pensacola + USCG aviators

[jsoceanlord]

I heard that Coast Guard student aviator's at Pensacola are known as "Dept of Transportation guys" and are therefore considered second rate. What's up with that ?

 

[mudkow60]

Who says that... ?

 

[mar]

That's just rude

There's nothing second rate about the Coasties conducting search and rescue out of Kodiak Island. Takes balls if you ask me. And I hope I never need them on a dark and stormy night.

But the DOT comment is technically true. Organizationally they are not under the auspices of the DOD *except* in war time.

Since our illustrious Congress abdicated to the administration, war was never declared, and I don't know what department manages them today.

 

[satpak77]

it can be argued that Coast Guard aviation does not launch until the weather is so sh1tty that everyone else has deviated around it or already landed

 

[ShawnC]

it can be argued that Coast Guard aviation does not launch until the weather is so sh1tty that everyone else has deviated around it or already landed

Because that's when idiots that go offshore 10 miles in their little bass fishing boats need help.

 

[Andy Neill]

mar said:

But the DOT comment is technically true. Organizationally they are not under the auspices of the DOD *except* in war time. Since our illustrious Congress abdicated to the administration, war was never declared, and I don't know what department manages them today.

Actually, they are under the Department of Homeland Security these days. (Mar 2003)

 

[mar]

Thank you.

DOT? No.
DOD? No.
DHS? Yup.

I'd hate to associate the USCG with the TSA. If I were king for just one day...

 

[BrownTailGuy]

Mar,

Thanks for nice comments about flying SAR out of Kodiak. I was stationed there for 3 years and experienced the CG Mission up there first hand.

I am not sure where people get the idea that CG Pilots are second rate. Every year the CG has what are called DCA (Direct Commission Aviator) Boards where pilots from other services apply to come into the CG to fly and experience a different mission. Most of these guys are army helo brothers and sisters that come over but I know of several Air Force, Marine, and yes even Naval Aviators that have come over. I cannot think of any of my former contemoraries in the CG that have crossed over to the Navy or Marines (even though they wear the same Gold Wings.) There have been a few CG helo bubbas jump over to the Air Guard to fly fixed wing stuff, but there aren't that many.

My point is, there are far more DoD guys trying to jump the fence and come over to the CG (DHS) than there are trying to go the other way. So those comments from the people in P'Cola are from either the new ensigns out of the USNA or from some other misinformed source.

The CG is a great way to go. Great mission, and great people.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
I grew up on Cape Cod, and the USCG Aviators out of USCGAS/Otis ANGB were always in the news for MEDEVACS, rescues, searches, etc...Later when I was in the Navy we had friendly rivalry with Barber's Pt, rescue swimmers.
Typically, the Naval Helicopter Association Crew of the Year award goes to the "coasties" and quite a few times it's the f0olks out of Kodiak. Lots of "business" there with the fishing fleets.

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[Capt TedStriker]

CGAV8R's

In a former life I was a CG aviator and had the pleasure to go through Navy P-cola for flight training...

The idea that someone could negatively label a Coastie is just insane... The brotherhood/sisterhood among SNA's (student naval aviators) is high and rightfully so. The ribbing is probably in jest. I gained much respect for my marine and navy contemporaries. It was only by pulling together and getting the "gouge" that we broke into the gold wings "fraternity".

If the ribbing was not in jest... For those reading this down in P-cola... Think of those coasties as the ones that MAY someday be saving your ass...

As part of Department of Homeland Security CG missions are different than those of DoD. One positive side of our flying is that we end up executing our mission often. Some of which are SAR, Drug Interdiction, Fisheries Patrols, Migrant Interdiction, Homeland Security, Ice Patrol among others... Very rewarding efforts.

KODIAK... Another world...

 

[grinch]

I'm nearing the end of my Navy commitment as a carrier guy and am really hoping the Coast Guard's DCA program opens up to fixed-wing pilots next year so I can apply. I don't mind staying Navy but I'll definitely put a package in if the CG DCA opens up to fixed-wing guys. The CG has some great missions, short deployments (like almost nothing when compared to Navy deployments) and no disassociated sea tour.

They also have great duty stations. The CG way of life is so desirable to a lot of former Army/Navy/Marine Corps guys that they apply to the DCA program knowing they will take a bust in rank (not the army warrants but any of the Navy and Marine O's do). This equates to about an 800$/month paycut when you go from an 0-3 with 8 years to an 0-1 with 8 years of service (depending on BAH rates). It speaks volumes about quality of life among services when numerous applicants are willing to take an 800$ pay cut to go to another service.

Let me guess...we are talking about some salty API or primary studs here aren't we. If any of them had a clue about some of the sh%t wx Coasties have to fly in, the lives they frequently help save, the respect they command (from say the people they rescue), and on the other side of this coin...what lies ahead for the Navy guys in the fleet (painful work-ups and a minimum 6-month cruise aboard a smelly ship every other year), they would at least keep their mouth shut if not express some admiration/jealousy for their fellow servicemen.

CG aviation is a good place to be and is quite respectable. It's a small, tight-knit community not without it's problems but with a great mission and some challenging flying. So what's up with the P-cola guys again?

Grinch

P.S. Do you know how many hotties there are on a carrier? One. That's right. There's usually only one hottie on each ship. 4700 dudes. 300 chicks. Only 1 hottie on board though. (BUPERS plans it this way because there are only 10-12 hotties in the Navy total - about one for each carrier - all enlisted. If they're ever low on hotties they cross-deck them from one carrier to the next during turnover). Do you think Coasties have any problems meeting hot chicks near any of their duty stations (besides Kodiak)?

 

[dustydog]

As a Navy Helo bubba and a T-34 IP, I can tell you that CG pilots are second to none. We trained for SAR constently but rarely had to do it on the carrier (Speaks volumes for the skill of our fixed wing brethern) but when the Coasties launch they are usually going out on the real thing and in the worst of conditions. As for the bust in rank for commisioned O's wanting to go to the CG, it is O-3 to O-2 and many guys think that it is worth it.

 

[350DRIVER]

j,

how is the BMW driving gig treating you?


3 5 0

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Marine, and yes even Naval Aviators that have come over.

Uh... All three are Naval Aviators. You know that.

This is the first I've ever heard anyone suggest any of the Gold-wingers were second-rate. Coasties rock.

Especially....this one time...... at the coastie club.....this coastie enlisted chick....thought she was at band camp...