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Drawbacks of the Military

M

markvanes

Registered User
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.
 
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.
 
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.
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Not sure if I want to know how you found that out...:confused:

For most USMC and Navy pilots there are of course deployments and workups associated with them. Missed family time etc.
 
candidateX said:
I have fears that it might suck more than I thought it would.
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It could be worse ... you could be sitting in your cubicle at Initech working for this guy ...

bill-lumberg.gif
 
candidateX said:
Any other observations of negative aspects are welcome. (I already know the good stuff). Thanks.
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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.
 
zippy said:
Wasn't it decided that was a fake- a long time ago?
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yeah, and all the facts stated have been debunked...brought to you by conspiracytheory.com or the impeachbushnow group...
 
Black Days said:
For most USMC and Navy pilots there are of course deployments and workups associated with them. Missed family time etc.
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Way to go out on a limb. Let's let the cruise experienced folk talk about this stuff.
 
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.
 
Thisguy said:
Way to go out on a limb.
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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...

web_051118-N-7241L-011.jpg
 
zippy 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.
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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.
 
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