Originally posted by jragadio
bunk22,
How did you like the community? I am assuming you were a C-2 pilot, not an E-2. Were you west coast out of North Island? I am in primary and am going to track select in a couple of weeks and have heard nothing good about E-2/C-2. I would really like to be stationed in California and Pt. Mugu or North Island would be great. I have just not heard any E-2 pilot liking his job. Is it the same way for C-2s?
What is life like? How is promotion? How are the people in the squadron? Are they all pissed off pilots that didn't get jets? Is it worth it to go E-2/C-2 just to fly off the boat? What is a typical day like? How many hours do you end up with after your first tour? Is the flying really boring?
I was a C-2 pilot with VRC-30 at NAS North Island. I'm scheduled to go back next Aug/Sep timeframe for an OIC tour. That was the only way I would stay in the Navy. I'm currently a C-2 instructor at VAW-120. I guess you can take from that I really enjoyed my C-2 tour. I don't know of anyone from VRC-30 or 40 who doesn't like flying the C-2. At 30 we had an F-18 transition pilot, an S-3 pilot, and an A-6 pilot. At the FRS we currently have a couple of S-3 pilots making the transition, the word is out
Some people might be upset that they didn't get jets initially but that usually goes away. Jets are for *******
Some E-2 pilots like their jobs, some don't. I hear complaints about the NFO's, the boring flying, etc. Same with us but we get per diem on cruise and don't have to worry about the NFO's. Regardless, their mission is crucial to the battle group. The C-2 mission is obviously logistics so it's a bit different. You will fly all over the place, in many countries (sometimes hostile) but mostly neutral or friendly. My first cruise on the Connie in 99 was a bit different, we stayed on the boat and flew day/night missions from the carrier. VRC-30 did that for 3 years. It was actually a great cruise and our det felt much more connected tot he airwing. 30 went back to the old way of doig things for my second cruise, beach based in the Gulf, flying day only to the boat. That's when the per diem of $96 a day, tax free, for 3 months really kicked in. Nothing like coming home with almost $12,000 dollars extra because of per dieam and fed tax exemption.
Promotion is the same as other communities. The COD community is a warfare specialty now so making CDR shouldn't be a problem, even Captain is some cases. I just put on O-4 in March. As far as flight hours go, it really depends. I was on the low side since I went through a very bad period for aircraft availability in 2000. There was 2 straight months when I didn't fly. I would think you should leave your first tour with 1300-1500 hours. I had exactly 1310 hours leaving VRC-30. The flying can and will get boring in the C-2. The exceptions are flying around the boat and paradrops (though for now paradrops are not allowed to help save the airframe--don't ask). The working hours at a COD squadron are normal but you don't have to go on the typcial cruise work-ups that the rest of the airwing has to go on. More time with the family, friends, dog, whatever. Cruise can get busy but being day only makes it a lot, lot easier.
Obvioulsy being a COD driver, I'm biased, but it's definitely a great community to fly for. I highly recommend it. Good luck.
