Quote:
Originally Posted by Blackhawk
First, he statement that it’s just as hard to go from RLO to warrant versus the other way is crap. Normally as a WO you have to go to OCS if you wish to cross over. RLO to warrant it’s much simpler. Yeah, they make you redo the advanced course for CW3... because it’s SOOO different. 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
PLs getting experience. It’s a balancing act. Aviation is probably the only branch that does not insist it’s officers be tactically and technically proficient. Yeah, we give it lip service. But if you look at other branches they live it. Try being a successful infantry officer without a ranger tab. Possible, but it’s an uphill battle. Armor without being a master gunner. Aviation? Not so much. Look at how few commissioned officers go to the IP course. I was one of a handful and that was dumb luck.
Yes, you can lead without having flight time. But how well can you employ your assets?
Just look at the Karbala fiasco, essentially a rehash of Lam Son 719. But of course it was. Aviation officers don’t study Lam Son 719. They study Chickamauga instead. “What is Rosencrans had an AH-64.”
Rant over.
So... maybe if the Army didnt have a dual class system (i.e. No Warrants) and ran their aviation like the other FOUR services; the leaders would have an opportunity to actually learn their trade... BEFORE they were, In Charge? Or do we just *have* to be different because we know better?
Kind of like the Army’s need to wear two piece flt suits.... unlike any other branch? At 4 Times the cost. Just one small nonsensical thing that makes you shake your head.
To be clear, there is no one size fits all. I’ve had lots of Great RLO’s and Warrants in my career. I made a choice an knew the ramifications before I started my path. I have little sympathy for a LT that comes up to the end of the PL time and freaks out because they are going to sit at a desk. Do I think they should leave me? H3LL NO. I want them to stay flying. ALOT. If anything, moonlight as an Asst S-3. Sometimes good guys (O-2’s leaving Platoon time) got a bum deal and sat in an S-1,S-2,asst. S-3, S-4 position and never flew. Waste a good Aviator IMHO. Why do we have an Adjutant Branch, Military Intel Branch, or Ordnance Branch then?! When I brought this up to a LTC Battalion CDR I was told the poor LT’s had to learn how the Army worked outside of aviation before they took command....(WTF? this in an RLO made debacle)
My salty Warrant Officer response was: “So, instead of leaving my future leaders with me so I can train them to do their ACTUAL JOB, you take them away from us and teach them stuff your Army trained other LT’s to do as their primary job?! So this whole thing is nothing but a situational training exercise for your types as we lowly ‘do-ers’ mire along like the pony express in reverse continually re-learning lessons for a career as LT’s and CPT’s move along in their careers?”
It is very frustrating to put so much time and effort in only to see your great LT/buddy leave for a silly job others spend a career doing.
It is a broken system.
Just my little rant.