USMC aircraft on carriers

[Citizen]

i'm pretty set on going USMC for my military experience, yesterday i crossed paths with a somewhat like-minded buddy. he'd like to fly, but doesn't have perfect eyes and thinks he has no choice but the USAF.

i'm partial to the Navy/Corps myself (many generations have served), i understand that most of the Corps' aircraft fly from land (and hence have the same vision requirement as the Air Force) but some are carrier based, and i started to wonder myself: what are the numbers/percentages of USMC aircraft that are land versus carrier?

got to thinking about it, my dad said having the tailhook meant a lot to him, i'd like to do likewise if possible/feasable

 

[ghost_ttu]

I'm also curious as to lifestyle on the ship as a Marine? Are you very seperated from the Navy guys? Are living conditions for Marines different than that of Navy officers?

 

[Rainman]

The question isn't necessarily land based vs. carrier. There are plenty of vessels in the Amphibious Ready Group that have a sole purpose to carry Marines (& Marine aircraft on their flight deck) to the fight. All Marine aircraft except C130s and F/A-18s can be part of the MEU and be deployed as part of the ARG. It is my understanding that only the Marine F/A 18C is doing typical carrier deployments (six months) on a rotational basis with the Navy squadrons. The Marine F/A 18D (all weather two seat variant) and the Marine F/A 18A are land based. The only way to guarantee no ship time is the C130. That's a pretty good gig. Always on the scene and "in the fight" as a future Herc driver put it. . then after the mission finding yourself at a allied base or even a cozy hotel.

 

[Rainman]

yeah, I think that's what I said!. . I was told the Alpha is no longer on the boat. . something about something. .I don't even remember ..alright, so maybe I shouldn't come to site after relaxing @ the pub. .anyhoo. .what's the difference if we call it a KC130, KC135 or C130. ..it's the mighty herc and whether it's carrying fuel or Marines, it's pretty damn important. ..yeah! . .yeah. .the Prowlers were used a lot on ship. .but since so many of them aren't in service as compared to 6-8 years ago, they are all needed for land and Navy Prowlers have to round out the ship complement. ..my understanding anyways. .. ..

 

[Mike26]

Well the difference between a KC130 and a KC135 is that the KC135 is a B707, with jet engines, airframe and is flown by the Air Force

 

[Valion310]

One of you asked about life on the ship for Marines and if it differs from the Navy guys. I cannot speak for the MEU's, nor did we have Devil Dogs on our deployment (other than some intel, etc), but life ont he carrier is life on the carrier no matter who you are. Officers have staterooms, your rank and senority in the squadron depends on how many guys you bunk with. If you enlisted, expect a large berthing compartemtn with 50+ guys in it and expect no special treatment cause your a Marine...

As far as percentages of aircraft and stuff, like joshmountain said, the Marines rotate in and out of the CAG's, I don't know actual %'s though. I know my old CAG just had a Marine squadron attached to them. If you want to know about Marine life on the boat, start looking for various books about Marine squadrons attached to CVN's or something related... Hope it helps

"Marines = My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment!" ...

Valion310 out-

 

[Rainman]

quote:
If you enlisted, expect a large berthing compartemtn with 50+ guys in it and expect no special treatment cause your a Marine...


Yeah. .and of course, if you're Marine Enlisted on a LHA/LHD you'll be berthing with 180+ sweet smelling warriors.

ooh rah!

 

[E5B]

I couldn't tell you what its like as an officer on ship, but I did 2 West-Pacs as an infantryman, both on the USS Peleliu LHA-5. Our berthing areas where packed. Yes we were seperated from the navy. They had coffin racks stacked 3 high, and we had "regular" racks stacked 4 high. Those 2 Pacs where my most memerable times in the Corps. The good times out-weighed the bad. All the port-calls, and intense training made it all worth it. I really didn't have much to complain about. (I won't comment on ship chow) Its a way of life, and you have to get used to it, and for some odd reason, I loved it. I can't wait to deploy as an officer this time. I finally get to explore "Officers Country". hee hee (enlistedmen E-6 and below aren't allowed in officers country without an escort) We were always told "Don't get caught on the "blue tile"!!!!




"You forgot your furtune cookie"

Dirty Harry

 

[mpratt]

Ghost,

Like Dave I also did a cruise as an enlisted man (although I was with a helicopter composite squadron). Everything he says is right on the money. Some of my greatest memories in the Corps came from the time on the ship and in port.
We were seperated from the Navy as far as berthing goes, but during the day we worked pretty close to alot of Navy guys on the flight deck. We had a good deck crew and got along pretty well with those guys, but otherwise we didn't mingle with any of the other Navy personnel.
The best part about being on the ship is that you get to do some really great flying. Doing circles over the water kind of sucked. However, that is offset by all the other cool stuff you do. We got to do more gun runs while we were out in the middle of the Atlantic than when we were back home. Plus getting to see other countries from the air was an experience that I will never forget. I have a buddy who stayed in, and on his third cruise got pictures of the pyramids that look like they came out of National Geographic, except he took these out of the side of a 53.

 

[Rainman]

Mystery Marine:
Well, stud: as you know the Saipan's berthing spaces accommodate a minimum of 180 enlsited Marines. I don't remember implying anything else I'm not an actor. I won't quibble on this forum. Quite a screen name.

--Salty Dork

quote:
mountain, quit trying to act salty. the only thing you know about staying on a ship is from half a night on the uss saipan. stop being a dork.