Once a Air Force Fighter Pilot=Never Cool Again

[Caveman]

While I agree with "most" of what you said, you are idealizing it quite a bit. Many join for college, or to pi$$ off parents (got one of those in my squadron), or because their BAC was higher than their GPA for their first semester of college (met lots of senior enlisted with this problem).

I never went to college. My BAC stood on it's own merit. However, I heard of a few officers whose GPA was bigger than their dick.

 

[jonjuan]

OK, I'll take a shot - btw, great post Albie. I don't care what kind of airplane you flew or which service you flew it - fighters, heavies, helicopters...Navy, AF, Marine, Army - if you served, we're probably going to have a good trip together. I didn't say always, I said probably. If you're a civilian, you can be a good dude and a good stick as well...and it can also be an enjoyable trip - but it will never be the same as flying with another military guy - and here's why.

Military guys serve in our armed forces because they believe in our country and our ideals. We choose, when we sign the dotted line, to put our lives on the line if so required, i.e. selfless service. There is a common bond - a brotherhood - that lives deep down in us, whether it was as an enlisted guy in the Army or a fighter pilot in the Navy - that we will always share, and that no civilian can ever understand. It's a silent pride thing - I don't think I'm a better pilot or person than any civilian - but I will always have a place in my heart for the love of my country and all that I sacrificed in order to achieve it. Civilians CAN be true patriots as well - but never to the same "aspect" of the military man - especially one that has lost brothers in both training and combat (which I have and many other military folks on this forum have as well).

As far as flying a trip with a military guy - well, I typically enjoy it more simply because we have a common background. There are a bunch of civilian guys I've flown with as well that are a true joy to hang out with and fly a great jet. But for all the civilian guys on here that badmouth military guys because they're "d*cks, dorks, etc"...never forget he served his country honorably and has lost brothers in the line of duty - and that's something you have never experienced.

As a side note, the book "Lone Survivor" does a great job at explaining in detail what I just said.

If you replace "civilian with Air Force" and "Military with Army or Marine", your story is just as accurate.

 

[BlueYonder]

If you replace "civilian with Air Force" and "Military with Army or Marine", your story is just as accurate.

Yeah right, If Air Force aviators are the equivalent of civilians, there must never have been an Air Force pilot killed in combat. I guess what you're saying is that only Marine/Navy/Army aviators really sacrifice for their country?


Give us all a break, jacka$$

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I never went to college. My BAC stood on it's own merit. However, I heard of a few officers whose GPA was bigger than their dick.

Did that pi$$ you off for some reason? Wait -- you getting up close and personal with officer's d!cks?

I have met some troops that enlisted after a semester or two in college, in which they either didn't enjoy it (college wasn't for me syndrome), they weren't responsible enough to make it work (hell, I barely was, but then I wanted to be a Navy officer for a long time and what motivated me was my ROTC scholarship, but boy did I tear that first year up anyway) or they didn't have parental units that stressed how important college was (and would be in the future).

Many of course, attended college later on in life.

I really think you missed my point (oh, and it's an observation, nothing more). But I will give you a pass -- you're a Marine after all.

I almost enlisted in the Marines, despite having a 4 yr ROTC scholarship. I was mesmerized by a few recruiters, until that is my father called my cousin (he happened to be a CAPT in charge of officer ascessions or something like that in our city) and had him call off the recruiters.

He really wanted me to go to college first, and whaddyaknow I did. Again, it's just how it worked for me. No one path to the call of service is the right one, nor is it the same.

 

[koko nw]

I never went to college. My BAC stood on it's own merit. However, I heard of a few officers whose GPA was bigger than their dick.[/QUO

Me thinks Devil Dog has a little chip on his/her shoulder that needs nurturing.

 

[Caveman]

Guys, relaaaaax. I actually though Chef's BAC line was pretty funny. My post was an attempt at a friendly retort. I either missed the mark completely or hit a little too close to home.....

It's all good.

 

[nwaf16dude]

If you feel the need to have an f-teen in the middle of your screen name, you may be a dork.

Sorry, that one was just too easy. Thanks for your service to our country.

Ouch...yeah, I guess I asked for that one. I get plenty of humility reminders. My kids are thoroughly unimpressed with my profession, although they do like the part where we get to fly for free.

 

[semperfido]

My kids are thoroughly unimpressed with my profession,

same with my two dogs

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Guys, relaaaaax. I actually though Chef's BAC line was pretty funny. My post was an attempt at a friendly retort. I either missed the mark completely or hit a little too close to home.....

It's all good.

I kind of figured so, but then I thought a rumination was in order anyway.

 

[semperfido]

rumination .

Ruminate on this: would you mind keeping the vocabulary down to the 6th grade level please.