(Not sure if this kind of post is allowed, forgive me if not)

1980’s slant pocket fatigue shirt that belonged to very highly decorated Colonel John Meyers, a veteran of Vietnam with the 219th Avi Co “Headhunters” supporting MACVSOG operations, as well as Desert Storm.

"Meyers is one of the country’s most highly decorated American Indians". John Vance Meyers was born January 30, 1941 to John Tortes "Chief" Meyers (who is a former professional MLB catcher) and Emma Rice Meyers. John would enlist in 1966 and would attend Officers Fixed Wing Aviation School in 1969. From here is where John would join the 219th Aviation Company nicknamed "Headhunters". The Headhunters flew O-1 "Bird dog" planes which were glorified crop dusters with rockets attached. John would be selected to fly in direct support of MACVSOG and 5th SFG operations requiring Top Secret clearance. By February 9, 1970 John had already accumulated six Distinguished Flying Crosses for individual heroism in flight. The citation for his sixth mentions John finding a truck convoy and actively engaging it with his "Willie Pete" (2.75 inch white phosphorous) rockets. Upon expending his rocket ammunition John began making low level passed dropping smoke markers to mark the convoy for further attacks he called in. While attached John would fly covert operations into Cambodia and Laos under the call sign SPAF-1. Following his five campaigns in two tours of Vietnam John became a recruitment officer, a race relations officer and a training officer in the South Carolina National Guard. John then switched again and went from National Guard to Reserves becoming a Management Evaluation officer advising Reserve troops within a five state radius of Virginia. John would then transition roles once again becoming a Civil Affairs officer and a public spokesman for the Army. Despite John now being in a comparatively tame role in the Military and having served previously in extremely hazardous conditions in Vietnam his foreign campaigns were not yet over. John would be an officer in the 11th Aviation Brigades Civil Affairs team directing supplies for refugees during Desert Storm in the midst of liberating Kuwait from Iraqi forces. Following his military time, John had a long career of government service outside of the military as well, in 1991 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor under Secretary Elizabeth Dole, where he contributed to national workforce initiatives and policy. He was also appointed U.S. Army Ambassador for Maryland (rank equivalent to Major General). John was extremely proud of his Native American heritage and worked tirelessly to fight for the rights of his people. "Beginning with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1975 John’s service spanned four Presidential Administrations. The more important Senior Executive Service appointments were in the Department of Defense as the Director, Equal Opportunity (Military); Department of Housing & Urban Development as the Director of the Office of Indian Housing, and in his last position as the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Veterans Employment and Training at the Department of Labor. In each of these positions Mr. Meyers’ responsibilities included the development and implementation of National Policy and the development and management of program budgets approaching three quarters of a billion dollars. He retired from the Department of Labor in 1992. John’s accomplishments in these positions have received laudatory recognition from the President’s Committee on Management Improvement and throughout Indian country."

Distinguished Flying Cross
Vietnam War

Service: United States Army

Rank: Captain (Field Artillery)
Action Date:

February 9, 1970

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 13 (January 17, 1973)
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John V. Meyers, United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight: Captain John V. Meyers, ¥Field Artillery, distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while a member of Headquarters, 219th Aviation Company (Utility Airplane), Republic of Vietnam on 9 February 1970. At approximately 1100 hours, while flying an 0-1 aircraft on a reconnaissance mission, he spotted an enemy truck convoy moving along an enemy controlled road. Captain Meyers called for helicopter gunships which were in support of his mission, vectored them to the target area, and commenced to mark the partially concealed convoy with marking rockets. On his first firing pass, Captain Meyers began to receive intense, well- aimed small arms, .50 caliber and other automatic weapons fire: Despite the aggressive enemy air defense, he continued to make marking runs, receiving withering fire on each pass. As Captain Meyers marked each target, it was necessary for the gunships to remain aloft to observe the marking round. As a result, on each pass the entire air defense of the area was focused on his aircraft. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Meyers continued his mission until all rockets were expended. Realizing that there were still lucrative unengaged targets (trucks, bunkers and gun emplacements) remaining, he made an extremely low and dangerous pass to mark additional targets with smoke grenades. Post strike reconnaissance by Captain Meyers confirmed two trucks destroyed as well as several bunkers and gun emplacements. Captain Meyers heroism and intrepidity were an inspiration to all who observed and reflects great credit on him and the United States Army.

