Air Force Scramjet test is a complete success!

[AnchorClanker]

Yeah, we've circled back around to biplanes.

We actually need A/C with a long loiter time and some ordinance... oh yeah, we have 'em... Predators.
I'm hearing that transports have become cool again with the pilot-wannabes because they see the writing on the wall.  The days of fighter jocks are numbered.

[CountDeMoney]

The days of fighter jocks are numbered.

Not really.  Gonna be tough to fly those drones remotely when the Chinese blasts the C3 network to cyber-smithereens and the monitor goes blank when the uplink is dead. 
You'll still need human pilots on station.

[AnchorClanker]

That would be the USN pilots flying off the carriers.   

The USAF Academy is noticing more pilots opting for transports, as the guys who really, really want to fly stuff in person knows that's where it's at.  The guys who just wanna blow shit up are going into preds and not into the fighters, etc.

[Neil]

Besides, the whole USAF will lose their shit and surrender when the Chinese take down their email.

[AnchorClanker]

Besides, the whole USAF will lose their shit and surrender when the Chinese take down their email.

Or, more likely, they will demand (and get) more funding for STRATCOM.  And demand that a USAF General command CYBERCOM.
And then they will rip up the old carpet and put new, blue carpet in.  And then they will get into pillow fights and have the clowns come out and tickle them, just like boot camp.  And then they will bitch about being picked on by the other branches.  Plus ca change...

[Tonitrus]

I didn't get any clown tickles. 

[AnchorClanker]

I didn't get any clown tickles. 

You was robbed, friend. 

[katmai]

I thought it was because he was dressed up as the clown

[AnchorClanker]

I thought it was because he was dressed up as the clown

Good point.  Were you a 'rope' Tonitrus?   

[Tonitrus]

I thought it was because he was dressed up as the clown

Good point.  Were you a 'rope' Tonitrus?   

Hells no.  Ain't nobody(who cares about being proficient in their job) got time for that.

[AnchorClanker]

I thought it was because he was dressed up as the clown

Good point.  Were you a 'rope' Tonitrus?   

Hells no.  Ain't nobody(who cares about being proficient in their job) got time for that.

Great answer.   

[Tonitrus]

Except right now, my skills are wasting away as I perform an under-appreciated (but important) admin-hell job. 

[Admiral Yi]

What's a "rope?" 

[Tonitrus]

What's a "rope?" 

Some kid in technical training school who thinks he is better/more special than his peers, and is hoping to suck off some glory/power-trips from the people in charge...but who usually actually treat him like crap, or is forced to baby-sit the slackers and misfits.

[Admiral Yi]

Thanks.  Any idea why they're called ropes?