Priority Crisis: AF Ponders Uniform Change

Why are Air Force staff members designing and analyzing new uniforms? (Click link below to view article) Last I checked we are a nation at war. It seems to me all our efforts should be focused on winning it. Staffers that are spending their time redesigning uniforms are being improperly utilized while we are a nation at war. The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force do not need to be distracted by inquiries about the status of a new uniform at this critical time. WHERE ARE THE PRIORITIES?

First, our commanders, leaders and staffers need to be TOTALLY COMMITTED TO THE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES we are facing now (like fighting and winning the War on Terror, maintaining our force, convincing our politicians to fund research and development of future aircraft and equipment, fixing our internal problems, welfare of our airmen, etc).

Second, new uniforms cost MONEY. Our budget has already been slashed beyond bare bones. How can our Air Force leaders even ponder shaving 125 MILLION DOLLARS from the mission in favor of "LOOKING STYLISH"? We could buy 15 MQ-9 Predator UAVs with that money to fight the War on Terror!

Third, the uniform is part of OUR TRADITION, and the men and women that wear the uniform should wear the same uniform that I wore and that the next generation will wear. The only acceptable reason for change is OPERATIONAL NECESSITY.

Fourth, and of least importance, that uniform is not practical, would be uncomfortable and extemely warm with that neckline, and it looks ridiculous.

I suggest General Schwartz cut orders and send the staffers that ordered and worked this proposal to Iraq and Afghanistan. There, they would be much better utilized and would get firsthand experience to "recage" their priorities. They've obviously been sitting in their air conditioned offices at the Pentagon for too long with too much time on their hands and have lost track of "the mission".

New Air Force Uniform

Remembering 9/11: 7th Anniversary

It is seven years since the horrific events of September 11th, 2001-- events that changed our country and the world forever. Unfortunately, too many have forgotten the horror and the lives lost on that day. As a country we have lost both the resolve and the unity we possessed to defeat the perpetrators and to protect ourselves from future horrific acts of terror. Our partisan politicians and news media have undermined every effort of the Bush administration to win the war on terror. From David Letterman to countless democrats to the liberal press to Hollywood celebrities, all have demeaned the dignity of the office of the President of the United States and sabotaged every effort and move he made to win the war in Iraq. How can we expect our enemies to respect and fear us when we show no respect for our own Commander-in-Chief?

We have signaled our enemies that we have neither the character nor stomach to stay the course of a protracted war that we can not quickly win. You don't win a war unless you demoralize your enemy, and we gave our enemies hope and the motivation to continue! Our enemies have watched and read our news reports. As they watched our divided Congress threaten to stop funding the war and recall our troops, they sent dozens more suicide bombers and IEDs, and redoubled the terrorizing of Iraqi civilians with the belief that we would eventually retreat in defeat.

We, as a nation, should be ashamed of how short lived our unity has been. We have been fighting among ourselves and undermining the Bush administration beginning with John Kerry's run for the Presidency in 2004 and continuing to this day. Had we shown the same disunity and lack of resolve during World War II, Hitler surely would have defeated us!

On this, the anniversary of 9/11, please click on the links below and take some time to review the events of that day. Although it is painful, we must, again, feel the anguish we felt on September 11, 2001 and regain the unity of purpose we had then. WE MUST NEVER FORGET!

Lest We Forget

America Attacked

Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": The Pilots Step Up

Several days ago, I published an article which told the story of how United Airlines' inexcusable cancellation of a family's reservations denied them the opportunity to visit their father and grandfather prior to his impending death. Since that time United has come up with excuse after excuse (all of which were fabrications) and never made any attempt at restitution to the family.

Yesterday, the pilots at United, through their union, the Airline Pilots Association, stepped up and presented the family with a check for $11,693 to reimburse them for the funds they forfeited as a result of United's actions and failure to accept responsibility.

The pilots' union at United issued the following statement along with their check to the family:

United’s treatment of this family not only is inexcusable; it is an embarrassment to the dedicated and professional pilots and other employees who take pride in this airline. United Airlines, even after the bumbling chain of events by management created such a devastating financial loss for this family, refused to accept responsibility and take any actions toward making them whole. The pilots of United Airlines, however, could not stand idly by and allow this to happen.

Gerry Braun, columnist for the Union Tribune in San Diego, wrote the original and follow on articles detailing United's despicable treatment of this family and the pilots' attempt to make things right. Check out the original article and Mr. Braun's follow-up article by clicking the links below.

Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": A Despicable Story
United Full of Excuses, But Family Gets Relief

Leave No One Behind: Author's Considerations

Last month I posted an article, Leave No One Behind: What Would You Do? The author, Capt Rick Rubel, USN (Ret), a distinguished professor of ethics at the US Naval Academy, presented a commander's most difficult moral decision: How many healthy servicemembers will I risk to bring home one servicemember or a body?

Capt Rubel recently posted his analysis of the scenario on the MOAA website. His insight is worth reading. Check it out. Below are links to, both, the original article and Capt Rubel's analysis. While you are on each site, be sure to check out the readers' comments at the bottom. They, too, are very illuminating and great food for thought.

Leave No One Behind: What Would You Do?

Leave No One Behind: Author's Considerations

Flying the "Unfriendly Skies": A Despicable Story

We all know how the flying experience in this country has deteriorated over the past 30 years. This deterioration was not a result of the terrorist attacks on 9/11. It was well underway by that time, although the terrorist attacks may have exacerbated the situation. In fact, this deterioration was the result of greedy, unscrupulous CEOs and airline managers stuffing their pockets while competing in a deregulated market. They did so to the deliberate detriment of their employees, their airlines and the flying public. You know some of the names: Frank Lorenzo, Carl Icahn, Richard Ferris, Steven Wolf, Glenn Tilton, etc. United Airlines may be the worst of all, thanks to the most corrupt top and middle level management imaginable. I know. I was a pilot with United for nearly 13 years prior to my retirement. There are, literally, hundreds of stories of the airlines' horrible treatment of passengers.

Below, is one such story of United's despicable treatment of a family that had plans to visit their father one last time prior to his impending death. The family had this trip planned a year ahead of time and had purchased tickets a full six months before the flight. Thanks to the misguided policies and brazen response of United Airlines, this family never had their last reunion with their father before his death. Gerry Braun, columnist for the Union Tribune in San Diego, wrote this article. Contrary to the title, there are countless stories like it. Click on the link, below, to read it.

Bad Airline Stories Are Nothing Like This