Originally Posted by
Roll Inverted and Pull
It was exactly the same in the Marine Corps, when I was in years ago. I expect it is the same today. I was a regular, joined as a cadet to fly airplanes. As I progressed up the ranks, it was evident that flying was a sideline, being a good administrator was the way to get promoted. Most of my buddies/squadron mates figured it out early and bailed. I was a bit slower, but finally realized that if I wanted to be a pilot instead of a desk jockey, the civilian world was the place to do it. Some things never change apparently. I spent 30 years at the airlines and enjoyed every minute of it (except check rides and ground school , of course).
Long time reader and first time poster. Just to add about the active duty Navy, this is exactly where they are going as well. Joint, joint, joint is the name of the game. It's very difficult to stay flying nowdays. I'm on my fourth flying tour and it is one of the main reasons I'm staying O-4. I'm going to try for a 5th flying tour as well. My last skipper had about 2000flt hours. The CO and XO should be the most experiened pilot in the squadron. He was experienced at joint tours not flying. He even requested to stop flying with the nuggets, even he knew he was pretty bad.