Yup F18's FTW!!
One of the reasons I got out was because I didn't want to permanently damage my hearing. I loved working on them but they loud af lol, and I didn't want to learn a bunch of different platforms. They didn't guarantee you the platform that you want.
Depending on the system, sometimes we had to turn them loud ass engines just to troubleshoot because ground power wasn't enough to mimic what actually happens in the air.
There were other reasons too. The main thing was the lack of balance. When your command is good things are really good but when the good people leave and transfer you could end up with a shitty command, then things become as bad as they were good. Being at work all day isn't cool when you are doing it because your command is inefficient.
The one command I was in wasn't the same command by the time I got out. My last CO was a good one tho he cleaned up the culture a bit and went against the grain. All of my CO's liked me. The last one gave me a personal award/recommendation letter. I was in many moons ago but I bet I can fix one of them things like right now with no problem. Especially the weapons system. Give me two guys, equipment and a schematic, I'll have it back up in no time.
Why do I miss safety wiring and installing that crotch rocket stick in the middle? I can't think of the name of it but I know what it does....lol
Damn, just looking at it brings back memories I miss dissecting that beast of a cockpit.