tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post3888414381757834545..comments2009-01-03T09:51:36.811+02:00Mark Jacobsenhttps://profiles.google.com/107999162787819355839noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-31062624024717720432009-01-03T09:37:00.000+02:002009-01-03T09:37:00.000+02:00Congrats on making the SWJ blog!<BR/><BR/><BR/>I wish I had found this blog before I detached from DLI today, darn it! I've been working some of the same issues.<BR/><BR/>My sense is that USAF, especially the FAO variety, isn't big or settled enough that you won't be able to make a difference. It's not merely the John Boyd "do vs. be" dichotomy; it's the potential to do good work in a changing environment. Keep charging!<BR/><BR/>BTW the "soldier fun" comment is spam.Chaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10387249548750458757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-89577592302671692892008-12-29T03:11:00.000+02:002008-12-29T03:11:00.000+02:00Christopher,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment. The career-killing certainly isn't universal, but it happens in certain communities. I met a few Olmsted scholars (Navy and Army, I believe) who were told by their leadership that they were sacrificing their careers by applying for the program. Also, while Olmsted carries prestige in many circles, the standard FAO/IAS route is not always as well-respected. The services are trying hard to change this, but there is still resistance in many units.<BR/><BR/>One practical challenge in the Air Force is that pilots have to meet certain "gate month" requirements which leave very little room for non-flying assignments in their early careers. Because Olmsted takes me out of the cockpit for three years, I will probably need to fly two back-to-back flying assignments afterward to meet my gate months. AF International Affairs leadership admits they haven't figured out how to reconcile gate month requirements with IAS requirements.Reach 364http://www.blogger.com/profile/03529267584917166328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-40112465245033476612008-12-28T23:24:00.000+02:002008-12-28T23:24:00.000+02:00See my comments regarding this post on the SWJ trackback.<BR/><BR/>I don't subscribe to the career-killer theory you posit regarding off azimuth broadening experiences (e.g. the Olmsted scholar program), at least not in the Army. In USAF, I would concur as I have seen very few F16, F15, B2 or STS guys in the program (my Olmsted classmate, Bartz Sykes-an F16 driver, being the exception)<BR/><BR/>A fellow Olmsted Scholar.Christopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12375091638322866286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673747533541391425.post-26969134501911917152008-12-27T16:19:00.000+02:002008-12-27T16:19:00.000+02:00Hi <BR/>You have a good blog.<BR/>Please visit my fun blog on:<BR/> http://www.soldierfun.blogspot.com<BR/>Be happy.soldier funhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08658671573539451042noreply@blogger.com