OCR Text |
Show Page 10 July 3, 1980 HILL TOP TIMES 4 flfoeir girsiss seldom "The grass Js always greener on the other side of the fence, but it is seldom any tastier." This comment summarizes the feelings of an increasing number of officers who leave the Air Force but later return. Several of those coming back explained their reason in letters to the Air Force Manpower and Personnel Center, Randolph AFB, Texas. Many expressed dissatisfaction with their civilian jobs. One returnee wrote, "A civilian career required massive dedication but returned minimal rewards." Working as a cafeteria owner, he told of 6 hours working per day and 0 days without a day off, only to realize no increase over his military pay and benefits. A finance officer explained, "I was earning a good wage, but the pursuit of the dollar leaves one empty at the end of the work day. -- What I really desired was an occupation where I felt I was contributing to society in some other way than merely paying taxes." One officer commented, "I came back because the civilian environment. . . did not offer me the challenges, or the spirit and camaraderie I have known in the service. And I came back because I love my country." Another returning officer explained, "I was quite concerned initially about the substantial cut in pay I took to return to the Air Force. Commissary and BX privileges, 30 days leave per year, as well as . . . base housing . . . have made up a considerable portion of the pay decrease." A returning technical officer stressed the financial security offered by a military career, "I found offers I was receiving falling short in compensation and responsibility. This fact coupled with a potential recession looming for the economy, made a return to the military a viable option for me." Another underscored this fact with, "In reality, there is no security for corporate officers. . . regardless of the quality of work." Not all who return to active duty are taking . a pay cut. Some are actually returning for the pay. "My present pay in the service is a slight increase," commented one. And another flosflieir wrote, "You'll never get rich in the Air Force, but then most civilians aren't rich either." One returnee said the Air Force should not discredit the civilian job market or claim that "things are not really that great on the outside because there are too many career Fields that offer more than the Air Force. Besides, no one would believe it if you told them. I certainly didn't when I got out." But the speaker, like many others, tried the civilian job market and came back to the Air Force way of life. (AFNS) self-employ- ed 30-6- 12-1- Nafhan Mazer, Col. (Rot-- ) (r) gives Russ Sylvester a hug of appreciation for assisting him during a recent boating accident. Sylvester pulled Mazer from the water after his boat capsized while fishing at Glendale Reservoir In Idaho. Sylvester received a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Red Cross on behalf of Mazer for his action. (U.S. Air Force Photo) . Sylvester cited for fast action rescue Russ Sylvester, Missile Systems Management Division, Directorate of Materiel Management, was recently presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Red Cross on behalf of Nathan Mazer, Col. (Ret.). The certificate was presented to Sylvester because of quick action taken by him during a boating incident at Glendale Reservoir at Preston, Idaho. foot fiberglass Mazer was fishing in his eight and one-ha- lf fishing boat when a high speed boat pulling a skier swamped Mazer's boat. Sylvester observed the incident and hurried to the scene to assist Mazer,' who was clinging onto his capsized boat. Sylvester pulled Mazer to safety.' Les Nuhn, Directorate of Distribution, also arrived on the scene and assisted Mazer by towing his boat into base camp. n j ;f&3, , - to t w Could help choosing pilots Keseeorch emigiirDeeir s data from a patient may help the Air Force in choosing its Visual multiple-sclerosi- pilots. Capt. Arthur P. Ginsburg, a biophysical n research engineer at AFB, Ohio, made the discovery in comparing results of contrast sensitivity tests to standard eye chart examinations. Wright-Patterso- Captain Ginsburg received a $2,500 cash award for scientific achievement from Air Force Systems Command. His research into vision and perception sciences with the Air Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory here has also won international Force ffimxdls recognition. The sclerosis victim, a middle-age- d woman, complained about the quality of vision in one eye. According to the commonly used Snellen eye charts, she measured a perfect Captain Ginsburg then gave her an alternative test for contrast sensitivity. Test results indicated a contrast sensitivity in one eye four times greater than the other. Captain Ginsburg contends standard tests using stark black letters against a white 20-2- 0. background cannot measure visual sensitivity to lower levels of contrast "This would be equivalent to using only one high level of loudness for all sound WITH THS TEAMS RAOTEn FROM THE MLTARY SPORTS LOAN '? BECOME 77VE GREATEST THER visual fesfs iiradequerfe frequencies during a hearing test," he explained. He concluded the human visual system operates like a bank of filters. Each filter passes only certain amounts of information sufficient to perform a task associated with visual activity. He then established a relationship between filtering characteristics of of the visual system and the way letters are recognized on the Snellen chart. "For example, the letter E requires a greater amount of detail to resolve than the letter L," Captain Ginsburg said. Captain Ginsburg tested three Air Force TEWS BALLS AREA't BAD ETHER wmr-'r - SWISH F-- 0 pilots for the same contrast Although the three measured sensitivity. 5 and 5 under the Snellen tests, the contrast test revealed a factor of two in differences. "This indicates the inadequacies of the Snellen chart to detect potential deficiencies as well as capabilities in normal vision," said Captain Ginsburg. "While each of the pilots met the minimum required visual standard set by the Air Force, one pilot could be capable of detecting a certain-siz- e target emerging out of fog or smoke at almost twice the distance of his (AFNS) buddy." 20-2- 0, 20-1- 20-2- WHY NOT FILL OUT AH EAGLE EAR FORM ? - j i i HOW ABOUT US SETTAA OVREQUPMEATFROM AVLTARY SPORTS MA next tme ? 4i , |