NSS/Selection Question

[insanebikerboy]

My wife posed this question to me the other day and I have no clue, disregarding the black magic that makes up the NSS anyways.

Here it is, do the seperate parts of primary weigh more towards one platform than the others? For example, will being Sh*t hot on instruments tend to look better for one platform as compared to being a great forms flyer, aerobatics, etc.

Or, is it just an issue of getting the best NSS possible and then hoping you get your first choice?

Oh, and no, this isn't the "what are my chances of getting jets" question hidden beneath it all. My long a*s legs have me anthro'd out of that pipeline, and I wanted to fly helos anyways!!

 

[ArkhamAsylum]

As far as this SNA knows, there's no direct correlation between certain events and aircraft selected. Since humans, not computers, make the decisions, they may very well look into strengths and weaknesses in the case of tie-breakers. Hopefully, there's a squadron XO on the board that can give the no-bull answer you seek.

 

[Fongabonga]

I've tried to analyze the whole NSS thing the whole time through primary and to answer your question, yes, different parts of primary weigh heavier than others simply because there are more graded items for that phase of training.
If I remember correctly, typical MIF(from the people I've spoken to) for contacts was about 800 or so, Instruments 1900, Form 8-900, Nav 3-400. So as you can see, Instruments make up a bulk of it, hence it weighs more.

 

[Fly Navy]

They will consider different parts of Primary for platform selection. For example, if you're just sh!tty at formation, you're not going to end up in the jet pipeline... or a poor instrument pilot will also not end up in the jet pipeline.

 

[S.O.B.]

They will consider different parts of Primary for platform selection. For example, if you're just sh!tty at formation, you're not going to end up in the jet pipeline... or a poor instrument pilot will also not end up in the jet pipeline.

Yea they send the poor sh1tty pilots to the HTs.

 

[Fly Navy]

Yea they send the poor sh1tty pilots to the HTs.

I never said that.

The fact is, if you can't fly formation you're not flying jets. If you are a weak instrument pilot, you sure as sh!t aren't going to a single seat pipeline.

 

[ChunksJR]

Yea they send the poor sh1tty pilots to the HTs.

And the VPs...

 

[S.O.B.]

They will consider different parts of Primary for platform selection. For example, if you're just sh!tty at formation, you're not going to end up in the jet pipeline... or a poor instrument pilot will also not end up in the jet pipeline.

So what you meant was that they sent them to the dirigible program? OK. That makes more sense.

 

[Junior]

Form was my worst block in my primary and here I am.

 

[gregsivers]

I never said that.

The fact is, if you can't fly formation you're not flying jets. If you are a weak instrument pilot, you sure as sh!t aren't going to a single seat pipeline.

I can see where you're coiming from, but forms are such a small part of the program in the grand scheme. I kind of see it as being hard to totally dismiss someone cause they didn't learn forms in 5 flights. But I've been wrong before.

 

[Pags]

I can see where you're coiming from, but forms are such a small part of the program in the grand scheme. I kind of see it as being hard to totally dismiss someone cause they didn't learn forms in 5 flights. But I've been wrong before.

From what I gleaned from the IPs in the VTs when I went through the process was that there are certain areas that they look at very closely that can be make or break areas for the jet pipeline. As previously mentioned, these areas were instruments and forms. That's why you should get as much extra time in the sim as possible to help your RI grades. Also, I found if you let it be known that you'd like to be a jet guy, they scrutinize you a bit closer and work with you and push you a bit more. My form partner wasn't big on jets, and even though we were in the same section, he seemed to have a more relaxed flights. I ended up flying most of my form flights with an ex-hornet driver turned hog driver who pushed me to do well, and then rewarded me in the grades. of course, good timing and luck at the time of selection also helps.

There's a form that accompanies your selection card that carries your on-wing, flight lead, and COs recommendations on it. I forget what the categories are, but it's something along the lines of "highly recommend", "recommend", "reservations", and "don't recommend". These take into account your desires, so if you have made it clear that you don't want, say VP, then they wouldn't recommend you as highly for it, plus they also take into account your abilities that might not be reflected in your grades. Things like attitude and desire.

 

[Gatordev]

There's a form that accompanies your selection card that carries your on-wing, flight lead, and COs recommendations on it.

Interesting. I've never seen such a card, nor have I filled one out. Not saying it didn't exist for you, but that may have been a local (squadron) tool.

 

[Fly Navy]

I can see where you're coiming from, but forms are such a small part of the program in the grand scheme. I kind of see it as being hard to totally dismiss someone cause they didn't learn forms in 5 flights. But I've been wrong before.

No one is "good" at forms after 5 flights, but some people will be better than others. Some will be unsafe, some safe but completely timid (had one girl who would never be in position, she'd be flying a cruise position for parade basically), and some who pick it up faster. In GENERAL, those who pick it up faster will fair better as far as jet selection goes. Jets = life in formation. No question about it. What's the make-or-break in T-45s? Break-up and Rendezvous. Can't do that, you can't fly a jet. (Well, that and CQ)

@Junior: May have been your worst block, but was it better than your peers? That's what counts. Performance without reference is not performance.

 

[GT Propjock]

Interesting. I've never seen such a card, nor have I filled one out. Not saying it didn't exist for you, but that may have been a local (squadron) tool.

I know these existed at the squadron I was at going through primary, as I ended up seeing mine, and my Class Advisor told me what he put into it. It does have a bearing on selection for that squadron, or at least did when I went through.

 

[Pags]

Interesting. I've never seen such a card, nor have I filled one out. Not saying it didn't exist for you, but that may have been a local (squadron) tool.

yeah, when i was typing that I was wondering if an IP would call me out for bad gouge...but I saw mine, so it might have just been a VT-3 thing.

gator, i was under the impression that along with your NSS, Big Navy also gets a COs rec and that it carries a lot of weight. is that legit?