So I'm nearing the end of my first tour and am trying to research all of my options for when the time comes for me to move. I'm not against a FAC tour and was hoping to learn pros and cons from the prior FACs on this forum. Thanks.
One year. The idea is to get you out of the battalion in enough time to not refresh if you want to head back to a fleet squadron. I was getting out, so I spent a year and a half in my battalion.1. Length of a typical battalion FAC tour?
Varies by battalion, garrison/exercise, and type of deployment. I did a MEU deployment, so my experiences are likely different than someone who went to Iraq/Afghanistan as a FAC. When we were in garrison, I did a lot of fucking off. I mean "airspace coordination meetings"...2. Daily battle rhythm or schedule? If this is too vague or varies by battalion don't worry about it.
I'm a solid second class PFT'er. No one seemed to give a shit.3. My last PFT was a 270. Should I work on bringing that up ?
Not really. You'll be assigned to the Battalion S-3. It's organized with an OpsO (junior Major or senior Capt coming off his Wpns Co tour, typically), an S-3A (mid-grade Capt waiting on Company Command), Battalion Gunner, Ops Chief (MGySgt/MSgt type), Assistant Ops Chief (GySgt) and some clerks. The FACs are kind of their own "shop-within-a-shop" if you will. My OpsO made it very clear that I was an officer first, and if he or the 3A weren't around - it was my job to step up and lead. That's the way the grunts think. There's a handful of Capts in the battalion, so you go from can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Capt to "oh my god, he's a Capt" literally overnight. Takes some getting used to.4. Will I have any Marines under me?
In my day, if you did a deploying FAC tour - you could pretty much write your own ticket. I had orders to VMR-1 to split my time between the Phrog and the UC-35. That is, until I decided to get out.5. Do you have any more of a say to a follow on assignment after a FAC tour compared to say MWSS?
Again, I did a MEU deployment - so it may be a bit different than others experiences. Shipboard, life sucked. I spent a lot of time wandering the ship looking for something to do. Got tired of sleeping for 14+ hours, so spent more time in the wardroom lounge than I knew what to do. Played lots of video games, watched a lot of movies, spent a ton of money in the ship's store because it was something to do I hadn't done that week, cleaned my weapons (gave me something to do), ate, worked out, went to meetings, slept some more, etc... Now this is after the deployment had started. During workups, I was busy as balls planning, coordinating, controlling, etc...6. Describe FAC deployment in a nutshell.
Pros:In addition, if you could list a few pros and cons compared to life in the wing I'd appreciate it.
Sure do.
1. Length of a typical battalion FAC tour?
2. Daily battle rhythm or schedule? If this is too vague or varies by battalion don't worry about it.
3. My last PFT was a 270. Should I work on bringing that up ?
4. Will I have any Marines under me?
5. Do you have any more of a say to a follow on assignment after a FAC tour compared to say MWSS?
6. Describe FAC deployment in a nutshell.
In addition, if you could list a few pros and cons compared to life in the wing I'd appreciate it.
Thanks !
The best advice I got before I embarked on my FAC tour was from skidkid (RIP). "Don't try to out grunt the grunts. Say dude, wear funky sunglasses, let the Lt's call you by your callsign. You can't out grunt the grunts, so don't try."
Having deployed with a MEU........
I've seen first hand the work the MEU AirO and Asst AirO do. Fairly confident no two MEUs are the same, but it just seemed like those 2 guys worked their asses off and had very atypical experiences from a non MEU deployment.
Well played…Our OpsO nearly lost his mind when we showed up one Friday in flight suits (complete with 1/8 battalion patches). He had literally just finished telling us no more flight suits on Friday, when the BC walked in and asked why we were in flight suits. Told him it was flight suit friday and he said "awesome!" Not much more the OpsO could say.
Our OpsO nearly lost his mind when we showed up one Friday in flight suits (complete with 1/8 battalion patches). He had literally just finished telling us no more flight suits on Friday, when the BC walked in and asked why we were in flight suits. Told him it was flight suit friday and he said "awesome!" Not much more the OpsO could say.