Originally Posted by
propfails2FX
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In the Navy a common saying was, "The good guys get out". A lot less true in the USCG. And even less accurate in the RNZAF. The USCG and commonwealth air forces share a similar trait, the ability for aviators to stay in the cockpit for a longer part of their career.
And yet many times that a senior commander passes on all we hear about is what a great leader and teacher he was and how warriors would follow him into battle......case in point Lex - who didn't get out.
That is a popular saying by many frustrated with the situation and the process. MANY good ones get out. MANY good ones stay in. A sad few never get the chance one way or the other, and yes, a few that shouldn't make it do. It is life.
@ USMCFLYR, not sure if the flying WO program is still running. From what I remember it was open to P-3 and Helo communities.
Yes - that is what I remember of the program too but haven't heard hide nor hair of it since leaving.
I'm confused with your leads on saying the USCG pilots can stay in the cockpit longer than other services. Are you saying that it is common for a pilot in the USCG to rise in rank AND retire at 20 or more while *choosing* to stay in the cockpit or that there is some sort of WO-like flying track in the USCG? I know that some do their fair share of HQ staff tours and such; one that is trying to get on with FC and get gets the yearly mins because he is flying so little on his USCG HQ staff tour (C-130 background). Are different communities handled differently?
USMCFLYR