Should I go NFO?

[BoaViking]

Hey devils and devil wannabes, got a question for yall.

Still trying to get my butt to OCS. Prior here, 0481. Been trying to go for aviation for a couple years, took ASTB got good scores, but got medically DQed, nothing I can do about it (PRK not an option). However, got approved for NFO. I know NFO's are in EA-6Bs, but what else do they do? I also know the Prowlers are going away. I want to be in a cockpit bad enough that I could go NFO (Im not insulting any NFO's here, it just wasnt my first choice).

 

[Criminal]

Do it

 

[BoaViking]

Haha well thanks for the moto criminal, but if the MOS is being phased out, not much of a point. Do we have NFOs in any other platforms that are gonna stick around for a while? I work with helos and C130's a lot, never got a chance to ask them, but there's obviously more than one guy in the cockpit, are any of them NFOs?

 

[Hotdogs]

Prowlers and -18D's are the only airframes that require NFOs. They are supposedly going to start increasing NFO to pilot transitions and other platform opportunities in the near future. I'd go for it.

 

[Renegade One]

Think I met an NFO or two in the C-130J outfit at Miramar...really pumped on the aircraft and the variety of missions. Would think the D-model Hornets would be the last to sundown from the USMC for a variety of reasons. I, too, say "go for it".

 

[ea6bflyr]

Only if it's something that you really want to do. If you go into it with a take it or leave it attitude, then most likely you will fail. What part of being a Landing Support Specialist did you enjoy? What did you not enjoy?

-ea6bflyr

 

[BoaViking]

I know it sounds like I would be doing it as a last ditch effort, but if it gets me in the cockpit, I want it. I cant remember not ever wanting to be a pilot. So if the MOS will be around for a while, Ill go for it. And as for being LS... I love working under a CH-53 while its hovering 5 ft above my head haha I have no intentions to ever go for Log officer though.

 

[Brett327]

The OP said he was NPQ for Pilot, so I'm not sure why anyone is talking about a pilot transition.

 

[BoaViking]

You're right Brett, my correction to 20/20 for my left eye is horrendous, so unless they make up some special waiver because I single handedly win the next war, I doubt Ill go over to pilot. But if Im in the cockpit, Ill be happy. And Crowbar, I hear you on the whole not knowing whats going on. Ive got my fair share of green weenies to know that well enough.

 

[Brett327]

Maybe the OP isn't the only one reading it and might get something out of the discussion.

Sure, valid point. I just saw this going down the wrong rabbit hole. Given what you've posted in this thread (and what I've observed at large) is it your opinion that the USMC sundowning of the NFO is going to be of the cluster-fuck/blood bath variety?

 

[MIDNJAC]

Well if you want to fly, want to be a Marine, and are qualified for the NFO program, I say why not? The Corps are going to be flying -D's for a while longer, so do it, fly your face off, then go find something else to do. I'm sure that they will give the Marine WSO community some opportunity for follow-on careers, at least for those that are competitive. You could do a FAC tour as a WSO, which was common among the single and dual anchor IP's we had at -101, and it seemed like there was/is a more wide variety of jobs to do post JO tour or post shore tour, especially when you are talking about jobs not necissarily involving flying. That was my perception as a brief visitor to the USMC Hornet side of the house, possibly all wrong, but that was my take. I'm sure the voice of greater experience than my own will chime in however.

 

[ea6bflyr]

The Navy's NFO program will out-survive the Marine Corps' NFO program. While we understand you have a desire to being a Marine Officer, you may want to consider the Navy for a long-term NFO career as an option.

-ea6bflyr

 

[Ralph]

U can't get lasik?

 

[BoaViking]

Well I feel retarded not knowing that Hornets had NFOs... I think I may just reevaluate things now! And no Lasik, PRK nothing can fix my eyes. Trust me, Ive been to every Dr I could find, even tried enrolling in experimental trials for my condition. This is a dumb question, but do WSO's and NFOs get flight training, because obviously theyd have to copilot if something catastrophic happened, right?

And ea6bflyer, no. Hell no. Hell to the no haha. Im a leatherneck through and through.

 

[pourts]

The only two Marine platforms with NFOs are Hornets and Prowlers. Yes, there are some NFOs in C-130 squadrons but that's not something you can select out of training. A few people from the fleet have been picked to take part in that program. No NFOs in helos, at least not as crewmembers.

There is and will be much confusion about what will happen to NFOs. I had originally typed out a long post that listed all the speculative options that have been thrown around regarding us, but it really doesn't matter. By the time I post this, it will have changed again. At this point it almost feels like all the options were put into a hat and thrown into the air, and each time a new one lands that becomes the Marine Corps's official plan. Excuse me, COA.

If you want to be involved in aviation, do it. However, if you won't be happy unless you're a pilot don't bother. The AVPLAN keeps saying that there will be "Increased opportunities" for NFO to pilot transition to handle getting rid of all of us but in the last few years I've seen that number increase from two per year to zero back to two per year.

Just to elaborate for the class (and I don't think I am out of my lane here) those WSO's in the C-130 squadron-- I believe Cherry Point only-- are working with the Harvest Hawk. They are a very small number.

How much time do you already have in? Are you planning on making 20 years with the Marines? These are things to consider. All that should factor into your decision. For your planning use about a 4 year timeline for flight school, a 3 year timeline for your first tour, and 1-2 year B billet. Will they kick you on the curb at that point if there are no WSO seats left? Not at all. You may not know this, but not every pilot/WSO gets to come back and fly again for a second fleet tour-- but they all still owe time on their contracts. It is worth knowing where you stand in case the situation gets crazy regarding manning. There's also a possibility you might not even finish that first tour before your squadron shuts its doors.

In my opinion, the reason they haven't yet opened the flood gates for WSO transitions despite their statements otherwise is that there are already too many pilots around due in part to the bad economy and the F-35 timeline shift. However, the situation may be completely different in 7 years when you would be finishing your first flying tour.

If you absolutely, positively want to command a squadron and/or spend as much time as possible flying between now and when the President personally asks you to retire because you are too old, then maybe the Navy is the way to go. Or, you might wash-out during flight school... it happens. But I think you have a better chance than most who come by this board because you write in complete sentences, and you have yet to insult one of the moderators. So you have that going for you.