|
Marines
anyone a Marine pilot? or know anything about flying for the Marines?
|
Every Marine is a Rifleman...including pilots.
I have a family member who flies Harriers for the USMC. It's next to impossible to be a career pilot (if that is what you want.) Majority of the pilots fly rotary while the majority of fixed wing assets are Harriers, Hornets, and Hercs. The F-35 will come online sometime in the future. |
Originally Posted by mcartier713
(Post 205244)
anyone a Marine pilot? or know anything about flying for the Marines?
Right now regardless of aircraft, you can expect to be on a 6-18 month cycle, ie, 6 months overseas 6 months home (worst case for East coast Cobra's right now) to 6 months overseas then 18 months home (doesn't happen often right now). Most squadrons are closer to 6 over 12 back. Following is Hornet perspective. While you are home you will work about 12-14 hours a day, you will be expected to fly a cross country once a month. If you don't fly a cross country once a month you might get 8-10 hours a month, if you fly a cross country you can get 18-20 on average (10 hours over a weekend). While you are "home" you will not really be home, there will be 4-8 week dets to 29 Palms for CAX or Mojave Viper as they change the name of the excercise, various dets to Yuma, El Centro, Key West, etc (Obviously some can be fun others just work), and when you are not flying the 8-10 hours a month that you might get, you are studying, doing a ground job, studying, preparing for flight, and oh yeah, studying. You will get the crap kicked out of you in the ready room if you don't know your stuff, you will get the crap kicked out of you in the brief getting ready to fly if you don't know your stuff, you will get the crap kicked out of you during the flight if you don't know your stuff, and in the post flight debrief, yes, you will get the crap kicked out of you if don't know your stuff. That being said, from the 35 minute flight doing BFM (dogfighting) where you are spending your time between idle and afterburner, negative to 7.5 g's, to the 2 hour self escort strike where you pre-mission tank, then fight your way through the bad guys who outnumber you, destroy a target, and then fight your way home (once again outnumbered), to providing close air support for the grunts, it is the most exhilarating job known to man. Perhaps second to the job Ron Jeremy has, but besides that, pretty damn fun. You can climb out the jet and whether you were king kong or if you sucked on that flight you still learn something new every day, still feel a great sense of accomplishment, and look forward with longing to the next chance you get to rage around by yourself in a 35 million dollar jet. |
If you do end up flying Hornets, you'll also spend alot of time wondering to yourself, why didn' the Marines buy Superhornets. What Sig didn't tell you is that the F/A-18Ds are quickly running out of FLE(life expectancy) and the C's are running out of traps. So as they wait for 2013(yeah right) they will run out of airframes. Sad but true.
My .02 Bdger |
yeah, true. When I left the fleet we were only flying BFM for currency, 3 g's in the break... gotta save FLE...
BTW, when I came in, JSF was supposed to be here 2008. Now its 2013. Bdger, you know about the 33 pin processors in the JSF? (you're probably thinking "what's a 33 pin processor...which is exactly my point!!) |
Nor do I care, but I do know this, if the Marines had bought even one squadron worth of F's we'd have enough D's to train with for the foreseeable future in the C world and not degrade training because we don't have enough 2 seaters to train, instead we cut 2 seat hops out of the syllabus and call it good. And big Navy wonders why mishap rates are on the rise........less hours, replacing flight hours with sim time. I digress.
|
hmmm.. im asking because I know I want to fly "part-time" for the military, I just dont know which branch I want to pursue.
|
The Marines offer a great quality of life......for the citizens of this great country
It is different, you will work more, be home less, be abused every day and told that you were a mistake and they are going to call your recruiter and get them fired, but after all that you still would not trade a single day of your enlistment for any other branch. The sense of pride you feel, the bonds you make, the brotherhood is unlike anything I have ever seen in this world and you you wake up everyday with a great feeling of self worth. Somedays you wake up in the middle of the sand and you say "man, what the hell was I thinking" but then you get a reality check and get back to work realizing you are there because you chose to be there and every guy to your left and right would die for you in a second and will do everything in their power and even lose their lives to get you home to your wife and kids. I also compare it to being out in the rain in a sense as far as deployment...you start getting wet and it is miserable and it sucks and you are wet and cold but once you are soaked you just take it in stride and realize it cant get any worse and you actually start to have alot of fun. So if any of that sounds appealing then absolutely the Marines are for you..otherwise I think the airforce is looking for a few good airmen *absolutely not putting down any of my fellow servicemembers just have a special place for the Corps |
Originally Posted by mcartier713
(Post 205652)
hmmm.. im asking because I know I want to fly "part-time" for the military, I just dont know which branch I want to pursue.
