Hey Tudorp, while I appreciate and respect your opinion, I take offense to the term "a bunch of snot nosed aircraft mechanic wannabees" and "some numb nut aircraft mechanics". I was a 431X1 back in the day and I've worked on F-4's (RF, D & E models), 116's with the 388th TFW, and my last duty station working on the Blackbirds (SR-71 and U-2 aircraft along with T-38 Talons, KC-135's}. I've been in numerous positions from ground crew member to crew dawg to Flight Chief up to Production Supervisor. Granted there were a few who were all talk but I've had the pleasure of working with some of these "wannabees" and they pulled through for me numerous times. The airmen and NCO's I've worked with had system knowledge as well as the mechanical ability to repair/correct malfunctions and discrepancies. As a supervisor, this was an extremely critical step and I had no problems signing off Red X's because they took the time to explain and show me what was done. This was one reason why we were highly successful during Desert Storm. Our FMC rate was outstanding allowing us to meet our daily mission requirements as well as HHQ missions. I attribute that to the men and women who took pride in what they do to make it happen. As the Pro Super (Line Chief), I was also signing the Exceptional Releases (ER) before flights. The stress factor was there but not as nerve wracking due to the fact I had to review the entire aircraft forms prior to my signature. As far as QA, done that too . . . our job was not to "train" but to ensure proper training was given via task evaluations and follow ups. At my retirement ceremony, I thanked my crew dawgs and the specialists (AMS & FMS support) I worked alongside with. I told them I could never have done anything without their support. It was an honor working with them and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Point taken brother. Yeah, my comment was too "general" and for that I apologize. I never want to underestimate our troops, and we all were those snot nosed wannabees at some point (myself included). I also had some very good technicians in my crew that I counted on. On my last assignment I had several "new troops" come in that were VERY sharp, but just didn't seen to want to "turn a wrench". I am very confident that they ended up being outstanding technicians, because like I said, they were sharp. My problem was really me, and not them. I was "old school" and took my job very seriously, as did they, but just was cut out of different molds. As an aircraft electrician, and coming out of SAC (B-52, KC-135, as well as some of the other old birds), I ended up in TAC (F-16, at that time fairly new). While working in SAC, we would get pretty messy repairing the old birds. I have been covered, and rained on my nasty hot hydrolic fluid during many "redballs", busted knuckles, and allot of blood, sweat and tears in my work in SAC. Some of the new mechanics wouldn't tolerate that type of dedication (at that time) and would whine when they got a blister pulling a generator/CSD package while the other engines were screaming on the next pod. Many of the "new force" coming in were polished, and very sharp, that I would have never taken away from them. But, I just had allot of issues with them with the "mightier than tho" attitudes of some of them, and even being new troops thinking they were above diving in and getting their hands dirty. Those are the kids I had a problem with. One specific gal came into my group that was sharp as a tack, and had quite a bit of college under her belt, and came to me as a SrA (at that time, and E-4, (no star, non NCO)) due to her college credit. At that time, I was an E4 Buck Sgt (with the star and NCO status). Sure I was a young NCO, and just starting into a crew leader position. I had been a Buck Sgt longer than she was in the Air Force, and she tries to pull rank with me one day because I asked her to perform a low status electrical job that new trainees typically had to do. She claimed that us both being E4s, I had NO right to tell her to do such a lowly job (even tho I was her direct supervisor). She wanted one of the high profile jobs I had slated for that day (which at that time, she was not experianced enough to deal with). It was that attitude I had issues with, and I had several of those type on my crew. Again, sharp troops, but they just didn't seem to want to crawl up the latter like many of us older school guys had to do. The "New Force" was simply a culture shock for me, and I would never want to belittle those guys, because again, sharp and it was the "new way". I made the decision that I was simply going to turn the reins over to them and let them carry the torch. Those "new" troops years later, I am sure turned out to be awesome leaders, and had high quality contributions to our new military. I just had to give up my old school ways, and let them take the reins. I am proud of my job in serving, and I am proud of them too as they took our military to the next level, and for that, I applaud them (and you). But, at that time, they were snot nosed wannabees, and today, they ARE the highly skilled profesionals that run our military today. And I am proud of my era, and I am proud of their era too for their work..
I hope that explains it a little better brother..