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Eric Cooper: Navy SEAL, F-14 pilot, POSER Bigamist
- Thread starter FLYTPAY
- Start date
my mistake, I was tired when typing. SWO pin or Aviator wings....Wings?... You do know what site you're on right?...
I never meant to imply that being a phony was just as hard (or harder)as becoming an Aviator, but used that as a way of describing the great lengths these people go to be who they are not. Maybe it was a poor example. Obviously becoming an Aviator (or any Officer or Enlisted for that matter) is a difficult career path that only few can succeed in. While anyone can go to their neighborhood surplus store and buy a uniform and then get a haircut to strut the streets looking for tail after watching some war movie, these people go to greater lengths to prove that they are who they are not for larger reasons (psychological?)then just getting laid. I did not mean to offend.
Not so much a disagreement as a different perspective:
I dunno, I think the humility and sense of humor shown by 99% of aviation types (and most military personnel in general) is a huge asset and an admirable trait.
Approachability, being open to and professional about critique, a willingness to learn new tricks (even as an old dog), and the ability to laugh with each other at our own foibles makes a high stress occupation that much more bearable. In an increasingly "Office Space" environment, with more and more administrative rules and requirements being forced down our throats, we need to be able laugh and keep the big picture in sight.
We all know that the stereotypical 1% that Hollywood loves to promote is always in reality the douchebag no one likes, and more often than not, nowhere near as good as he thinks he is.
Averageness? I think we just get used to people getting things done quickly and correctly. Compared to a lot of other work environments, things happen in a much more efficient manner and (in comparison relatively) huge decisions get made by very junior people. When you see that day in and day out it's easy to get accustomed to.
The norm; "average" to us, is "above and beyond" in any other career sector. Hozer is right, it's important to remember that.
I once too thought that a prevailing atmosphere of averageness permeated my squadron and environment. Now that I'm a civilian, I can tell you that you will never find the drive to succeed, collaborate and be perfect more than in Naval Aviation. We were always striving to be better and learn from our mistakes. In the real world, many are happy just sitting in their cubicles doing the same things in the same way over and over. I feel above average almost every day, and trust me, I was an average aviator.