1/C Cruise: FOREX or Aviation?

[redmidgrl]

So, I swore to myself that if I did well on the ASTB, I would overlook an Aviation Cruise and try to go for a Foreign Exchange Cruise. I pulled 8/8/8, and I'm an International Affairs major who never was able to fit Study Abroad in, but I may be too short and be DQed from flying if I fail Anthro...

So I'm torn...

Should I try for a Foreign Exchange Cruise or an Aviation Cruise? If you have gone on either, please let me know the pros and cons of your cruise...

I will put in my dream sheet next semester. Thanks all!!

Red

 

[scoober78]

Do the foreign exchange cruise. If you are not going to be anthro'd out, you will have plenty of opportunities to fly throughout your career.

If you don't meet the magic number, I don't think you'd be able to do the aviation cruise anyway. (Correct me if I'm wrong here...)

In either case, the Fex Cruise is the answer.

 

[highlyrandom]

It's a fair question, because if you go the Rhodes program and select Aviation, it may be 12 years before your committment is up...be nice to go across the pond knowing whether or not you're going to like your job when you get back.

If you're worried about the FOREX for the sake of the scholarships, then skip both, and be a Navy pilot...unless you really need the experience for what you want to do at age 35. Personally, I'm going to have kids and run an elite black-ops division that flies P-3s, but if you want to go diplomatic corps, that's cool I guess.

 

[highlyrandom]

Yeah, what Mefesto said. I got a 9/9/9 ergo my opinion counts more than Scoober's. Eh bien?

 

[GatorP]

I did a FOREX last summer to Japan. I came back and heard all the horror stories about boring aviation cruises and was very satisfied with my choice. Japan is not available to girls though.

 

[scoober78]

F that... you know how many foreign countries you're gonna visit flying? You could spend the summer in France (yay) or boozing with your future instructors and squadron mates.

Yeah...Mefesto has a point here...keep in mind I come from an enlisted submarine background so when I went places, I had to work...

It's a fair question, because if you go the Rhodes program

Did I miss something? Are you applying for a Rhodes scholarship???

You could spend the summer in France (yay) or boozing with your future instructors and squadron mates.

Spending time abroad studying and visiting on a port call though...are two very different things though Mefesto...not saying that you don't have a point but...

 

[highlyrandom]

Besides, grl, you already hang around DC enough to have seen as many foreigners as you need to for the time being. Go have fun flying, and when they stash you in A-pool before API, insist on embassy duty. You'll have at least a few months and it'll be as an ensign, not much but you'll be able to carry secret papers and a pistol with a silencer.

Okay, confidential papers and a coffee cup. But it'll be cheap.

 

[Brett327]

Okay, confidential papers and a coffee cup. But it'll be cheap.

Brett

 

[redmidgrl]

Aviations cruises could be a hit or miss then? ...

 

[highlyrandom]

Best case you come back from awesome flying and get to go to a great party in PB. Worst case you get sick of playing volleyball in Jax Beach and just can't wait to go up flying again. Somewhere in the middle is when they take you along on a combat mission by accident, and then there's a story.

 

[GatorP]

They are very hit or miss...but what isnt?

 

[H20man]

If you even have to ask, enjoy Djibouti.

Nothing like being told: "Here are your malaria pills, follow the directions"

And this was only for a quick stop.

Although being on an MSC ship may not even come close to a FOREX, here are some things to consider.

Also look at it as a comparison of an actual Study Abroad Program to being on a MIDN cruise

Being on cruise does not guarantee that you will have a lot of port time (needs of the particular Navy you are dealing with).
When I first joined my ship overseas, we did not see a port until a month later. (But then again this is a cruise designed for MIDN, I was at the mercy of the Navy).

Areas may be restricted due to various policies. In Crete we were restricted from Chiana due to protests for a day or so. There can also be curfews, but I was never restricted due to these, only had to be available for shifts, and fuel lifts.

Visiting a city/country during a port stay is a lot different from actually living/vacationing there. A large part of this is transportation. Ships are not always in the most accessible locations, plus the transit times, anyone who has been to Jebel Ali knows this. Also if there is no shuttle, be prepared to spend a good amount on taxis etc. After having lived in Japan, and visiting while on ship, it was a completely different experience.

The ship may not be there long enough to allow you to see or experience everything you want to. I know I would have liked to have spent more time in Crete.

Communication can also be a problem. Always get a copy of directions in the countries language on how to get back to the ship, otherwise you might end up somewhere else.

Finally, being on a deployment when active duty, you are going to visit foreign countries.

In terms of an aviation cruise, its being in the right place at the right time, I know that I had a better experience than my sea partner, but at the same time, a friend of mine who was there at a different time, his experience was a lot more involved than mine.

Would I do it again if I had the chance? YES! I know that I will most likely never again have the opportunity to do what I did.

I myself would pass on a FOREX, but after seeing the kegs on the Belgian ships during UNREP...

As I stated earlier, a FOREX is probably a lot different than being with MSC, but at the same time a FOREX is nothing like a Study Abroad program.

 

[GatorP]

FOREX cruises are completely different than going overseas with our navy. I have done both and really enjoyed going to Europe and Asia. But if you go on a FOREX cruise...you WILL get plenty of time ashore.

We were completely spoiled on the Japanese ship. They gave us the flag mess and steward...you dont give MIDNs a steward. Lots of parties and...you are assigned people that know the language to help you party,er... sightsee.

 

[H20man]

FOREX cruises are completely different than going overseas with our navy. I have done both and really enjoyed going to Europe and Asia. But if you go on a FOREX cruise...you WILL get plenty of time ashore.

Yeah, I figured a FOREX would most likely be very different, but it is no study abroad program, which leads me to the next question.

ATTN redmidgrl, do you want to do a FOREX just to visit another country? If so there will be plenty of opportunities to do that far down the road, take the aviation cruise.

 

[Someday]

Aviation cruise over FOREX? No way! Serving with a foriegn military is an exceptional experience. You get to know the country and the people much better than if you visit as a tourist or a sailor. Don't let this one pass you by. An aviation cruise is nice, but if you get an aviation slot you'll be doing plenty of flying in the next ten years.

-SD