planecrazyjenn

If you really wanted me to, I could spend hours talking about serving for the real mission. I'm not out to "impress guys" or show them up. I just simply wanted some opinions. I don't need anyone to be PC, or sugarcoat their feelings...and for those who've responded, thank you all.

As for the real mission, I am a firm believer that this topic should be primary consideration when applying for a UPT position...and that even goes to being a crew chief. Sure the TDY's and all are fun, but the mission does come first. That's why we continuously train and study new systems, both pilots and maintenance...to stay on top of our game. When the time comes for a deployment we are ready to go anywhere needed and get the job done right. I just transfered to a unit that has another airframe, and at first they weren't sure if I was going on the AEF trip because I came off of another airframe...but I want to go, and have busted my a** off to get a slot on this trip. I will do whatever is needed to go on this trip.

I haven't been able to log on in a few days to read all the new posts. I'm sorry if I come off as being a little angry now. To say I have no passion for the real mission really pulls my chain. I haven't seen a darn dollar of my college benefits, and have only seen about half of my bonus. Having said this, if I knew that before I joined...I still would have. I didn't join for the bonus, college money, etc - though they are nice benefits...I joined because serving is my calling. Serving the mission is MY choice, not the influence of recruiters or commercial ads. I knew from my earliest days I'd work with fighters, and sure enough I'm making it happen. Without maintenance, you wouldn't fly. I have no regrets on anything I've done thus far and look forward to oneday moving into the cockpit.

ReCAL, as for your comments. Thanks. I agree that the whole pregnancy issue is a real touchy one. If I had my way, women wouldn't deal with it for 9 months...not real fun.

As for everyone else, thanks again. I don't want to see any fights break out in here...just asked a simple question.

reCALcitrant

Jenn,

Sounds like you have your **** together. I would be proud to have you as a Crew Cheif. Opinions are just that. Mine means no more/no less than anybody else. If you have a dream to fly fighters, make it happen. Good Luck.

Nortonious

Fights? This is light action. You need to try keeping control of a 4vX debrief sometime. And I have to disagree with the "simple" label. Your initial question(s) dive into a fairly complex if not often controversial topic as evidenced by the many thoughtful and honest responses you have received.
Jenn, read carefully before your react. Like I said before "Maybe you've got it and it hasn't come up"...so now you've elaborated.
Not sure where this is coming from. Like ReCAL, I would be proud to have you as a crew chief. Any military pilot (not just fighter pilot) worth their salt has tremendous respect for all the hardworking MX troops.

Good luck with your quest.

planecrazyjenn

By fight, I mean having a bunch of pilots arguing over whether or not females should be flying. That was never the intention, nor would I compare it to any REAL fight. I am fine with the thoughtful and honest responses received. They will make me a better person.

Thanks for the respect towards maintenance. That's not a personal statement towards you, there are many pilots who treat maintenance like absolute crap...their attitude wouldn't keep me from doing my job 110% but the views some pilots show, are irritating.

TonkaF16

Jenn,

There's a good reason there is only one #1 (flight lead) in a fighter flight (despite the quals of the individual members in the flight), and that's because no one gives a crap what #4's opinion is as to grind or wall against a three group champagne, this is where we are going with this discussion.

Everyone has an opinion and you have received ample and well qualified comments from numerous highly experienced and skilled combat aviators. One of the guys that responded was my first weapons officer back in RTU and has a wealth of knowledge about the subject.

