Need Air Force pool player help.

[Poolhalljunkie]

I want to take permissive TDY to the US Amateur championships regional qualifier in Austin. But I need to know if it is an approved event on the HQVSA list. I tried calling San Antonio but I believe they have been effected by the flooding. So if there are any Air Force pool players that might be able to help it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Zach. (PHJ)

 

[Dagwoodz]

I can't really speak for the AF, but I know that the Army will not approve any TDY for pool/billiards. Reason I was given was that they did not want to provide support to an activity which glorified alchohol and gambling.

Are there cash prizes handed out at the qualifier? If so, you may be hard pressed to acquire a Permissive TDY for it. (again, not sure how the AF will handle things).

Good luck though. If you have success, let the forum know about it!

 

[easy-e]

Have you tried asking the supervisor at your orderly room? I was only approved for permissive TDY one time and that was for the EOD memorial ball. It was a complete headache getting them to approve it even though it was a military function. Good luck.

I recommend just taking some leave.

 

[Bob Jewett]

I can't really speak for the AF, but I know that the Army will not approve any TDY for pool/billiards. Reason I was given was that they did not want to provide support to an activity which glorified alcohol and gambling. ...

That's strange. When I was in the Air Force, there was an official Command championship and travel and lodging were taken care of. There were no cash prizes -- only bragging rights were distributed. One of the players (in Georgia at Robins, as I recall) had traveled with Lassiter for a while. I think there must have been several sports involved as several of us came from Kelly (TX).

 

[Dagwoodz]

That's strange. When I was in the Air Force, there was an official Command championship and travel and lodging were taken care of. There were no cash prizes -- only bragging rights were distributed. One of the players (in Georgia at Robins, as I recall) had traveled with Lassiter for a while. I think there must have been several sports involved as several of us came from Kelly (TX).

Yeah, back when people had a lick of sense, they would send military members out on Permissive TDY's for things like that. But there's a huge group of ultra-conservatives in the top brass which hold a very critical eye unfortunately towards anything that might be construed as being unsavory. What kills me is the reason that they give for not supporting any kind of pool/billiard functions, "the glorification of alcohol and gambling", are very pervasive in golf, darts, and bowling...three activities which the military promotes and supports.

It's BS, and I've been fighting with it for a few years now without luck.

 

[Race2-9]

Zach

Check with MWR, there used to be a reg that allowed you to take Permissive TDYs for ALL sports. It's been to many years for me to remember the exact reg but when ATC had straight pool tournaments that how everyone went from there home base to the Championships. As usual you will probably have to dig through a fair amount of BS and no that can't be dones....whoever coaches your base softball team probably knows the reg because they use it to go to Command tournaments. Good Luck

 

[Marie's husband]

I want to take permissive TDY to the US Amateur championships regional qualifier in Austin. But I need to know if it is an approved event on the HQVSA list. I tried calling San Antonio but I believe they have been effected by the flooding. So if there are any Air Force pool players that might be able to help it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Zach. (PHJ)

I am not 100% sure, but dont think that you can get a full paid TDY set of orders for billiards because I can not locate billiards being recognized as a military sport. I do think you can get no cost TDY orders pretty easily from your command just by running a chit with the tournament information.

Here is an idea for a way to get your trip paid for. If you can find three or four other military members that want to go to the qualifiers, you can talk to the tournament director and see if you can perform Color Guard duties prior to the beginning of the tournament, instead of a players meeting, you would have an opening ceremony. It would be considered an official military function, also it would give you more leg to stand on when it comes to the HDQA regulations because it would show that the military is involved within the tournament.

if that doesnt work, I would have to agree with Race2-9 on going to your MWR facility and talk with them to see if they can help you out in any way, but first I would print off the flier for the tournament and actually make contact with the tournament director and explain to him/her that you are military and what you are trying to do. Make sure your both on the same page so that you can have the MWR facility contact him and verify why they should pay for you to go to this event.

Good Luck.

 

[Poolhalljunkie]

Check with MWR, there used to be a reg that allowed you to take Permissive TDYs for ALL sports. It's been to many years for me to remember the exact reg but when ATC had straight pool tournaments that how everyone went from there home base to the Championships. As usual you will probably have to dig through a fair amount of BS and no that can't be dones....whoever coaches your base softball team probably knows the reg because they use it to go to Command tournaments. Good Luck

I found the reg it states the qualifier must be on an approved list to eligiable for permissive tdy but I can't find anybody that has the list. So my search continues after I get back from Austin this weekend so I will know for next time. Thanks to all for their help.