Marine Corps or Navy

I am interested in pursuing a career in the Navy or Marine Corps,
quite possibly as an Aviation officer. I recently met with a former
Army officer, and he was telling me about parts of a military career
that I didn't know about. For example, he mentioned that you can
become a "military attache" in another country. He also mentioned
embassy duties and working in the Pentagon. How hard are these kind of
tours to get? Is there a difference Navy vs. Marines?

My other question was, in your experience, do the Naval Academy grads
fly up the ranks faster than the NROTC guys (or OCS)?

I'm not fit enough to be a Marine right now, but if I decide I want to
go down that path, I will start to get into shape. Any other things
that I should think about? My reason for asking is I need to check the
Marine or Navy box on the NROTC application, and if I feel like I want
to be a Marine, a few other important college options would open up
for me.

Thanks!

On 10/21/03 2:46 PM, in article
, "
wrote:

I am interested in pursuing a career in the Navy or Marine Corps,
quite possibly as an Aviation officer. I recently met with a former
Army officer, and he was telling me about parts of a military career
that I didn't know about. For example, he mentioned that you can
become a "military attache" in another country. He also mentioned
embassy duties and working in the Pentagon. How hard are these kind of
tours to get? Is there a difference Navy vs. Marines?


Keep in mind that these things he's telling you about are jobs you can apply
for once you are in the military. You don't just say, "I'd like to do
that." And then go there. You are assigned.

Also, keep in mind, you're talking to an Army officer about Navy or Marine
Corps career paths which are quite different. For instance, as a pilot, you
wouldn't necessarily go to an attache job until you either (a) elect to or
(b) are forced into a "twilight" tour. Other than that, most pilots *try*
to stay in the cockpit because they love to fly, the the really good ones,
never leave the cockpit.

My other question was, in your experience, do the Naval Academy grads
fly up the ranks faster than the NROTC guys (or OCS)?


No, Boat School guys don't necessarily rise to the top faster. Sometimes
higher when nepotism is the only tie-breaker, but definitely not faster.
The easiest way to a commission is NROTC. The most fool-proof way to get
the job you want (at least it used to be) is AOCS, because USNA and NROTC
dudes don't necessarily get guaranteed aviation until they graduate. As an
AOCS guy, as long as I physically qualified, I had a pilot slot upon
graduation 14 weeks later... in writing.

I'm not fit enough to be a Marine right now, but if I decide I want to
go down that path, I will start to get into shape. Any other things
that I should think about? My reason for asking is I need to check the
Marine or Navy box on the NROTC application, and if I feel like I want
to be a Marine, a few other important college options would open up
for me.

Thanks!

Start now. Being in shape--i.e. no gut and being able to repeat 6:00 miles
makes life easier for you. Granted, it's not required, but it will take
some stress off once you get there.

Keep in mind also, that only about 10-15% (roughly) of a shrinking USMC
aviation program is jets. It's more like 35-40% of the Navy
program--especially with the demise of the maritime patrol community. The
Navy is your better percentage bet if you want to fly jets.

--Woody

......as a pilot, you wouldn't necessarily go to an attache job until you either (a) elect to or
(b) are forced into a "twilight" tour. Other than that, most pilots *try*
to stay in the cockpit because they love to fly, the the really good ones,
never leave the cockpit.

When I was in the marines, way back in the 1950s, an enlisted pilot in
my squadron, M.Sgt Benny Phipps, had done a tour as a pilot at an
embassy in Europe--I forget which one. He flew the ambassador around.

But you have to keep in mind that only an infinitessimal percentage of
pilots will get such duty.

vince norris

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 21:07:46 GMT, "Doug \"Woody\" and Erin Beal"
wrote:

On 10/21/03 2:46 PM, in article
, "
wrote:



My other question was, in your experience, do the Naval Academy grads
fly up the ranks faster than the NROTC guys (or OCS)?


No, Boat School guys don't necessarily rise to the top faster. Sometimes
higher when nepotism is the only tie-breaker, but definitely not faster.
The easiest way to a commission is NROTC. The most fool-proof way to get
the job you want (at least it used to be) is AOCS, because USNA and NROTC
dudes don't necessarily get guaranteed aviation until they graduate. As an
AOCS guy, as long as I physically qualified, I had a pilot slot upon
graduation 14 weeks later... in writing.

