HercAC

TACMED (Tactical Med Down) absolutely happens. I don't know how common it is but I knew of a couple of guys that were in Navy training with me (primary, intermediate/advanced strike) that would mysteriously get sick long enough to slip to a later class. You also had the guy that was doing well during TA-4 carrier quals that would purposely screw up a couple of passes in an attempt to avoid the much dreaded EA-6B assignment. You can bet someone is always out there trying to game the system.

bunk22

I know of one guy who did this back in my day. IMO, he was a ****bag for doing it. When you finish is when you finish. If you don't get what you want...it sucks...speaking from experience but that's life. I'm certain it still happens once in a while, the tactical med down but that's a half-ass way to do things.

USMCFLYR

If you are found to be doing this then Lord have mercy on your soul - both from the IPs and worse - from your peers. You WILL NOT live that down and that reputation will follow you for your entire career. I knew one who did it and he was a gouge hound and miser at the same time to boot. He once handed a gradesheet BACK to an instructor during Primary and told him that he thought he did better than the grades he gave him for the flight!!!
Luckily for the Corps and all of Naval Aviation - he didn't make it past FAMS in the T-2C. I'm not proud of the fact - but this person was the only fellow student who I did not want to finish flight school.

USMCFLYR

ryan1234

just to clarify guys... I'm not going to do this!!!

eersfanpilot

If you still decide to think about the Navy later I would suggest considering the E2. I see these guys everyday out in CA and I would love to fly that little thing. They haul ass coming in on practice touch-and-go's (if you could even call them that since they barely even touch the ground!).

Seems like a very fun and sporty plane to fly. They even do nearly 90 degree banks around the pattern. Looks like loads of fun.

Just a thought.

propfails2FX

[quote=Skyone;612682]Man, you newbies have it made in the selection process. Back in da day-way back, your pipeline was dictated after only (checking my logbook) 13 flights. Anyone with a private license was guaranteed jets. No questions. This all changed around '77 when they at least got you through BI before the selection process. And what nice airplanes to train in now, compared with tired T-34Bs, T-28s, TS-2As, for props and T-2s and TA-4s for jets. Great airplanes for the Warbird's section. Man if I could turn back the clock of time, I would do it all over again. Best memories ever.

With all do respect sir, you went props (Hercs or P-3s?) and carrier qual'd in two different types. How awesome.

I'd swap my Texan II time with your Trojan time in a heartbeat. Guess the grass is always greener. I sat in a T-28 this weekend and marveled at the size! A nicely laid out cockpit also.

Experimental, if you got a Guard slot think hard about taking it. I'm a Naval Aviation fan through and through, but nowadays it is very possible you could end up doing two out of three tours in a non-flying capacity (shore tour and disassociated). With the new 8 year post winging commitment, you'll be forced into a disassociated sea tour. So even if you do land a tour flying in the training command, your last 2 years in the Navy will probably be on a boat (Shooter, ANav, TAO).

If you make it to flight training for either mob (USN or ANG) stay humble and keep your civilian flying experience quiet. If you are asked directly by an IP or fellow stud, don't cover anything up. But absolutely avoid bragging about how much RJ time you have (and never say, "In the RJ we....."). Be the grey man and fully understand that countless civilian flying gurus have not done as well in training as some of their zero time having peers.

HercDriver130

prop makes a good point.... use your experience to your benefit.... but never ..EVER...EVER;;; say when I flew XXXX we did it this way...... if you do.....well nothing good can come of it.

BDGERJMN

HercAC, I have to raise the BS flag here. You show me a student in an orange and white airplane behind the boat for the first time who was A) good enough to throw some color to Paddles at will or B) had the nuts to do it, and beers for life are on me. I just don't think it happens....nobody at that level is that good or that cognizant of their grades to figure out they need to throw a bolter or settle into the ace...complete BS if you ask me.

HercAC

I suppose you don't think it's possible a Hornet CAT 1 must pump "is good enough to throw some color to Paddles at will or has the nuts to do it" to prevent being sent to a deployed squadron or foward deployed (Japan) either? After all he's behind the boat for the first time at night. Your BS flag up on that one also?

bunk22

One, you said TA-4 and not a CAT I Hornet driver. If a guy is throwing **** to get out of a deployment or aircraft, something is seriously wrong with that dude and he needs to be ejected from the program. I don't think a stud in an orange and white has the ability to show color, as you put it, behind the boat. His ability to barely get by is pure color anyway. I've been there done that and say not going to happen.