Marines G4

[Lynxman]

Wow I never knew you could be a FAC thats awesome. Jets is more than fine with me since I've been a kid I've dreamed of being a fighter pilot now it seems like it might be somewhat more of a dream come true. Airwarriors is a great site I'm already on it thanks though. Also you have definetly set me at ease about the whole deapth perception I've been really worried about that.

 

[pilotyip]

Why the fascination with Fighters?

Fighter pilot story, it is 1976, Cubi Point; we have been at sea for 6 weeks. We being Ships' Company, "the career enhancing tour". We pull back in to Cubi Point. We are at the club for liquid refreshment. We are discussing "going ugly early". You know all women are beautiful when you have not seen one in six weeks, "we kept women recognition photos in our staterooms so we recognize one when we saw one". This one fighter pilot was making moves on the ugliest creature you had ever seen, round eyed school teacher. So we decided that going ugly early did not apply to fighter’s pilots that had no standards. Another fighter pilot over heard this and said he was offended, kinda like people on this board hearing about the college thing. He said we should respect him because he was the defender of the fleet and how he would be the first one launched to intercept an incoming air raid, etc. Please!! we are sitting in a bar in the Philippines, enjoying a beer far removed from reality, thinking about women and this fighter pilot gets all bent out of shape because we made a joke about fighter pilot standards when making a move on an ugly women. He never understood. BTW the threat from a submarine was much greater than the airborne threat, but we didn't bring that he would not have understood that either.

 

[Lynxman]

I don't see a relevance as to how they're is a fascination with fighters based on a man's standards. You see as a kid going to my cabin over summer I would see a few fighters a day it seemed tearing up the skies from a local ANG base. From that moment on I was hooked on the world of aviation and the military. As years passed it become stronger and stronger until here I am writing about my upcoming choices. Furthermore the story would still be the same had you changed fighters to bombers etc. etc. inter service rivalry happens. Hell there is rivalry from job to job in all the branches.

 

[lookin4better]

get ready for those helos!

 

[727C47]

Lynxman,Godspeed,get jets !

 

[Lynxman]

That's where my prayers are going towards! Thanks

 

[CX880]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-...67766/L/&sid=2252fda0f528411506e3182bee10d744

Tell me the Marines still have this. I leave for OCS in Jan. 2010 and I'd love to get a pipeline for jets and fly this thing. I had no idea Marines even operated a G4, I've seen the King Air 200's, but not this.

Dude. If you want to fly a G4 or Citation go to the Army or Navy or better yet go to your local civ airport. Besides I doubt they would let anyone who uses prolly and calls the usmc "the core" anywhere near an F18 jet. Better get used to flying with your hands and feet now. Look up helicopter flying for dummies. Good luck.

 

[Hobit]

Dude. If you want to fly a G4 or Citation go to the Army or Navy or better yet go to your local civ airport. Besides I doubt they would let anyone who uses prolly and calls the usmc "the core" anywhere near an F18 jet. Better get used to flying with your hands and feet now. Look up helicopter flying for dummies. Good luck.

CX880,

Your profile states 'civilian'. Maybe you should 'stay in your lane' and give advice on civilian aviation. Your advice re: Army Aviation as an option for G4 flying is wrong.

Lynx,

#1 Congrats.

#2 Ignore CX880's jealousy.

#3 Go for what makes you happy when you are given the choices available to you after all the chips fall on selection night. The advice I got was: 'pick the coolest thing you can on selection night because it's not necessarily what you will retire in.' That advice was great for me. Remember, you are picking a Mission and Lifestyle, not just an airframe. No matter what you select, you'll be serving with GREAT folks and that is a benefit all its own. Work hard and ENJOY as much of it as you can. The reward is well worth the effort.

 

[Lynxman]

CX is a joke in itself he is unhappy with me because I find his choice at a certain airline as distasteful. Hobit thanks for the advice any airframe I end up in, if I were to end up in one is going to make for a good life with great people. What are you currently on?

 

[CX880]

Your advice re: Army Aviation as an option for G4 flying is wrong.

.

Click here. Plus the many other vip units they have. No FA18s though.

 

[pilotyip]

Proud to serve

CX880,

#3 Go for what makes you happy when you are given the choices available to you after all the chips fall on selection night. The advice I got was: 'pick the coolest thing you can on selection night because it's not necessarily what you will retire in.' That advice was great for me. Remember, you are picking a Mission and Lifestyle, not just an airframe. No matter what you select, you'll be serving with GREAT folks and that is a benefit all its own. Work hard and ENJOY as much of it as you can. The reward is well worth the effort.

Bingo, #3 says it all, no matter what you end up flying, you will proud to part of that unit. In later life you will look back at the first squadron tour as one of the most meaningful expereinces of your life. I wish you best, there is an honor serving that you only understand if you do it.

 

[Lynxman]

Thanks yip and thanks for your service!

 

[Caveman]

.The infantry is a calling all its own,and should not be a consolation prize for a guy who can't find the 3 wire.

Very well said.

 

[Hobit]

Click here. Plus the many other vip units they have. No FA18s though.

Yes, you are correct in that the Army does have Gulfstreams. However, for a prospective/future Army Aviator to feel they can attain an assignment as a C-20, C-37, or UC-35 pilot fresh out of flight school or early in their career is lunacy. That is where you are wrong in your advice. Also, Lynx wants to be a US Marine that flies why steer him differently?

Check the May 2009, Professional Pilot (Page 70) magazine article about USAPAT. You'll see in that article that most of the pilots in USAPAT are Master Army Aviators. (15 years after flight school and >2000 hours) with a few tours as Fixed Wing pilots. They are also chosen by USAPAT from a list of names sent to them by D.A. It's NOT a place for new aviators fresh from Rucker.

The Normal Army VIP units (Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty) are also something an Army Aviator sees after a few Rotary Wing assignments. There are a few who've gotten VIP early on but they are by far the exception, not the rule.

Either way this is tangential as Lynx is going to be a US Marine. And he'll do a fine job.

Thanks for giving me an opportunity to clear up my post. Now, back to the topic at hand.

 

[AirCobra]

I have found most squadrons to be pretty much the same no matter what was parked out on the ramp, and most aviators took pride in whatever mission they were performing. Its all about supporting Marines on the ground, even if its VIP in a Gulfstream.

I will also second what was said about infantry officers. They tend to be pretty sharp guys and dedicated professionals. You have enormous responsibility as a 2LT infantry officer, far beyond not crashing and learning your aircraft. No one expects much of a nugget pilot, but in the infrantry you get a whole platoon of Marines when you are fresh out of TBS. Its one thing to look like an idiot and make mistakes in front of an IP or ATC, its a whole other thing to make mistakes in front of 30 or 40 guys you are to lead into combat.