I am currently a reserve Marine going thru the PLC Combined program this summer. I have the opportunity to compete for an air contract as a pilot, or I can go NFO. Now, I know competing as a pilot, I have a chance of not getting jets...a good chance in fact depending on timing, competition, etc. However, if I go NFO I know for a fact I will get jets, and pretty good chance I get Hornets, which is what I want. Now, saying I control all the weapons on a Hornet would be cooler than saying I was a puddle jumping helo pilot right? In my enlisted time in Iraq and elsewhere, I have plenty experience "riding" in helo’s, and doing a helo assault on a hot target is pretty bad ass…but the only bad ass part is being part of the assault…not the guy that has to fly away in the 53 or 46. I am open to any outside influence here...
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Choosing NFO or pilot pipeline (+ bonus: High Flight Threadjack)
- Thread starter matteo
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Before the sh!tstorm hits, I will point out that NFOs may not be in the marines for too much longer, although I'm sure others can give a good time estimate. It still should be a while, though.
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
And Marines are not buying Super Hornets.
As a former helo driver switching to Navy fixed wing, I would go pilot. NFOs have some neat jobs, and some crappy ones.
I would rather fly myself..
As a former helo driver switching to Navy fixed wing, I would go pilot. NFOs have some neat jobs, and some crappy ones.
I would rather fly myself..
I see theres already been a couple of responses. So youre trying to base your decision on how cool what you do sounds to the general public??? Well, they are typically very ignorant when it comes to aviation and don't typically understand anything other then "pilot". I would seriously do some more research on here to find out the different things that each MOS do, and the different missions the platforms do prior to making your decision.
As for the only badass part of being in an assualt actually being the guy who gets out... Its good that everything seems pretty normal/routine from the passenger seat but im willing to bet that its a lot more exciting upfront (form flying, low level, getting shot at etc... im sure an assualt pilot can chime in). I know things are a lot different and dynamic when i'm in the seat at the controls then when im in back in the tube hanging out with minimal idea of whats actually going on outside of the aircraft.
As for the only badass part of being in an assualt actually being the guy who gets out... Its good that everything seems pretty normal/routine from the passenger seat but im willing to bet that its a lot more exciting upfront (form flying, low level, getting shot at etc... im sure an assualt pilot can chime in). I know things are a lot different and dynamic when i'm in the seat at the controls then when im in back in the tube hanging out with minimal idea of whats actually going on outside of the aircraft.
Sounds as though you've reasoned it out. If you want guaranteed jets, go NFO. Next question?
That said, there's more to TACAIR than blowing things up. However you choose to game the odds, you stand, on average, just as good a chance of getting Prowlers as D model Hornets, so make sure you're cool with wielding an electron beam and pocket protector instead of a JDAM.Brett
Take a breath Devil Dog. I think most on this board would agree that ANY platform you select for (pilot or NFO) would be honorable and something you should COMPLETELY embrace as an OFFICER and military aviator. While your "experience" riding in helos as a "passenger" might give you the idea that you have some expertise in helicopter aviation, I wouldn't be so quick to discount any of these platforms. I think your time and energy would be more wisely spent getting A.) final selected, B.) through flight school and C.) into the fleet. I appreciate your enthusiasm though !!!
:icon_carn
So many things wrong with this. Even if you are doing it in jest, "pudding jumping helo pilot" is no way to refer to any rotary wing Naval Aviator. Maybe if you are one you can get away with it, but you aren't so you can't. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man. Secondly, you don't know how hard/easy it will be to get Hornets five years from now anyway (just for clarification, we have no Super Hornets and no plans to get them any time soon). Up until a few months ago, just about the only way Marines got Hornets was by being anthro'd out of Prowlers. Said anthro restrictions have been changed so that is not the case anymore. I'm sure that demand will cycle back and forth multiple times before you have to worry about it. Keep in mind, even if you do get Hornets it's not like you are the only person who "controls all the weapons". While WSOs have a hand in the tactical employment of those weapons, don't get a hard-on thinking that you push the RAIN DOWN DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON THE ENEMY button and the pilot is only there to high five you and buy you drinks afterwards.
By going into the process with all these pre-conceived notions of what's bad ass and what's for losers, you're already making yourself "that guy." You still have to make it through training (not to mention OCS), which has sent more than a few good Marines to find new jobs over the years. Do what you think is right, but don't pick NFO then show up to training thinking you deserve a Hornet spot. You wouldn't be the first (or last) Marine going home with your tail between your legs holding a selection card with "PROWLER" on it.
Yeah, everyone knows it's "rotor head".....
A more sensitive approach...
First of all, I apologize for offending any helo pilots, helo pilots to be, or former helo pilots. I did make the "puddle jumping" comment in "jest" and had no intention to offend. I simply thought that this being a Marine board, that everyone would be used to joking on everyone else...it must be just a "ground" Marine thing.
