P-3 C NFO life from OCS to end of duty

[BxHart36]

Hi all,

So I know there are a lot of forums about P-3's and NFO's, but I really am looking for someone to outline as much as possible about the life of a P-3 NFO. I want to know everything, from OCS through flight school, to duty assignment. Anything you can tell me. I'm a woman, just graduated college, and I think this is what I want to do...I don't see myself as a lifer, but for thenext 8-10 years, I think this is something I would love. But yeah. I want to know everything possible, the good, the bad, the ugly.

Thanks everyone!

 

[KCOTT]

sounds like a novel of information you're requesting

I'm sure you could search and find something, or request the P-3 subforum

 

[webmaster]

Here are some good threads to start looking around in:

What is it like to be an NFO? http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/what-is-it-like-to-be-an-nfo.32049/page-8

P-3 Orion Lifestyle http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/p3-orion-lifestyle.34561/

What do NFOs do? http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/what-nfos-do.16762/

What is so bad about P3s? http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/what-is-so-bad-about-p-3s.1803/

P3s whats the community like? http://www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/p-3s-whats-the-community-like.27479/

There are a couple good posts by commodoremid, but I didn't stumble across them in my quick search. Recommend you search her posts to find some good info.

For my two cents, I have experienced the good (multiple Hawaii tours), the VERY good (amazing operational flying, overland, real world subs, awesome dets), the bad (homecyle pain that is ARP and the micromanagement of the Wings, and the joys of upgrading), and the ugly (hard fill Japan anyone?).... overall I have really enjoyed my time in the P3 community, especially when I have seen that other communities have many of the same issues we have, but we do NOT have to contend with the BOAT. Add in the new airframe, P8A that the first squadron will transition to next year (VP16 then VP45), and you get the "new car smell" along with all the joys of the problems that come with a new platform. In my opinion, a good time for our community, a lot of first tour P3 NFOs and Pilots on this forum, I have done multiple tours in the community, and as a stinking hinge department head, any comment I have is to be distrusted automatically (or so they all will tell you)...

Best of luck in your decision,

John

 

[BxHart36]

John
Thank you very much, those links and your information are very helpful!
God bless!

 

[chrispaul]

BxHart,

After you read through the links that John posted, we'd love to have you come back here and post more specific questions we can answer. John's two cents are worth at least five in my book. There is good, bad, and ugly, but remember you're in naval aviation and therefore are involved with the best part of the Navy (IMHO).

I was not a lifer. After getting my wings, I chose P-3s to have a bit more stability than being tied to the boat. On my orders wish list, I put Moffett Field (San Francisco) as my very last choice - of course that is where the Navy stuck me. 6 months later the Navy decided to close Moffett and my squadron was moved to Hawaii, awesome!!! In 3 years I went from being a nugget kid to Mission Commander taking my crew on deployment and independent operations in foreign countries all over Asia and the Middle East. Did my 8 years, got my MBA on the Navy's dime, and became a civilian.

Those 8 years were some of the best years of my professional career. Sure there's a lot of crap to put up with, but hey, the Navy is paying you to do what others only dream of.

Can't wait to hear back from you.