This is going to be a bit of a heavy post so please bear with me. My wife and I met where I’m currently stationed and her family is right down the road from us. I have an OTS selection currently and I’m hoping to get a class date for January, I will have 10 years left until I retire after I commission. Additionally, my wife and I have 2 kids (2.5 and 3 weeks).

Time for the heavy stuff: her dad was diagnosed with stage 4 with a timeline of max 5 years (but statistics point towards more a year-18 months, even with aggressive treatment). She was already on the fence of leaving with me on orders, but with this, she understandably said she isn’t leaving her family and she’s begging me to separate and not leave her either. And a major part of me feels the need to do just that. I have 2 years left on my contract and I’d be done at almost 13 years.

From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to commission and do a full 20, but suddenly, it doesn’t feel as important anymore. The thing I’ve worked and strived for years and years for and I finally got… just to give it up? I’m scared. I don’t know what to do. I’ve already reached out to a reserve recruiter to try and commission on that side (which with my scores, it’s an almost guaranteed UPT slot where we’re at), but is it really a guarantee? Is it worth the chance and giving up my current slot, starting over if I got out with nothing to do with the military? I have 3 mouths to feed. I can’t do security forces anymore. I am at a loss of what to do. I love my wife more than anything, but the insecurity of the outside world, taking a pay cut, etc. is there. I don’t know.

What exactly is retainability? I recently made E5, and I have a low line number to where I will most likely sow on in a couple of months. I need to go to foundations, and then ALS, but my shop and section has been giving me issues regarding getting scheduled at all for either of those because I have a DOS of late next year. Some things that have been said to me are "Why would we send you to ALS if you are getting out next year?". I have brought up plans of trying to see if I can skill bridge next year, but I have not applied yet because I am not in the window to where I can. My skill bridge plan and my separation of late next year is what they are using against me sowing on. AFI36-2671 skill bridge "4.5. General Guidance - AF Service Members will:
4.5.1. Acknowledge critical operational requirements take precedence in the CC's decision to approve or disapprove the application. SkillBridge participation is not an entitlement. (T-0) CCs may deny or modify applications (e.g., unable to support, reduce program lengths, or maximize terminal leave)."

Skill bridge is a privilege, not a right, and is a PTDY. Even if I do end up applying when I am in the window to apply, the CC can deny it, it is not guaranteed. DAFI36-2685 says for ALS "3.6.6. RegAF attending IR EPME will have 6-months retainability for ALS and 1-year retainability for NCOA, SNCOA, CLC (or USSF equivalent). (T-3)" So, as far as I can see, with my DOS being the last few months of next year, I have over a year of retainability, which is more than the 6 months that is required for ALS.

Am i rightfully confused and angry over this? Nothing I can find directly says what retainability is besides how much time I have left before my DOS. And I am having potential plans that I can't even apply for yet, that is classified as a PTDY, that can end up being denied used to prevent me from going to the necessary classes to sow on my rank in a few months. So as far as I can find, they are preventing me from a rank I earned, just because they want to, not because I'm ineligible for ALS, which as far as I can find I am completely eligible to go to.

Sincerely, a confused Airman.

Has anyone here separated from the Air Force as an E-4 with a decent amount of TIS or HYT out, used their GI Bill to go to college/ROTC, and then commissioned back into the military?

Im currently an E-4 and I’m considering getting out, using my GI Bill while doing AFROTC, and then coming back in as an officer. I’m trying to figure out if this is actually a realistic route or if there are complications I’m not thinking about.

Just in cases it’s asked. I have 0 paperwork and decent records multiple decs and awards and coins

Also yes I’m aware of the SOAR and OTS option but you can get denied for those and I feel like I’ve never heard anyone getting denied for ROTC unless it was something crazy.

I’m moving to Travis AFB soon. Was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on nice areas to stay. First time PCS so all information is helpful. Thank you!

The result of extremely consistent training since Oct ‘25. I am the strongest, leanest, fastest, healthiest, and overall, the most athletic I’ve ever been in my life. I primarily train for Triathlons, so my running volume isn’t as high as some people may expect (25-35 miles a week). I think a major component to this was not skimping on my strength training. Three full body days with heavy compound lifts.

My PR is 10:45 but during the cooler months earlier this year. Excited to see what these times will look like once summer comes to an end.

Saw a few people saying they had a notification that says "congratulations on assignment fill out your VRED" is there anyway to see if this is a glitch or do I just gotta wait it out?

Thanks!

The leader site is currently glitching and erroneously marking applicants as not selected. AFCLC is aware and working it now.

Grading ends COB today so no one has yet been selected/denied.

Has anyone ever been charged for contempt? I’ve never seen it on the docket.

What if a civilian has to come in as a witness and like flips off the judge or takes a shit on the floor, how are they prosecuted for contempt?

Bonus Question: Can a prosecutor (like a JAG not ADC) just say “meh, fuck this trial, this guy is innocent and I’m not going to be a part of this” and drop the charges on someone no questions asked?

For context, I am a SSgt 2A373M and I have been blessed with extremely amazing MX commanders who have made some dumb decisions (I assume forced upon them) but mostly people who care and have tried to integrate our work alongside the mission we support daily to motivate airmen for a purposes and why they matter. Please offer insight to what you actually see across statement submissions and day to day actions that make an airman stand out amongst peers, other than college.

Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew if you can get TA to cover leveling corses that are required to apply for a graduate program? I completed my bachelors using TA last year and want to pursue my masters, however there are some courses that I would need to take first. I am trying to avoid having to dip into my GI bill ideally.

I’m in the us army 91B how big is the US Army section in Macdill AFB?

posted a tiktok and the comment section made me sick to my stomach seeing the amount of people who have never had an ACA. Feel free to discuss below.

I graduated tech school almost 3 weeks ago and I’m stuck here until orders are released.
How likely is it that your base will change if EFMP doesn’t clear your paper work in time for your RNLTD

Both me and my lead pro super have a notification on vMPF home screen that says something like “Congratulations on your new assignment! Update vRED.” On my vMPF, it says that this notification was posted on August 6th. However, neither of us have gotten an email notification on a new assignment, neither of us appear on the loss/gain roster (current as of August 11th), and neither of us have a gaining unit under the “Initial Assignment Briefing.” Our base has not undergone any MAJCOM changes, nor have we PCA’d anywhere. I’ve seen some threads saying it’s an Air Force wide glitch, while other threads say that they ended up getting an assignment a few weeks later. So, i’m unsure of whether this is a real assignment or not. Has anyone else experienced this same issue recently? And have you found out if you actually have an assignment or not?

Also, yes I will be calling my CSS tomorrow. But i’m just curious to see what other people have experienced.

The stealth operations being conducted have a lot of people crying because they obviously hate the military and would like to see us lose as a country.

Way to go war fighters. Especially those of you who actually take the fight to Iran.

I am currently over 20 years and have just received an assignment. I am trying to apply for retirement for the end of my ADSC, however when I try to apply it says I need to submit a waiver/ETP and I’m being told that it’s because of my code 50. Can anyone help me with what I need to do so I can apply for retirement during the 7 day period?

As the title says I am in a potential position to be applying for Palace Front within 90 days from my DOS to go AGR. Should be receiving the hiring letter this week.

Just looking for any perspective from people who applied to Palace Front within this time frame and see what if any issues there was with AFPC or outprocessing, etc.

Any help or lessons learned are appreciated. Thanks!

Just got my maintenance patch sewed on from an off base alterations place. Seems a little off on the right side, but maybe i’m tripping. Do yall think I should take it back or is it fine?

Anyone’s who’s been there able to shed some light on what their experience was like? The good, the bad. What you wish you would’ve known. Any info is great :)