Now, the real point of my post was, I have to choose NFO or Pilot prior to aaaaany of this training, and I wanted some background on both. I have been pulling a trigger for 5 about years now, and that's about all I know about...I'm open to outside influence on aviation. As for Hornets and Prowlers, I'd be happy in either one...it is just a goal of mine to get jets. If for some reason I went rotary, and got helos, I would do what any Marine would do...try and be the best damn Marine helo pilot God ever created.
I am also not discounting the toughness of any of the training between here and a pair of wings either. I like to think I've been preparing for OCS,TBS, and Flight School for the past 5 years, since my goal coming in enlisted was to be a pilot one day...I just wanted to see what JDAM's could do at ground level first...and it's pretty bad ass.
First of all, I apologize for offending any helo pilots, helo pilots to be, or former helo pilots. I did make the "puddle jumping" comment in "jest" and had no intention to offend. I simply thought that this being a Marine board, that everyone would be used to joking on everyone else...it must be just a "ground" Marine thing.
Now, the real point of my post was, I have to choose NFO or Pilot prior to aaaaany of this training, and I wanted some background on both. I have been pulling a trigger for 5 about years now, and that's about all I know about...I'm open to outside influence on aviation. As for Hornets and Prowlers, I'd be happy in either one...it is just a goal of mine to get jets. If for some reason I went rotary, and got helos, I would do what any Marine would do...try and be the best damn Marine helo pilot God ever created.
I am also not discounting the toughness of any of the training between here and a pair of wings either. I like to think I've been preparing for OCS,TBS, and Flight School for the past 5 years, since my goal coming in enlisted was to be a pilot one day...I just wanted to see what JDAM's could do at ground level first...and it's pretty bad ass.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
OK, I had to take a deep breath before responding to this post. Why? Because yes, I was that pissed off (even if the comment was in jest) from being called a puddle jumping helo guy. You are correct that we in the aviation world bust each others balls, however - it's because we're all part of a fraternity within a fraternity. If I were to say that grunts think at 3 miles/hour, it would offend you even if I said it in jest. But I digress.
This is also not a "Marine Board", it is a board focusing on Naval Aviation. There are a great many active duty, former, and retired Naval Aviators (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) on this board, not to mention one or two Army aviators, and I think there's an Air Force pilot as well.
To answer your question, I would go pilot vice NFO. Biggest reason for this? I love to wiggle the sticks, plain and simple. Jets vs. Helos is a debate that will rage on until the end of time, and if you're dead set on Jets, don't go into the Marine Corps, go into the Air Force. I'll even help you find the various orders and regulations that apply to the interservice transfer.
As to the comments about how boring/uncool assault support is, all I can say is it's what you make of it. After inserting the grunts, I can be doing a myriad of exciting things. I've even chased down a car with my aircraft, and come into a hover in front of him with my crewchief pointing a .50 cal at the driver in order to make him stop. You're right, it's not cool. Don't speak to something as if you're an expert if you don't know what you're talking about.
"It is better to be thought of as an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Oh - and many thanks to my fixed wing (a.k.a. jet fag) brethern for defending my community in my absence!
This is also not a "Marine Board", it is a board focusing on Naval Aviation. There are a great many active duty, former, and retired Naval Aviators (Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) on this board, not to mention one or two Army aviators, and I think there's an Air Force pilot as well.
To answer your question, I would go pilot vice NFO. Biggest reason for this? I love to wiggle the sticks, plain and simple. Jets vs. Helos is a debate that will rage on until the end of time, and if you're dead set on Jets, don't go into the Marine Corps, go into the Air Force. I'll even help you find the various orders and regulations that apply to the interservice transfer.
As to the comments about how boring/uncool assault support is, all I can say is it's what you make of it. After inserting the grunts, I can be doing a myriad of exciting things. I've even chased down a car with my aircraft, and come into a hover in front of him with my crewchief pointing a .50 cal at the driver in order to make him stop. You're right, it's not cool. Don't speak to something as if you're an expert if you don't know what you're talking about.
"It is better to be thought of as an idiot, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Oh - and many thanks to my fixed wing (a.k.a. jet fag) brethern for defending my community in my absence!
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
The selection for platform is very similiar to fixed wing. We put in our preferences ahead of time (it's been a while, so I don't remember how far ahead), and then we found out what platform/duty station we got about 2-3 weeks before winging... You will love whatever it is you fly, trust me.
Harrier Dude
Living the dream
You pretty much nailed it. Keep charging!
Sorry, but this post just made my day. Now it's back to the boat to watch my fellow ACE bro's live the dream in starboard D.
Classic!
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