I changed the order of your comments so you might see our perspective. How would you even have the faintest idea what being a military helo pilot is like?

You might think we are being rough on you but if you do indeed gain the perspective we speak of you will see the absurdness of your first post and subsequent rebuttle.

As I stated earlier...search...read...learn. The info is there (more than we can relay to you). We will be happy to help once you make some effort. If you think that is too hard then it isn't for you.

I just don't think I want to be a helo pilot. I'm open to the idea, but I just don't think it appeals to me. If there is something I should know about being a helo pilot I will gladly hear it.

I'm sure it was quite absurd, but there is really no need for violent rebuttals.

Got it.

If you get stuck flying an F-16 getting "rockets" (generally called SAMs(surface to air missiles), is that going to be okay?

You can claim ignorance up to a point but your comment about getting shot at raised my eyebrows. Not so much for the helo part of it - more so for the getting shot at part of it.

You join the military to train and prepare for combat. A fighter is about as "front line" as you can get when it comes to military aviation. So, back to my question. Why is it that being in a helo getting shot at is bad? Because of the helo part or the getting shot at part?

I didn't like getting shot at, don't get me wrong. But that possibility wasn't a make or break factor in my decision to join. How about you?

I don't know. There are risks and rewards, so I really can't say.

Getting shot at is not fun. Like I said, its all about risk and reward. There are no ejection systems on slow, large, and vulnerable helos. I've always regarded flying helos as extremely dangerous. My friend's mom died in a helicopter accident last year, and that's without carrying a boatload of troops while dodging some filthy terrorist's shoulder launched missiles. If I have the wrong idea then please correct me, but it just doesn't sound good.

Yes, getting shot at is bad. I'm obviously willing to get shot at, or else I wouldn't be considering the military, but I would like to minimize getting shot at if that is possible at all.

Getting shot at will not make or break my factor to join, but what I do in the service will. If it involves a ton of getting shot at, then maybe I need to reconsider. Personally, I like my limbs where they are. Being a helicopter pilot seems unreasonably dangerous to me. Is this true? Or am I getting the wrong idea?

Flying airplanes, including ones with rotary wings, is dangerous. Period.

An ejection seat won't do much good if what broke your jet also broke you. And keep in mind, now you're no longer in a fast cool airplane, you're under a "slow, large and vulnerable" parachute. And you're now coming down directly over whatever made you decide to depart the aircraft. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you.

You don't want to fly helos, fine. But if you don't want to fly them out of a perceived sense of danger, you might want to rethink being a military pilot.

And no, if you go ROTC and don't get a pilot slot (or wash out) you won't be peeling potatoes. You might be sitting in a missile silo somewhere, but no peeling. And would it be that bad? Free college and you have a decent paying job while you work on your LSATs and get GI Bill for law school.

And to everyone else, kid wants to be a mlitary pilot but has unrealistic expectations. Gee, sound familiar? Like every pilot you know?

Howdy Blujay,
Thanks for your interest in joining the military as a pilot, or a lawyer. I appreciate your taking the time on here to ask some questions.

I am not a military pilot, always wanted to be, but my vision was not up to standards when I was a youngster. They've changed a few things regarding that, but mine is still pretty crummy uncorrected. Fine for civilian commercial flying though.

I am in the Army National Guard- enlisted, have deployed, but it was not very exciting, which was a good thing in many respects. I have served alongside other Guard Soldiers who have been in combat, and it affected many of them to great degree. Many people have made great sacrifices these last eight years, including their lives.

I hope you are not too put off by the replies you are getting. They are real, these wars we are fighting, and by coming on here you are instantly meeting online people of all kinds of backgrounds who have been, or are involved in them. Some are there right now. They are just trying to open your eyes to a rather harsh reality. Sometimes military people are pretty gruff as it is better than beating around the bush.

