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I cant believe the concept of "Patriot Drills" are being allowed to happen. What's next, "Patriot Dets?" Everyone tacitly understands that when you sign on to be CO (maybe even XO/OpsO/AMO) you are going to be doing a bit more from home, but forcing guys to come in to the site to work is...

Squadron just got the activation order for this spring to do a Westpac. Looking at three months at the drill site to spool up prior to leaving for the Kun. We have almost three quarters of our pilots outside of 50 miles and will need billeting. Any of you JFTR gurus out there know if we rate...

There's no money anywhere this year. It's ugly everywhere and I'm afraid it's not going to get better in the future. Interesting times to say the least.

As always, if you find yourself thinking about joining the Reserves, go out to the squadron, preferably on a drill weekend, and meet all the bro's. Even though your thinking of "getting out" still try to get as many quals as you can while still active. It's a bitch getting any quals as an...

Jarhead hit the nail on the head, except you need to stay with the Marine Reserve Hornet. Anyone even considering getting out needs to rush a guard/reserve squadron. The earlier the better, especially as we continue to shrink. Great supplemental income your first few years and protection...

jodaady, you obvioiusly do not work in this industry. Regionals not only drive down the wages of everyone, they dilute the quality of talent entering this industry. Right now, I wouldn't even consider leaving the military for the airlines, even Fedex, SWA, Delta, UPS. The regionals aren't...

The "regional" (how is it regional flying from DFW to EWR?, etc) airlines are a plague on the aviation industry. They are nothing but a C scale flying routes that used to be flown by the majors. I don't see how we can stop the shiny jet syndrome from continuing to fill their ranks, but...

Winter CAX, bitter cold, company grade in our own K-span. As diligent officers, we "procured" an extra one gun prior to pack up, complete with surround sound, projector screen and dedicated computer. Wired the whole thing to the ceiling. The PCO was designated months in advance and performed...

Not to be doom and gloom, but their are a significant number of Marine reserve squadrons going away in the next few years. Just about everything on the west coast will be gone by 2009 (except for the 46's, but they will still be up in Edwards for a while, fun commute). As far as tacair, all...

This "revolt of the FSO's" is so indicative of the problems with our mission in Iraq. How can the US effectively nation build when the State Dept can't man their billets. The majority of the problems in Iraq are diplomatic in nature, yet our supposedly preeminent diplomats are publicly...

Phrogdriver, that's why I'm getting out now. Possible 5 years on a staff will not make you competitive for an airline gig. Also, the timing now is decent with a lot of airlines beginning to hire. Hopefully catch the beginning of the wave and have a lot of guys come in right behind you for a...

I'm fortunate, my background in Marine Hornets and I've already been hired by SWA and Delta, with many apps still out there. I know I'm done with AD, but intend to remain in the Reserves. My big concern is the general state of the commercial airline industry. Is it even worth pursuing as a...

That's what I hear, either live at your Hub or live at your reserve site. Avoid the double commute. As for me, right now, it looks like either Delta or SWA (only two who have offered a job). That's what drove me to post this thread, it seems like such a crap shoot. SWA seems great now, but I...

As a transitioning military aviator, which airlines show the most promise? I know Fedex and UPS seem like the logical choices right now, but they won't be players in my particular case due to timing (don't have the heavy int'l for UPS and can't wait for Fedex to hire again). I like SWA and...

We'll all have the opportunity to lead, really manage, Marines during our career, but what is your MOS. 75"something". I had the opportunity to serve under one of the best leaders of men I had ever seen, but he sucked in the air. It's great to motivate the maintainers or S shops, but we get...

The Corps is trying to start that right now at VMFAT-101. Should see the first three "test case" IP's in September. The interesting part of the program is the requirement to join the reserve TACC and fly at 101 on the side.

Great "cadre" ceremony. TBM Avenger (with WW2 VMTB-134 pilot), A4 and F4 (with last of that platform's commanders) and our Hornet, all on line behind the formation. Each aircraft in pristine 134 squadron colors. The pass and review had almost 20 former commanding officers joining the current...

That's what's really sad about the Corps right now. With so many other aviation (and other) funding priorities, I think they are sacrificing tac air for the time being (until JSF fully on line). How else do you justify "cadre" multiple squadrons in a time of war. It's just going to suck for...

Actual "cadre" ceremony on 11 Aug at 1330 in Miramar. Last flights were a two ship delivery to Lemoore at the end of July. We're throwing all our crap out now. Sad days.

I know some people who work on this program. The technology is incredible and it will be value added to the navy. Other than continually giving them a hard time about "birthing naval aviation's anti-christ," they genuinely are trying to put out a good product.

The reserves are some of the best deals out there. Too bad the Marine Corps keeps closing all the squadrons in their typical short-sightedness. In a few more years, there won't be anywhere to drill other than the training command and -130's.

I got a type with an ATP MEL. GI bill pays 60 percent. With the 737 you won't get the flight time, but it does make you look better to Southwest and gives you some exposure for the other airlines that make you do some sim work.

If you do decide to get out at your first chance, definately stay in the reserves in some capacity (hopefully flying, but not too many spots anymore). Not only will you get a retirement at 60, you have the ability to supplement your income during the first few airline years and the potential to...

