The basics of API

[Uncle Fester]

Just make sure to mind what you post on here (as in post what happens, just without any bitch attitude) because I'm sure the CO and/or other senior leadership at NASC reads this....

All the leadership knows about AW and pokes their heads in from time to time. The API Director and IFS divvo post here (scroll up a bit). The ATS director and NASC XO have been known to lurk. And printed-out AW posts have shown up at PRB's.

Just sayin'... being in a sea of khaki doesn't mean you're invisible.

 

[Crazy8]

I think I have a rudimentary understanding of the pressure to keep our numbers correct and the ease with which those numbers get screwed up, but this is almost unfathomable. I wish the Navy could have culled the herd more selectively over the last six months. Guys who got into legal trouble or failed multiple tests survived, but now a guy with a 92 average won't. It's a privilege to serve, and I wish that privilege could be meted out a little more equitably.

 

[JonDW7]

I think I have a rudimentary understanding of the pressure to keep our numbers correct and the ease with which those numbers get screwed up, but this is almost unfathomable. I wish the Navy could have culled the herd more selectively over the last six months. Guys who got into legal trouble or failed multiple tests survived, but now a guy with a 92 average won't. It's a privilege to serve, and I wish that privilege could be meted out a little more equitably.

Word has spread pretty quick about that meeting. I really have a hard time understanding why "they" did not make it more selective to select a 13XX designator instead of making the cuts down here. Guys will/are getting screwed in the effort to thin down the numbers, when in my opinion, this extreme glut of people was preventable in the first place.

 

[usmarinemike]

So what's the "official" word? Pink sheet for <92 on a academic test? What else? Is it all services or just Navy?

 

[Krafty1]

There hasn't been a firm 'passing' grade announced that I'm aware of (at least not at today's meeting). The pain will be spread out over the next year or two as far as thinning the numbers. Like the chain of command said today, the problem started years ago and it is now catching up to us today. Honestly I'm just thanking my lucky stars that to this point, as I understand it, everyone gets a shot to go through API and my performance there determines my fate. I'm glad to this point, my fate still seems to be in my hands.

 

[C420sailor]

Word has spread pretty quick about that meeting. I really have a hard time understanding why "they" did not make it more selective to select a 13XX designator instead of making the cuts down here. Guys will/are getting screwed in the effort to thin down the numbers, when in my opinion, this extreme glut of people was preventable in the first place.

Because having a 4.0 from Harvard doesn't really mean that you'll be a good aviator. Not sucking in flight school (API included) means that you'll [likely] be a good aviator.

 

[JonDW7]

Because having a 4.0 from Harvard doesn't really mean that you'll be a good aviator. Not sucking in flight school (API included) means that you'll [likely] be a good aviator.

You say that a 4.0 does not equate to someone being a good aviator (and I agree), but along the same rationale, how does API equate to a guy having good stick and rudder skills? A guy could be an absolute stud in the plane, but may never get the chance to show it with the academic bar being raised even further. What's the difference between the guy who gets a 90 and the guy who gets attrited with an 88? At that point in the training, there is little to no difference. There simply has to be a better answer.

 

[C420sailor]

deleted

 

[SynixMan]

I saw eyes light up when the possibility of DOR and walking with UNSA/ROTC scholarships came up. Maybe this is a good thing for people who don't want to be here.

But agree with the above, at least we are allowed to determine our own fate. Now just don't be a bitch and not come to the O'Club Friday because you think you'll get a pink sheet.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I agree. Don't sweat it too much IMHO. Just do your part and study to succeed. I'd say the vast majority of folks in my API class had at least a 92 average, if not somewhat more. Go into the tests prepared and you will do well.....you don't need to worry about some inflated grade average driving down your NSS at this stage, so enjoy the ability to completely control how well you do. My point about the API average in my class is that this policy is not going to hurt the guys who do their job and learn the material. What it will do is cut off the bottom end of folks who just don't have the work ethic to succeed, or lack the understanding to get through the program. Just another stud's .02, for whatever it is (or isn't) worth

 

[Gatordev]

I just don't get this (other than making the asshats go away). Big Navy, as in CNAF, has recently said it needs more pilots in the fleet for standing up new platforms. No, I don't mean this means there's more jet spots. But culling the herd is kind of odd. I'm sure there's a statistical reason for it. I also know they don't like doing it in Primary, so maybe this really does make sense.

 

[OUSOONER]

I think it's just cyclical. Back in the old days they would make everyone go to the auditorium..."You guys on the left see ya, you guys on the right consider yourselves lucky". This just proves yet again, that timing is everything in the Navy.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I just don't get this (other than making the asshats go away). Big Navy, as in CNAF, has recently said it needs more pilots in the fleet for standing up new platforms. No, I don't mean this means there's more jet spots. But culling the herd is kind of odd. I'm sure there's a statistical reason for it. I also know they don't like doing it in Primary, so maybe this really does make sense.

I know we are really backed up in the jet pipeline right now, at least in terms of completing folks. Lot's of guys in the program, limited on how many they can wing. My class was pushed back from winging in March (when we could have feasibly winged this month honestly) to mid-April, and there are rumors we will actually be held until June. The Marines in TW1 will not be winging anyone else until June after this Friday. Word is that the FRS's are backed up.....maybe true, maybe not. Either way, it seems to be bottlenecking here at the moment.

 

[snacks06]

So many wasted Sundays.... the extra flight time was nice though.

 

[OUSOONER]

I know we are really backed up in the jet pipeline right now, at least in terms of completing folks. Lot's of guys in the program, limited on how many they can wing. My class was pushed back from winging in March (when we could have feasibly winged this month honestly) to mid-April, and there are rumors we will actually be held until June. The Marines in TW1 will not be winging anyone else until June after this Friday. Word is that the FRS's are backed up.....maybe true, maybe not. Either way, it seems to be bottlenecking here at the moment.

Yep, I haven't even flown an orange and white plane yet. I've been in Corpus since October 3rd. I have friends who have flown once in 3 months. We sent out a det to Roswell to catch up on the flying........they didn't get to fly for the first week and now it's snowing.