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.
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Marines G4
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pilotyip
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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.
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.
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
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CX880
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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.
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CX880
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pilotyip
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Proud to serve
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.
Caveman
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Very well said.
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
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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.
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.
pilotyip
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One Bullet Away
Read One Bullet Away. A good look at a 2nd LT Infantry Platoon Leader.
Read One Bullet Away. A good look at a 2nd LT Infantry Platoon Leader.
I didn't think you could get an infantry gaurantee for Marine Corps officers. I thought selection of career field happened after TBS, unless you're an aviator. You go through TBS then they give you a rifle platoon or logistics or STD expert, etc. My information is probably out of date and as an Airman I didn't exactly note all of the details of the war stories. Anybody with current info care to correct or verify?
AirCobra
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Do both, sort of. Become an aviator then request a tour as a FAC or ALO (if they still have those). Too bad the Corps still doesn't have OV-10's. Those guys would often spend up to a year with an infantry unit learning the ropes before they started flying missions.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1995/FEF.htm
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pony251
I make brown look good
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Lynxman, you will have six months of TBS to make up your mind. Several aspiring infantry guys wanted nothing to do with it after playing 0311 for six months. On the other hand, if you really like it, you can turn in your air contract and put Infantry on your dream sheet. My staff platoon cdr. suggested I do what you are thinking about. I politely declined and wound up as a FAC in a straight leg grunt battalion six years later anyways. The battalion was a great place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there the rest of my career. Keep your contract for now. If you want to turn it in after playing grunt then so be it. You are lucky that you will have the choice. A bunch of your TBS buddies would gladly take your contract if you don't want it.
Done lol read it within a few days! Good book thats for sure thanks for the support everyone!
planejockey
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmsmmorris/3296947550/
The Coast Guard has a nicer one bud! you should put your app in ASAP and we are in need of fix wing guys... PM if you want to know about any of our programs. All joking aside you will be happy anywhere you go, the military is the best option in this industry.
The Coast Guard has a nicer one bud! you should put your app in ASAP and we are in need of fix wing guys... PM if you want to know about any of our programs. All joking aside you will be happy anywhere you go, the military is the best option in this industry.
So today I got some info that this summer's OCS was all they needed to reach quota. Apparently this means there is a good chance I'm not going to be able to go to OCS in January, at least that's the vibe I'm starting to feel. I feel like I just got hit with a freight train when I got this news. In fact I have to meet up with my oso tomorrow and the rumor has it they might tell me to enlist pick an mos an after that put in for OCS since I'll have a degree. Not to knock the enlisted boots because I have upmost respect for them, but I just don't think thats a good use for me after having gone through college. Like I said I'm not trying to step on anyones feet, but any info would be greatly appreciated.
There will be no guarantees if you enlist,just PI,the needs of the Corps ,most likely infantry after that.If you want to be an officer,and you want to fly ,pursue those tracks, there has to be open quotas for 2010 sometime during the year. Hang in there. Take your time ,and decide what you want.Best of luck to you. I loved my time in the Marines. PM me if you have any more questions.
semperfido
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AirCobra
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Enlisting and OCS have nothing to do with each other. In fact if you are active duty enlisted the competition for OCS is tougher because you will probably be an E-3 or E-4 competing against experienced E-5's and E-6's. Unless the rules have changed I think you need to be an E-5 to even apply for OCS, and that is when they have OCS boards which may be only once or twice a year.
I think you should stick it out. Not everyone that says they are going to OCS actually shows up, so there may be shortfalls and you could get a call out of the blue. Keep badgering your OSO too. If you show you are interested and haven't just given up they may go the extra mile. I had some problems with my flight physical when I applied and was turned down. I filed for a waiver and kept calling my OSO and eventually he went to bat for me first with the Recruiting Distrct CO, who called some Colonel, who called NOMI(?) and so on and so on, and eventually I got a waiver issued. If by mid December you don't hear anything about the January class and are still thinking about enlisting then go Marine Corps Reserve instead of active duty and apply for OCS from there.
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