We all seem to know the good things about Naval Aviation, but what are the drawbacks? (Not only of aviation, but just being a military officer)? I am seriously considering becoming a USMC pilot, and I have fears that it might suck more than I thought it would. How do you deal with the complete loss of control of your life, for example? And do you really get 30 days off per year? What if your superiors are a**holes? Any other observations of negative aspects are welcome. (I already know the good stuff). Thanks.
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Drawbacks of the Military
- Thread starter markvanes
- Start date
Thisguy
Pain-in-the-dick
If your superior's are A-holes? That's a bonus of the military...either you or your boss will rotate within a year or so, unless of course you check in together. In the civilian world, if you have a sh!tty boss, you're stuck for longer.
You don't necessarily get to take 30 days a year, but you get to accumulate days up to 60, so you may only take two weeks off one year, but when you rotate, you can take 20-30 days of leave, and still have some left over. The downside is if you take two weeks off, it's not ten working days, but all 14. It sounds crappy, but seeing how civilians get 10 days a year, I'll take it.
Getting sent to places you don't like kinda sucks, but BAH rules. I hear civilans on this base say that San Diego is too expensive, but if I move there, my BAH shoots up $600 to compensate.
Another thing that sucks about being an officer, is that if you star in an internet porn-clip, you've got some explaining to do.
You don't necessarily get to take 30 days a year, but you get to accumulate days up to 60, so you may only take two weeks off one year, but when you rotate, you can take 20-30 days of leave, and still have some left over. The downside is if you take two weeks off, it's not ten working days, but all 14. It sounds crappy, but seeing how civilians get 10 days a year, I'll take it.
Getting sent to places you don't like kinda sucks, but BAH rules. I hear civilans on this base say that San Diego is too expensive, but if I move there, my BAH shoots up $600 to compensate.
Another thing that sucks about being an officer, is that if you star in an internet porn-clip, you've got some explaining to do.
2sr2worry
Naval Aviation=world's greatest team sport
candidateX said:
OK...some things that bite about Naval Aviation (drum roll please)...
1. Standing IWO Mid to 0400
2. Boat O in port (especially on leased commercial ferries..what a waste)
3. Hearing "Set MOP Level 4" and sucking rubber...extra pain points for doing it after taps
4. Going to chow and seeing shredded cabbage masquerading as lettuce and having brussel sprouts for the 11th day in a row and drinking that damned UHT milk from boxes...hate it when we miss an unrep
Alright...enough humor...what really sucks
1. Looking your family in the face and saying "guess what? another x-country move...say goodbye to all your friends" while trying to smile at the same time and saying "I hear xyz is a great place."
2. Putting new down contact paper in kitchen cabinets for the 11th time
3. Doing 100 changes of address on a weekend sitting in a pile of boxes
4. Looking into the eyes of a shipmate's spouse at a memorial service and seeing that 1000 yard stare while the kids cling to their leg.
5. Handing a flag to a parent of a sailor who takes the word "crotch rocket" too literally at 0200 in the morning.
Naval aviation is the world's greatest team sport. But just like the NFL, it's not for amateurs or for those who only want to take and not give.
Piperdriver
Member
Here are some drawbacks according to one very upset Marine....
http://austin.craigslist.com/about/best/wdc/118782492.html
http://austin.craigslist.com/about/best/wdc/118782492.html
HarrisonFord said:
This link has been DEBUNKED several times on various websites. There are many professionals who picked this apart and it should not be used by anyone seriously considering drawbacks to the military...
Author wasn't a Marine, not a pilot, and not in the military at all...
Downside: Being (cold/hot/wet/dry/hungry/bored/scared/lonely/tired/etc...) away from your friends and family.
Upside: Having a beer with the guys who were (cold/hot/wet/dry/hungry/bored/scared/lonely/tired/etc...) with you...after it's all said and done.
There's no misery like shared misery - and there are no friends like the friends who you have been to hell and back with.
Upside: Having a beer with the guys who were (cold/hot/wet/dry/hungry/bored/scared/lonely/tired/etc...) with you...after it's all said and done.
There's no misery like shared misery - and there are no friends like the friends who you have been to hell and back with.
Thisguy said:
Is he wrong? Didn't think so.
That there are workups and deployments is common knowledge and it doesn't take a scientist to figure out that you are away from home and family when you are doing them. For many people this is a drawback, and sometimes a cause for them to persue other career fields when they get the oppertunity to leave the military.
Drawbacks:
Deployment and work up = long hours
Family Separation
Move every few years
High divorce rate
Can't neccessarily pick your next duty station
Needs of the Navy are first
Losing friends to mishaps, again and again...
Some places cost of living is high
Buying a home can be very hard to do (ie. San Diego)
May get sent overseas against your will
Flight hours are fewer, yet you are asked to do more
Less funding Navy wide
Shoes
Just a few...there are plenty more as you can see.
But then again, there are the benefits, for which I am really here to enjoy...
Deployment and work up = long hours
Family Separation
Move every few years
High divorce rate
Can't neccessarily pick your next duty station
Needs of the Navy are first
Losing friends to mishaps, again and again...
Some places cost of living is high
Buying a home can be very hard to do (ie. San Diego)
May get sent overseas against your will
Flight hours are fewer, yet you are asked to do more
Less funding Navy wide
Shoes
Just a few...there are plenty more as you can see.
But then again, there are the benefits, for which I am really here to enjoy...
NavyLonghorn
Registered User
zippy said:
May be true, but you have to agree that someone who isnt even in the Navy should prolly keep their mouth shut on this one.