlying point is that he is my new Commander in Chief, and as military members we owe him the same respect every American military member before us has payed to their superior in command...</p>

33

<p>Those are very mature perspectives Airfore16. Everyone should take a breath, and know that things will change. Some change will be good, and other everyone will have to wait and see. As young officers you will be required to shoulder the burden of that change. It may be dealing with older resources, or not having sufficient manpower. It could also be having way to many resources available at a given moment. </p>

<p>Your obligation is to see past the politics, and remember the people you will be charged with leading. Some will agree with your veiws and others wont. Keeping a clear mind and open opinion of those folks will be your charge. The best officers I ever served with are ones that I still today could not tell you if they were Democrats or Conservatives. They were just good role models.</p>

34

<p>One of my biggest disappointments was the media's role in this whole thing. I think they created the whole Obama movement. Senator Obama was quoted that he was going to probably run for president THE DAY HE WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE. Why? Because he had the national media on his side. (Except for talk radio and Fox News).</p>

<p>Joe the Plumber asks a valid question of Senator Obama's plan, and the media tore him apart. "He doesn't have a plumber's license, his real name isn't Joe, etc..." This is America. It is supposed to be a place where you can question your leaders without being punished.</p>

<p>By the way, Senator McCain spent more time as a POW than Senator Obama held a national office.</p>

<p>My hope is that Senator Obama proves me wrong and does well in office. Sure, I wanted the other side to win, but in the end, he is still going to be our president, and Commander-in-Chief.</p>

35

<p>Joe the Plumber was punished?</p>

36

<p>I really dislike putting my political ideologies, whatever they may be, into public. So, I’m not going to. In this post I’m going to try to forget about politics, forget about who won and who lost. Instead, I’m simply going to share a thought.</p>

<p>Now, please do not take this example as a demeaning gesture to politics. I deeply understand the value of our political system. I’d even enjoy the opportunity, while serving the Air Force, to interact with the political world as an advisor, for example. If you do find these demeaning, please PM me, and I’m honestly not lying here, I’d like to try and understand your personal beliefs. They’re interesting to me.</p>

<p>So, my thought regards the “reaction” I’ve seen in some aspects of the community. I live in a fairly purple county. I’ve seen friends and neighbors all react differently to the same circumstances.</p>

<p>The more I watch though, the more I see comparisons to sport fans. While sports is honestly not important to the movement of the western world, take a step back and look at some people’s reactions to these events. Some people are cheering without measure, some drowning their sorrows in bars. Both, those who are happy without bounds and those ready to move to Canada are showing it strongly on their facebook statuses, on their car bumpers, and some to the face of those with whom hold a different political ideology. </p>

<p>While the ability to express personal beliefs is a core value in this country, which arguably is what has advanced our society, I ask those on both sides of this event to take a look at their actions.</p>

<p>I’m a Buffalo sports fan. The Buffalo Bills, the Baffalo Sabres. Anything Buffalo. You name it, I support it. I’ve had their logos on my computer’s desktop and even on gloves when I was a child. Yet, neither of these teams has ever won either a Superbowl or Stanley Cup. Than, why you ask, is the reason I support both of these teams? </p>

<p>It’s not past records. They’ve had several respectable years, each team going to the finals in their perspective areas multiple times. They’ve had terrible years, when the Sabres and Bills make the Blues and Rams look like sport gods. It’s not the players. Both better and worse players have come and gone in the past. </p>

<p>It’s the chance of greatness. It’s the ability of my team to succeed. When the Sabres lose a hard fought game in the ninth round of a shootout because Miller missed an obvious deke from Briere, am I up in arms? Maybe, but hopefully not. When the Bills win off a 43 yard field goal in the last few seconds of play, am I jumping for joy and shoving it in the faces of the Giants fans the next day? Maybe, but hopefully not.</p>

<p>What keeps me in the process of sports is that each Buffalo team, my representation in the sporting world, has a chance at greatness. It’s their ability to make Buffalo the top of the list in the world of hockey or football.</p>

<p>Next year, when I'm at the academy. While I may not love them the same way I love the Sabres, I plan on supporting the Colorado Avalanche. They're not my team. But, next year, they're going to hold my representation in the sporting world. I'm going to support their ability to succeed. (Watch, when I'm at the Academy is the year the Sabres finally win.)</p>

<p>Now, what if everyone reacted to politics the same way? What if each person saw the leader we’ve been given, weather it’s my republican congressman or my democratic president and think about the potential greatness they’re capable of bringing America? Who knows?</p>

<p>(No political bias was intended in this message.)</p>