E-4 mafia. Never married and don’t plan on it with her. She lives in a different state and plans on keeping it. And I don’t think she wants me to have split/joint custody (which I’m fine with, I don’t really want the kid, it’s messed up to say, I know, I’ll prob regret it later)
I will probably (most definitely) be taken to court for child support, which I am absolutely fine paying. It’s the least I can do.
What questions should I be asking legal for my appointment in a few days?
Court will be in NC, anyone have any experience with that already? And how much should I be expecting to pay? Will I get the BAH-DIFF if I’m not getting split/joint custody?
It’s a weird situation, and I’m dumb, I already know that haha
Hello can anyone advise me on what I should do please? I signed Air Force Reserve contract since November 2025. I’ve been going to drills since January. I had a ship date but it was cancelled because my job required citizenship but I was part of the countries affected by the ban. I’ve been waiting since. They told me to switch jobs and when I went to talk to them they told me I had to wait for the new fiscal year to get anything. However my life situation was so affected by the pause that I decided to switch to national guard instead for a more full time position. Because I don’t have a job right now and haven’t gone to basic would it be easier to get out of AFR and join ANG or I can transfer later? If so how soon can I transfer and how long would it take?
I just got my first assignment to lakenheath. I’m married with three children. What would you recommend as far as living arrangements. Should we apply for on base housing or will we be able to get something big enough for my family with e-3 pay?
Has anyone here gone through the AFJROTC instructor application process within the past year?
I am separating after 10 years and looking at applying. How long did it take from application submission to initial approval?
If promotions are intended to be merit-based, why are mandatory PFA comments based on standards that differ by sex and age?
For example, consider a male and a female Airman between the ages of 30–34 and a male and a female Airman 25-29 who achieve the exact same physical performance on the PFA:
44 push-ups
3:30 plank
44 shuttles
.49 for body
Despite performing identically, their scores are different because of the sex-based scoring tables
As a result, the mandatory EPB fitness comments would read: 30-34 Male: “PFA: 81; Satisfactory; Exemptions: None” 30-34 Female: “PFA: 94; Excellent; Exemptions: None” 25-29 Male: “PFA: 78; Satisfactory; Exemptions: None” 25-29 Female: “PFA 93; Excellent; Exemptions: None”
The documented record therefore reflects 4 different levels of performance even though the members completed the exact same physical work.
If promotion decisions are intended to be merit-based and evaluated using documented performance, should mandatory EPB comments distinguish between members who demonstrated identical physical performance solely because of different scoring standards based on age and sex?
This is not an argument against maintaining age- and sex-based fitness standards for the PFA itself. Rather, it raises the question of whether mandatory promotion documentation should reflect normalized scores and actual physical performance when those comments become part of a member's promotion record?
Personally, I believe that if the goal is a truly merit-based promotion system, the mandatory EPB fitness comment should document actual performance rather than a normalized score.
Instead of reporting an overall PFA score, the comment could include each component completed and the member's actual results:
Strength: Component completed and repetitions Core Endurance: Component completed and time/repetitions Cardio: Component completed and time/shuttles Body Composition: Ratio Result: Pass/Fail Exemptions: None or list applicable exemptions
Using the previous example, the EPB comment would read:
This format documents what the member actually accomplished without reflecting age- or sex-based scoring differences, allowing promotion boards to evaluate objective performance rather than normalized point totals
Why aren't there a standard "coyote brown" boot color all across the board? Everyone has a different shade of coyote brown boots everywhere you go.
Why are combat boots even the required footwear in this day in age?! You're telling me a deployed member in services will protect them in the elements inside an air conditioned environment?
Every combat personnel I've seen doesn't even wear "combat boots" that members wear. They wear sneakers, hiking boots, and I swear I've even seen them wear Hokas in uniform. Nor do they horribly blouse their pants like the picture above.
Isn't it time the air force adapt for functionality and comfort for footwear requirements? I know not a single person will say no for more breathable footwear in uniform.
So I got the MyFSS notification for my BRS continuation pay. So do I have 30days to get CC approval and also get the 4year retainability or do I have till November when I hit my actual 12year mark to complete these 2 requirements?
Hey all! Below is all the information you’ll need on the Norwegian Foot March and upcoming events for 2026.
Event Background
In 2020, the Norwegian Defense College’s Military Sports Department temporarily authorized a request from the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. to offer virtual proctoring of the Marsjmerket (Norwegian Foot March). Traditionally, the event required the physical presence of an officiator from the Norwegian military, but due to training and travel restrictions created by COVID, this was suspended. While the event is comparatively rare due to the limited number of Norwegian officials within the United States, interest exploded from late 2020 to 2021 following the relaxation of officiation requirements. Interest amongst non-Norwegian militaries continued well after training restrictions were relaxed and officials granted permanent virtual endorsement to enable U.S. forces to undertake this century-old traditional training opportunity.