Please keep in mind that no matter what job you do in the military you may be exposed to hostile actions. That has been a hallmark of these conflicts. You don't have to be a pilot of any sort to be affected by them. In fact I believe some military lawyers have been killed in hostile action in the line of duty.

Also please keep in mind that no matter what job you do there will be things very akin to peeling potatoes. Jobs that kind of suck, but have to be done.

Well anyway, I just want to say thank you for you looking into joining the military in some capacity. I hope that whatever you choose to do in your young life that it works out well for you.

Cheers,
Sergeant K.T.

I'll speak from the USMC perspective:

If flying AH-1W/Z Cobra's - how does getting down and dirty and killing and maiming some of your nation's enemies with 2.75in/5in rockets, TOW/Hellfire missiles, or a 20mm gun sound (I won't mention the AIM-9 here)?
AH-1 SuperCobra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If flying CH-46E Sea Knights - how does taking Marine infantry into a hot LZ to close with and destroy your nation's enemies sound (oh...and possibly take out wounded Marines so that they can live to fight again)?
CH-46 Sea Knight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If flying CH-53E Super Sea Stallions - how about flying the free world's largest helicopter full of combat loaded Marines or carrying heavy equipment like Artillery to help support the Marines on the ground who are closing with and destroying your nation's enemies (or maybe rescuing down pilots)?
CH-53E Super Stallion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Scott O'Grady - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If any of the language above hits a nerve and/or you don't like how it sounds - then you aren't right for the USMC and doubtful for our fine US Army either! ;) Just remember this blujay - our job isn't to just to fly look good, wear flight suits, and talk with our hands (said partly tongue in cheek :cool:) - but our business, as FlyArmy said, is to be the pointy end of the spear and support the grunts/dogfaces on the ground in many different ways - almost all of which either entail direct offensive action or supporting offensive action.

USMCFLYR

I think you should look at the US Navy.
Right now being a Personnel Officer on a Submarine would meet your criteria. Serving your country while minimizing your risk of getting shot at - at least for now.
Seawolf class submarine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Military aviation is dangerous. Helos, fixed wing, props, Ospreys (whatever category they fall in now :eek:)
Maybe you should take a look at the thread in the Military section about the F-16 pilot that was lost last week on a training missions - at night out over the ocean. He joins at least 5 others I personally know of to have died at night over the Atlantic Ocean.

USMCFLYR

blujay,
Welcome aboard. Glad you are open minded enough to consider the armed forces. All the services are top notch. They each have a wonderful sense of comraderie. They will test you to your limits, but in that test, you will either fail or succeed. Either way, you will learn something valuable about your countries military (we are live flesh and blood human beings serving an all volunteer force in our still free Republic) and more importantly, yourself.
Your parents enjoy the freedoms to be anti-military because of folks like you and the other posters on this thread who choose to defend that right. You will quickly notice, that these military folks are independent thinkers are are not likely in any shape or form as your folks would paint us. We vigorously debate, but we also kick some serious a$$ as required as a team. It is a privilege to serve.
Give the consideration its due, if you have a sense of adventure, you will not likely regret the pursuit.
My suggestion, if able, associate with a Civil Air Patrol unit. That will give you some exposure to the type of folks that often go into service.
Would also recommend that you get your degree, join an ANG unit to fly with, then go to Law school after all your training. Once complete with your initial service obligations to the Guard, can practice law for your civilian job and fly Guard as well.
Good luck, I am Navy Reserve now, 20+ years in a Navy jets, now a hall closet desk type <g> but have service time in USAF and USMC, worked extensively with Army and Army Guard soldiers and a bit with our Coast Guard.
P.S Dont worry about the nausea. Like others posted, once acclimated, won't be an issue. It is usually that simple.
Good luck

*drool*

And that is exactly what draws me to being a pilot. Sure, gunning down terrorists in your shiny apache helicopter may be fun, but the thing that draws me to being a military pilot is flying, and not only flying, but flying the best airplanes our country has to offer in order to protect American lives. If I have to risk my own to do that, then so be it.