Pilot or Flight Officer?

[TurnandBurn55]

SO, I was hoping someone could explain to me what an NFO job is all about.

Not to get on your case or anything, but this is probably the second most asked question on this board (#1 being the % jets one)... there have been a lot of good threads in the NFO forum which go into that...

As a jarhead, you'll end up in VT-86 and it's just a choice between Prowlers and Delta Hornets...

 

[Steve Wilkins]

Already you have come to recognize the threat .

Recommended reading for all NFO's.....The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

 

[riley]

jvickers,

to answer your question on whether pilot slots go in october.....

For the past couple of years, yes, most of the pilot slots are in the October class. The reasoning, from my point of view and what my OSO told me, is that it is the beginnning of the new gov't fiscal year. January OCC classes still have a numerous slots, but once you get to the summer OCC class, they are pretty slim on pilot slots.

 

[wink]

jvickers,

to answer your question on whether pilot slots go in october.....

For the past couple of years, yes, most of the pilot slots are in the October class. The reasoning, from my point of view and what my OSO told me, is that it is the beginnning of the new gov't fiscal year. January OCC classes still have a numerous slots, but once you get to the summer OCC class, they are pretty slim on pilot slots.

If I understand your answer, you are wrong. First, are you talking SNA selections or class dates? They are different. Secondly, a SNA going to OCS in OCT will indeed be in the next fiscal year. Then again, so will those going in the previous three months. The fiscal year a guy going to OCS counts against is based on when he gets his commission. Since OCS is aprox three months long people starting OCS back around June will count towards the next fiscal years SNA quotas. I don't know what you mean by most slots are in OCT. Certainly most SNA candidates don't go to OCS in OCT. It is also true that most SNA selections don't happen in OCT. We are currently in the month of OCT, and last I checked, I believe that a little over half of all SNA slots for 2006 (as noted above, guys selecting now are 2006 bodies) are gone. How can most go in OCT? The short answer is that selections for any program are not spread out over the eyar. As apps come in to the board they select candidates that meet the competitive profile. If in the first three months of the year they see 80 guys fit that profile and there are 80 slots then the program is full and no one else will get SNA for that year (there are some unusual exceptions). Keep in mind the loading of OCS classes is something different. Even though those 80 slots may be full within the first three months of the year, the lucky selectees will be spread out over OCS classes throughout the year. The OCS class loading is sometimes modified by bottlenecks and exigent circumstances caused by API and the VTs. For instance, last year my NRD had two NFO candidates scheduled to go to OCS in July. For some reason the Navy needed NFOs on short notice, so they were asked our guys to go to OCS in early June so they counted for an earilier fiscal year. That probably put more NFOs in that class then normal.

 

[Schnugg]

NFO basically is the guy in the back seat. He basically operates the weapons systems and radar so the pilot can concentrate on flying the aircraft. That's mostly the jist of it in a few words. There are a few NFO's on here and they might be able to give you more indepth of what it is they do. As far as wanting to be a pilot, don't go NFO. There is a similar question on another thread and from what I've gathered, once you go NFO, your chances of switching to a pilot slot are next to nil. I think you'll have a better chance of hitting the lottery instead.

Spoken from years of experience I'm sure.

Riddle me this...What air base is in Springfield, MA?

 

[A4sForever]

You've been reading too many of A4's posts.

"You've been reading too many of A4's posts" ?????

I'm sorry. That is not a concept one can understand. It's just not possible .... it's akin to saying "how much masturbation is too much" .... ? Ooooops .... maybe I should not have said that.

Don't read THIS post .....

 

[DocT]

I was going to start a new thread for this, but it fits here so I'll add to the conversation.

I've been lurking and posting here for some time now. I contracted in Oct. of '03 with an air contract to be what I thought was NFO. This is what I've told everyone I know for over two years now. I've been to both jrs and seniors and graduated. I'll commission this spring/early summer and head to TBS at the earliest possible date.

I'm older than the average bear at 27. I had some questions because of my age and commissioning date as to whether I'd need a waiver. I don't know why this wasn't mentioned or followed up before by my OSO (who has now since left The Corps). It turns out I need an after the fact age waiver and shouldn't have a very difficult time securing one seeing as how I've already done the OCS thing etc.

While working on the age waiver it became apparent there were some other discrepancies in my info. "Why", I was asked by the Gunny, "does it state here and here that you're an NFO contract?" I answered a little incredulously that's because I signed an NFO contract.

At that point I was told, and shown in my original contract, where I had signed an SNA contract and that I was not going to be an NFO at all. I was floored, not by my good fortune, but by the fact that I had been through the entire applying and OCS process and had no idea what the hell contract I had signed. I'm fricking embarassed!

I should probably say here that flying was never my reason for joining the Marine Corps and I wouldn't be bent out of shape if it didn't happen. I feel the above story proves I'm not terribly concerned at this juncture as to what my MOS is going to be. That being said, since lurking here and reading about aviation I have gotten excited about the prospects of flying. I have thought that NFO was my future and now that seems not to be and I'm kind of bummed.

So, all this being said, what advice does anyone have for me. I'm tinkering with the idea of trying to get out of the SNA slot and go NFO. Is this or has this been done? What would all of you do (those with experience) in my situation. I don't want to hear from Johnny Highschool that being a pilot is "soo sweet". I really want to weigh my options (if I have any).

I am now open to mudslinging and advice. Thanks and Semper Fi, Doc

 

[jamnww]

I would go with the SNA contract and have fun, no regrets. As for switching over to a NFO contract? Well I haven't heard of it done but I haven't heard of a problem with it either so its worth a shot.

 

[wink]

If you really don't care too much about having a stick between your legs then maybe your only consideration should be very practical. NFO training is shorter then most any pilot track. In addition, NFO training isn't as contingent on the weather. So, if you want to get into the real Corps ASAP NFO would be a better deal.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

So, all this being said, what advice does anyone have for me. I'm tinkering with the idea of trying to get out of the SNA slot and go NFO. Is this or has this been done? What would all of you do (those with experience) in my situation. I don't want to hear from Johnny Highschool that being a pilot is "soo sweet". I really want to weigh my options (if I have any).

Things happen for a reason. If you're not too terribly concerned, go with what you know you have right now.

 

[theduke]

I'm an SNFO in API who's tried several times to switch to SNA. I was finally told that it ain't gonna happen unless I find an SNA to switch with me. I will trade spots with you if you want, but I don't know if they'll approve it, since I'm considerably ahead of you in the pipeline, time-wise and fiscal-year planning-wise.

If you want to do it, though, let me know, and move with the quickness, because I'll be out of API and checking into my Primary squadron to start NFO training in earnest in 2 weeks.


^^i thought NFO training was only a couple or few months shorter than pilot training. about how long does it take (ballpark) from start of API to pinning on wings? (strike or strike-fighter syllabus, of course). about how long is the FRS?

 

[DocT]

I think I'm going to keep the option open, but thanks for the offer Duke. I'm a firm believer in things happen for a reason, so I guess I'll ride this one out. Thanks everyone for all your help.