Marines have reserves, but to get into a Cobra or Hornet reserve squadron, you already need to be a Cobra or Hornet pilot. ANG will train you and then you can hang out part-time. One other suggestion, if you do look into ANG, location is more significant than aircraft. Choose a place you like to live and won't have to commute instead of picking an aircraft that might be cool to fly. |
Got this in an email from a buddy of mine. Its funny, just remember Marine pilots are Naval Aviators, too, so most of the below applies.
The question of today - WHETHER TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE PILOT...... OR A NAVAL AVIATOR...... ******************************** The piece is written by Bob Norris, a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about U.S. Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following: 10 January 2006 Young Man, Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?" Air Force Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one. Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black Shoes(surface warfare) and Bubble Heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore. Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado. Banzai P.S.: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits. |
Originally Posted by sigtauenus
(Post 205757)
Got this in an email from a buddy of mine. Its funny, just remember Marine pilots are Naval Aviators, too, so most of the below applies.
The question of today - WHETHER TO BECOME AN AIR FORCE PILOT...... OR A NAVAL AVIATOR...... ******************************** The piece is written by Bob Norris, a former Naval aviator who also did a 3 year exchange tour flying the F-15 Eagle. He is now an accomplished author of entertaining books about U.S. Naval Aviation including "Check Six" and "Fly-Off". In response to a letter from an aspiring fighter pilot on which military academy to attend, Bob replied with the following: 10 January 2006 Young Man, Congratulations on your selection to both the Naval and Air Force Academies. Your goal of becoming a fighter pilot is impressive and a fine way to serve your country. As you requested, I'd be happy to share some insight into which service would be the best choice. Each service has a distinctly different culture. You need to ask yourself "Which one am I more likely to thrive in?" Air Force Snapshot: The USAF is exceptionally well organized and well run. Their training programs are terrific. All pilots are groomed to meet high standards for knowledge and professionalism. Their aircraft are top-notch and extremely well maintained. Their facilities are excellent. Their enlisted personnel are the brightest and the best trained. The USAF is homogenous and macro. No matter where you go, you'll know what to expect, what is expected of you, and you'll be given the training & tools you need to meet those expectations. You will never be put in a situation over your head. Over a 20-year career, you will be home for most important family events. Your Mom would want you to be an Air Force pilot...so would your wife. Your Dad would want your sister to marry one. Navy Snapshot: Aviators are part of the Navy, but so are Black Shoes(surface warfare) and Bubble Heads (submariners). Furthermore, the Navy is split into two distinctly different Fleets (West and East Coast). The Navy is heterogeneous and micro. Your squadron is your home; it may be great, average, or awful. A squadron can go from one extreme to the other before you know it. You will spend months preparing for cruise and months on cruise. The quality of the aircraft varies directly with the availability of parts. Senior Navy enlisted are salt of the earth; you'll be proud if you earn their respect. Junior enlisted vary from terrific to the troubled kid the judge made join the service. You will be given the opportunity to lead these people during your career; you will be humbled and get your hands dirty. The quality of your training will vary and sometimes you will be over your head. You will miss many important family events. There will be long stretches of tedious duty aboard ship. You will fly in very bad weather and/or at night and you will be scared many times. You will fly with legends in the Navy and they will kick your ass until you become a lethal force. And some days - when the scheduling Gods have smiled upon you - your jet will catapult into a glorious morning over a far-away sea and you will be drop-jawed that someone would pay you to do it. The hottest girl in the bar wants to meet the Naval Aviator. That bar is in Singapore. Bottom line, son, if you gotta ask...pack warm & good luck in Colorado. Banzai P.S.: Air Force pilots wear scarves and iron their flight suits. Plenty of threads have already addressed this "rivalry" and I wont go there again(Hacker I know you're out there somewhere). The bottom line is Sig is right if you want to do the part time gig, the ANG is really the only way to go. To my knowledge any USN/USMC reserve outfit, like Sig has said, requires you to already have your wings in that service or have had similar training in the AF/CG(e.g. Coast Guard Herc guy gets picked up for the USN reserve C-130 outfit in Andrews, F-15/F-16 guy gets picked up by a reserve Hornet squadron), you get my point. I would seriously caution you on using the Military as a stepping stone to build time. There must be a greater good out there in your mind before you sign the dotted line. The willingness to deploy for however long your reserve/Guard unit deploys must be there not to mention service to the country. I have met plenty of dudes in the Club across the world who were doing just that and bad mouthing/complaining while doing it. That's their perogative certainly, but I don't necessarily think its the best means to an end. Again, my .02. |
Originally Posted by BDGERJMN
(Post 205765)
Plenty of threads have already addressed this "rivalry" and I wont go there again
|
Originally Posted by mcartier713
(Post 205652)
hmmm.. im asking because I know I want to fly "part-time" for the military, I just dont know which branch I want to pursue.
