Hello All and Welcome,

I have been busy with the Christmas holiday and just got my password reset, so sorry, but here’s an update.

All the kids came out for the Holiday and everyone got along. Amazing! So all is well in the family side.

Donna and I are still adhering to our original agreement, “If we are together in 5 years, then we will get married.” 1 more to go!

I am transferring to Ft Worth at the end of Feb, taking a job within my group to train (classroom instruction, academics) the test pilots of the F-35. It is good in many ways. In the contracting world, I am told, “always stay close to the airplane.” So, I will be as close as you can be without being in the cockpit. I also have some issues with 2 female subordinates. I was called to HR (Human Resources) for not being sensitive and I found it very difficult as the Leader of my production team to get work out of them without confrontation. My boss (who thought that it was a small problem if it was happening to me), did nothing until it became insubordination to him and another manager. Then the sh*t hit the fan and both people were disciplined, but nothing really happened and I have to go for sensitivity training! This affects my career, 2 reports with my name on them from 2 nutty women.  I cannot work in an environment where I have to tiptoe on eggshells or work around these 2 freeloaders who will only do what they want, the way they want. I am ranting!

So I’m moving to FTW. The benefits are: same pay and benefits with a much lower cost of living (rent), no state tax ($320 a month) (is retirement pay taxed in TX?), commute (20 min vs. 1+20), possibility of reserve flying in SPS, END, RND or DLF. I gave up on BAD and I wouldn’t want to deploy anyway, but I would fly training.

Has anyone heard about any of the retired guys flying in the Reserves? I know of 2 fighter-types only. The biggest benefit to being in TX is being closer to family, it is more convenient to drive home to KY than fly. Donna’s family is in JAX and SHV, so that is doable also. So, I may see you sooner than our reunion!

I may not write much, but I always read your BLOGs and I think of all of you often.

Britt