Let's address the REAL question at hand:

1. Is your CGPA WELL above average (average isn't going to cut it in the fighter world, too many highly qualified applicants with a dream, the minority thing will be factored in of course, welcome to the world of "equality")
2. What is your AFOQT score and is it competitive (80-90's across the board), yeah that includes verbal and the math section not just Pilot and Nav
3. Do you have the respect of your CC and most importantly your direct supervisors that see your work ethic every day?
4. Are you the crew chief that the CC loves but never has a dirty uniform from doing real work (I said it, I've seen this guy at a couple different assignments, always looking sharp and rushing over to talk to the O’s but never seems to get down and do the hard work when no one is looking, especially when it’s butt A$$ cold out side)
5. Will they (your bosses from your direct NCO supervisor to your CC and above) go to bat for you and write letters (in needed 5 back in the day)
6. Have you taken the imitative to get your ratings on your own time and dollar (total time and civilian ratings are factored in on the BAT score)
7. Is your record clean (no LOCs, No LORs, No Article 15s)
8. Have you been an EEO complaint waiting to happen since joining the AF?
9. Are you respected at your present position, by this I mean are you red X qualified, are you a 7 level or at least a 5 level working on your 7 level. BL, are your military/mx qualifications commensurate or above those in your peer group (leadership is evident on all levels and excellence early in ones career is a proven indicator of a greater potential down the road) we do not need AF officers that when enlisted just plugged along collecting a check and then expect to magically learn to be leaders once there is a gold bar on their shoulder.

I've put three guys in the OTS pipeline, two are now active flyers in the AF, and the other is smarter is working acquisitions at Wright Patt, these dudes possessed all the qualities of which I speak and have excelled.

Long story short, opinions are great, square checked, now who really cares about what anybody else thinks about female fighter pilot, the female pilot I DO NOT want to go to combat with is the one that spends her waking hours wondering what everyone else thinks about her rather than how we can emasculate the enemy. Trust me, when you come home and look at your targeting pod footage of a GBU-24 meeting and greeting some our insurgents friends they ARE emasculated, separated from their hopes of killing more Americans, sliced and diced, and the impact location is now ready for new construction. Let your targeting pod footage be the REAL grade of why you should be there instead of the 100 or so other people that would do anything to be in that position.

I’ll leave you with this:

The best Airmen, make the best NCO’s, the best of both of these make great O’s
The best wingmen make the best Flight Leads, the best Flight Leads make the best IP’s
Whatever you are currently doing, be the best and people will bend over backwards to support you.

Didn’t mean to make this sound like a rant, but wanted you to drop the “can I have your opinion” BS early in your career because anyone that’s going to kick butt doesn’t need anonymous opinions online to pursue a dream (and a damn good career).

Best of luck,

Tonka

TonkaF16

Maybe next time I'll spell check.

planecrazyjenn

lol. No worries about the spell check.

I appreciate the input. I don't so much care about what others think...as just trying to figure out why all the negative talk comes about. I agree that finding a crew chief with the traits above is important. By hearing your opinions early, it'll help me to not become one of those pilots that you dread flying with. BTW, I'm known for walking around with grease on my face...and though I'll walk in with an ironed uniform, my uniforms look like hell by the end of the day. I take great pride in what I do, and my jet...and personally I'd rather smell like an A-10 then some fancy expensive scent. I'm lucky enough to say I have the second best job in the world - second to flying.

Again, thanks a ton for your input. That goes for all. Everyones input has been valued. I think I've heard enough on the topic to come to a valid conclusion on all the hype. That's about all from my side. Thanks again.

Deuce130

I bet Mr. Planecrazyjenn just loves that. "Gee, honey, you smell great...what is that, JP-8 and pantene?"

planecrazyjenn

Ah, Mr. planecrazyjenn is also a crew chief... While he likes JP-8, I think hydraulic fluid is more of his thing though.

Spongebob

Actually, the worst instance I saw of "second", "third", "fourth" and "fifth" chances was a guy. Bottom of the airwing, downright scary behind the boat... got a "do over" at the FRS and orders to another squadron. He downed a flight at the FRS and never got to the other squadron. He tried to kill me one night - the only time I ever swapped seats because I didn't think the 3P would get us aboard.

Overall, the standards are pretty uniform at the boat from what I've seen.

Jenn.. check this site out: http://www.fighterchicks.com/

Good Luck,
Spongebob