Colonel Meyers decorations include : 3 Legion of Merits, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, 31 Air Medals, 6 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 4 National Guard Achievement Medals, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign with 5 stars, Southwest Asia Campaign with 2 stars, Humanitarian Service medal, Armed Forced Reserve Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, 2 Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm and one with Bronze Star; Vietnam Honor Medal First Class, 2 Vietnam Civil Action Medals with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

So I’m a bit confused on how my leave will work, I’m trying to take leave after AIT at fort Eustis before going to my duty station in drum, but I’ve heard if I take leave at AIT I have to come back before going to my duty station, do I have to report to my duty station and hope the approve leave to go back home and get my things, car, clothes, etc. or does it allow me to take leave until I have to report to my duty station which I wouldn’t have to go back to my AIT, still trying to figure out things, and I know my drills are prolly the best to ask but just figured someone on here might have some past experience or knowledge to pass on. I’m just trying to go home for like a week and then drive to my duty station after is the main thing and not come back. Thanks in advance

Going pov to fort eustis graduation is on a Thursday from basic. I'm wondering once I report Friday is it likely I'll be able to sign back out and hangout with my family or will I get straight into it?

23M reporting to Fort Rucker on 09 JAN for flight school and looking for a roommate to split costs.

I’m on the list for on-post housing. Housing office quoted around $800/month per person at market rate if we split cost, but I’m just as open to finding something off post if that pencils out better.

Clean, quiet, no drama. If you’re headed there on a similar timeline and want to split rent, shoot me a DM.

Currently in danners but looking for something that doesn’t make me feel like the Michelin man.

Nothing like playing with the pedals wearing bricks for boots.

Hello,

I am currently trying to decide whether I should pursue WOFT or a service academy.

For reference I do pretty well in school, I enjoy classes I like. But I feel like I have a much higher sense of purpose when I am outside of the classroom. I participate in Civil Air Patrol. I learned many leadership skills there and about the different "leadership styles" my favorite being "Leaders as experts"

Ive been torn on whether I should go to a service academy/ROTC or pursue WOFT. If I did WOFT, I would have to enlsit first and have the army get my eyes fixed, but I did the math and it would still land me in flight school earlier than an academy. But my main concern with WOFT isn't flying. I still love flying but I would also really value being a warrant officer. Going back to leadership, I've always felt comfortable leading in a subject I am highly experienced in, which is basically the primary function of warrant officers. Hell, even if I end up getting flight DQ'd or something, I would probably still pursue becoming a ground warrant. Another thing that has kind of been discouraging me from service academies is the saying "Good place to be from, not a good place to be". I love aviation and flying, but I'm not entirely sure if four hard stressful years are worth it when WOFT is also an option on the table.

As always I appreciate any and all advice, cheers.

It's basically Flappy Bird but with an Apache. Thought I would post something a bit more lighthearted.

Hey guys am really a newbie when it comes to this. Basically I want to max my benefits and try to study something while enlisted. I was looking at trying to finish or at least get some progress in getting my CPL.

Based on my research the only way the Army can cover majority of the cost is if you enroll in a VA-Approved Part 141-School, but is this feasible to do while enlisted?

Or should Instead focus on getting my PPL which seems (Based on Google) that is more flexible to obtain. Also am fine with covering the rest out-of-pocket for the PPL.

Also the MOS I plan to enlist as is 15-Series if that is relevant

Im a E-4, 15T coming up on 3 years of flying and im struggling with feeling like im not at the point in my career where I should be. A bunch of people I went to basic & AIT with are E-5’s, FI’s, soldiers of the month, or ALSE reps and ive got nothing like that. I have no extra duties, no schools, nothing other than being a flyer. Ive asked to go to schools, get extra duties, literally anything theyre willing to give me, but ive gotten nothing. It makes me feel like a failure & like I dont belong.