As far as the Marines, if you have to ask, it ain't for you. You had better want to be a Marine first before a Marine pilot because you will be, by default, a Plt or Co commander who happens to fly aircraft. The bottom line is no matter which branch you try and fly in, you better want to be there to serve your country first. There's a lot of BS to deal with along the way and you will burn out fast otherwise. |
yeah I have absolutely no problem with wanting to serve my country, I would take pride and honor to do so. I have wanted to be a solider ever since I was a little kid and in no way would use it as a "time building" method.
|
what about Civil Air Patrol? can this even be mentioned in this thread? heh
|
Hi MC713,
I am a Marine pilot of 11 years and have flown helicopters and fixed wing (not jets). Most of the threads are right on. As for the reserves, most USMC are grabbing only guys that were prior in the USMC and not new hires off the street. There are too many active duty guys leaving to that can fill the reserves and the USMC reserve program is still in the developing stages. As for new hires for the other services, they are getting deployed "activated" quickly after they become winged aviators for some time. I train a lot of AF C-130 and C-17 guys. While I have really enjoyed my time, I even am going to depart the pattern and fly for the reserves in a training command (a potential good deal). Things change constantly right now and knowing what I know, I would keep pressing ahead with the civilian route unless you can get on with a AF guard unit and then be prepared to deploy several times. I you and your family are prepared for this, then best of luck if not...standby. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. |
Originally Posted by Slice
(Post 205970)
The guard is no longer a weekend flying club. Heavies fly a lot and have more opportunities to get deployed. Fighter currency requirements will have you at the squadron 7-10 days a month. So, if you think you're gonna do 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer forget it. You'll also have 2-4 years of full-time training and seasoning in the guard before you become a "part-timer".
The one unfortunate thing that you're off on is the seasoning days. We're broke...especially in the AF and Navy. I think 2 years maybe the max you'll see...and anymore than that of orders is really pushing it. |
Originally Posted by sigtauenus
(Post 205792)
Hope that wasn't unwelcome. 90% of my family is in, was in, or are retired from, the USAF.
|
Originally Posted by scrapdog
(Post 206376)
The one unfortunate thing that you're off on is the seasoning days. We're broke...especially in the AF and Navy. I think 2 years maybe the max you'll see...and anymore than that of orders is really pushing it. |
Originally Posted by scrapdog
(Post 206379)
Right sig...I guess I'll just disregard your PM to me about wanting so badly to get into the AIR FORCE AIR NATIONAL GUARD then. Don't you have a bo-at and some hotbunking to go do? :eek:
|
"The Marines offer a great quality of life......for the citizens of this great country"
That line can't go unnoticed!!!!! It should be a bumper sticker....if it isn't already. Thanks USMC-SGT |
Lots of good things said here. Our unit does not hire "off the street," and hasn't for some time. I agree with Scrapdog...don't go to the Guard/Reserve to "take a break" these days. If you join our unit, you need to bring it or you'll be unwelcome. I think Guard/Reserve units right now are like USC football...talent is coming to us, not vice versa. We have more people knocking on the door than we can talk to, and it's like that with every F-16 unit I know of. Eagle units are similarly manned....the F-15C squadron at Klamath Falls is absolutely loaded with top-notch experienced fighter pilots. It's getting tougher to get a Guard UPT slot, and it's getting tougher to "just leave AD and join the Guard."
That said...best decision I ever made. I loved the AD Air Force (still do), but I really love the Guard. And I've still never worn a scarf. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:29 AM. |
Website Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands