Physicx said:
I didn't mean to hit a nerve. If you do a search for the career progression post you will see what I mean. Someone posted and it seems like your not flying much your last ten years. My question is how hard is it to "play your cards right"? It seems the deciding factor for most guys is they don't want to go to the boat if they can't fly. And the AF has openings to send pilots to F/A 18 squadrons for both the Marines and Navy. Some are going to Fallon to be weapons instructors.
Just got home after a long day (had to get up at 4am...hate waking up before 6), but at least I got to fly twice, shoot stuff, and buzz NFO2b's house :icon_wink
I've been sitting here drinking a beer and thinking about a reply and the first thing that comes to my mind--You need to stop worrying about 10-15 years in your future and concentrate on some more immediate goals...getting to/through flight school and your first flying tour.
I'll just talk about your first fleet tour--hard work, on the ground and in the air, pursuing and attaining qualifications, being the guy who's willing to come in on the weekend to do the must have FCF, having fun/participating with the Ready Room....these are the kinds of things that, no matter the service you choose, open up opportunities/give you some cards to play. After that, its a little luck, a little desire, a little who you know, and possibly some sacfrifice. Who knows what you'll want that far in the future.
I've gotten pretty lucky. Doing a cruise (and flying a few 7-8 hour missions over Afghanistan) with the future detailer (and possibly a bottle of scotch or two) didn't hurt my luck for this tour; but the payback...I've never had a shore tour. Just flight school, RAGs, and deploying. Heading to Bagram in a month.
Any way. I'm a little brain dead after a long day and a couple of beers. Just my $.02
scab