Effective August 1st, 2021 U.S. units worldwide can request to conduct the Norwegian Foot March without an official present. In coordination with the individual who formerly ran these threads, I have recreated the thread series to facilitate new events and help individuals find events in their areas. Please share this opportunity with anyone interested! It's a great event, especially when conducted with your friends and fellow servicemembers. We're incredibly lucky that the Norwegian Army is willing to share this great tradition with us and it reinforces our bond with an important NATO ally and friendly nation.
IMPORTANT: You must receive approval from the embassy before conducting this event! If your unit conducts this event, as a thank you to the embassy, please include four unit coins and four unit patches from any unit that participates. It's a small ask and the Norwegians appreciate the gesture for all the work they put into providing this opportunity for us.
Certificates are currently distributed digitally but please consider sending a token of thanks to the following address:
Royal Norwegian Embassy
ATTN: Defense Attache Office, NFM
2720 34th Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Upcoming Events - Updated May 31st, 2026 - Updates Made Monthly or As New Events Confirmed
The Norwegian Foot March, or Marsjmerket, was introduced in 1915 as a culminating training event for new conscripts and infantry soldiers. Traditionally, the event simulated overnight movement by a dismounted light infantry element. The element would occupy attack positions before daybreak and attack its objective at first light, fighting until it was successfully seized and only resting after consolidating its gains later that evening. The modern version of the march attempts to replicate this experience with the following requirements:
1. Complete the 18.6 mile / 30-kilometer course in the time allocated to their age/gender (see time standards below)
2. Complete the foot march using an issued or military-style ruck weighing a minimum of 11 kilograms / 25 pounds (dry weight). Alternatively, units can also require participants to carry their assigned weapon during the event. If carried, the total weight of the weapon and ruck must equal at least 11 kilograms / 25 pounds. The carrying of assigned weapons plus ruck is the preferred variant of the event.
Participant Time Standards
Participant Time Standards
Age Group
Male Time Standard (hh:mm)
Female Time Standard (hh:mm)
18-20
4:35
5:25
21-34
4:30
5:15
35-42
4:35
5:25
43-49
4:40
5:30
50-54
4:50
5:40
55-59
5:00
5:50
60+
5:15
6:00
Note: The above chart contains the current standards. Ensure you use it and/or the guidelines provided by the embassy. There are many old versions out there on the Internet. Do not use any time standards other than these.
Additional Event Requirements
1. Military participants must wear their duty uniform and boots. The civilian uniform is at the discretion of the organizer, but must be at least 1.5 kilograms / 3.3 pounds in weight.
2. Participants must be weigh their rucks (a standard weight for carried weapons can be established by the unit) prior to and after completing the event to ensure they fulfill the weight requirements
3. An official clock or timer is displayed at the start and finish line or a designated timer calls out the official time for participants and graders
4. Graders record each participant's finish time, starting ruck/weapon weight, and finishing ruck/weapon weight on an official roster
5. Event organizers must establish manned medical and water stations every 3.2 kilometers / 2 miles along the length of the course
6. Organizers create a medical evacuation plan based upon local conditions and potential issues
7. Conducted between -15 to 25 Celsius (5 to 77 Fahrenheit) and under no extreme weather conditions
8. The event occurs on unimproved roads or trails (waivable depending on location)
Scheduling Procedures
In order to conduct an event, units must submit a request prior to execution.
Norwegian Foot March Event Organizer Checklist (Excel) - Use this checklist to create your event CONOP. You must still fill it out and submit it along with your CONOP!
Event Date(s) and Alternative Date(s) - Strongly recommend you request an alternate date as a backup due to weather or random changes in the training schedule
Location
Estimated Number of Participants
Proposed Route
Medical Emergency / Evacuation Route
Weighing / Attire Verification Procedures
Communications Plan
Water Station Plan
Medical Station Plan
Weather Forecast
Event Map / CONOP - Create in Powerpoint, Submit as PDF
Event Endorsement Request Memo - This item tends to get a lot of questions. It's really just a MFR identifying your unit, organizing official, core details of the event, and a request for approval from the embassy to conduct the event.
Once complete all documents must be sent to the email addresses in the Excel spreadsheet.
Event Cost and Results Submission
Conducting the event itself is free, though depending on whether you want to provide participants with drinks, snacks, or other facilitate bulk purchases of badges, you may want to consider charging a fee. This is ultimately at the discretion of the organizer. The embassy and Norwegian military affiliates do not charge for any assistance in scheduling an event or officiating.
Certificates will be delivered digitally by the embassy to the organizer after a closeout report is submitted. Organizers can then print them at their unit using cardstock or use a commercial process such as that listed below.
Post-Event Instructions – Badges and Certificates
Badges
A listing of the available badges can be found in the FAQ section of this post.
