Conscientious objector pilot?

[Bevo16]

-If you're a CO, do not join the military. It's as simple as that.

It's never "as simple as that". Maybe you should put away the broad brush for a sec and think your statement through.

The Navy actually has a rate that is pretty much designed specifically for someone who would be a CO.

Religious Program Specialist

RP's can not legally carry weapons. If someone is a CO and wants to serve in this capacity, then good for them. Have at it.

Many in the Chaplain and Nurse corps can be and often are CO's. Fine with me. They are support, and know their role. Nobody is ever going to give a chaplain a weapon and ask them to defend a perimeter. For certain jobs, there simply is no requirement or need to exclude capable people for the lack of being a steely eyed killer. Aviation is not one of those jobs, but we do have plenty of them.

 

[skidkid]

Bevo you are seriously off base on the RPs. They are actually charged with carrying weapons to protect the chaplain who is forbidden to carry weapons by the Geneva Conventions on War. The only MOSs that are no kidding forbidden to carry arms are medical personnel wearing a red cross arm band etc and chaplains. All others are allowed and expected to carry arms.

 

[Cron]

Hate, hate, hate. It's a tough job playing the Devil's Advocate.

I'm just pointing out that uniformed CO's have done some amazing things for their country - whether you like it or not. I have no problems with them joining the military as long as they fully perform whatever duty they signed up to do.

 

[sodajones]

Bevo you are seriously off base on the RPs. They are actually charged with carrying weapons to protect the chaplain who is forbidden to carry weapons by the Geneva Conventions on War. The only MOSs that are no kidding forbidden to carry arms are medical personnel wearing a red cross arm band etc and chaplains. All others are allowed and expected to carry arms.

Skidkid is right, they send the RPs to Marine Corps field/weapons training programs.

 

[Bevo16]

Bevo you are seriously off base on the RPs. They are actually charged with carrying weapons to protect the chaplain who is forbidden to carry weapons by the Geneva Conventions on War.

I sit corrected. They are next to the guy who can't carry weapons, not the guy himself.

My point is still the same.

All others are allowed and expected to carry arms.

You=Marine
Me=Navy

Not same.

While many of our rates may be "allowed" to carry arms, it is certainly not "expected". I would actually highly discourage it for safety's sake.

 

[jt71582]

I sit corrected. They are next to the guy who can't carry weapons, not the guy himself.

My point is still the same.

It's a good point but he said he wanted to fly. I say try CAP.

 

[desertoasis]

The NOAA Corps would be good for you, OP.

Their pilots fly in some of the most hazardous conditions possible. They're a uniformed service just like the Navy, but they do hurricane hunting and other hydrologic and weather-related research.

That's certainly a noncombat position and you'll be doing some good, and flying for a uniformed service. Win-win for the OP!

 

[Pepe]

I'd be surprised if he even bothers to check back in. Not that really seems to be the point of this thread anymore.

<== Picks up his popcorn again.

 

[HH-60H]

Bevo you are seriously off base on the RPs. They are actually charged with carrying weapons to protect the chaplain who is forbidden to carry weapons by the Geneva Conventions on War. The only MOSs that are no kidding forbidden to carry arms are medical personnel wearing a red cross arm band etc and chaplains. All others are allowed and expected to carry arms.

Just a little extra info: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/navy/a/rpspecialists.htm

 

[Bevo16]

Just a little extra info:

Got it. Thanks.

I'll get the cover sheets on my TPS reports from now on too.

 

[sodajones]

Got it. Thanks.

I'll get the cover sheets on my TPS reports from now on too.

:icon_wink

 

[statesman]

I sit corrected. They are next to the guy who can't carry weapons, not the guy himself.

My point is still the same.

I have to agree here...

Whether its the RP or the Chaplain that can't carry the weapon is not the issue... the main point of the original post was that within the military exists a position which is specifically religious in nature, AND does not bear arms.

Unfortunately that does nothing for our friend in Austin because Chaplains don't fly SAR.

@OP at the risk of taking a few swings at this dead horse... honorable that you want to serve, especially in a capacity that directly aids wounded warriors... Obviously StarFlight seems to be a better place for you...

The biggest bummer in all of this (from my point of view) is that after spending stupid amounts of money at UT for a college education, you are going to have to pay to learn how to fly. If you were not a CO learning on the military's dollar would be an option.

And I have to imagine that once you know how to fly you would be competing for jobs with guys that were military pilots and have a lot more experience... kind of a catch 22.

 

[statesman]

Whether its the RP or the Chaplain that can't carry the weapon is not the issue...

By the way... Neither is the Chinaman.

 

[xj220]

Oh and dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature, Asian-American, Please.

 

[bunk22]

Long and horny, as the title of his thread alludes to, is being a CO pilot...not surgeon, corpsman or chaplain.