Morgan O'Brien's WiGO 02.06.09

I read this and could almost hear the audible sigh coming from Hanscom AFB. Looks like someone still has a shot at a second star. God bless the service that fails to reward our warfighters--what's next, paying officers to leave during wartime?

Deployment history to be removed from promotion briefs

by Richard Salomon
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

2/5/2009 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force officials here recently announced that deployment history data will be deleted from duty qualification briefs for officer selection and preselection and from senior noncommissioned officer evaluation briefs.

This total-force initiative will apply to all active-duty members, Reserve and Guard personnel. (link)

I mean, why would deployment experience mean anything nowadays?

Air Force One


The Commander in Chief

I was watching a documentary with Mrs. Morganobrien.com the other night on NatGeo, and it concluded with then President-elect Obama boarding Air Force One for his first flight (this was before the inauguration).

The best part of the doc came at the culmination, in an incredibly cool moment, when the film crew captured the moment Obama met Col. Steven Harrison, the pilot. Upon meeting Col. Harrison, our 44th president said, "You're the pilot of Air Force One? Where'd they find you, central casting? You look like Sam Shepard from the Right Stuff."

That is the 100% right way to ensure you get on the pilot of Air Force One's good side. I mean, is there a better thing to say to a pilot? This only cements the fact that President Obama just has 'it'.
(link)

Reserve Recruiting

I received a neat email this week from a reserve recruiter:

I ask you to think back to why you separated from the Air Force (not right, or wrong... just YOUR reasons) and see if those reason are still valid today. Do you miss being on our Air Force Team? Do you miss the camaraderie of being a part of something "bigger than yourself"? Do you have a substantial amount of service time going to waste and applying that time to an Air Force Reserve Retirement may look a bit appealing?

Once again, there is no right or wrong way to answer those questions; as those answers are both personal and individual to where you are...personally and professionally.

I haven't regretted the decision to leave the service, a point I've made numerous times on this very site. That said, there isn't a day--literally--that goes by, that I do not recognize the value of my time in uniform. This email also reminded me of this great post from 2dinar (link).

One sidenote: this email was tied to my personnelist AFSC, and not my PA experience. Interesting.

Morganobrien.com Remembers

In more somber news, I want to remember a couple of young men from a couple of my orbits that both passed away far too soon this week. There's not much worse than seeing a young, healthy, bright, talented peer pass away.

So here's to the memories of Capt. Jonathan Bayless and Diplomat Brian Adkins.

As always, with my greatest respect,

Morgan