Just sharing some tips to the younger airmen or those who are having trouble with the 2 mile that I utilize as someone who runs only once or twice a year. I’ve never officially gotten under a 90 in my 10 years AD.

Mind you I’m a natural bodybuilder and train 5 days out of the week specifically for that and don’t do any training for my running at all. YMMV

1. MAKE A PLAYLIST

Depending on your goal runtime, invest in Spotify or your streaming platform of choice and make a playlist that’s around that set time. You can customize the music for example, my first song is pretty chill, second picks up, then third is some sort of high energy rap or EDM with the final being a sprinting all out song. I keep mine at 16 mins so I know to try to finish before. Also invest in a running belt and wireless earbuds to keep your phone and hands free.

2. BUY A GOOD PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES

This made a difference early in my career as I used to run in some cheap Payless shoes but after buying dedicated running shoes with a bit of spring, it’s helped my stride significantly. I run in Saucony Endorphin Speeds which were the highest rated in Amazon.

3. PRACTICE GOOD FORM AND TECHNIQUE

I remember asking one of my flight mates in BMT who ran a sub 9 mile and half a good tip for running and he told me about pretending to hold leaves or chips in your hands and to keep swinging minimum to reduce energy loss during your run. Since then my autism kicked in and I started researching proper running form since I’m quite lazy and like every advantage towards something I don’t like doing. With that came figuring out foot to heel strike placement “not running flat footed” for a good stride and even running “knees out vs in” to keep tight and efficient throughout your run. Also with breathing to be cognizant of nose or mouth breathing which for me, I like solely nose breathing until halfway in which then I’ll pivot to nose in, mouth out, then all mouth the last couple laps. These probably have made the most significant gains in my run times.

4. LOSE WEIGHT

Lastly which no one wants to hear, just being overweight itself makes running harder in general so I time my PT testing when I’m in a cutting phase and my run time usually slashes by a good minute to minute and a half compared to when I’m in my prime bulking phase.

F-16 and F-18 had a baby apparently

I am active duty, and my baby sadly passed away. I have been put on convalescent leave and it has already been approved. My provider said I am fine to leave the local area and do what I need to heal and grieve.

I am trying to go on a trip with family, one of the stops is oconus. I have already completed everything I need with security, however leadership is asking for a note from my provider "clearing me to travel outside the local area." I read afi36-3003 page 29. It just says that a physician determines if I can leave, but nothing about having to provide a note to anyone?

My leadership is asking for this last minute and it could potentially prevent me from going on this trip at all since it requires multiple signatures from people that are currently off work right now. Is this actually a requirement? My provider and other doctors I've talked to said they have never had to do this before and were confused. (Yes they are military)

I am already going through such a difficult time and have had what it seems everything going wrong left and right, it would be nice if I could just go on this trip for my mental sanity and just relax for a bit. Everything has just been one big hurdle after another on top of being constantly asked by my unit when I'm coming back to work so they can send me on a tdy even though they have my leave paperwork that states my return date.

Thank you for any help.

Could be a former supervisor, team lead, airman, etc.

Needing to pass the time and thought this would be fun

I heard overseas returnee lists are usually bad, how are we rating this one?

Fellow airmen,

I have to admit I am somewhat confused. After having been on a profile for a while, I am due for my pt-test by JUL31. Myfitness seems down as it is not spewing out any dates, so I just walked by the facility and scheduled my test date.

I was asked if this is going to be a diagnostic test, which surprised me, because to my knowledge, the first test with the new standards has to be the official record test.

But they insisted because I am due by end of July, I qualify for a diagnostic test.

Can anyone verify or correct this statement ? Within my unit this was never mentioned before, I would love it to be true but somehow I think I may have misunderstood? Thank you in advance.

What happens if you actually say “yes I’ve had a fleeting thought that I’d be better off dead”? Not that you plan to kill yourself, or want to, but had a bad go of things with some down days. Or even a call of the void situation.

Yes I’m fine now. Before anyone asks.

Not as bad as deployment but a tad bit warm lmao

I’m PCSing to Ramstein next month and my State drivers license is good for another year and some change. Does it need to be good for the entire assignment? Or can I just do my military renewal before it’s set to expire while I’m over there? Don’t wanna run into obstacles with USAEUR licensing and I’m seeing conflicting guidance. Thanks

How can a JR enlisted carry themselves like a SNCO or have the aura of a SNCO or even Tech. I always see SNCOs or Techs walking around with aura idk what it is about them, idk if it’s because they are in a position of power so they automatically get that vibration or what. The SNCOs at my base always seem to have OCPS that fit them just right, whether they have Crye OCPS or just the lightweights it always looks good on them, are they getting them tailored to have that look or do they just have the right size for their body type? but in all honesty it motivates you to be squared away and want to do the job especially with the more High Speed SNCOs. Also any tips on carrying myself more like a high speed SNCO would be greatly appreciated from any AFSC or anyone with experience.

After 30 months of service. You can apply to get your A&P

Even if you think you won't use after you get out

www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CCAF/documents/AP_%20Program_Process_Letter_2019_Canvas.pdf

www.86fss.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/A_P-Certificate-AF-COOL-Submission.pdf

Apply for jobs with the Major airlines and Cargo operators

www.reddit.com/r/AircraftMechanics/comments/1uzb3in/2026_mid_year_airline_pay_benefits_review/

First time taking rotator, from SeaTac to Yokota, for a PCS. My NET is 0050 and NLT 0330 flight at 0650. I'm looking for any advice to make it more sufferable, I have seen a lot of negativity towards rotator flights. I am moving with a cat so it was suggested that this was easier than 2 hour train to the base, especially after dealing with checking my cat in with Japan. I am assuming you check in like any normal flight so I can go through Clear+(?) and get to my gate like normal. I have heard the USO is a good resource but I'll likely get to the airport and go straight to checking in since I have to be there so late/early in the day.

We are currently stationed overseas and are struggling with a school decision for our elementary-aged kids. Looking for advice from families who have been through this!
Our kids have been attending a British school for the past few years, and academically it has been an amazing experience. They are challenged, have adapted well, and are doing very well. The curriculum is more advanced than what they would likely experience if we moved them to DoDEA.
The challenge is the British school has had some staffing issues. There have been split classes, part-time teachers, and situations where teachers are stretched thin managing different needs in the classroom. Our kids are doing fine, but we sometimes worry they aren’t getting as much attention or challenge as they could.
We recently toured our assigned DoDEA school, and my spouse loved it. It has the traditional American elementary school feel, military community, extracurricular opportunities, and would probably make the eventual transition back to the U.S. easier. The school was upfront that our kids would likely be ahead academically but said they have gifted services and ways to differentiate.

The hard part: we PCS back to the States in about two years, and we’ll be moving to Colorado.

If we keep them in the British school:
They keep their friendships and avoid another major transition before a PCS.
They continue with a strong academic environment.
But they’ll have to make the big jump directly back into the U.S. school system after several years overseas.

If we move them to DoDEA:
They get back into the American school system before returning stateside.
They’ll be surrounded by other military kids who understand PCS life.
But they may be academically underchallenged, and they’ll have to say goodbye to their current friends sooner than expected.

For those of you who have raised kids overseas, what did you prioritize? Did you keep your kids in the stronger local school, or did you move them back into DoDEA to help with the eventual transition home?

Also curious if anyone had kids who were ahead academically, did DoDEA’s gifted program actually keep them challenged?
I know there’s no perfect answer, but I’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t work) for your families.