Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
Are they Staff Corps like they are in the USN?
If so then they join in a specialized service and are not Line Officers - like pilots. I'll use JAGs as an example. You may join because they told you they needed experienced prosecutors in the JAG, but when you are selected, trained, and into the fleet you end up doing Legal Service and Defense work and then other associated staff jobs. In other words - you sign on the dotted line to be an officer in the US military for a certain number of years. They can put you where they best see use for you.USMCFLYR
They aren't. They get some incentives due to "the needs" much like flight pay or hazard duty pay. They stay in their career field. Your example of the JAG, although not what he was told, he is at least still doing work within his career field. Ie, things a Lawyer would do. For a pilot, not the case. Don't get me wrong, I did sign on the dotted line, I served as they saw fit. And I get they can put me where they want to use me. I just find it difficult that putting an aviator anywhere else but aviation(considering the time and money put into the trained product) when they have units that can't keep their combat rating due to lack of bodies. But once someone meets his or her initial commitment, no one can fault them to take an active part in their future.
Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
these *pilots* would have spent 10 years only in the cockpit and then be taken out and put into various important staff billets without any other experience? Nah....I think the answer here still lies in the selective track option.USMCFLYR
I'm not against the selective track thing. Just because a pilot is still flying doesn't mean there aren't additional duties associated to get the experience you are looking for. This is very common in the Air Force. Not saying it is right or wrong, but why would you have all of the additional training and have a 10 yr commitment and then have half of it not be in the career field. Are there that many jobs that an 0-3 should do that an 0-4 couldn't if they need the experience?
Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
seemed that the avenue of using experienced pilots or even UPT graduates was a knee jerk reaction required due to a huge uptick in the use and needs of UAV in the current conflicts. They got caught behind the manpower-vs-requirement power curve and turned to the first source of qualified people they could to fill the void. Isn't there a specific UAV training track now or are pilot candidates still getting UAV on your drops?USMCFLYR
It was a knee jerk reaction due to the huge void in required personnel. They are still stealing from current pilots and UPT grads. Not only do you get to go there, but the bridge is burned behind you, never to return. This is why I say serve your commitment and then see what works for you. That is why the guard worked for me. Flew the entire time, able to be in fight supervision, and still deploy to make a difference.