Marine Corps versus Navy Aviation Questions

[Piano]

Wow...thanks so much for all the helpful advice! I will try my best at doing some more research so I can ask more informed questions for later on. As of now, I will be meeting soon with a Marine Officer recruiter, and I will (hopefully) be much more informed about Marine aviation! Thanks a bunch everyone!

 

[Birdog8585]

blah...metric shit ton of words...blah

I echo all of the above.

My $.02:

I was a gung-ho jet-jock hair-on-fire wannabe all throughout college. Went to TBS and got to talk to a number of different pilots one on one about their aircraft and why they thought their bird was the greatest contraption to evolve from Da Vinci's Codex. But what I was also certain to do during those conversations is to ask them about their community (Jets, Helos, Hercs) and what it was really all about - not just the shit you find in Jane's.

Then came to Pensacola and began the all too familiar wait for training. While waiting, I was certain to bump into any number of very experienced junior and senior enlisted Marines that, 99% of the time, came from one of the aformentioned communities. You get the idea, rinse, lather, repeat.

Now bring all that subjective collected knowledge and go through Primary where you actually fly with pilots from all services (one of my cross-countries was with a former Army helo guy now Coastie).

All of these perspectives, opinions, gripes and praises from the far corners of the earth will help you make up your mind when you need to.

The bottom line, worry about one thing at a time, go Marines and never look back. SEMPER FI.

That was about $1.39 worth - a tad over $.02 - just go with it ive been driniking.:snorkel_1

 

[FlyinRob82]

Marine vs. Navy fighter pilots

I'm new to the community and just had some questions about flying in the MC versus the Navy. I've started my application process with the Navy and am taking the ASTB next week. Is there any overall mission difference between Navy and Marine fighter pilots? Does the Navy focus less on air support and more on recon? As a Marine pilot, would I still get to deploy on carriers? I just want to make sure I sign up with the right branch. Thanks for any help that anyone has!

 

[scoolbubba]

Ha.

 

[MIDNJAC]

You have quite a ways to go before you need to be worried about the relative pros and cons of USN vs USMC jets. We both fly them off boats (many fewer in the Marines save the Harrier guys), we both use them for air-to-air, air-to-ground, CAS, FAC(A), etc. Regardless, you should base your decision on what service and lifestyle appeals to you more; be fortunate enough to select jets down the road, and then start worrying about this kind of thing. Just my .02

 

[phrogpilot73]

Put it this way - when you have to leave the cockpit for a certain period of time, would you rather hang out on a ship (disassociated sea tour) or go to the field (FAC tour)? Yes, there are some Marine Aviators who have never been on a FAC tour, but the possibility is always there. I think that pretty much cuts to the heart of the matter. At least it did for me.

And dream all you want about jets, and work towards that, but realize you chances of being a helo pilot in either service is very good.

You have quite a ways to go before you need to be worried about the relative pros and cons of USN vs USMC jets.

I disagree. It's not like he can say "oh, shit. I want to fly jets in the Marines, can I do an interservice transfer?" He has to figure out what service he wants to serve in (there's always the NAMI wammy), THEN figure out if he wants jets/helos/props.

 

[HeyJoe]

As a Marine pilot, would I still get to deploy on carriers?

A picture is worth a thousand words

091106-N-6092D-263 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 6, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 prepares to take off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 departed Naval Air Station North Island to participate in a strike group sustainment exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Dollar/Released)

 

[Will_T]

Welcome Aboard rob,
and good luck with your entry into the service. While I cannot compare and contrast the naval aviators and the marine aviators, I can direct you to the search feature of this website, which will lead you to many other threads with this exact topic. Just a little friendly advice from another newbie to this website.
Will.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I disagree. It's not like he can say "oh, shit. I want to fly jets in the Marines, can I do an interservice transfer?" He has to figure out what service he wants to serve in (there's always the NAMI wammy), THEN figure out if he wants jets/helos/props.

Good point. I just mean that one should probably not say "I want to join the Navy because flying their jets is better for x reason"; maybe he ends up getting Navy helos (like 60 odd percent or whatever it is of primary selectees) and then realizes, "damn, Marine helos do much cooler things". I'd just try and figure out, overall, which service I would rather fly for and be a part of.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Good point. I just mean that one should probably not say "I want to join the Navy because flying their jets is better for x reason"; maybe he ends up getting Navy helos (like 60 odd percent or whatever it is of primary selectees) and then realizes, "damn, Marine helos do much cooler things". I'd just try and figure out, overall, which service I would rather fly for and be a part of.

Yeah, after reading your post a couple of times, I figured that was what you were trying to say. You just worded it poorly. Damn Ensigns!

 

[MIDNJAC]

Yeah, after reading your post a couple of times, I figured that was what you were trying to say. You just worded it poorly. Damn Ensigns!

Touche.......proof that technology can't make a better ensign

 

[phrogpilot73]

Touche.......proof that technology can't make a better ensign

Actually, I was thinking that being a jet fag couldn't make you a better ensign... Only worse...

 

[Fog]

A picture is worth a thousand words

091106-N-6092D-263 PACIFIC OCEAN (Nov. 6, 2009) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323 prepares to take off from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 departed Naval Air Station North Island to participate in a strike group sustainment exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Dollar/Released)

It'll take a while, but when the USMC gets all its F-35Bs, they won't be going to the boat anymore - well, not CVs anyway. I would guess they'll deploy aboard LHAs & whatever amphib deck we're using. But it looks like the days of Marine fighter squadrons deploying off the CVs w/ Navy VFs are definitely numbered

 

[Uncle Fester]

...But it looks like the days of Marine fighter squadrons deploying off the CVs w/ Navy VFs are definitely numbered

Until they aren't. Requirements change, capabilities change, wars change.

 

[FlyBoyd]

Someone searched and posted a follow on question to a thread that was started just shy of 8 years ago. Is this a record?