Originally Posted by
Pilot7576
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
It does - thanks.
I was just after that timeframe - '89.
You get what I was referring to when I said they were BOAT qual'ed though right - NOT carrier qual'ed. Just trying to give those helos guys a pat on the back form landing on those rolling ships.
I requal'ed after a few years lay off. The 1,500 hrs+ in the airplane helped me the second time around!
No. The crease was a temporary and completely idiotic addition spearheaded by Gen McPeak shortly after receiving his Flag Officer Lobotomy. It went away shortly after he did.
So the crease did come from McPeak (USAF)?
You are right it is HUGE - the other services have not always considered the flight suit a uniform. I lived through times where you couldn't wear one through the gate (NAS Cecil/NAS Jacksonville '93-'94) for example. In later years we were finally allowed to wear them where the other Marines could wear cammies (to get gas or a diapers) on the way home from the base. Now I see them everywhere. Quite a few AF guys at 'Twin Peaks' yesterday for lunch
I've heard the hooroe stories and having to CHANGE INTO a flight suit to go flying, and then CHANGE BACK OUT for the remainder of the day. YIKES!