Just to pick a nit ... would it be more accurate to say that you had a
slot in flight school, rather than a 'pilot slot', upon graduation?

There is a non-zero washout rate from just about any specialty
training.

On 10/22/03 7:16 AM, in article ,
"David Phillips" wrote:


Just to pick a nit ... would it be more accurate to say that you had a
slot in flight school, rather than a 'pilot slot', upon graduation?

There is a non-zero washout rate from just about any specialty
training.


Pick a nit if you like. To be totally accurate:

I had a Student Naval Aviator quota--(i.e. not SNFO, AI or AMDO) *IF* I was
physically qualified for it. What I was able to do in flight school is
entirely another row of corn, but I personally never considered failure (or
washing out) as an option.

--Woody

Keep in mind also, that only about 10-15% (roughly) of a shrinking USMC
aviation program is jets. It's more like 35-40% of the Navy
program--especially with the demise of the maritime patrol community. The
Navy is your better percentage bet if you want to fly jets.

Is there any actual idea when the Navy, Air Force and Marines are
going to get these F-something Joint Strike Fighters? And also, when
are they going to start training pilots on them?

wrote in message
om
Keep in mind also, that only about 10-15% (roughly) of a shrinking
USMC aviation program is jets. It's more like 35-40% of the Navy
program--especially with the demise of the maritime patrol
community. The Navy is your better percentage bet if you want to
fly jets.

Is there any actual idea when the Navy, Air Force and Marines are
going to get these F-something Joint Strike Fighters? And also, when
are they going to start training pilots on them?

The first aircraft will begin delievring around 2005-06. But that's for
testing -- only experienced pilots will be flying them at that point.
Initial Operating Capability (roughly when the operating force has enough
aircraft for a full operational squadron) comes about five years later. For
the Marine Corp's F-35B STOVL JSF, that's 2010, followed by the Air Force's
F-35A in 2011 and the Navy's F-35C in 2012. Operational pilots might see
some planes somewhat earlier than that to begin working up the first
squadron.

Of course, that assumes no program slippage between now and IOC. If you
believe that, I've got a very nice piece of Florida waterfront property for
sale.

--�
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing
special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed)

"Thomas Schoene" wrote:

:For
:the Marine Corp's F-35B STOVL JSF, that's 2010, followed by the Air Force's
:F-35A in 2011 and the Navy's F-35C in 2012. Operational pilots might see
:some planes somewhat earlier than that to begin working up the first
:squadron.

The Marines are getting theirs first now? When did that happen? Was
that the several hundred million that USAF 'misplaced' behind that?

:Of course, that assumes no program slippage between now and IOC. If you
:believe that, I've got a very nice piece of Florida waterfront property for
:sale.

I've heard there are already budget problems. Any surprise there?


--
"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."
-- Charles Pinckney

The Marines are getting theirs first now? When did that happen?

Astonishing! As O.J. said a day or two ago, the marines always seem
to get the short end of the stick.

For a time, when I was in the marines, 50 years ago, I flew airplanes
that had olive-drab paint under the blue, visible where the blue had
worn off. I took it for granted that the army air corps had given
them to the marines after they had worn them out.

vince norris

On 10/22/03 2:17 PM, in article
, "
wrote:

Keep in mind also, that only about 10-15% (roughly) of a shrinking USMC
aviation program is jets. It's more like 35-40% of the Navy
program--especially with the demise of the maritime patrol community. The
Navy is your better percentage bet if you want to fly jets.

Is there any actual idea when the Navy, Air Force and Marines are
going to get these F-something Joint Strike Fighters? And also, when
are they going to start training pilots on them?

That's for somebody in this group that actually tracks that program...

Let me just ask you this: Is this "I wanna be a pilot" thing just a passing
fancy for you? I have to question the motivation of a guy who refers to the
F-35 as "F-something." Not trying to beat on you... Just asking for an
honest self-assessment.

Did you just wake up a week ago and decide that this year might be a good
year to try to become a Naval Aviator?

If so, consider carefully. Military flight programs are no piece of cake,
and those with low motivation tend to be those that get canned from the
program.

--Woody