Yes You Can Fly Jets
I would like to take an oppurtunity to respond to your observations and comments.
First, I would like to start by saying, yes we should all be lucky to be given the oppurtunity to fly. Coming from the fleet it is very competitive to transition to become a SNA. As new junior officers you should feel lucky to be where you are and enjoy what you do for a job.
2) As far as the airlines jobs I know quite a few reservists here in Meridian that are airline pilots and several who are applying to become pilots. I assure you that they did not have intentions of using the military to get them to the airlines. If flying for the airlines was that great they would not continue to come back to Meridian to fly as instructors. All I hear is how they love both jobs, but training SNA's is much more rewarding.
3)As for bringing up the notion of Top Gun, if that is what you need to drive you as a student to give your all to the program than continue to do so. I believe that having dreams is what drives us all. So don't let anyone tell you to stop dreaming about TOP GUN or MATWS-1.
4)I hate to hear an instrutor tell students to learn about the order of battle. Knowing that wether you fly a jet, helo, or maritime we are all just another support MOS for that lance-corporal and pfc on the ground. To set the record straight one platform cannot do its job without the other. I hate to hear about having to learn the order of battle. You may want to look at that order yourself. No disrespect on that comment, but no offensive ever goes without an air campaign, lead by yes JETS!!!! That comment is coming from experience.
5)I will skip this comment because I do agree, ERAU does not teach how to become a NA.
6)I think it is pretty arogant to say that a helo is the only pure stick and rudder. I would have to say the old guys in the sim building here in Meridian would highly disagree. As for being more challenging, I think the challenges are completely different.
7)The tone of this comment is correct. But what I will say is that our brothers on the ground say the only thing a pilot leads is himself. I will say that respect is earned and not ever just given. As for you junior officers who read this rebuttal, Always have a good attitude and never, never, never say that your job is more important than another. ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT ONE VICTORY (even our Air Force brothers)
To conclude remember that our brothers on the ground always have it worse than we do. Wether you are dropping bombs from an F18 or harrier, shooting TOW's and Rockets from either Snakes or Hueys, or putting troops in zone from frogs or ****ters we are all working towards the same cause.
For all SNA's never stop dreaming and asking about what it takes to be a JET PILOT if that is your dream. Never let anyone tell you it cannot be acheived or attained. However, Like mentioned being a helo pilots is rewarding, Coming from the guy on the ground there is nothing like the sound of an inbound Jet or Helo to save my ass!!!!!!! :icon_rage