Good call. Far more career options as a pilot, you can do everything career-wise that a back-seater can, plus you get to fly airplanes, plus you typically get bigger retention bonuses, plus you can fly for the airlines if you eventually want to, plus you are generally less likely to get downsized from the military.

 

Heh...

That gouge came from a USAF MC-130 Nav.

 

Comedy writes itself.

voodiloquist

 

Okay, so I don't know everything about the career. But in a nutshell...



My source for your comedic pleasure.

"I do a h*** of a lot more than just "assist" the pilot, especially in air-land missions. I make sure we're on time, on target, safe from threats and within airspace boundaries. I calculate turn timing so we don't run into other aircraft in formations. I determine where we should be and how we are going to get there when we do an airdrop. I call the drop. When someone starts shooting at us, I deploy the chaff and flares and help call the evasive maneuvering. Navs do the "higher thinking" (math and related problems) so the pilot can get the plane where it needs to be. In high level, there is a lot less for me to do, but I'm primarily responsible for making sure we're not tooling off into the middle of nowhere. I keep track of the navigation equipment to keep track of malfunctions. If the INS or GPS goes tango uniform, I bust out the magic tricks that keep us on course. I monitor fuel levels. I do the route planning. If we have to divert, I figure our new course. Of course, most of what I've described is what we do in the C-130 world, one of the last places where the nav can run the show, but it should give you a pretty good idea of what the career field is all about."

 

What he said is actually correct, but the aircraft commander is always in command (pilot in command).

 

You're overthinking it, the only correct answer here is pilot, so SNA should be your choice. Personally I think flying the least desirable airframe beats the hell out of riding in the back of the sexiest airframe. As far as career progression goes, you will have many more opportunities as a pilot. Nobody wants to be a penguin.

 

Posted many times before, but still relevant. (and funny)


Bob Norris is 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 US 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.

12 Feb 04

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?"
USAF 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

 

It helps to have another set of eyes to say "hey - do you see that guy you are getting ready to hit?", but in my formation experience - it was ME looking outside with my hands on the stick and throttle that kept me from hitting any of my formation members

[/QUOTE]
As for the rest of it - I say again - how do those single-seat guys do it all???
I spent many a year in a single-seat airplane and now I'm in a crewed (with 3 crewmembers) King Air and VERY thankful for it!!

All communties have challenges - both in the airplane and on the ground.
There will be enough work (even if it is made up work) to keep everyopne busy.

You're a pilot. You want to be a military pilot and are working towards that goal. If for some reason it doesn't work out and you are afforded the opportunity to go NFO/Nav/CSO then take it in order to keep yourself in the cockpit and lok for another opportunity.

USMCFLYR

Btw - I had a little experience with the USMC-130s down in Australia one time. They were offering ride and I wasn't scheduled so I went along. It was a two ship low level to another airfield, some practice appraoches and landings for the 1stLt co-pilot and then back to Darwin. The Nav started out well on the low level with precise timing and calls for heading changes of just a few degrees. I was very impressed with this precision until about the thrid point on the route when the Nav, both pilots, and the flight engineer all lost SA as to where they were on the route! I was floored (and somewhat amused). One of the C-130 developed a problem so we canceled the scheduled app/ldg practice and headed back towards Darwin. The AC was going to let the CP have the trip home. The main runway was 09/27 and we were about 30 miles south I'd say when he was cleared to land (coming in from the south and lined up perfectly for the MUCH shorter Rwy 36). The CP had it in his head that he was going to land on 36 and I wanted so badly to reach over and tap the guy with a kind word of warning in his ear that he was lined up on the wrong runway and about to make a major mistake. The AC let him take it pretty darn far till he took over with a tinge of disgust in his voice and turned a tight right downwind for a full stop on 09. I'm glad I wasn't in the debrief

 

My mother wanted me to join the Air Force, because AF guys were always so polite. She did not want me to join the Marines (apologies to USMCFLYR) because they were always rude and foul mouthed in her view.

So there is some truth to what Hawk is saying!

For example, a classic scene from "The Great Santini" with Robert Duvall:



Another scene from "Strategic Air Command" with Jimmy Stuart:



I'm sure you see the difference! The Air Force takes itself a little too seriously sometimes!

 

no apologies required
Much lore (as the above) has roots in the truth!
Btw - my mother also wanted me to join the Air Force rather than the Marines!

USMCFLYR