Bullet is Back in Blue

[Bullet]

Well, sort of.

As most of you are aware, when I retired from the Active Duty Air Force a couple of years back, I took a job as a Defense Contractor supporting the HQ AF staff in the Pentagon. Yes, I became an infamous "Beltway Bandit", providing subject matter aviation expertise to the AF on the F-35 aircraft program. Great job, and it kept me intimately involved with the service and people I considered my second family (the AF fighter community).

Well, I am pleased to let you all know that earlier this week I raised my right hand again in an oath to once again serve my country directly, taking a position as a direct civilian member of the Department of the Air Force in an NSPS position (position hasn't yet converted to Government Service pay scale). Now, I will be doing the same job, at the same pay, but directly for Uncle Sam versus a defense company. Guaranteed job for as long as I want it (which i didn't have as a Defense Contractor), with opportunities to possibly move within and up the Air Staff in the foreseeable future. Plus I now have the authority to directly represent the AF, versus just providing "my opinion". My opinion IS the AF's opinion.

So, overall I am extremely thrilled and happy to have this opportunity! Great to be officially back in the service I love and always considered "home".

So, if any of you are ever wondering or have any questions on the "civilian" side of the DoD or AF, I now am more than happy to offer my perspective in that area.

Bullet's now a civil servant. My office should see my level of work and willingness to go "the extra mile" peter off tremendously.

 

[flieger83]

Well, sort of.

As most of you are aware, when I retired from the Active Duty Air Force a couple of years back, I took a job as a Defense Contractor supporting the HQ AF staff in the Pentagon. Yes, I became an infamous "Beltway Bandit", providing subject matter aviation expertise to the AF on the F-35 aircraft program. Great job, and it kept me intimately involved with the service and people I considered my second family (the AF fighter community).

Well, I am pleased to let you all know that earlier this week I raised my right hand again in an oath to once again serve my country directly, taking a position as a direct civilian member of the Department of the Air Force in an NSPS position (position hasn't yet converted to Government Service pay scale). Now, I will be doing the same job, at the same pay, but directly for Uncle Sam versus a defense company. Guaranteed job for as long as I want it (which i didn't have as a Defense Contractor), with opportunities to possibly move within and up the Air Staff in the foreseeable future. Plus I now have the authority to directly represent the AF, versus just providing "my opinion". My opinion IS the AF's opinion.

So, overall I am extremely thrilled and happy to have this opportunity! Great to be officially back in the service I love and always considered "home".

So, if any of you are ever wondering or have any questions on the "civilian" side of the DoD or AF, I now am more than happy to offer my perspective in that area.

Bullet's now a civil servant. My office should see my level of work and willingness to go "the extra mile" peter off tremendously.

Ah, don't let him kid you with all that talk about "...a job, represent the AF, I am the AF, etc...etc..."

He's after ANOTHER DSSM...and that SES ticket

Seriously though...CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Excellent news!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[Bullet]

He's after ANOTHER DSSM...and that SES ticket

Caught red handed!

My dream of "One day, when I'M in charge, things will be different!" continues, but now the goal is SECAF versus CSAF. (like I had a shot at either)

I'll just settle for the job security, and the satisfaction that one day soon I'll be able to utter the line "Sorry, I can't help you right now. I'm on my break."

 

[vampsoul]

And the AF is lucky to have you back, Bullet.

 

[Maximus]

Congratulations!
I'm happy for you, your family and the Air Force community for having such a devoted member.

OK, now for the questions...what's going on with the Raptor? Can you personally start up that program again...please.

 

[Pima]

I laughed when I read this. I thought he was going to talk about why he was going to be wearing his blues again for 1 DAY next week, only to laugh harder that I didn't know he took an oath for this job. I just thought the only thing he had to do was convert his badge from contractor to government...silly me

Off topic a little, but it is amazing how Obama's plan to convert contractors into govt is affecting everyone in the office. He came home yesterday to say one of his colleagues from L-3 was offered the transition (not everyone will be asked to transition, Bullet was the 1st to go over), but this contractor declined the offer. He did it with a true military member's mindset...service before self. He could have transitioned, but decided that for the good of the program he would not since he intended to retire in the next 24 months. He felt it was better for the AF that they got someone new at the start of transition instead of taking the spot, and he would leave come Sept. when the contract with L-3 was over.

You can take the man out of the military, but obviously you can't take the military philosophy out of the man...service before self!

 

[goaliedad]

I thought he was going to talk about why he was going to be wearing his blues again for 1 DAY next week, only to laugh harder that I didn't know he took an oath for this job...

Did you make sure the blues didn't shrink in the closet?

 

[Pima]

YEP! Did that @ 2 weeks ago before we took them to the dry cleaners! Amazing how dusty they get hanging in a closet

Off topic, but funny and many parents who serve/d with children that are now cadets maybe able to gain valuable advice.

DS is going to summer training this summer and he needed a 2nd name tag for his blues. Bullet gives him one off of his old uniform believing he won't need it ever again. This was April, all of the sudden Bullet goes O Sh*t, I need it back. Meanwhile, DS did his bag drag and we can't get it back. We had to buy new name tags for Bullet for his blues otherwise we would be forced to break the glass of his retirement shadow box to get one. In other words, you might think you will never need it again, because your out. BUT, if you plan to commission your child in uniform, YOU WILL NEED IT!

He also had to get to the clothing store because we were cheap when making the shadow box and took his rank off of his flight cap...again he was never going to wear it again...OOPS forgot you need cranium cover, and Bullet refuses to wear a wheel cap.

Back on topic...regarding the 22, that is handled in his office, but he is the 35 go to guy and I think honestly, the 35 has enough issues that he doesn't have the time to get involved with the 22.