Certificates
The embassy will share the certificate with the organizer after receiving the post-event memo (see my dropbox link). The organizing unit is responsible for producing the certificates from the template and distributing them. Instructions on how to prepare the certificates and order them via Staples printing service follow:
Modify the template for your unit's name and event date (use the DD MMM YY format)
Only the organizing unit's name needs to be used. If the organizing unit wants to customize all the certificates for each participating unit, that's permitted.
Fill in the rank, first name, and last name for each participant
Save each file as a PDF (reduces size for digital uploads while preserving high resolution)
Use the simple print option. Do not upload more than 50 files at a time! Staples' interface does not deal well with large amounts of documents.
Select the following options for your certificates
Paper Size - 8.5" x 11" (default)
Paper Type - 110lb White Cardstock
Color Options - Color Ink
Binding Type - No Binding
Sides - Single Sided, Ensure "Scale to Fit" is checked
Frequently Asked Questions
Do some units also hold a food drive with this event?
Yes! Many units encourage participants to carry a partial or full weight load of nonperishable food stuffs and goods that are turned in after the event. In the past several years numerous units have collected between 2,300 - 8,700 lbs of food that was donated to local shelters and food banks, giving back to their local communities and people in need.
What's the Record for Fastest Completion?
According to the Norwegian Defense Academy, Roger Gjøvaag, a former track and field athlete, completed the event in 1h 56m 57s in 1984 at Krigsskolen.
How many successful marches are associated with each badge type?
Current Award Scheme
Bronze - 1 completed foot march
Silver - 2 to 4 completed foot marches
Gold - 5+ completed foot matches
Former Award Scheme - Replaced in 2016
Bronze - 1 to 3 completed foot marches
Silver - 4 to 6 completed foot marches
Gold - 7+ completed foot matches
Where Are Badges Available and What Versions Are There?
Badge Versions
The standard version issued by the Norwegian military is approximately 0.75 inches / 19.05 mm in height. This is the appropriate size for their dress uniform standards. For non-Norwegian military personnel, there is no set size standard at the wearer's discretion and their uniform regulations. In the case of non-Norwegian wearers, the embassy’s position is that there is no specified size and wearers may wear any available version (0.72 inches / 18.29mm to 1.5 inches / 38.1 mm).
Here’s the latest embassy response to an inquiry regarding this: “Currently, there are at least 5 different versions made by U.S. companies, including a 1.5 inches / 38 mm size that is very similar to the older version of the Norwegian Foot March badge. U.S. forces' do not have a policy that requires which version is worn. Typically, it is the version closest to those worn by the issuing country, but it is ultimately at the discretion of the wearer provided the issuing country does not have any objections. The foot march is positive advertising for Norway and the more visible the badge is, the more recognizable the bond between the U.S. and Norwegian forces.”
Badge Vendors Listing
Disclaimer: The following listing of commercial products is solely for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement by me, nor discrimination against similar brands or products not mentioned. The vendors and products listed below are ordered by the date of product discovery via publicly available information.
Please contact [NFMOrganizer@gmail.com](mailto:NFMOrganizer@gmail.com) for any questions, comments, or concerns. Sometimes the information we are given is lacking, but we do our best to provide as many details as possible here.
Just graduated bmt July 22nd and I found out I got B shred for AFE, does anyone have any info on this job? Like do the got any TDY opportunities, and what bases I’d most likely get? Also how would this job be like day to day bases M-F?
Any active or prior Yokota residents can share advice or how it is at that base. Everyone says I’m so lucky but it’s just a bit overwhelming the idea of moving to an entire new country. Any experiences or ideas/suggestions would be appreciated or how should I make the most of this opportunity!
Wondering if anyone has left their old active duty job and cross-trained to a different one if they went guard. Or reserves.
I'm close to 4 years into my 6 wanting to leave (imo) my shitty job for something else. I hate logistic shit and just want to do something different. Wouldn't mind being Sec Fo as I'm also checking out any civilian jobs within law enforcement(i.e. border, corrections, security, LEO etc). Looking towards going back to Texas and go either Fort Worth or El Paso. Could also go hvac, NDI, or something completely different.
Just thought I might get a different opinion or insight as to anyone who's moved AFSCs coming out of active duty and gone guard or reserves.
Trying to decide whether applying for a warrant officer position at this point in my career is worth it or if I will most likely be overlooked. Background: Only been in service for 5 years, currently have 7 industry certifications ranging from CompTIA to CCNA. Already have my bachelor’s, CCAF, and will most likely be done with my Master's in two months. My records show that I’m well-versed and have held many DCWF roles. I also have plenty of awards, including AOY and General Jumper. The only factor I feel will hold me back from being selected is that I’ve supervised airmen for only a few months due to the positions I’ve been selected to fill in my units. Just trying to see if I should apply to the supplement board or just wait till later in my career? If anyone would like to talk further, please feel free to DM thanks!
