Naval Aviator Duties (other than flying)

[D_mac05]

I have been wondering...

What are some of a Naval Aviator's duties, other than flying? I know they are in charge of enlisted guys, but can someone list some of the duties we will be in charge of when we get commissioned?

This question applies to both being in Flight School, AND in the fleet.

Thanks in advance

 

[vschip]

As a stud, that's all you do, study and fly. If your in a pool, waiting for a class, you could be given some type of job(I drove academy mids around pensacola for 3 months before I started API). Once you go to your fleet squqdron, you could have almost anything, here's my job list - PAO/legal(had to go to a 5 week school for that one), asst admin officer, skeds officer, asst ops officer, quality assurance officer, each job lasted 6-9 months. I was also a LSO the whole time too. In your fleet squadron, while on shore, it seemed like flying was secondary(2-3 flights/week, sometimes less), so much paperwork. But on the boat, flying came first(everyday, sometimes twice a day), and the paperwork came after you flew.

 

[Frumby]

Ground Safety Officer, HazMat Officer, NATOPS, Aviation Safety Officer, Operations officer and Logistics Officer.

Attack Pilot
Major USMCR

 

[sifu denali]

Is it still a full time job while you're on shore, or do you have more free time? I'd like to have the opportunity to do one of the many others things I've always wanted to do (air traffic controller, federal agent, state trooper, etc).

 

[beau]

yeah umm......were going to have to comment on that......did you get the memo?...

As a Naval Officer, they will not let you have a secondary job. I really dont know how the reserve system works.....but that might be what your asking about. I guess they think if they pay you enought they own you . Besides, if you go on deployment..........you get the picture!

Finch

GO SOONERS!!!

 

[webmaster]

Legal Officer, AIO, AIS, CSD, Line Officer, Power Plants Officer, Strike Officer, Tactics Officer, Pubs Officer, Hosting Officer, ESO and quite honeslty the list goes on and on and on.... of course there is always the fun job of being the "BULL", but I will let you experience that when you get to your command... muhahah, FNG!

Moonlighting on the outside? Not going to happen. You MIGHT have extra time to tackle that Masters degree on your shore tour, but you will be hard pressed to work anything else in.

 

[EA-6B1]

I was talking to a guy I know tonite, and this is what he told me. He said that he met a Marine Aviator at a club, and this pilot told him that "they dont tell you how many people die." He said that the Marine pilot told him that "there are a lot of fatalities in this profession."

My question is, is this somewhat true? Again, they were in a club so one, or both of them could be drunk. Should I just take this with a grain of salt and shake it off or what? Not scared or anything, just want to know the truth. Thanks. Semper FI

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
-Col.3:23-

 

[ea6bflyr]

Legal, QAO, AV/ARM, Training O, AOPS...SPO (Special Projects Officer).
ea6bflyr

 

[BYSun]

Hi EA-6B1,

I had the same curiosity when I got selected for NFO. Check out this website: <<http://www.safetycenter.navy.mil/statistics/navy/default.htm >>

I think either you friend was pulling your leg or someone was pulling his and he passed it along.

From all I can gather, Naval aviation is in fact one of the most POTENTIALY dangerous career paths out there. But due to this acknowledgement and the fact that he government invests a sickening amount of money in it aviation personnel and equipment, safety standards are an extreme priority.

I haven't even been to OCS yet ( I go this OCT) so perhaps some of you who are acutally in the fleet can verify, correct, discredit my two pennies. :>

Have fun,

Bryce

In the end it all comes down to a simple choice, get busy livin' or get busy dyin' - The Shawshank Redemption

 

[EA-6B1]

Thanks BYsun. Anyone else out there with their own comments? Semper Fi.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
-Col.3:23-

 

[esday1]

Good site. Check out the "photo of the week" archive on the left sidebar. Some of them are pretty funny (others are pretty serious).

"Peace on earth to men of goodwill. All others stand by."

 

[bunk22]

Let's see here, how about communications officer, ADP officer, Detachment Div-O, PAO, 1st LT, ARO, detachment AOIC, wardroom mess officer of about 150 officers

, schedules, and LSO.

 

[D_mac05]

Now, for you guys that listed some of your duties outside of being a naval aviator, were you responsible for multiple duties at once, or were you just "wardroom mess officer" then switched to Strike Officer, etc.? It sounds like in the fleet, you are always doing something. I guess there is no such thing as an 8-hour day as a Naval Aviator.

Also, how could you be Powerplant Officer, communications officer, HazMat Officer? Do they train you for these certain duties or what? You guys mentioned a WIDE variety of officer duties, many of whom had absolutely nothing to do with aviation. So, exactly how do they put you in charge of something that doesn't pertain to your track? (You're a NA. )

Thanks guys,

D

 

[BeanFighter]

Hey D Mac,
When you take the oath you become an OFFICER first and then a Naval Aviator. You swear that you will do some pretty serious stuff, example, give your life for your country... also you will obey the lawful orders of those in charge. What does all this mean?.. It means you will kick ass every day to know your flying profession so as not to become one of those statistics (I've known 7 good men who did) and you will do any other job(s) assigned to support the squadron/group/wing. Some jobs you will get a special school out of it but most will be learn as you go. All these jobs will be required for the smooth running of your unit and therefore YOU, the reason the unit is there. You are the one putting warheads on foreheads, pumping gas, hauling Marines, etc. Therefore the more involved you are in the unit, the better your unit will operate, the more effective you will be. Get it? You're not just a NA. You are the man that makes it happen. Take the oath...Make it happen.

 

[D_mac05]

BeanFighter, I think you are taking my post the WRONG way! I have absolutely NO problem helping out my squadron/group/airwing when I get commissioned. I am just trying to learn what to expect when the time comes of being a Naval Aviator. I have no doubt in my mind that I will kick ass everyday....that is part of being an Officer. I was just curious as to how you are put in charge of something that maybe you haven't had experience with. I fully understand that fighting for my country and being an officer is my number one priority. I accept that.

D