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A Rather Stupid Question

C

CAPSrA

New Member
For all current or former military aviators: what are the major differences between Naval/USMC Aviation and USAF Aviation (besides the fact that one T/offs from a ship and the other from a stationary runway). Or, in other words: why did you choose your branch over another.

The reason I ask is I am currently trying to decide between the choices listed above. The difficulty of this choice is compounded by the fact that I am also having a tough time deciding between fixed and rotary wing. The long and short of it is I enjoy flying, but don't know which would be the best aviation option to get involved in.

I would appreciate any and all insights/advice you can give me.
 
gotta_fly

gotta_fly

Well-Known Member
pilot
I think there are multiple threads with the title "AF or Navy?" or something like it. Search around on here because the basics have been covered. If, after that, you have some more specific questions, I'm sure we'd be glad to give you our $0.02.
 
SWACQ

SWACQ

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Hey, why be hard on the guy?

CAPSrA, this is easy, and you've already answered it yourself with your first post. I recommend you go USAF.
 
Birdog8585

Birdog8585

Milk and Honey
pilot
Contributor
Man you guys are slackin...figured Bob Norris's name would've popped up by now.

United States Navy or US Air Force? by Bob Norris

Bob Norris is a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about US Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". Check out his web site at <http://www.bobnorris.com/>. In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following.

12 Feb 04

Young Man,

Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?"

USAF Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their
enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one.

Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black shoes (surface warfare) and bubble heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you – your aircraft will leave the flight deck of a steel gray carrier and lift into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore.

Bottom line, son, if you’ve gotta ask . . . pack warm & good luck in Colorado.

Banzai

PS Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits
Click to expand...
 
dilbert123

dilbert123

Active Member
pilot
You've asked an impossible question. You will get as many different answers as the number of people you ask. It comes down to a personal choice that would not mean the same for you as it did for each of us. As for me, I didn't consider any other branch of the military, I wanted to fly Navy from the time I was very young. I was raised around the ocean, sailed as a kid and love the sea. I had squadron mates from landlocked areas who were just as passionate about the Navy. Part of my choice was the traditions and history of the Navy. I am very proud and very lucky to have flown as a Navy pilot.

You might visit the Air Force equivalent of this group, "Baseops Military Aviation Forums" and ask those guys. You will get as many varied answers as you get here. It's all a personal choice.

And as for choosing your aircraft now, I'd wait until I was accepted. They will try to give you your choice, but it comes down to many factors including your grades and the ubiquitous "Needs of the Navy." That goes for the Air Force as well. Go in with the desire to fly and, while you may have a preference, be aware that you may end up doing something entirely different than what you thought going in.

Military flying is one of the most challenging things you will ever attempt. It is very difficult, there is a lot of pressure, you will work harder than you've ever worked in your life, and you will spend long hours preparing in classrooms, flight lines and studying. Is it worth it? You bet. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I served some time ago, '60's and 70's, and I still from time to time get out my gold wings and hold them in my hands and marvel that I actually did all that, that I was good enough to make it, and it gives me the greatest satisfaction you can imagine.
 
81montedriver

81montedriver

Well-Known Member
pilot
Like was mentioned, although this is a forum made of active duty and retired aviators, it doesn't mean that we are going to answer the same question that thousands of young adults like yourself ask on a regular basis. It gets annoying. The typical answer we give is search around the forum first. There is information on here that goes back almost 10 years. Some of it may be a slightly outdated but for the most part it is accurate. If after all of that searching you still haven't found what you are looking for, search on google, wikipedia or go to a library and find a book.

When I did all of my initial research, I was unaware of this site and was able to find the majority of my answers in the above mentioned references. Getting your wings, not to mention getting a package submitted for OCS is going to take a shit ton of persistence and determination on your part and it starts with your research.

I need to just save that and copy and paste it into a post next time somebody asks this question haha.
 
vick

vick

Esoteric single-engine jet specialist
pilot
None
If the following appeals to you, by all means go the AF route. It's almost not even funny because it's so true...

If you want warrior ethos with your service and aviation, I'd encourage you to continue researching Navy/Marine options.
 
M

MasterBates

Well-Known Member
Two USAF guys going at it. It's like watching a girl fight. But since Vick is the former Marine, he'd be like the big butch chick so my money's on him :icon_smil

Sent via my HTC EVO 4G
 
IRfly

IRfly

Registered User
None
I apologize for the threadjack, but does the AF really hire civilians to administer their "PT test?" Please tell me that's not true. Please.
 
HackerF15E

HackerF15E

Retired Strike Pig Driver
None
IRfly said:
I apologize for the threadjack, but does the AF really hire civilians to administer their "PT test?" Please tell me that's not true. Please.
Click to expand...

True, actually. The rationale was that the military members were not being objective and letting people cheat on the test.
 
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