Shore Duties

[Flash]

Oh yeah, forgot about UAVs. Are all UAV pilots winged pilots who can otherwise fly a real craft? That must suck to go through all that training and basically fly the equivalent of a video game.

No, the USAF has a UAV Pilot track and wings to go along with it now but they just started training them and also aren't making enough of them so they still rely on 'regular' pilots to fly UAV's.

USAF UAV Wings:

 

[zippy]

To be clear, and this is not something I think we spell out clearly on these threads: If you do not fly on your second tour (a pilot's first traditional "shore" tour), it is very unlikely one will every fly again in the current Navy. There are a few exceptions like Admirals' Aides and some folks with some very weird timing, but by and large, DO NOT EXPECT to ever fly again in the Navy if you either choose or have chosen for you a second tour that is not involving flight in at least some capacity.

The detailers have briefed that you're only guaranteed 3 flying tours in your career. Your JO tour, your DH tour and your CO tour. They're under no obligation to give you a flying tour outside of those. If you're off path expect it to be difficult to recover from.

With the NAE increase in responsibility to fill general staff billet requirments up to 68% expect to see officers who make O-4 but not DH to spend the rest of their career non flying, even if they've only had one flying tour prior to their O-4 board. Folks who are off path will have to decide if one flying tour in a 20 year career is worth it.

 

[JWL]

To be clear, and this is not something I think we spell out clearly on these threads: If you do not fly on your second tour (a pilot's first traditional "shore" tour), it is very unlikely one will every fly again in the current Navy. There are a few exceptions like Admirals' Aides and some folks with some very weird timing, but by and large, DO NOT EXPECT to ever fly again in the Navy if you either choose or have chosen for you a second tour that is not involving flight in at least some capacity.

I think I've read that elsewhere, and even though I am not in the Navy, I guess it makes sense. Does this usually happen if someone has proven themselves to be an inferior pilot (or officer, for that matter) on their first tour?

What are the typical flying oriented tours on that first shore tour? Is it usually an instructor tour for 2 to 3 years? If so, is it feasible to pick up a master's degree on such a tour at night when not flying/performing duties during the day, or is that unheard of/next to impossible?

 

[BACONATOR]

I think I've read that elsewhere, and even though I am not in the Navy, I guess it makes sense. Does this usually happen if someone has proven themselves to be an inferior pilot (or officer, for that matter) on their first tour?

What are the typical flying oriented tours on that first shore tour? Is it usually an instructor tour for 2 to 3 years? If so, is it feasible to pick up a master's degree on such a tour at night when not flying/performing duties during the day, or is that unheard of/next to impossible?

Masters is common and possible, albeit busy at times.

 

[DanMa1156]

The detailers have briefed that you're only guaranteed 3 flying tours in your career. Your JO tour, your DH tour and your CO tour. They're under no obligation to give you a flying tour outside of those. If you're off path expect it to be difficult to recover from.

With the NAE increase in responsibility to fill general staff billet requirments up to 68% expect to see officers who make O-4 but not DH to spend the rest of their career non flying, even if they've only had one flying tour prior to their O-4 board. Folks who are off path will have to decide if one flying tour in a 20 year career is worth it.

Yeah, and to be clear, those with the wings on their chest that have graduated an FRS get what I was saying - my original post was for those who are considering a career in Naval Aviation. While true those are the only tours guaranteed to be flying tours, if you don't fly on your first shore tour, nowadays those latter two tours are all but guaranteed to not happen as a result of ending a career.

 

[JWL]

Yeah, and to be clear, those with the wings on their chest that have graduated an FRS get what I was saying - my original post was for those who are considering a career in Naval Aviation. While true those are the only tours guaranteed to be flying tours, if you don't fly on your first shore tour, nowadays those latter two tours are all but guaranteed to not happen as a result of ending a career.

Well, that sucks. I guess if one wants to keep flying perhaps it's best to leave for the airlines once you're MSR is up?

Is DH tour a squadron XO/CO tour?

Is the CO tour your're referring to a DCAG/CAG tour?

I assume carrier XOs and COs do not fly?

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

 

[Brett327]

Well, that sucks. I guess if one wants to keep flying perhaps it's best to leave for the airlines once you're MSR is up?

Is DH tour a squadron XO/CO tour?

Is the CO tour your're referring to a DCAG/CAG tour?

I assume carrier XOs and COs do not fly?

This may be the most painful post I've laid eyes on in several years.

 

[Gonzo08]

Well, that sucks. I guess if one wants to keep flying perhaps it's best to leave for the airlines once you're MSR is up?

Is DH tour a squadron XO/CO tour?

Is the CO tour your're referring to a DCAG/CAG tour?

I assume carrier XOs and COs do not fly?

All right...I'm feeling generous so I'll bite, but as mentioned before, you really need to start using the search function and stop spamming threads with these questions:

No

No

No

Sometimes

 

[Gatordev]

The detailers have briefed that you're only guaranteed 3 flying tours in your career. Your JO tour, your DH tour and your CO tour. They're under no obligation to give you a flying tour outside of those.

I'm sure PERS would agree with me, but apparently I've been doing it all wrong. Somehow I still sleep at night.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

DH = Designated hitter. That's only for squadron tours in the AL.

CO definitely doesn't mean CO. It means a totally different acronym.

If you want to fly as a carrier CO, you better keep your average up in your DH tour.

 

[Jim123]

DH = Designated hitter. That's only for squadron tours in the AL.

CO definitely doesn't mean CO. It means a totally different acronym.

If you want to fly as a carrier CO, you better keep your average up in your DH tour.

We even have training for people who swing both ways.

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

We even have training for people who swing both ways.

Switch hitters, if you will.

 

[Treetop Flyer]

Switch hitters, if you will.

Multi mission

 

[Charles Edward]

I've been in the fleet for about two years now, and in that time, every JO that has left the squadron (VFA) has has gone on to a flying billet. I don't want to say that taking orders in something other than a flying billet would be a career killer, but if you are out of the cockpit for 2.5 years for your shore tour, and then another two years for your disassociated sea tour, you are looking at 4.5-5 years without flying, which doesn't make you a real desireable choice for a department head. The exception to this might be the IA billets floating around right now. The way the Navy is driving everyone into the Admiral career path, you are afforded very little flexibilty early in your career. When you get to your disassociated sea tour, you seem to have a few more options, and obviously there are only a few flying billets available for that tour if you are not a patch wearer, which you won't be if you take non flying orders for your shore tour (CAG staff, ect). Just what I have seen in a fairly limited time in my community.

What are the potential shore flying tours? Are they all instructor pilot?