It's nice to see someone publishing what the lowly company and field grade have been saying for years. Hopefully, more will get on the bandwagon. Let's just hope its not too late.

Great thread. My two cents as I'm right in the middle of this process. If you do stay in, you may make yourself LESS competitive for an airline job. I recently spoke with a Southwest chief pilot who said as much, especially if you have been manning a desk the last few years (currency!)...

Most of my questions regard career path. I'm relatively familiar with what an AR pilot does at a reserve squadron day to day, but are they still doing "standard" 3 year tours with a squadron before rotating out? And when they do, are they limited to reserve commands (which is very limiting...

Does anyone have any experience with the AR program? I'm curious as to your thoughts / impressions, especially if someone has recent experience given all the ongoing changes at 4th MAW. Thanks.

Supposedly VMFA-134, but nothing has been put on paper yet.

They have the bullseye squarely on their back right now, but no one as yet has pulled the trigger. The higher ups can not make a solid decision without some congressional district raising a stink and the Smokes actually support a lot of units on a daily basis, so they have some active duty...

I know I'm venting, but the continued short sightedness of the Corps is killing us. To close VMFA-134 (or any reserve squadron) is such a complete waste. The average pilot hours for these squadrons is well over 2000 per pilot (or Tone's 5000+), most are Topgun or WTI grads (if not instructors)...

When during your first 3 year flying tour (after two to three years getting to the fleet), you're deployed for a 6 month IA (unless you get "lucky" and stay for a year) and probably do at least one if not two cruises; then get your good deal deploying FAC tour orders for at least another year...

Unless you absoulutely have to, I'd stay away from the reserves for at least another two years until MARFORRES can figure out what it is going to do with 4th MAW. They can not make up their mind and the politcal pressure is really beginning to mount. You'd hate to get orders as an AD type or...

All of these Hornet considerations (FLE, cats/traps) are driving our leaders to scrap a much valued asset, reserve Tacair, in order to obtain some additional airframes to attempt to bridge the gap to the JSF. There also is a large budget issue of additional underfunded programs, such as the...

Does anyone have any information regarding the imminent demise of most, if not all, of the reserve Hornet squadrons? I've seen many different plans calling for closing all three, or at least two of them, starting with one this year. It seems like a very short sighted way to simply save some...

Is schools command next going to make you fill out an ORM sheet to use the head. Now that the ASO/ASC courses are in Pensacola too, they are making all the O3 - O5's do the same crap. Either you're an officer or you're not, whether you're a brand new Lt or a LtCol about to take command...

I've got a lot of road shows coming up and was looking for some new places to break down, particularly civilian FBO's. My current favorites are Scottsdale, AZ and Boeing Field, WA. All I need is 6K feet of runway, contract fuel and a good locale. Anyone have a hidden treasure?

The Corps loves to build up our "VSTOL" capability. I think it's an accute fear of losing our TacAir and we'll accept the rather large capability gap that the F35B gives us in relation to the conventional takeoff version just to keep our little niche in aviation.

Just to add fire to the rumor mill: Marine F/A-18D's may all be heading to the 3 remaining reserve squadrons in the near future as part of the TacAir integration plan. Doesn't make being a Marine NFO that appealling with the impending demise of the Prowler and the only aircraft we're procuring...

The Corps must need more pilots some years from now because every squadron in Beaufort right now is overmanned. Most guys are only averaging around 10 hours a months unless their on det.

Jarhead Are you in 122? Nice pick of the hornet.

Bigworm- you will be well loved in your squadron when you volunteer for that deploying FAC tour at 2 years TOS. You are truely a rare commodity, at least in the fixed wing side of the house. Where do we find such men?

EA6B On the fixed wing side of the house (at least the Hornets), you'll deploy about once every year and a half for a six month pump, be that either on the boat or to Iwakuni, Japan on a UDP rotation (we're on our seventh month right now) With more squadrons going to the boat in the future...

Hornet squadrons are supposed to go to a composite squadron with mixes of C's and D's in the near future. These squadrons will supposedly be put together with the low trap C's and low airframe time D's going to the boat, with the high time airframes coming together to fill the UDP cycles...

Haven't read anything in these forums regarding the future plans for Marine tacair, so thought I'd throw out what I have heard. All the Hornet squadrons are going to a composite setup (ie a mix of C's and D's) This alone is a huge change, especially for the wisso's going to single seat...

Marine Hornet squadrons at Beaufort have all recieved the combat edge gear over a year ago and i'm pretty sure the miramar guys all have it as well. We just aren't required to have to wear the whole ensemble as of yet, but the mask is actually really comfortable.

i realize i'm new to this site, but the majority of you have to lighten up. you will not last two seconds in any ready room if college guy actually bothers you. naval aviators have a glorified history of bashing each other, especially if you show that it bothers you. good luck college boy!

All Marine fleet squadrons have the whole setup now (pretty sure Navy too). We aren't required to wear the vest, but most guys are wearing the mask as it tends to stay in place better during BFM.

The reason the Corps is tethered to VSTOL is the MEU. We have already sold most of our TACAIR (Hornets) to the Navy with the soon to be implemented carrier integration plan and if we loose our unique VSTOL capabilities, we will loose the A in MAGTF (no offense to our helo drivers)