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Standard Navy joke over the years is that when the Navy changes a tire on a fighter, they send three people. These three deflate, jack, remove and reinstall a new tire, and then re inflate the replacement.

When the Air Force did it, they'd send the jack man, the wrench turner, the inflation guy, the deflation guy, the tire installer, the tire remover, the safety wire expert and the guy to tote the tools. And some specially trained safety observer, an inspector, and at least one E-8 level supervisor.

I hope that didn't ruffle any AF breathern's feathers, like I said it was a joke. But I like this new direction even better, with one disclaimer: the downside would be making us do more with less yet again, because if I can have a jet engine mechanic who is also airframe qualified, I can hear a detailer of the future telling me that he was only sending me one body to replace two who are transferring.

If I had stayed in I would have 22 years now. I got out during the draw-down in '93...no regrets.

We used to tell similar tails about the AF. I had some zoomie friends that couldn't believe it when I told them all the things that I did as a ship's company airedale.

The only difference I see in this article is that the Navy is making the cross training official by sending them through additional "A" schools.

Sounds just like the early WW2 Navy 1943 to 1946 coming across the loud speaker, Bosun'e pipe sounds then a voice says "now hear this, now hear this, all hands that have a liberty pass lay down to the ship's office and draw one and all hands that do not have a liberty pass lay down to the ship's office and turn one in"!