I just read it. The 37 aren’t busted for drugs, they’re being busted for cheating on (having the answers for) a monthly proficiency exam, most likely their EWO (Emergency War Order) exam if I had to guess. Might also be a Code Handler exam. Missileers are/were required to train and test monthly on a number of key areas but the EWO training and exam are the most important since it involves the procedures and knowledge to execute nuclear release orders. Not sure what the exam passing scores are now but they used to be 90% minimum passing score under SAC. Failing an exam requires retraining and you are decertified until you are successfully retrained on the concepts.
To some extent, this went on even back in the 70s but where I was at it didn’t involve the EWO exams, it was usually monthly code handler exams where the questions became so chickenshit that became stump the dummy exercises. When it comes to the EWO exams there is no excuse, it is the most critical part of the job.
Many of us who were old SAC hands predicted this sad state of affairs in the early 90s when they did away with SAC and its strict rigor. The fighter jocks took over and all bets were off. Serving in SAC might have been a daily rectal exam experience but they tried to ensure that nuclear weapons and warplans were protected and strictly controlled.
“Many of us who were old SAC hands predicted this sad state of affairs in the early 90s when they did away with SAC and its strict rigor.”
Quite correct.
34 investigated for cheating. 3 for drugs.
I was a member of the 44th at Ellsworth. Our guests from Vandenberg always gave us high grades for readiness.
Thank you for providing that insight. The suspicion comes from Obama’s recent purge of top level generals who were involved with the nuclear program, and the mysterious nuke disappearance in Texas.
Ahh SAC, AKA the Real Air Force. The best of the best in the worst assignments. Why not, Minot? LOL
It is simply amazing how time has morphed the Cold War into a time of stablility and sanity. Of course, when compared to today’s leadership, it really was.
Thanks. That made a lot more sense.
I have a relative that was in the silos and his stories, the few he could ever tell, were chiiiiiilling. Each one could have been a full length movie.