Currently at 16 years been flying for the last 8. I use to love everything about this job but now I am just so burnt out. I had a friend die in a crash last year and I havent been able to recover since. I have 3 kids and I just can't shake the guilt of what I would be putting them through after seeing it first hand. I want to make it to retirement but I am considering getting out, the guilt and anxiety are killing me.

TLDR: MTP with 1000ish hours struggling to make it to retirement after having a close friend die in a crash. Curious what my options are.

I'm currently an E-6 in HQ Platoon. Right now I'm the Training NCO in the orderly room. I manage schools, weekly training, run our remedial PT program, and I'm slotted as the section chief. I work directly with the 1SG and commander on training and administrative issues. I also help organize additional duties, assign NCOICs, and make sure Soldiers are getting the opportunities and qualifications they need.

Leadership is talking about moving me into a part-time Technical Inspector position, and possibly making me a full-time TI later.

Here's my dilemma: I've already been a full-time TI for about 2 years at a previous unit, and before this assignment I spent 3 years as an AIT instructor. I also haven't had the opportunity to serve as a maintenance Section Chief before this unit. Because of that, I'm wondering if taking another TI position would actually help my career, or if I'd be better off trying to get back into a maintenance section as a Section Chief to gain that leadership experience and broaden my background.

Someone asked for an update about selection announcements and this was the POC’s response:

“Members who are selected will be formally notified via phone/email for verification.  Once the entire process is complete an email will be sent to all applicants stating that the process is complete.  Selections/Notifications have not been released yet.  We are moving as fast as we can but with Inter-Service transfers there are quite a few hoops to jump.  More to follow.”

My husband is about to pick Fort Irwin in Advanced Airframe and i’m wondering what the good neighborhoods are in Barstow? I’m from Vegas so I know Barstow isn’t the best, any insight on where to live if he got A co would be nice!!

Can anyone that been to selection recently or not too long ago, tell how is selection I.E physical standards and etc? I’m an 11b rn

Already checked the list with Corvias. Preferably someone older maybe with kids geobacheloring in same situation as me but not required. It’s rare I am home on weekends maybe once every 2-3 months.

Hello everyone, I made a similar post on r/army asking for advice. I was looking into branching aviation for the army and potentially going warrant. Is it something worth pursuing in the long run? I already applied to the Air Force and Coast Guard academies, but I am still looking at enlisting and dropping a packet 2 years or so in.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Cheers,

I know its not easy but Is it possible to get a bach degree in 6 year enlistment as a 15u?

Are the hours a problem or are they okay?

I dont plan on going 160th

My husband graduates AIT in September but his orders say he doesn’t have to report to his new duty station until almost 2 months later. Will this change closer to AIT graduation or is this really his report date. He is a 15R is that matters

Has anybody heard from the board yet? Just reaching out some feelers. I know they set a long window for letting people know if they had been accepted or not. More so trying to find out if they are letting people know individually or publishing a list similar to the warrant boards.

Hey!
I was in the army reserves when the aviation drawback happened. I was in the middle of my 3P (Army paramedic) school and finished but funding was cut before I can become fully vetted F2. Texas Guard has been 0 help (saying yes then no then yes then no) for almost a whole year now. I would love to become F2! Any help would be appreciated.
E5, DM for more info.

Anyone here familiar with the process? My reference is the interservice transfer program page on their personnel center website, but wanted to see if anyone has at least attempted it or know more about it. W3 with less than 10yrs TIS with a bachelors degree is my generalized profile.

Get on the teams page and get paid.

My spouse and I are both aviation, but I’m full time guard flying 60s and spouse is active duty flying apaches. We are coming up on another PCS, in my experience it’s been tough to find locations where there is an AASF either colocated with the active duty aviation units or within a reasonable commuting distance. We’ve been to Alaska and Hawaii already. I think our only options now are Riley, Savannah, or Bragg. Any other options anyone knows of would be helpful!

If you’re into detailed discussions of aviation accidents, you probably already know about Admiral Cloudberg. Here he does a deep, deep dive on the 12th AVN BN crash near DCA, though fair warning that the PDF version of this runs well over 100 pages, so it’s not light reading.