>>Being an expert operator is job enough for anyone all by itself. Having the additional duty of being self-financier, administrative support specialist, training manager, and supply coordinator is enough to stretch most individuals beyond capability limits.
Sounds like working at a startup... except you're making decisions that take or save lives.
Well, what he is likely referring to is the fact that the Air Force has majorly cut and consolidated support fields in the past decade. There used to be finance personnel at every base to help you if you had any problems with your regular pay or travel costs; now that function has been centralized to one center, which is not a horrible idea in itself except that it takes forever to get any paperwork through. Not to mention that if there are any errors, you have to wade back into the mire to try and get it fixed. (I once went on a TDY [temporary duty assignment] for six months and spent the entire time fighting the AF finance machinery over errors in their reimbursement for my travel costs that were not my fault) I would compare it to starting your own company (not that I have done that, bear in mind) and trying to be your own lawyer and advisor for paperwork, taxes, local regulations, whatever. In the military these days, you have to know the intricacies of every rule and regulation inside and out to make sure you don't get screwed.
I wonder if there's a business opportunity there in helping members of the armed services navigate the bureaucracy - for example, bringing in many of the folks who have been made redundant and hiring them out for $x per hour.
Sounds like working at a startup... except you're making decisions that take or save lives.