OCS, API and Primary were pretty much a blur. Didn't know much about the military, navy or naval aviation. Needless to say the information that I based my "choices" on was mostly rumors and hearsay. I felt pretty fortunate to select Kingsville on my way out the door from Primary and was happy to move the 45 miles down the road. Advanced went by just about as fast, had a good time for the most part. Was pretty much middle of the road as far as grades go. Selected S-3's and was pretty bummed.
However, the first time I drove across the Coronado Bridge on my way to Pacific Beach in the spring time I knew things weren't so bad. And once I got into the community and the aircraft I was truly happy that things had worked out the way they did. As my first shore tour was winding down it was time to start thinking about what's next. Slightly different decision than my buds in the airwing were making as mine had to do with taking a transition (and possibility for DH and a future in the 1310 community) or decline a transition and look for gainful employment elsewhere.
This was probably the most difficult decision I've made, ever. Mostly because it was the first time that I really put full effort into getting every bit of info that I could. Anyway, decided that Prowlers was the right choice for me for many, many reasons. Interestingly this decision was based more on lifestyle, location, promotion possibilities, etc. (as well as aircraft and mission) whereas everything up to this point was just platform.
However, the first time I drove across the Coronado Bridge on my way to Pacific Beach in the spring time I knew things weren't so bad. And once I got into the community and the aircraft I was truly happy that things had worked out the way they did. As my first shore tour was winding down it was time to start thinking about what's next. Slightly different decision than my buds in the airwing were making as mine had to do with taking a transition (and possibility for DH and a future in the 1310 community) or decline a transition and look for gainful employment elsewhere.
This was probably the most difficult decision I've made, ever. Mostly because it was the first time that I really put full effort into getting every bit of info that I could. Anyway, decided that Prowlers was the right choice for me for many, many reasons. Interestingly this decision was based more on lifestyle, location, promotion possibilities, etc. (as well as aircraft and mission) whereas everything up to this point was just platform.
You need to go instruct in T-45's after this, at least that would be my recommendation for you. That's probably my only issue with flying the COD's is that I didn't get a break between tours. Meaning get a chance to fly something else. I wanted T-2's or T-45's but was sent to the FRS regardless. Towards the end, as kmac is well aware of, I was burnt out. Fun stuff but flying the same mission, dealing with the same problems, etc for 8.5 years took its toll. A break in between, flying something different would have been a welcome relief.