USMC,

I wasn't clear in my verbiage...sna's in the strike/fighter pipeline all carrier qualed. However, there was a time (mid to late 80s) where routine deployments by Marine squadrons on the carriers were not so routine. This led to some embarassing moments for senior capt/field grade when they had to qualify again after a long layoff. Memories of one Major at nite (we called him Sparky) led to his disqual. I was shooter on Lex from 86-89 and thought I saw it all. Luckily, I was absent for the tragic T2 approach turn stall into the flight deck.

As far as marines being pilots or aviators, I consider them a subset of Naval Aviation; hence, they are aviators. I know of no coasties that ever carqualled (they may have done so in the T28) since T34 days. I consider coasties aviators as well due to their topnotch training alongside their naval aviation brethren. Up until recently, though, they worked for the Dept of Transportation and not DOD. Now they work for Homeland.

Hope this clarifies my post.

Pilot7576